We are starting to get into the nitty gritty part of the season where a win or loss could help or hurt your playoff push. Luckily it is still early enough where second place division teams will not be eliminated if they happen to lose. There are some great matchups this week but we can only highlight five of them. This is what we have for Week 11:
Robert Griffin III vs. Nick Foles
It is safe to say that Griffin hasn’t lived up to expectation this season with his inconsistency. I guess you can consider this year as a sophomore slump. He hasn’t thrown for at least 300 yards in a game since week three.
The last time Griffin was against the Eagles, he didn’t catch fire until the second half where they had to play catch up since they were down 33-7 at one point.
Griffin has the opportunity to put up great stats and do not forget that the Eagles haven’t won a home game in over a calendar year. Foles has been on fire since he was named starter. He has 16 passing touchdowns and no interceptions all season although he did fumble last week so he has one total turnover.
Foles didn’t play against the Redskins back in Week 1 but it is safe to say that he will not have any trouble against that defense.
The Redskins have given up 10 passing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks the past five weeks and average giving up almost two touchdowns passes per game. Foles has 10 touchdowns passes the past two games so expect good things.
Projection:
Robert Griffin III – 250 passing yards, 40 rushing yards, two total touchdowns, one interception
Nick Foles – 290 passing yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions
Vernon Davis vs. Jimmy Graham
Davis left last week’s game against the Panthers due to a concussion so he is going through the whole process this week to make sure he can play.
If he does play, he will be a big asset to the 49ers offense. Taking away the Panthers game, Davis has five touchdown catches in the past five games.
So it is clear to see that he is a favorite target for Colin Kaepernick especially in the red zone. The Saints have a very stingy defense especially against tight ends.
The last game they have given up a touchdown to a tight end was Week 4 against the Dolphins.
Davis will either be a stud or dud for this week’s game. Graham was held in check for the second time this season last week against the Cowboys. It is not often he has neither a touchdown nor at least 100 yards receiving. The 49ers defense has been excellent in defending against tight ends but they haven’t seen one like Jimmy Graham all season. I have a strong feeling that Drew Brees will look his way early and often in this big matchup in the Superdome. Graham will get back on track with big numbers.
Projection:
Vernon Davis – Four receptions, 70 yards, one touchdown
Jimmy Graham – Six receptions, 90 yards, two touchdowns
Jamaal Charles vs. Knowshon Moreno
It is hard to tell how this matchup will turn out. Charles has been carrying the workload of the Chiefs offense all season and he has succeeded in doing so.
He was held under 100 all purpose yards for the first time last week against the Bills and he was actually only four yards short of that mark.
Clearly Charles is the heart of the offense and the Broncos defense will have to key on him all night.
The Denver defense has given up at least one rushing touchdown to opposing running backs except for once against the Colts in Week 7.
Charles will have a good day if the Broncos defense cannot design a way to stop him. Moreno has made himself valuable, like Charles, through the passing game where he gets plenty of looks in the screen and the short check downs. Moreno hasn’t reached the end zone on the ground since Week 7 and will be even tougher this week against a strong Chiefs defense.
Before the bye week, the Chiefs uncharacteristically gave up over 200 rushing yards against the Bills. If that Chiefs defense shows up then Moreno will have a field day.
Projection:
Jamaal Charles – 80 rush yards, five receptions, 30 receiving yards, two total touchdowns
Knowshon Moreno – 60 rush yards, six receptions, 40 receiving yards, one touchdown
Tom Brady vs. Cam Newton
Brady absolutely went off in his last outing against the Steelers where he threw over 400 yards and four touchdowns. It was all of us fantasy owners have been waiting for from him and now we want the production to continue. He has had two weeks, because of the bye, to study tape and figure out this red hot Panthers team.
The Panthers defense ranks first in fantasy points against opposing quarterbacks and have yet to give up a multi-touchdown game through the air. Brady will have to play like he did a couple weeks ago to douse this hot team. Newton will really have to stay on top of his game to pull out a victory. He only had one game that he threw over 300 yards passing this season.
The Patriots defense has surrendered nine touchdown passes in the past four games so this is good news for Newton if he plays well. His touchdown passes have been limited this season but that can definitely change in this Monday night showdown
Projections:
Tom Brady – 250 passing yards, two touchdowns, one interception
Cam Newton – 230 passing yards, two touchdowns, one interception
Alex Smith vs. Peyton Manning
This is one of the most intriguing matchups of the week (at least in my eyes). Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos will host Alex Smith and the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. This will be the Chiefs first major test of the season and it all starts with the quarterbacks. If we use the eye test, we can see that Smith has not played a major role in this offense but has done enough to keep the Chiefs winning.
He has nine passing touchdowns to four interceptions and has yet to throw over 300 yards in a game. If the Chiefs want any chance at staying undefeated, Smith will need to perform like an elite quarterback to keep up with Manning and the Broncos offense.
The Broncos secondary has been vulnerable this season giving up tons of yards and touchdowns so we will see how Smith can handle it in Denver. Manning has a lot to worry about this week. In his past game against the Chargers, Manning had some low hits that began to ail his ankles and that Chiefs pass rush is nothing to play with. They will be pressuring Manning early and often to make him make mistakes.
Even though he throws a lot of touchdowns, in the past five games Manning has six interceptions and four fumbles. Look for him to set up a lot of screens and short passes to Knowshon Moreno and Demaryius Thomas just to get rid of the ball quickly and avoid the pass rush. If Manning can stay on his feet then he will put up his typical numbers but if the Chiefs can get to him, Manning can struggle.
Projections:
Alex Smith – 200 pass yards, one touchdown, one interception
Peyton Manning – 280 pass yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions