Tom Brady can do anything, right? He can be the greatest quarterback ever. He can be a model. He can marry a model. He can star in an acclaimed blockbuster. (OK, so maybe “Ted 2” wasn’t acclaimed).
Is there anything he can’t do? Well, the Madman might have found that one thing Tom Brady isn’t good at: teaching.
Let’s take a walk past those neophytes who have worked under his tutelage in the past: Damon Huard, Matt Cassel, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, Jacoby Brissett. These are the “Ted 2” of NFL quarterbacks.
Now comes the latest member to enter the Class of Tom: Jimmy Garoppolo. Sure, his name is hard to pronounce and even harder to spell, but is he a good QB, or just another scrub embarking on a career as a retread thanks to having “Patriots” on his résumé?
Can Garrapollo (spelling?) excel where his predecessors have failed? Can he become the first great Tom Disciple? Though we’re not ready to commit to such lofty expectations, we can say we’re not ruling it out. And call us kooky, but we like his chances to take a step in that direction this week against the Texans.
Look, this just isn’t about Geralopo’s (sp?) success in limited opportunities, but in 133 career attempts he has a 68.4 completion rate to go with six touchdowns, and his lone interception came last week on a pass his receiver caught, but had ripped away by the defender. Garofalo (sp?) seemed to be making good reads. He got rid of the ball efficiently. He didn’t rely heavily on check-down options. He looked like a perfectly capable NFL quarterback.
The only knock was his inability to get the ball in the end zone, but it was just his first start, and the Bears are among the top 10 stingiest defenses to opposing QBs. It should get much easier this week at Houston.
Only the Jets are more generous to opposing fantasy QBs than the Texans. And it took back-to-back weeks against the putridity that is Joe Flacco and Marcus Mariota to allow the Houston defense to climb that high. Along the way, they have been lit up by immortals like Blaine Gabbert and the aforementioned Jacoby Brissett — not to mention Jared Goff, though it is possible (gasp!) Goff might actually be good.
If Gabbert and Brissett can do it, why not Jimmy Jumpoffalo (sp?)? Now, bear in mind, we’re not telling you to start him over his mentor, Brady. And we don’t recommend playing him ahead of Carson Wentz, or Russell Wilson (even in a bad matchup), or Kirk Cousins, Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, Alex Smith, Derek Carr, Josh McCown or Case Keenum.
But … if you’re planning to trot out Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford, Jameis Winston, Dak Prescott etc., that is the time to say Geronimo! (sp?)
Maybe Brady hasn’t taught his past proteges well, but perhaps he has this one. Now, I wonder if he can teach me to spell Jimmy’s name? After all, Brady can do anything.
Big Weeks
Josh McCown QB, Jets, at Broncos (FanDuel $7,600/DraftKings $6,000)
Since Week 9, Denver has allowed three more passing TDs (14) than any other team and has given up the fifth most fantasy points to QBs.
Giovani Bernard RB, Bengals, vs. Bears (FD $5,100/DK $3,100)
With Joe Mixon (concussion) out and no other reasonable alternatives, heavy volume turns average matchup in his favor.
Marlon Mack RB, Colts, at Bills (FD $5,400/DK $3,800)
Buffalo is giving up six more points per game in PPR leagues since Week 9 than any other team — six! Frank Gore wears them down, Mack pops a long one.
Chris Hogan WR, Patriots, at Dolphins (FD $7,000/DK $5,500)
Looks on pace to return from shoulder injury that kept him out four games. With Rob Gronkowski suspended, expect immediate contribution.
Small Weaks
Russell Wilson QB, Seahawks, at Jaguars (FD $7,700/DK $6,200)
Sure, Wilson is superhuman, but so is Jacksonville defense. With no threat of a running game, and facing a vicious pass rush, lower Wilson expectations, despite some key Jags injuries.
Jamaal Williams RB, Packers, at Browns (FD $6,600/DK $5,900)
Aaron Jones expected back, and he has outperformed Williams when on the field. Split could be coming this week.
Lamar Miller RB, Texans, vs. 49ers (FD $6,600/DK $5,800)
Overall numbers look pitiful for San Fran run defense, but have been fourth stingiest in PPR over the past five weeks.
Jarvis Landry WR, Dolphins, vs. Patriots (FD $7,000/DK $6,000)
Pats defense much better than it was early this season. Held Dolphins in check two weeks ago. Jay Cutler instead of Matt Moore won’t make much difference.
The Decision
Post fantasy Madman Drew Loftis and Roto Rage Jarad Wilk debate whom you should start this week:
Case Keenum vs. Philip Rivers
Case Keenum and Philip RiversEPA (2)Drew: Keenum — Came within one fantasy point last week of his fifth straight 20-plus outing. Panthers’ pass defense not as stiff as numbers suggest. Revamped O-line has yielded second-fewest sacks. Without QB pressure, Carolina secondary is vulnerable. Rivers faces stiffer test versus Josh Norman & Co.
Jarad: Rivers — The only QBs the Redskins defense held to fewer than 20 points since Week 7 were Dak Prescott (twice) and Eli Manning. Carson Wentz tore them up for more than 30 points, while Russell Wilson, Keenum and Drew Brees all scored 23 or more against them. In the Chargers’ past three games (all wins), Rivers has completed 72 percent of his passes (78-for-108) while throwing for 1,029 yards and six TDs. Rivers will stay hot against the Skins.
Last week: Drew 13.8 (Cordarrelle Patterson — 4-97 receiving, 2-1 rushing), Jarad 9.6 (Seth Roberts — 5-46 receiving)
Season: Drew leads series, 8-5
Tweet of the Week
Week 14 streaming Ds
Jets, Packers, Bills, Colts, Browns, Buccaneers
