Ricky Pearsall, John Metchie Comebacks and Heart of the Lions
In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Bleacher Nation Fantasy:
A good chunk of the time we are forced to write about injuries around here, so it’s refreshing to spend a Monday morning with something that is more uplifting.
Yesterday’s action provided us with two incredible storylines …
John Metchie III steps up. With Nico Collins out of the lineup, the Texans’ third-year WR turned in the best game of his young career. He finished the game with 5 catches for 74 yards and his first-ever TD. In case you don’t remember, Metchie sat out his rookie season after being diagnosed with leukemia, but battled back. He appears fully back to normal after a sluggish 2023 season. However, the Sunday night game would not have a storybook ending, as the Texans fell short, 26-23, as the Lions overcame a 16-point deficit to win as time expired.
Ricky Pearsall wastes no time. Less than 10 weeks ago, the Niners rookie WR was shot in the chest while shopping in San Francisco. Like Metchie, he also scored his first career TD in yesterday’s game vs. the Bucs.
Both of these guys play in crowded offenses, but it’s awesome to see them overcome adversity and make key contributions to their teams’ success. And speaking of making key contributions, today being Veterans Day, thank you to everyone who has served our country and to all the troops protecting our rights and freedoms here and overseas.
Read on for six other takeaways from yesterday’s action …
What else is in today’s newsletter?
- Pete’s Week 10 recap: The Rizzler edition
- Watercooler: Jerry Jones is mad
Week 10 Fantasy Football Takeaways
by Pete Overzet
It's time for Pete's Pick 6—a weekly recap column where I round up all of the best fantasy action from Sunday's action and tilt everything that didn't go exactly how I would have hoped.
Let's dig in…
😎 A new "Rizz God"
Look, I know technically "The Rizzler" is the name of that third-grade kid who went viral, but from my vantage point he's been dethroned by a new King of Rizz.
I'm, of course, talking about new Saints head coach, Darren Rizzi.
There's always something special about the first game with the new head coach–remember how fired up the Raiders were last year to play for Antonio Pierce?—and Rizzi did not disappoint.
He started his day by clogging the toilet at the Superdome, spent the entire game looking constipated on the sidelines, and then got the damn W with a truly depleted squad.
His greatest accomplishment, though, was making MVS look like a superstar.
If that's not the definition of "rizz" then it should be. Look at how fired up this dude is after the win. It's impossible not to root for the Rizzler.
🚀 No die, all ride with Kyler
Things were looking a little bumpy there with Kyler Murray for a few games, but he turned in his best performance of the season in the Cardinals’ Week 10 win over the Jets:
22/24 passes for 266 yards
3 total TDs (1 pass, 2 rush)
0 INTs
128.3 passer rating
The performance resulted in a career-high CPOE and a new record as the first player in NFL history to complete 85%+ of their passes while having 250+ passing yards and 2 rushing TDs.
As for the Jets. It's joever. So much for "running the table," huh?
📷 George Pickens is a highlight merchant
The Steelers got a huge "road" win in Washington yesterday—I use the scare quotes because Steelers fans came out in droves for this one–and George Pickens stole the show.
He finished with 5 receptions for 91 yards, but it was his first-quarter TD that reminded everyone why he's such a unique talent at the position:
I was watching the play live and thought there was no way he actually caught that moon ball from Russell Wilson. Outside of Garrett Wilson, I'm not sure there is another WR in the league with his combination of hands and body control. His role since Russ took over has been elite, too.
Of course, the George Pickens Experience wouldn't be complete without at least one or two hotheaded plays mixed in, but that's why we love him.
RELATED CONTENT:
- Ian and Dwain provide an instant fantasy football recap of the action from Week 10.
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AROUND THE WATERCOOLER
The latest analysis and insights from our merry band of football nerds:
🤝 Week 10 isn’t over quite yet. Showdown DFS projections for Monday Night Football.
🚑️ Key Week 10 injuries to monitor. Not as bad as usual!
😡 Don’t ask Jerry Jones about his weird stadium design. He’s triggered.
📆 Also, can we please get the Cowboys off prime time? This is brutal.
🥊 Deebo swung at his teammate. Not a good look.
🦓 What a flex by this ref. Way to pander to the home crowd.
Stat of the Day 11/11: A Pass Defense to Attack
The Ravens have historically been an elite defensive team, but they have not been nearly as stout on that side of the ball this season. Opposing QBs are averaging 80.31 additional passing yards per game when facing the Ravens. As a result, they’re surrendering an average of 314 yards per game.
Not only is that the biggest mark in football—the Jaguars are second at 252—but it represents the largest increase for those quarterbacks compared to their season average. They’ve surrendered 300+ passing yards to four of their past six opponents, with Joe Burrow passing for a total of 820 yards and 9 TDs in two games this season. That’s the seventh-most yards by a quarterback against one opponent in a season. Guess who the quarterback and opponent are at the top of the list.
The Ravens did acquire a cornerback in Marshon Lattimore before the trade deadline, but as long as their offense continues to roll, opposing teams are going to have to throw to try to keep up. The Steelers and Chargers get their shot at the Ravens next, so Russell Wilson and Justin Herbert are nice targets if they’re available in your leagues.
