These players don’t have to be benched. Each individual team is different and league context matters. The matchups are more difficult than usual and if possible, seeking a better start is recommended.
QB Tom Brady vs. MIN
Brady hasn’t finished as a Top 15 quarterback in his last four games. He has multiple touchdown passes in one of those games and hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in two of them. Brady has three 300-yard games and has two touchdown passes or fewer in seven of 11 games. Brady has been underwhelming for Fantasy. The Vikings have allowed multiple touchdown passes in two of 11 games this season. Over the last six games, they have allowed four passing touchdowns. The Vikings defense is No. 8 in pass-defense DVOA.
RB Tevin Coleman vs. BAL
Coleman isn’t getting the volume many had hoped with Devonta Freeman sidelined. Coleman has 11 touches in each of the last two games and just when it appeared the Falcons were back on track getting Coleman involved in the passing game with five catches for 68 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets in Week 9, he has nine catches for 63 yards in the last three games. The Ravens, who allow the second fewest Fantasy points to running backs, allow 95.7 yards per game to backfields.
RB Adrian Peterson @PHI
Injuries to the offensive line and the wear and tear of the season has taken a toll on Peterson, who has been playing through a shoulder injury. In the last four games, he hasn’t topped 70 total yards. He need a touchdown to come through since he’s barely involved in the passing game. While the Eagles have been gashed by the run the last three games, it was against Ezekiel Elliott, Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram and Saquon Barkley. Peterson could also see fewer touches with Chris Thompson back. Josh Adams and Gus Edwards are better starts.
WR Jarvis Landry @HOU
Landry is a dicey decision for Fantasy owners. In deeper formats, you likely don’t have a better option, but Landry is volume dependent and it has decreased. He had had at least seven targets in the first eight games. While the Browns offense has surged the last few games, Landry hasn’t benefited. In six of eight games with Mayfield at quarterback, Landry has been held to 50 yards or fewer. Landry has 17 targets in the last three games and in great matchups, he disappointed with two catches for 22 yards against the Falcons and three catches for 30 yards against the Bengals.
WR Sterling Shepard vs. CHI
Shepard had three good matchups the last three games and was a dud in each. Against the 49ers, Buccaneers and Eagles, Shepard had eight catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. He had 11 targets in those games after having at least seven targets in the first eight games. The Bears are No. 2 in pass-defense DVOA and they can put pressure on Eli Manning.
TE Jimmy Graham vs. Cardinals
Graham played with a broken thumb last week and wasn’t good. He played 22 snaps and caught two passes for 34 yards on four targets. Even before the injury, he wasn’t involved in the offense as much compared to early in the season. He has scored once since Week 5 and has six points or fewer in PPR formats in four of the last five games. Don’t sink with name value.
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