I usually start the rankings with some long-winded observations gleaned from watching games during the week, and I'll get to those eventually. Sometimes, however, pure numbers can tell a better story about where this surprising season is headed. Here are the fourteen surprising (and longwinded) facts gleaned from our target report.
1. Shaun McDonald has more targets this season than Roy Williams. This could turn into a disastrous contract year for Williams and his owners if Jon Kitna gets replaced.
2. Antonio Chatman has the same amount of targets the last two weeks than Chad Ocho Cinco.
3. A different Colts wideout has led the team in targets each week. The big three (Wayne, Harrison, Gonzalez) are only six targets apart on the season. In terms of attention, the distinction between starter and reserve here is minor.
4. A similar phenomenon is happening in San Francisco, where Bryant Johnson, Isaac Bruce, and Arnaz Battle are taking turns being JTO's top option. Battle could be Martz's San Francisco version of Shaun McDonald.
5. Lance Moore has 17 targets the last two weeks. The next closest Saints wideout has six. This year's Wes Welker is not going away.
6. Lee Evans has only 25 targets in four weeks, which makes his 332 yards remarkable. He's getting more yards-per-target than anyone in football. Look for him to get more targets moving forward, which can only help.
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7. Kevin Walter has more targets over the last two weeks than Andre Johnson. (Both have plenty). While Owen Daniels is a huge factor, the lack of any decent third receiver in Houston makes Walter an underrated asset for owners.
8. Dwayne Bowe leads the NFL with 46 targets. No other Kansas City wideout has more than 10. Vive le Huard!
9. Laurence Maroney and Jonathan Stewart haven't been targeted on a pass yet. LenDale White has once.
10. Vincent Jackson has five more targets than Chris Chambers on the season; Chambers only has five the last two weeks. The "number one" tag in San Diego is meaningless and Chambers' high-wire act of scoring long touchdowns every week can't keep up.
11. Greg Jennings (36 targets) has clearly emerged as the go-to receiver with Aaron Rodgers. Donald Driver's targets (24) are solid, but they are closer to Jordy Nelson (17) than to Jennings.
12. Antonio Gates is seeing the fewest targets/game of his career. He's not quite over that foot injury.
13. Vernon Davis is averaging 2.5 targets per week. That's fewer than Marcedes Lewis, Reggie Kelly, and Daniel Graham. Davis simply can't be trusted in lineups at this rate.
14. Santana Moss has seen a minimum of nine targets in each game this season. Once a boom-or-bust weekly option, Moss is as steady as a metronome this year.
For projections of all the rankings below, head to Season Pass. I'll also be chatting there with subscribers on Friday afternoon.
Week 5 QuarterbacksRank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
1 | Jay Cutler | vs. TB | - |
2 | Tony Romo | vs. CIN | - |
3 | Drew Brees | vs. MIN | - |
4 | Peyton Manning | at HOU | Line is getting healthy |
5 | Donovan McNabb | vs. WAS | |
6 | Kurt Warner | vs. BUF | - |
7 | Philip Rivers | at MIA | - |
8 | Eli Manning | vs. SEA | - |
9 | Trent Edwards | at ARZ | - |
10 | Brian Griese | at DEN | - |
11 | Aaron Rodgers | vs. ATL | Ranked as if he'll start |
12 | Ben Roethlisberger | at JAC | - |
13 | David Garrard | vs. PIT | - |
14 | Jason Campbell | at PHI | - |
15 | Kyle Orton | at DET | - |
16 | Jake Delhomme | vs. KC | - |
17 | Matt Schaub | vs. IND | - |
18 | Matt Hasselbeck | at NYG | - |
19 | J.T. O'Sullivan | vs. NE | - |
20 | Chad Pennington | vs. SD | - |
21 | Gus Frerotte | at NO | - |
22 | Matt Cassel | at SF | - |
23 | Jon Kitna | vs. CHI | - |
24 | Damon Huard | at CAR | - |
25 | Kerry Collins | at BAL | - |
