If you haven’t adjusted to the new-look NFL, you’ve been left in the dust. Quarterbacks are racking up yardage an an unprecedented rate — five more threw for 350 yards or more today. That means receivers are the ones doing the damage in fantasy, leaving elite running backs even MORE valuable. Let’s start off with one of those elite backs, Arian Foster.
* Coach Gary Kubiak said that Arian Foster was back to 100 percent and would handle a full workload today. He didn’t lie. Foster piled up 30 carries and three catches, shredding the Steelers once-vaunted defense. Oh, and Ben Tate went down with a groin injury as well. Foster is right there with Darren McFadden as fantasy’s best running back play going forward.
* Rashard Mendenhall left with a hamstring injury. It could be a mercy kind of injury for owners. Give Mendy a break, let camp darling Isaac Redman get out there some. Let the offensive line gel a little. For now, Mendy needs to be on benches.
* Emmanuel Sanders can be dropped. He’s playing far behind Antonio Brown.
* Andre Johnson looks like he suffered a pretty serious hamstring injury. Jacoby Jones is the add here.
* Another tough game for Felix Jones — at this point, selling isn’t the worst idea. He doesn’t look special.
* I’m not adding Laurent Robinson despite his 116-yard day. He has a bye in Week 5 and then Miles Austin (hamstring) will be back in Week 6.
* Cam Newton and Steve Smith were held down by the weather last week. This week, they absolutely went off. Both are must-starts weekly. Note that Newton is the Panthers’ goal-line back.
* The time to sell Dwayne Bowe is now. He’s good, but he won’t sustain production in this miserable Chiefs offense.
* Peyton Hillis’ reduced workload is on. 10 carries for Hillis today, seven for Montario Hardesty.
* Jared Cook lives. He’s on the TE1 radar with Kenny Britt out.
* I never thought that Tim Hightower was a very good player. Now the Redskins may be seeing that. Ryan Torain played ahead of Hightower today and excelled.
* Kendall Hunter started, but Frank Gore finally busted out with 127 yards and a TD. Yes, I’d sell high on Gore. Everyone runs on the Eagles.
* Marques Colston was used extremely sparingly in his first game back. He’ll get better.
* Any more questions about Julio Jones? Back-to-back 100-yard games and he caught 11 balls today. Roddy White is in sharp decline.
* I’m still selling Sidney Rice. Simply not buying Tarvaris Jackson as a capable thrower.
* How about our boy Beanie Wells? Plays through hammy strain, racks up three TDs.
* Oh, and we talked about buying low on Hakeem Nicks. YEP. One of the best pure talents around.
* Not sure what’s going on with Mario Manningham. He was replaced for full series at a time by Victor Cruz today. We’ll have to do some digging there.
* Stevan Ridley is the best back in New England. Period. Must own in all formats as his role grows.
* Aaron Rodgers wants you to know he still has the belt. Six total touchdowns today against a woeful Broncos defense. He’s right there with Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Matthew Stafford as the best fantasy QBs.
