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| ATL at CAR | BAL at CLE | BUF at TEN | CHI at SF | CIN at PIT | DAL at GB | DEN at WAS | DET at MIN |
| JAX at NYJ | KC at OAK | NE at IND | NO at STL | PHI at SD | SEA at ARI | TB at MIA | |
Week 10 Game Recap: Buffalo Bills 17, Tennessee Titans 41
Buffalo Bills
| QB Trent Edwards, Pass: 18 - 28 - 185 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 3 - 4 - 0 |
Edwards made some good things happen on a couple of perfect deep balls to Terrell Owens and nice front-pylon fade to Lee Evans in the end zone, but otherwise he was his tentative, timid self in the pocket. He was only successful when the first read got open, but when it didn't he was looking for pressure like a scared QB instead of hanging in to make the play. One of the deep ball to Owens came on a play action fake that was very well-blocked, so the offensive line deserves some credit. Edwards mistake-free football came crashing down with a thud when he threw a late fourth-quarter pick six that iced the game for the Titans. It's pretty clear at this point that Edwards can only be a glorified game manager and he lacks the ability to take this offense to the next level.
| QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Pass: 2 - 7 - 6 - 0 TD / 1 INT |
Fitzpatrick got in for just long enough to throw a pick six when he was out of sync with Terrell Owens.
| RB Marshawn Lynch, Rush: 9 - 37 - 0, Rec: 4 - 18 - 0 (6 targets) |
You can't fault Lynch for this loss. He gave 110% effort on every touch, often requiring gang tackles to stop his forward progress. He saw the holes well and burst through them, then fought and struggled for every inch once he was met. Lynch also caught passes with soft hands out of the backfield. His best run on the day was called back by a penalty. He will struggle to have better than adequate flex value as long as the Bills insist on splitting the workload with Fred Jackson right down the middle.
| RB Fred Jackson, Pass: 1 - 1 - 27 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 8 - 48 - 0, Rec: 3 - 23 - 0 (5 targets) |
Jackson displayed the same savvy running he has all year. He doesn't have an amazing initial burst or power, but he always seems to pick the right hole, and he makes subtle moves in the open field to get extra yards. He ran the wildcat in the first quarter and hit Lee Evans with a long pass for a TD, and he also broke some tackles when he kept the ball out of the formation. His value is greatly limited by playing in this offense and sharing with a more talented back, but Jackson could still have great value if something happens to Marshawn Lynch.
| WR Lee Evans, Rec: 4 - 50 - 2 (5 targets) |
Evans was able to have a big fantasy day, but only because he converted two high-value targets. Evans leaked behind the defense on a wildcat snap, and Fred Jackson threw a nice ball to him for the TD, and Trent Edwards threw a perfectly timed and placed ball on Evans front-pylon fade route. The Bills didn't do a good job of getting Evans involved for the rest of the game, giving him only a few short targets. He is still only a risk/reward flex/WR3 as long as Buffalo's offense sputters.
| WR Terrell Owens, Rec: 3 - 85 - 0 (7 targets) |
Owens reminded us that he hasn't lost a step, or the ability to reel in the deep ball on two well-run routes and sure-handed catches of Trent Edwards bombs. Owens stepped out close to the goal line on the first big catch, and the Bills went to Lee Evans on the next passing play. Owens frustration seemed to mount as the game went on, including a heated conversation with the WR coach that was about Trent Edwards not making the same reads as the WRs. Don't be surprised if Mt. St. Owens erupts soon.
| TE Shawn Nelson, Rec: 3 - 13 - 0 (3 targets) |
Nelson caught a few passes, moving closer and closer to being the primary TE for the Bills each week, but he didn't show anything special on his receptions, and this offense doesn't seem to have room for him to turn into a fantasy threat in its current state.
Tennessee Titans
| QB Vince Young, Pass: 17 - 25 - 210 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 5 - 29 - 0 |
Vince Young simply continues to play winning football. Other than a problem airmailing his deep balls that resulted in an interception, Young is playing near flawless QB in this system. He is finding Chris Johnson on short targets and allowing him to do damage after the catch, occasionally taking a shot downfield, and calmly hanging in the pocket to make nice touch passes with sound mechanics. Young is pulling the ball down and running when appropriate, but not as a crutch. He never seemed to be gripping or pressing, and it's clear that he is having a calming influence on the offense (and vice versa) and helping them get back to the simple, but effective game plan that made them a division winner last year. VY also threw a terrific block when Chris Johnson decided to completely reverse field on a touch, and he ran the option to perfection to help Johnson spring a big run. VY passed well whether it was first read or an improvised throw. His fantasy value is limited, but his value to the Titans is bigger than anyone expected right now, maybe enough for them to bring him back to start next year despite his hefty cap number.
| RB Chris Johnson, Rush: 26 - 132 - 2, Rec: 9 - 100 - 0 (9 targets) |
What superlatives are left to describe Johnson's game? His speed created one TD that he made look very easy once he got into the open field. He ran over Bryan Scott and turned Scott into a bowling bowl that took out two other oncoming Bills defenders. He is as natural catching the ball as you would expect a former wide receiver to be, and for the second time this year, the Titans actually used him a lot in the passing game, with great results (of course). He also displayed great feel around his feet to avoid trash at the line of scrimmage and ankle tackle bids. Johnson has joined Adrian Peterson, MJD, and Steven Jackson among the elite tier of RBs that we expect great things from routinely. The Titans are going to give him a chance to break the single-season rushing record, and his fantasy owners are going to get to enjoy the ride.
| RB LenDale White, Rush: 3 - 6 - 0 |
This game was tied going into the fourth quarter, so White was never able to play his role as the finisher. With Chris Johnson chasing records, White is only suitable to carry as a Johnson injury handcuff at this point.
| WR Nate Washington, Rush: 1 - 1 - 0, Rec: 2 - 33 - 1 (2 targets) |
Washington caught yet another red zone TD. This one was slightly behind him, but he adjusted well and turned upfield for the score. Other than his frequent red zone targets, Washington has been a dud this year, never living up to the Titans high hopes for him when they signed Washington in free agency.
| WR Kenny Britt, Rec: 2 - 55 - 0 (4 targets) |
Britt got into the starting lineup because Justin Gage's back injury kept him from playing, and he made an impression by out-competing a defensive back for a 50/50 ball from Vince Young.
| TE Bo Scaife, Rec: 2 - 16 - 0 (6 targets) |
Scaife got the most targets of any TE, but he didn't do much with them, and they weren't always quality targets. As long as the Titans do the smart thing and emphasize Chris Johnson in the passing game, all of those outlet/checkdown passes that Scaife in the past will mostly end up in Johnson's hands, robbing him of any fantasy value he had left after the drafting of Jared Cook.
| TE Alge Crumpler (1 targets) |
Crumpler caught an end zone target on an improv throw by Young, but he couldn't get his feet down inbounds. Otherwise, he was an afterthought.