After three straight weeks of no Quality Games, the “retirement” question was aimed at Tony Gonzalez once again and he responded with 11 catches, 122 yards and two touchdowns. On behalf of all Tony Gonzalez owners, I say, “Take your time, Tony”.
Each week this season, the Quality Games Review will be here to assist you. It should help you see who is performing above average to help your team win, along with those who may be hurting your chances. As the year goes on, consistency trends will start to show the players that are becoming consistent performers and those who are one-week wonders.
The Quality Game Score is the awarding of a Quality Game to a player each week when they exceed the average points scored in your league for that position. The more Quality Games a player is awarded each year, the more consistent that player is, and the more beneficial they are to your Fantasy team. The scoring method used will be a standard PPR format with four points for passing touchdowns and six for all others.
So, let’s begin the review…
Quarterbacks – (Quality Game Factor – 18.27)
Quality Game Earners – Week 10
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THE EXPECTED
Nothing helps your Fantasy quarterback like a healthy dose of New Orleans Saints’ defense! Matt Ryan was “high” on life this past weekend and took the second spot overall. Matthew Stafford appears to be getting his “mojo” back as well, with his fourth Quality Game in his last five games. Peyton Manning earned his seventh straight Quality Game and is now tied for second place overall with Drew Brees. Cam Newton and Tony Romo have each now earned Quality games in back-to-back weeks. However, both have been a tremendous disappointment this season.
THE UNEXPECTED
Andrew Luck continues to be red hot. He is ranked seventh in total points and tied for fourth in consistency. Josh Freeman continued his current hot streak with his fifth straight Quality Game. Ryan Fitzpatrick earned his sixth Quality Game of the season for a 67 percent Quality Success Rate (QSR), which ties him with Aaron Rodgers. The injury to Alex Smith opens the door for Colin Kaepernick. Not a great passer but extremely fast on his feet, he may be one to watch if Michael Vick is lost for a long period of time.
Here is a group of those bad surprises; quarterbacks who didn’t earn a Quality Game this week. Vick is injured but Eli Manning is poisoned with a case of the sucks, especially the past three weeks!
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Consistency Leaders – YTD – Quarterbacks
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Tom Brady remains as the sole perfect quarterback. Drew Brees stole the top spot in overall points with Aaron Rodgers on a bye week. Matt Ryan ranks third overall and is tied for fourth place in consistency. In baseball, there is the Mendoza line at a batting average of .200. Well, in Fantasy Football consistency, there is the “Jay Cut-off”. This is a QSR of 50 percent or below. Eli Manning just hit the “Cut-Off” this week. Of course, Jay Cutler is below that at 44 percent.
Running Backs – (Quality Game Factor – 10.35)
Quality Game Earners – Week 10
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THE EXPECTED
Steven Jackson earned a rare Quality Game this year. His 44 percent QSR this season has many folks disappointed in his performance. However, since this past weekend’s performance was against the 49ers, I’d say he’s not done yet. Also speaking of not done yet; how about Chris Johnson’s fifth straight Quality Game this past weekend? He’s now ranked ninth in total points overall. Jamaal Charles is now ranked 11th in total points and is easily the most inconsistent top 12 running back with a 44 percent QSR. The other Top 12 running backs are all above a 67 percent QSR.
THE UNEXPECTED
Danny Woodhead is also at a 44 percent QSR but he’s really a feast or famine guy this season. Marcel Reece filled in nicely for Darren McFadden this past weekend. Chris Ivory appears to be the Fantasy leader so far in the Saints’ backfield in Darren Sproles’ absence. This is kind of surprising since you didn’t hear his name until two weeks ago. Oh yeah, Andre Brown is eating into Ahmad Bradshaw’s Fantasy numbers.
Below is a list of some of the top running backs in football that did not earn a Quality Game this week. The Bears slug-fest against the Texans hurt Matt Forte and don’t look now, but the Bears head to San Francisco this weekend.
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Consistency Leaders – YTD – Running Backs
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There are still only four legit perfects. The Quality Quartet continues to dominate the consistency, especially when you consider that, other than Marshawn Lynch’s 90 percent QSR, no other running back has earned eight Quality Games. C.J. Spiller moves into the Top 7 in overall points, and he now gets the backfield to himself on Thursday night with Fred Jackson out this week.
