Where would all the passing records be without passing-catchers... pass-catchers... pascatchers...
Brandon Marshall fantasy stats are a trip: Week 9 leaders
The Good, the bad, and plenty injured for receivers on Sunday.
Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE
These guys:
The Good
Brandon Marshall against the Titans (SCORING LIKE THE BEARS DEFENSE)
The reunion between Jay Cutler and Marshall has been hot and heavy this season, but the tryst reached a new peak against the Titans on the way to a 51-point outburst from Chicago. Cutler targeted Marshall 10 times and Brandon finished with nine catches for 122 yards and 3 TDs.
Halfway through the year, Marshall has 59 catches for 797 yards and 7 TDs. He is, obviously, on pace for career-highs across the board and he’s been on another level in Chicago. A match made in heaven. With a Bye week in his rearview, Marshall should be considered a top five option rest-of-season.
Eric Decker against the Bengals (DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME)
Simple minds might think of Decker as an afterthought to Demaryius Thomas, but Peyton Manning doesn't. Decker caught his sixth and seventh touchdowns of the year to go along with 99 yards, while Thomas finished with 77 yards and no scores. Thomas has considerably more yards, but Decker now has three more touchdowns than his buddy.
The Broncos Bye is behind them and Denver has some favorable matchups coming up. Both Decker and Thomas are safe plays every week.
A.J. Green against the Broncos (WE'RE GOING STREAKING IN THE QUAD)
Green may have left school at Georgia, but he’s always up for a good streak. The elite receiver had 99 yards against the Broncos, but more importantly caught a touchdown in his seventh straight game. That gives Green eight scores and 735 yards in eight games.
He was good as a rookie, he’s already great as a sophomore.
Golden Tate and Randall Cobb (TWO SCORE SHOUTOUTS)
Few other receivers stand out, but Tate and Cobb each had a pair of scores on Sunday. Cobb had to step up with Jordy Nelson leaving with a new injury and finished with 37 yards receiving, two touchdowns, 29 yards rushing, and 136 yards in the return game. On the downside, he had three catches on nine targets.
Tate has struggled to become the receiver many Seattle fans have wanted him to become after being a second round pick, but had the first 2-TD game of his career on Sunday against the Vikings to go along with 28 yards receiving and 21 rushing.
Honorable Mentions: T.Y. Hilton (102 yards, 1 TD, 11 targets), Kevin Ogletree (96 yards, 1 TD), Vincent Jackson (84 yards, 1 TD)
The Tight Ends
Brandon Myers continues to be a favorite target of Carson Palmer, catching two touchdowns.
Tom Crabtree has two more touchdowns than Jermichael Finley this season.
The Bad
Percy Harvin against the Seahawks (STOPPED)
Harvin was on a nice streak this season. Even when he was held to 34 total yards against the Lions he had a 105-yard kickoff return. That streak stopped on Sunday against Seattle when he was held to 34 total yards and lost a fumble. Percy also limped off the field twice, but returned each time. He just wasn't able to do much when he did return and looked visibly hampered and possibly played more of a decoy role.
Dez Bryant against the Falcons (UNHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU)
Dez Bryant turned 24 on Sunday and celebrated with 1 catch for 15 yards. Questionable to play, Bryant was able to get active in time, but was held inactive by Atlanta on four targets. Bryant checks in the midway point with just over 500 yards but only two touchdowns on the season.
He looks great at times, but could be bothered by that hip injury.
Hakeem Nicks against the Steelers (NEW YORK'S SMALL PASSING GAME)
It was a bad day all around for the "Giant" offense. Eli Manning passed for just 125 yards and no scores, leaving Nicks with only ten yards and Victor Cruz leading the way with just 67. A far cry from the shootouts that New York had become used to.
Honorable Mentions: Dwayne Bowe, Titus Young, Stevie Johnson
The Injured
Jordy Nelson was a late active for the Packers and then slid awkwardly, twisted his ankle, and was an in-game inactive that quickly after zero catches. This would have been a good morning for Nelson owners to sleep-in from their hangover and not change their lineups at the last minute like the responsible fantasy owners did.
Antonio Brown suffered an ankle injury, but is expected back next Monday night.
Donnie Avery had 108 yards but left with a hip injury and did not return. Not good news, the Colts play the Jaguars on Thursday night.
Titans rookie Kendall Wright has been one of the most successful first-year receivers this year, but left the game with an elbow injury. He does not plan to miss any time.
And you don’t play to miss any of these updates!
