Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 8: Ryan Fitzpatrick Bringing Life to Buffalo
I was away from the mix for a few weeks, and I apologize. But the call of the wild is simply irresistible. I return victorious over the most dangerous game – rabbit and quail – and bear gifts of waiver wire gold.
Ryan Fitzpatrick – QB, BUF (Owned in 18% of leagues)
Remember a few weeks back when Trent Edwards was demoted – then cut – and Fitzpatrick took over the reins in Buffalo?
The most complimentary thing anyone could say about his promotion was, “the offense can’t get any worse.” Now it’s looking like Fitzpatrick was the spark the Bills’ offense needed to get moving.
In the four games since he took over, the offensive output has increased to 26 points per game (up from 8.5 over the first two games).
Impressively, they are doing it on the strength of Fitzpatrick’s arm, as he has thrown two or more touchdowns in every game, capped off by a four touchdown performance this weekend in a near loss to Baltimore.
Despite only having played in four games, he is currently the 14th ranked QB, ahead of widely-rostered stalwarts like Tom Brady and Jay Cutler.
Remember a few weeks back when Trent Edwards was demoted – then cut – and Fitzpatrick took over the reins in Buffalo?
The most complimentary thing anyone could say about his promotion was, “the offense can’t get any worse.” Now it’s looking like Fitzpatrick was the spark the Bills’ offense needed to get moving.
In the four games since he took over, the offensive output has increased to 26 points per game (up from 8.5 over the first two games).
Impressively, they are doing it on the strength of Fitzpatrick’s arm, as he has thrown two or more touchdowns in every game, capped off by a four touchdown performance this weekend in a near loss to Baltimore.
Despite only having played in four games, he is currently the 14th ranked QB, ahead of widely-rostered stalwarts like Tom Brady and Jay Cutler.
LeGarrette Blount – RB, TAM (Owned in 5% of leagues)
I threw Blount’s name out here a few weeks ago based on promises of more touches from coach Raheem Morris. It took a few weeks to materialize, but it looks like Blount is finally seeing more playing time.
While the Bucs didn’t run the ball often – instead opting for sophomore QB Josh Freeman to heave 40 passes in a relatively close game – Blount accounted for 11 of the team’s 16 carries by a RB, putting up 72 yards (6.5 yds/carry). That should earn him more playing time for a team in desperate need of an effective RB.
Owners looking to the playoffs should note that the Bucs have a favorable schedule Weeks 14-16 (@ Washington, vs. Detroit, vs. Seattle).
I threw Blount’s name out here a few weeks ago based on promises of more touches from coach Raheem Morris. It took a few weeks to materialize, but it looks like Blount is finally seeing more playing time.
While the Bucs didn’t run the ball often – instead opting for sophomore QB Josh Freeman to heave 40 passes in a relatively close game – Blount accounted for 11 of the team’s 16 carries by a RB, putting up 72 yards (6.5 yds/carry). That should earn him more playing time for a team in desperate need of an effective RB.
Owners looking to the playoffs should note that the Bucs have a favorable schedule Weeks 14-16 (@ Washington, vs. Detroit, vs. Seattle).
Brandon Jacobs – RB, NYG (Owned in 66% of leagues)
Jacobs has taken a back seat to Ahmad Bradshaw in the Giants pecking order, but he is still putting up numbers that warrant near-universal ownership.
Despite getting only about 35% of the team’s carries, he has amassed almost 300 yards and scored five touchdowns, all of which have come in the past four games.
If an owner with an itchy trigger finger dropped him in your league after his cold start, grab him as a weekly flex.
Jacobs has taken a back seat to Ahmad Bradshaw in the Giants pecking order, but he is still putting up numbers that warrant near-universal ownership.
Despite getting only about 35% of the team’s carries, he has amassed almost 300 yards and scored five touchdowns, all of which have come in the past four games.
If an owner with an itchy trigger finger dropped him in your league after his cold start, grab him as a weekly flex.
Steve Johnson – WR, BUF (Owned in 40% of leagues)
Johnson has been on fire since Fitzpatrick took over in Buffalo with the two having hooked up for over 300 yards and five touchdowns in just four games.
Johnson has been a consistent threat, with at least three catches and a score in each game and with the Bills’ atrocious defense, they should continue to throw all year.
While teams will likely begin to pay closer attention to Johnson if he continues on this tear, with Lee Evans across the field he will see his share of single coverage.
He is currently scoring as a top 20 WR ahead of Andre Johnson and Brandon Marshall.
Johnson has been on fire since Fitzpatrick took over in Buffalo with the two having hooked up for over 300 yards and five touchdowns in just four games.
Johnson has been a consistent threat, with at least three catches and a score in each game and with the Bills’ atrocious defense, they should continue to throw all year.
While teams will likely begin to pay closer attention to Johnson if he continues on this tear, with Lee Evans across the field he will see his share of single coverage.
He is currently scoring as a top 20 WR ahead of Andre Johnson and Brandon Marshall.
David Gettis – WR, CAR (Owned in 2% of leagues)
Having not recorded more than 37 yards in a game coming into Sunday, Gettis broke out with 125 yards and two scores against San Francisco.
Whether this was a sign of the Panthers’ offense getting back on track with Matt Moore back under center or an anomalous blip is yet to be seen. But with St. Louis and New Orleans on deck for the Panthers, Gettis is worth a speculative waiver pickup in all leagues.
Having not recorded more than 37 yards in a game coming into Sunday, Gettis broke out with 125 yards and two scores against San Francisco.
Whether this was a sign of the Panthers’ offense getting back on track with Matt Moore back under center or an anomalous blip is yet to be seen. But with St. Louis and New Orleans on deck for the Panthers, Gettis is worth a speculative waiver pickup in all leagues.
Vincent Jackson – WR, SDG (Owned in 41% of leagues)
He’s back! Reports indicate that Jackson will sign his tender and report to the Chargers on this Friday, Oct. 29. OK – he’ll be inactive for the next four weeks (three game team suspension plus the bye), but keep an eye on him.
He’ll be available for the last two games of the fantasy season and through the playoffs. Owners who are starting to plan for the playoffs should take advantage and stash VJax on the bench.
He’s back! Reports indicate that Jackson will sign his tender and report to the Chargers on this Friday, Oct. 29. OK – he’ll be inactive for the next four weeks (three game team suspension plus the bye), but keep an eye on him.
He’ll be available for the last two games of the fantasy season and through the playoffs. Owners who are starting to plan for the playoffs should take advantage and stash VJax on the bench.
*All percentages taken from Yahoo!
Got any other Waiver Wire Gems?
Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on Twitter@TheFantasyFix Written by Chris Sheehan exclusively for the www.thefantasyfix.com. Chris is an avid football fan and has been playing fantasy football for over ten years. Check back for more great articles from him weekly. Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, Waiver Wire Pickups, Week 8, Week Eight, Ryan Fitzpatrick, LeGarrette Blount, Brandon Jacobs, Steve Johnson, David Gettis, Vincent Jackson, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, San Diego Padres
Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on Twitter@TheFantasyFix Written by Chris Sheehan exclusively for the www.thefantasyfix.com. Chris is an avid football fan and has been playing fantasy football for over ten years. Check back for more great articles from him weekly. Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, Waiver Wire Pickups, Week 8, Week Eight, Ryan Fitzpatrick, LeGarrette Blount, Brandon Jacobs, Steve Johnson, David Gettis, Vincent Jackson, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, San Diego Padres
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