26 | Matt Ryan | at GB | - |
27 | Joe Flacco | vs. TEN | - |
28 | Ryan Fitzpatrick | at DAL | Palmer looks unlikely to start. |
QB Notes: Notes for all positions coming by Thursday evening
Rank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
1 | Adrian Peterson | at NO | |
2 | Marion Barber | vs. CIN | - |
3 | LaDainian Tomlinson | at MIA | Slowly healing |
4 | Marshawn Lynch | at ARZ | - |
5 | Frank Gore | vs. NE | - |
6 | Matt Forte | at DET | - |
7 | Joseph Addai | at HOU | - |
8 | Reggie Bush | vs. MIN | - |
9 | Clinton Portis | at PHI | - |
10 | Brian Westbrook | vs. WAS | Ranked as if he'll start, but we doubt he will |
11 | Steve Slaton | vs. IND | - |
12 | Michael Turner | at GB | |
13 | Earnest Graham | at DEN | - |
14 | Brandon Jacobs | vs. SEA | - |
15 | Jonathan Stewart | vs. KC | |
16 | Chris Johnson | at BAL | - |
17 | Larry Johnson | at CAR | - |
18 | Ronnie Brown | vs. SD | - |
19 | Ryan Grant | vs. ATL | - |
20 | Maurice Jones-Drew | vs. PIT | |
21 | Julius Jones | at NYG | - |
22 | Edgerrin James | vs. BUF | - |
23 | DeAngelo Williams | vs. KC | - |
24 | Chris Perry | at DAL | |
25 | Laurence Maroney | at SF | - |
26 | Mewelde Moore | at JAC | Should start |
27 | Fred Taylor | vs. PIT | |
28 | Selvin Young | vs. TB | - |
29 | Willis McGahee | vs. TEN | Ribs makes him questionable |
30 | Rudi Johnson | vs. CHI | - |
31 | LenDale White | at BAL | |
32 | LeRon McClain | vs. TEN | McGahee injury impacts him |
33 | Warrick Dunn | at DEN | - |
34 | Sammy Morris | at SF | - |
35 | Ricky Williams | vs. SD | - |
36 | Correll Buckhalter | vs. WAS | Move him to 21 if Westbrook is out |
37 | Fred Jackson | at ARZ | - |
38 | Felix Jones | vs. CIN | Hard to trust coaching staff |
39 | Deuce McAllister | vs. MIN | - |
40 | Derrick Ward | vs. SEA | - |
41 | Michael Pittman | vs. TB | - |
42 | Kevin Jones | at DET | - |
43 | Jerious Norwood | at GB | - |
44 | Chris Taylor | vs. IND | - |
45 | Darren Sproles | at MIA | - |
46 | Chester Taylor | at NO | |
47 | Tim Hightower | vs. BUF | - |
48 | Gary Russell | at JAC | |
49 | Andre Hall | vs. TB | - |
50 | Ladell Betts | at PHI | - |
51 | Brandon Jackson | vs. ATL | - |
52 | Kevin Smith | vs. CHI | - |
53 | LaMont Jordan | at SF | - |
54 | Dominic Rhodes | at HOU | - |
55 | Maurice Morris | at NYG | Questionable(knee) |
Rank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
1 | Brandon Marshall | vs. TB | - |
2 | Larry Fitzgerald | vs. BUF | No Boldin would help him |
3 | Steve Smith | vs. KC | - |
4 | Terrell Owens | vs. CIN | - |
5 | Reggie Wayne | at HOU | - |
6 | Greg Jennings | vs. ATL | Ranked as if Rodgers is starting, falls out of top 35 otherwise |
7 | Andre Johnson | vs. IND | - |
8 | Santana Moss | at PHI | - |
9 | Lee Evans | at ARZ | - |
10 | Calvin Johnson | vs. CHI | - |
11 | Dwayne Bowe | at CAR | - |
12 | Randy Moss | at SF | - |
13 | DeSean Jackson | vs. WAS | - |
14 | Santonio Holmes | at JAC | - |
15 | Wes Welker | at SF | - |
16 | Hines Ward | at JAC | - |
17 | Marvin Harrison | at HOU | - |
18 | Eddie Royal | vs. TB | |
19 | Roddy White | at GB | - |
20 | Roy Williams | vs. CHI | - |
21 | Lance Moore | vs. MIN | Here to stay |
22 | Chris Chambers | at MIA | - |
23 | Bobby Engram | at NYG | |
24 | T.J. Houshmandzadeh | at DAL | Ranked as if Palmer is out |
25 | Donald Driver | vs. ATL | Not an option if Flynn starts |
26 | Bernard Berrian | at NO | - |
27 | Anthony Gonzalez | at HOU | - |
28 | Antonio Bryant | at DEN | - |
29 | Vincent Jackson | at MIA | - |
30 | Steve Smith | vs. SEA | - |
31 | Amani Toomer | vs. SEA | - |
32 | Patrick Crayton | vs. CIN | - |
33 | Matt Jones | vs. PIT | - |
34 | Chad Ocho Cinco | at DAL | Ranked as if Palmer is out |
35 | Steve Breaston | vs. BUF | Boldin's potential replacement |
36 | Kevin Walter | vs. IND | Probable(toe) |
37 | Isaac Bruce | vs. NE | - |
38 | Justin Gage | at BAL | Probable(knee) |
