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Week 10 Fantasy Takeaways, Including Reggie Bush: Bed Pooper

by Scott Engel | 3:03 pm, November 13th, 2012

Each week, RotoExperts.com will be bringing you 11 immediate reactions from the weekend that was. Whether it’s a waiver commodity you need to jump on early, or an emerging trend you need to know about, they’ve got you covered.

This week, Scott Engel tells us about a wide receiver you want, a running back you probably wish you didn’t have, and a team to stay the hell away from in general.

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1.1. Chris Johnson has regained elite status

To think I was getting questions about cutting him earlier this season in the RotoExperts e-mail advice box. Johnson became the first RB in 22 games to go over 100 yards against Miami on Sunday, and displayed his vintage form on a pretty 17-yard TD run. Johnson is running with confidence, authority and distinctive explosion again. He’s back to being a must-start.

2.2. Reggie Bush is in trouble

He was one of the biggest casualties in Miami’s stunning blowout home loss to the Titans. Bush was yanked in favor of Daniel Thomas after only four carries as he lost an early fumble that contributed to the heavy negative momentum that swept the Dolphins away. Bush continues to lose carries and reps to Thomas, and has gone from posting terrific numbers early in the schedule to looking like a shaky flex option. He may respond with better numbers, so don’t bench him yet.

3.3. Start Seattle’s WRs at home

The Jets entered Sunday’s game at Seattle with the league’s sixth-ranked pass defense. But Russell Wilson has imposed his will on defenses at home, and threw two more TD passes, giving him 11 with no interceptions this year in five starts at Century Link Field. Golden Tate has caught five of his six TDs at home this year, and even threw a TD pass against the Jets. Sidney Rice is healthy again and has caught four TD passes in his past three games (two at home) and scored twice on Sunday.

4.4. Chris Ivory runs angry

The New Orleans RB ripped off an impressive 56-yard TD run against Atlanta on Sunday, refusing to let anyone get within true tackling distance of him. Ivory has received quality playing time over the past two games and is running like a man spurned, which he was earlier this year when he was buried on the bench. Ivory is suddenly playing too well not to consider him as a flex option.

5.5. You can’t trust Mikel Leshoure

Last week, he rumbled for three TDs. This week, Leshoure totaled 43 rushing yards on 13 carries. Leshoure is not going to be reliable in the weeks ahead, even if he has some good games. The Lions offense is clicking again, and that means Detroit will still be a pass-first team.

6.6. Eli Manning needs a week off

After not throwing any TD passes and tossing two horrific-looking interceptions at Cincinnati, it’s apparent Eli Manning desperately needs the upcoming bye week to regroup. There’s much more bogging him down than just whispers about a tired arm. The offense looks completely out of sync, and his owners must start another QB until he is clearly back to his better form.

7.7. Cecil Shorts can bring the numbers

Let’s rewind to Thursday for this one, because it’s kind of startling to see a true Fantasy option rise out of the nothingness in Jacksonville. Shorts continued to roll, though, catching six passes for 105 yards and a TD. Jacksonville won’t score many points, and Shorts is not getting much help, but he is getting open often enough to pad the stat sheet.

8.8. And you drafted Robert Meachem?

Danario Alexander has quickly and clearly arrived as a deep threat for Philip Rivers. Alexander was recently plucked off the NFL scrap heap and has an immediate impact. He caught five passes for 134 yards and a TD at Tampa Bay, and has easily soared past Robert Meachem on the depth. Alexander is exciting and a real playmaker, but injuries have often derailed him in the past.

9.9. Reminder: the Raiders are bad

Oakland’s defense allowed Dennis Pitta to wake up. The Baltimore TE caught five passes for 67 yards and scored for the first time since Week 3. Don’t get excited that Pitta is suddenly back on track. He will surely disappear against Pittsburgh next week.

10.10. Nick Foles should not be added to your roster

Evil Eagles fans who likely wished for an injury to see Michael Vick replaced got their wish when Vick went out with a concussion on Sunday. Rookie Nick Foles was no savior, looking erratic as he threw for 219 yards, one TD and one (nearly two) interception. Foles could start against Washington, but don’t expect any stellar production based on the matchup.

11.11. What’s more frustrating than a tie?

Starting Vernon Davis. He was a dud again Sunday, catching four passes for 30 yards. Davis has not reached the 40-yard mark in his past four games and he last scored on September 23. He needs Mike Singletary to come and yell at him again, maybe. And you can officially bench him and not be called crazy.

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