The 6-foot-6, 248-pound Freeman was brutal against Gregg Williams' tough defense. He was 17-of-33 for 126 yards with 1 TD and 3 INTs in his third pro start. He's the future of the franchise and is going to have some growing pains going forward. Freeman isn't the worst flex option or emergency fill-in here, as he's likely to put up some numbers against the Falcons' 29th-ranked pass defense.
Williams carried 11 times for 32 yards against the Saints. The Cadillac has a pretty low resale value, having not reached 100 yards once this year and only scoring 3 TD. He has three games in which he's run for less than 10 yards. He's a No. 3 RB option against the Falcons' 24th-ranked run defense. You can run on the Falcons.
Like Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton three years ago, Michael Clayton hit pay dirt for the first time against the Saints, scoring a TD on his only catch of the game. With only 4 catches in his past 5 games, he's about as good an option as Swinton's Oscar gown designer.
After missing two games, Bryant is still the Bucs' best WR. That's like being the best-smelling equipment bag in the hockey locker room. He had 3 catches for 40 yards against New Orleans. He shouldn't be playing on a fantasy team though, with just 19 catches for 269 yards this year and minimal fantasy relevance.
He led the team in catches and targets against the Saints, finishing with a lackluster 5 catches for 29 yards the week after a good game against the Fins (7 catches for 102 yards). Winslow has 47 catches for 483 yard and 5 TDs on the season -- all top 10s among TE. He's a recommendation to start against the Falcons 29th-ranked pass defense as Freeman's most trusted target.
Barth 'Algar' had nary a FG against the Saints, one week after the Bucs' third kicker this year tied an NFL record with 3 FGs of over 50 yards in one game. He's not the best option despite the fancy record.
They're the 31st-ranked unit in the league in PPG and 26th in YPG. Starting them against the Falcons would be the fantasy equivalent of putting Ben Gay in your shorts.
Sophomore slump took a week-long break for the kid. Ryan threw for 2 TDs and 0 INT during his 26-of-46, 268-yard near-miss against the Giants. It was his first 'good game' since Week 5. He hadn't really needed to be great with Michael Turner killing it, but to his credit, he stepped it up without Turner in the lineup. Consider him a low-end No. 1 fantasy QB against the Bucs' 14th-ranked pass D.
With Michael Turner likely out at least another week with a high-ankle sprain, expect Snelling to again get the lion's share of carries (with injured Jerious Norwood stealing a couple if he's able to play). Snelling had a good game against Big Blue as the No. 1 guy (25 carries for 76 yards and 2 TDs). If he goes, he's a good start against the Bucs' league-worst run defense.
Against the Giants last week, 'Rod' Roddy White had just 4 catches for 45 yards (despite being targeted 12 times). It was his third straight game without a score. In the four games before that, he scored 5 TDs. Consider him a high-end No. 2 fantasy WR against the Bucs. He's 13th in the league in yards, 11th in receptions and 6th in receiving TDs.
Jenkins had a season-high 6 catches for 76 yards against the Giants. He is Ryan's third option behind White and Gonzo and has yet to find the end zone this year. He shouldn't be a fantasy consideration.
Gonzalez went for 8 catches and 82 yards with a TD against the Giants. He is fourth among TEs in receptions, yards and TDs. He's having, perhaps, an 'average' season by his Hall of Fame standards, but at a thin position, he's a must-start option based on skill and potential alone.
At 10-for-15 on the season, Elam went 1-for-2, his miss being the difference between an OT loss and a hugh road win. We remember when Elam hit the longest kick in league history. That was 11 years ago. Perhaps he was a good fantasy option then, but he is no longer. Strong recommendation to avoid.
They had a lousy game against the Giants (34 points allowed, 456 yards), sacking Manning and picking him off only once. Oof. They're not very good, but if there's a week to start them, it's this week against a struggling Tampa Bay team on the road.
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