Fantasy Footnotes: Bonanza in the Bayou; Bell goes down
Every gameday during the regular season, theScore's fantasy editors recap the most important news and notes from around the league.
So much for the idea Drew Brees is past his prime and the Saints are a run-first offense, huh?
Brees looked as good Sunday as he ever has, carving up a woefully overmatched Giants secondary for 511 yards and tying an NFL record with seven touchdown passes.
Brees' 46.54 fantasy points in standard leagues is the highest total any player has produced this season by more than eight points.
Remarkably, the second-highest fantasy score this season came from Brees' counterpart on Sunday, Eli Manning. Manning threw for 350 yards and six touchdowns (three to Odell Beckham Jr.), good for 38 fantasy points in standard leagues.
The game's final score, 52-49, is the third-highest combined score in NFL history. So, yeah ... If you had a player from this game in your fantasy lineup this week, there's a good chance you won.
Bell the latest star lost to injury
Three weeks after Jamaal Charles suffered a season-ending torn Achilles, the fantasy world watched in horror as another of the game's elite running backs went down with a potentially major injury.
Le'Veon Bell, the first overall pick in some fantasy leagues this summer, was sandwiched and twisted his knee in a gruesome manner. He was carted to the locker room and ruled out for the afternoon soon after.
While Bell's injury had the look of a season-ender, the Steelers are reportedly optimistic their star runner suffered only an MCL injury and not a torn ACL.
An MCL injury could allow Bell to return to the field in 4-to-8 weeks. An ACL tear would certainly force him to miss the rest of the season.
Cross your fingers and hope for the former. Fantasy football's a lot less fun when the best players are off the field.
Notable Fantasy Lines
Eli Manning, QB, Giants
350 yards passing, 6 TDs
In the same game Drew Brees threw seven touchdowns, Manning tossed six.
Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals
374 yards passing, 4 TDs
Palmer threw four touchdown passes. On most other days, that would make fantasy headlines. Not this day.
Derek Carr, QB, Raiders
333 yards passing, 4 TDs
Carr is playing like a fantasy QB1 right now.
Todd Gurley, RB, Rams
133 yards rushing, 13 yards receiving, TD
He'll be the first overall pick in fantasy drafts next year, right?
Charcandrick West, RB, Chiefs
97 yards rushing, 25 yards receiving, TD
On a poor day for running backs, West is one of a handful to score a rushing touchdown.
Darren McFadden, RB, Cowboys
64 yards rushing, 49 yards receiving
McFadden's first game as starter wasn't a rousing success, but the Seahawks' defense is largely to blame for that.
Chris Johnson, RB, Cardinals
109 yards rushing, 2 FUM
Johnson turned in a relatively disappointing performance against the poor Browns run defense.
Reggie Bush, RB, 49ers
0 yards rushing
Bush started in place of Carlos Hyde but suffered what's believed to be a torn ACL early in the game. He finished with zero fantasy points.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Giants
130 yards receiving, 3 TDs
His hamstring woes behind him, is Beckham ready to go on a tear in the second half of the season?
Brandin Cooks, WR, Saints
88 yards receiving, 2 TDs
You won't find a receiver on the Saints that didn't have a big day. Cooks, Marques Colston, Willie Snead, and Benjamin Watson each had at least one touchdown pass.
Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
48 yards receiving
Fantasy owners were hoping for much more from Evans, especially with Vincent Jackson sidelined.
Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys
12 yards receiving
Bryant was limited in his return from injury. Big days are ahead when he gets healthy (and Tony Romo does, too).
Benjamin Watson, TE, Saints
147 yards receiving, TD
Another big week for Watson. He's no Jimmy Graham, but maybe he's not so far off. And he's outpacing what Graham is doing with the Seahawks.
Gary Barnidge, TE, Browns
53 yards receiving, TD
He just keeps on producing.
Injury Ward
Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers
An MRI will confirm the severity of Bell's injury. Either way, don't expect to see him for a while.
Matt Forte, RB, Bears
Forte left with a knee injury and did not return. The Bears, who are typically very secretive about injuries, didn't provide any substantial updates after the game.
Steve Smith, WR, Ravens
Smith's season is over after he suffered a torn Achilles at the tail end of a long catch and run. It will be a shame if it's the play that ends his wonderful career.
Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions
Johnson left the Lions' loss late in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be an ankle injury. It's hard to tell if the injury is serious or is merely the kind of nagging ailment Johnson typically plays through. The Lions have a bye week for him to heal up.
Waiver Wire Targets
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Steelers
Williams rushed for 204 yards while Le'Veon Bell was suspended in Weeks 1-2. He will be the Steelers' primary rusher with Bell out again.
David Cobb, RB, Titans
Cobb is eligible to play in Week 9 and will probably start for the Titans. This is your last chance to add him.
Jeremy Langford, RB, Bears
Langford figures to lead the Bears in carries if Matt Forte misses time.
Mike Davis, RB, 49ers
Carlos Hyde is banged up. Reggie Bush won't be back anytime soon. Jarryd Hayne was released. Davis could be a starting running back next week.
Kamar Aiken, WR, Ravens
Aiken should inherit Steve Smith's role as the Ravens' No. 1 wideout. He's nowhere near Smith's level of talent, but he could have fantasy value thanks to the sheer volume of targets he's likely to see.