Michael Turner is becoming a real dud with a QSR of only 56 percent. He has only one Quality Game in the last four weeks. Reggie Bush and Ahmad Bradshaw have also slipped down to that level.
Wide Receiver – (Quality Game Factor – 10.85)
Quality Game Earners – Week 10
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THE EXPECTED
Did someone take the Madden 13 game off of the shelves? The Curse is over! Calvin Johnson took the top spot this past weekend and earned his first back-to-back Quality Games since Week 3. Demaryius Thomas continues to dominate with his sixth straight Quality Game. Roddy White and Julio Jones both earned Quality Games this week again as a result of playing the Saints’ defense. Dez Bryant finally got back on track this week, as did Steve Johnson. Both have been disappointments this season, as they are ranked 26th and 31st respectively.
THE UNEXPECTED
Danny Amendola came back from his injury with a vengeance this week and immediately appears to be Sam Bradford’s favorite once again. Other than Amendola, if you’re looking for some consistent waiver wire potentials, these receivers have recently earned multiple Quality Games and could be waiting for you to pick them up: Andrew Hawkins, Titus Young, Donald Jones and Golden Tate. The potential waiver wire receivers with back-to-back Quality Games are Brian Hartline and Cecil Shorts.
Here is the list of top wide receivers that didn’t earn a Quality Game this week. This list is almost as big and significant as the quarterbacks list this week. Victor Cruz is killing Fantasy teams right now!
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Consistency Leaders – YTD – Wide Receivers
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Reggie Wayne remains as the only perfect. However, breathing down his neck at an 89 percent QSR is the trio of Brandon Marshall, A.J. Green and Demaryius Thomas. DenariusMoorehas quietly snuck into the 75 percent QSR for the year.
Extreme disappointments include Larry Fitzgerald (16th in total points and 56 percent QSR) and Andre Johnson (30th in total points and 56 percent QSR).
Tight Ends – (Quality Game Factor – 9.40)
Quality Game Earners – Week 10
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THE EXPECTED
Tony Gonzalez regained his consistent swagger this week with a dominating performance. Jimmy Graham also earned over 30 points in PPR formats. Antonio Gates finally remembered that he’s supposed to be a top tight end in this league; either that, or Philip Rivers remembered – not sure which one at this point. Jason Witten earned his sixth straight Quality Game, which is the highest streak by any tight end this season.
THE UNEXPECTED
Greg Olsen is seventh in total points after his 30+ point performance this week, but he is only at a 56 percent QSR for the year. Brandon Myers quietly continues his excellent consistency for the season. Kyle Rudolph is ninth in total points but only has a 60 percent QSR. However, he also had a zero point week a few weeks ago. His inconsistency is rough to predict.
Here are the top tight ends that didn’t earn a Quality Game this week. Vernon Davis may win the most disappointing tight end ahead of Gates. Ok, maybe not, but it’s close enough.
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Consistency Leaders – YTD – Tight Ends
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If you have a tight end above a 67 percent QSR, you’re in pretty good shape. If you’re above 78 percent, you’re in great shape! Congrats! Everyone else is scrambling for Quality Game scraps. There isn’t much out there. If I had to pick one, I’d try Jared Cook, who may find some consistent ways with the return of Jake Locker.
There’s your Week 10 list of Quality Games earned. Start watching these Quality rankings to find your next gem on the waiver wire and then let me know how they work out in your drive towards the championship!
Week Eleven – Quality Matchups
My Quality Game research has also shown that most Quality Games are earned during a Quality Matchup. This is a game where the player is either playing at home OR away versus a bottom ten defense. If you want more analysis to help with setting your lineup each week, check out the Xclusive Edge Package and you will see the Historical Consistency rankings each week.
So, let’s take a look at the schedule.
These teams have a bye this week:
Minnesota, New YorkGiants, Seattle and Tennessee
This week’s home teams are:
Atlanta, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Kansas City, Dallas, Detroit, New England, Houston, Buffalo, Oakland, St. Louis, Washington, Denver and Carolina
Teams that are playing away versus a bottom ten defense include:
New Orleans@Oakland
Indianapolis@New England
Philadelphia@Washington
Miami@Buffalo
As I mentioned above, the Fantasy players on the teams in these Quality Matchups have a much higher rate of performing above average in comparison to the other players at that position.
If you have any questions about the Quality Game Scores, you can email me at blung@rotoexperts.com. You can also follow me on Twitter.
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