39 | Derrick Mason | vs. TEN | - |
40 | Robert Meachem | vs. MIN | - |
41 | Deion Branch | at NYG | Wait a game |
42 | Arnaz Battle | vs. NE | - |
43 | Brandon Lloyd | at DET | Keep eye on status |
44 | Reggie Brown | vs. WAS | - |
45 | Muhsin Muhammad | vs. KC | - |
46 | Bryant Johnson | vs. NE | - |
47 | David Patten | vs. MIN | Questionable(groin) |
48 | Jerry Porter | vs. PIT | - |
49 | Sidney Rice | at NO | Questionable(knee) |
50 | Ike Hilliard | at DEN | - |
51 | Josh Reed | at ARZ | - |
52 | Antwaan Randle El | at PHI | - |
53 | Justin McCareins | at BAL | |
54 | Greg Camarillo | vs. SD | - |
55 | D.J. Hackett | vs. KC | - |
56 | Mark Clayton | vs. TEN | - |
Rank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
1 | Jason Witten | vs. CIN | |
2 | Antonio Gates | at MIA | |
3 | Tony Gonzalez | at CAR | - |
4 | Chris Cooley | at PHI | - |
5 | Owen Daniels | vs. IND | - |
6 | Anthony Fasano | vs. SD | - |
7 | Dallas Clark | at HOU | - |
8 | Tony Scheffler | vs. TB | - |
9 | Greg Olsen | at DET | - |
10 | Heath Miller | at JAC | - |
11 | John Carlson | at NYG | - |
12 | Todd Heap | vs. TEN | - |
13 | L.J. Smith | vs. WAS | Questionable(back) |
14 | Vernon Davis | vs. NE | - |
15 | Billy Miller | vs. MIN | - |
16 | Ben Watson | at SF | Role unclear |
17 | Visanthe Shiancoe | at NO | - |
18 | Donald Lee | vs. ATL | - |
19 | Kevin Boss | vs. SEA | - |
20 | Desmond Clark | at DET | - |
21 | Jerramy Stevens | at DEN | - |
22 | Marcedes Lewis | vs. PIT | - |
23 | Bo Scaife | at BAL | - |
24 | Alge Crumpler | at BAL | - |
25 | Dante Rosario | vs. KC | - |
26 | Robert Royal | at ARZ | - |
Rank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
1 | Bears Def/Spec Team | at DET | - |
2 | Titans Def/Spec Team | at BAL | - |
3 | Ravens Def/Spec Team | vs. TEN | - |
4 | Cowboys Def/Spec Team | vs. CIN | - |
5 | Patriots Def/Spec Team | at SF | - |
6 | Giants Def/Spec Team | vs. SEA | - |
7 | Panthers Def/Spec Team | vs. KC | - |
8 | Packers Def/Spec Team | vs. ATL | - |
9 | Bills Def/Spec Team | at ARZ | - |
10 | Steelers Def/Spec Team | at JAC | - |
11 | Chargers Def/Spec Team | at MIA | - |
12 | Jaguars Def/Spec Team | vs. PIT | - |
13 | Eagles Def/Spec Team | vs. WAS | - |
14 | Seahawks Def/Spec Team | at NYG | - |
15 | Colts Def/Spec Team | at HOU | - |
16 | Vikings Def/Spec Team | at NO | - |
17 | Saints Def/Spec Team | vs. MIN | - |
18 | Fortyniners Def/Spec Team | vs. NE | - |
19 | Redskins Def/Spec Team | at PHI | - |
20 | Broncos Def/Spec Team | vs. TB | - |
21 | Cardinals Def/Spec Team | vs. BUF | - |
22 | Falcons Def/Spec Team | at GB | - |
23 | Texans Def/Spec Team | vs. IND | - |
24 | Buccaneers Def/Spec Team | at DEN | - |
25 | Dolphins Def/Spec Team | vs. SD | - |
26 | Chiefs Def/Spec Team | at CAR | - |
27 | Bengals Def/Spec Team | at DAL | - |
28 | Lions Def/Spec Team | vs. CHI | - |
Rank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
1 | Nate Kaeding | at MIA | - |
2 | Matt Prater | vs. TB | - |
3 | Josh Scobee | vs. PIT | - |
4 | Stephen Gostkowski | at SF | - |
5 | Rob Bironas | at BAL | - |
6 | Nick Folk | vs. CIN | - |
7 | Adam Vinatieri | at HOU | - |
8 | Robbie Gould | at DET | - |
9 | Ryan Longwell | at NO | - |
10 | Joe Nedney | vs. NE | - |
11 | Olindo Mare | at NYG | - |
12 | John Kasay | vs. KC | - |
13 | Mason Crosby | vs. ATL | - |
14 | Martin Gramatica | vs. MIN | - |
15 | Jeff Reed | at JAC | - |
16 | Jason Elam | at GB | - |
17 | David Akers | vs. WAS | - |
18 | Shayne Graham | at DAL | - |
19 | Shaun Suisham | at PHI | - |
20 | Matt Bryant | at DEN | Questionable(-) |
21 | John Carney | vs. SEA | - |
22 | Rian Lindell | at ARZ | - |
23 | Neil Rackers | vs. BUF | - |
24 | Dan Carpenter | vs. SD | - |
25 | Jason Hanson | vs. CHI | - |
26 | Kris Brown | vs. IND | - |
27 | Matt Stover | vs. TEN | - |
28 | Nick Novak | at CAR | - |