Targets - From Week 14-  12/17/11

TARGETS - FROM WEEK 14

Week 14 is ova, it’s ova, it’s all ova!  Don’t die Fantasy Season!  Hopefully you’re still alive and kicking after week 14, because in most leagues, that means you are going for the ultimate, the gold, the glory, the infamous Fantasy Football League Championship.  Let’s take a look at who got fed and who was starved out this weekend…

NOTE*** I’ve added a twist to the PYRO Targets Report.  You see in the RB and QB charts, I’ve included a new column – LOOKS.  For RB’s, LOOKS = Carries + Targets.  For QB’s, LOOKS = Pass Attempts + Carries.  The purpose of the report is to show overall involvement in the offense, and we agreed at PYRO HQ to add this wrinkle in, as it is a better indicator of the data we’re after.   

If you’re a first timer just checking in for this weekly report, here’s how we break it down…

The Gravy Train…

The Gravy Train showcase is to “target” the guys who will be regulars at the top of the list throughout the season.  Rain or shine, this crew will find a way to be here most weeks.  These are your work horses that can you can ride to your league’s playoff door.

Eating with the Big Dogs…

This section showcases guys who had a great feeding by their offensive coordinators this week but who will see the top of the list infrequently.  Or, a fresh face on the rise that has shown he just may belong with the Big Dogs.

Dude, Where’s my Pizza…

Here’s where we highlight this week’s batch of players that normally should be fed but we’re starved out over the weekend.

RUNNING BACKS CARRIES + TARGETS

The Gravy Train… MJD finally knocked Arian Foster of the top of the hill this weekend putting up a juicy, gravy guzzling, 33 Looks.  He dined in fine style too, hitting the end zone 4 times and chalking up 130+ yards from scrimmage.  That’s a spicy meatball.

Eating with the Big Dogs…  Marion Barber ate with the big dogs and then went straight into the Chicago Bears dog house after the game.  Barber notched 31 Looks this weekend, but missed a chance to end the game at regulation when he foolishly went out of bounds, stopping the clock and giving Denver a chance to tie the game up.  Then he fumbled the ball away on the Bears first OT possession which lead to a game ending field goal Loss.  Dog house or not, if you have Barber, expect more love in the Looks department until Forte returns.

Dude, Where’s my Pizza?...  From a 3 week run on the gravy train to looking for late night scraps in the fridge, Arian Foster went hungry this weekend when his owners needed him most.  He is number 1 on the season at RB for Looks/G, but landed at 15^th this weekend, with a measly 15 carries.  I hope you Foster owners had saved up some leftovers.

WIDE RECEIVER TARGETS

The Gravy Train…  Brandon Lloyd has been gobbling up the Targets since he landed in St. Louis and this Monday night was another scrumptious meal.  He landed at WR # 3 for the weekend, precisely where he sits on the season Targets/G (averaging 9.83).  Sam Bradford has been abysmal this season with a sophomore slump, but I’m looking to see this tandem do some serious damage next season.  Barring injuries, Lloyd will be undervalued in next season’s draft; get on the Gravy Train with a late round snack.

Eating with the Big Dogs… Percy Harvin has been snatching up the targets since Ponder came on the scene.  This weekend was no different, as Harvin chewed up 15 targets to the tune of 10 catches, 69 receiving yards, and 1 TD.  He’s another guy that will likely be a little undervalued during next year’s draft season. 

Dude, Where’s my Pizza?...  I know I have been picking on MegaTron lately here, and I was going to give him a break, but no, that’s not a typo, he’s not on the top 50 list this weekend.  Titus Young and Nate Burleson out ate the Mega man this weekend, while Tron saw just 4 targets in the game.  If he doesn’t do something down the stretch, I know a lot of owners who will be jumping off the Calvin train, and looking for some pizza.

TIGHT END TARGETS

The Gravy Train…  Tony Gonzalez is averaging 8 Targets/G this season, and has 9, 10, and 11, in the past three weeks.  It’s amazing what this timeless legend is doing and it’s been all too quiet, as the Falcons are making a playoff run.  Charlie says, Love my Good and Plenty!  Choo!  Choo!

Eating with the Big Dogs…  It was a big outing for Owen Daniels this weekend, slurping up 10 targets, and putting up 100 yards.  He is only 15^th on the TE season list, at 5.92 Targets/G, but his 10 this weekend was good enough for 2^nd place.  Pac-Man would be proud, Power Pellet anyone?

Dude, Where’s my Pizza?...  Another weak outing for Kellen Winslow this weekend, gives him only 10 targets over the past two weeks.  He’s now 5^th overall on the TE Targs/G season list, averaging 7.5.  He landed at 16^th this weekend, so the hunger pangs will continue for another week.  Freeman is playing hurt, despite the news he is looking fine.  If you have another option at TE, it’s time for that gut check.    

QUARTERBACK THROWING ATTEMPTS + CARRIES

The Gravy Train…  Drew Brees is on a run, and he is exactly the type of player that can put a Fantasy Franchise on this back and carry his/her owner to a championship.  He is now tops in the league at QB for Looks/G and he showed up in the crunch this past weekend at #2.  Uh-huh, that gravy tastes gooooood!     

Eating with the Big Dogs…  Well, this is a place I can honestly say nobody expected to see Tim Tebow, #1 on the weekend at QB for Looks/G.  This kid is making a ridiculous splash.  As polarizing as he is, you can’t deny he is showing the world something special.  Kool-Aid, Kool-Aid, tastes great, gotta git some, CAN’T WAIT!

Dude, Where’s my Pizza…  Just a week removed from taking a ride on the gravy train, Matt Stafford drops down the weekly list to #22 for QB Looks this weekend.  He is still riding high at #3 on the season.  His next two weeks are at Oakland, and home vs. San Diego.  Oakland has been weak at stopping QB’s this season, and you have to love any indoor matchup for a QB at this part of the year.

by Mike Spike Jønes

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- 12/17/11