RADIO
Is Eli Manning still an elite quarterback?
Just kidding, that discussion is not happening here nor should it ever be a click-bait worthy headline ever again. Manning and the Giants host the Washington Redskins in this week’s Thursday Night Football matchup in Week 3 of the NFL season.
As usual, below are some of the key fantasy football players in tonight’s game and what their expectations should be. Towards the end, a few reaches or deeper league options will be discussed.
Redskins @ Giants - Matchups We Love
Odell Beckham Jr.: This is my third week writing the Thursday Night Football fantasy preview and it will contain my shortest list of top-tier starters. Averaging 10 targets a game in the Giants offense that provides no other viable wide receiver options, Beckham Jr. is the obvious focal point of the offense week-in and week-out. Beckham Jr. had his first WR1-type game last week against the Atlanta Falcons, catching seven passes on 12 targets for 146 yards and a touchdown. Washington’s secondary is nothing to be too scared about, but there’s no scenario where Beckham Jr. is going on the bench throughout the whole season anyways. I’m projecting an eight-catch, two-touchdown performance for ODB in prime-time.
Alfred Morris and Matt Jones: Personally, I feel like we got to this timeshare scenario a little earlier than expected. After the hype train led by Matthew Berry at ESPN and Washington beat writers gained speed, Matt Jones became a late-round draft pick for many, wondering when he’ll be useful. Well, it’s Week 3 and it looks like we’re here. Jones had a career day against the Rams, rushing 19 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns, along with catching three passes for 23 yards. He did lose a fumble during the contest, putting a negative note on an almost flawless day.
However, Morris only had one less rush than Jones (for 59 rushing yards) and also caught two passes for 13 yards. The Redskins had 37 rush attempts for 182 yards against a strong run defense in St. Louis. Morris is going to get his 12 rushing attempts a game for now, even with Jones flourishing. Morris will also be utilized in the red zone until Jones proves that he can hold onto the rock. Tonight, Morris will find the end zone and Jones will not, but Jones will outgain Morris in yards. Both players should be in lineups.
Redskins @ Giants - Prove It To Me Matchups
Rashad Jennings: Jennings had his typical lead-back Week 1, rushing 13 times for 52 yards and a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys. With all of the postgame mess about Manning telling Jennings not to score, it could have and probably should have been a two-touchdown game for Jennings. He is still the lead back even after his Week 2 dud—nine rushes for 12 yards with two catches for 12 yards. Jennings may be matchup-dependent based on the opposing team's defense. Against the Redskins above-average run defense, the Giants may be looking to go pass-heavy, and Jennings’ counterpart may be the better option for PPR. If your league is not PPR, the choice is Jennings over Vereen 10 out of 10 times. Jennings will find the end zone tonight.
Shane Vereen: Vereen has 12 catches this season for 122 yards as the Giants' change-of-pace back. He was one of the Giants' best performers aside from Beckham Jr. last week, catching eight passes for 76 yards. Touchdowns will be hard to come by for Vereen, who will not see many rushes in the red zone. Hoever, he certainly has the ability to turn a scamper into a huge fantasy play. He can be a flex option if better options aren’t available for PPR leagues, but I don’t think he should crack the starting roster yet in 10-team leagues.
Eli Manning: One of the largest fantasy enigmas at quarterback is Eli Manning. After a single-digit performance in Week 1 in which he threw no touchdowns, Eli had more than 20 points in his Week 2 game against Atlanta. He has not thrown an interception yet this season which is a great sign, but he truly only has one receiving threat until Victor Cruz returns. Predicting what Eli will do on a nightly basis is more difficult than watching the Giants invent ways to lose football games, and most times one is dependent on the other.
I’m rolling with Manning tonight and counting this as one of his good weeks. Manning is 15-6 during his career against the Redskins, completing nearly 60% of his passes. He has thrown 23 touchdowns in 21 total games, so the odds are that he’ll find the end zone tonight. Tonight will be Manning’s best game of the season thus far.
