Manning came off the bye to throw for a career-high 384 yards on 25-for-39 passing with 3 TDs and 1 INT against Atlanta. He had a decent little fantasy game before the bye against the Chargers (25-for-33 for 215 with 2 TD and 0 INT). He's a low-end No. 1 fantasy QB here, great as a flex option against the struggling Broncos D.
While he's 13th in the league in rushing with 656 yards, Jacobs has been a disappointment to his fantasy owners. He hasn't gone over 100 yards in a game and he only has 3 TD. Against the Falcons, Jacobs had 12 carries for 39 yards with a TD (his first in a month) before leaving the game with a knee. He's a No. 2 fantasy RB vs. the Broncos 16th-ranked run defense -- whose value gets a slight boost with Ahmad Bradshaw sidelined due to an ankle sprain.
Fourth in the league in catches with 65, Steve Smith has come back to earth since his early-season rise to prominence. Against Atlanta, he caught 4 passes for 79 yards. He's still Eli Manning's favorite target, thrown to eight times on Sunday. He's a high-end No. 2 fantasy WR and a legit No. 1 in PPR leagues.
'Manfred' Manningham caught 6 balls for 126 yards against the Falcons. He's a nice No. 3 option, the 23rd-ranked WR in the league with 617 yards. He's got 4 TD on the year and could have a good game on Thanksgiving night.
Three fantasy relevant WRs on the Giants? Maybe this is the case after all ... Hakeem 'Stevie' Nicks was targeted 7 times and made 5 catches for 65 yards against the Falcons. He's a No. 3 option, just below Manningham.
After going 2-for-3 against Atlanta, 'Stitch in' Tynes is 21-for-26 on the year, leading the league in attempts and makes. He's a great start every week.
The maligned Giants' D (23rd in the NFL in PPG) had a tough time going 0-4 into the bye, giving up 133 points to the Chargers, Eagles, Saints and Cardinals. They didn't look much better giving up 31 in a win against the Falcons. The Giants are more of a No. 2 fantasy defense until they stand strong again.
'Cowboy' Kyle Orton was called on in the first quarter as an emergency replacement for Chris Simms. He wasn't well enough to start, but his ankle injury obviously wasn't serious enough to keep him on the sideline when they got desperate. He was not great at less than full strength against the Chargers (15-for-29, 171 yards, 1 INT). He's expected to start against the Giants as a high-end No. 2 fantasy QB.
'Whaddya' Knowshon Moreno carried 10 times for 80 yards against the Chargers while fumbling the ball yet again. He's got 4 fumbles on the year to only 2 rushing TD. Against the 10th-ranked Giants rush defense, he's a low-end No. 2 option. Watch for Buck Buck, who got 8 carries, to get some of Moreno's touches if he can't shake the dropsies.
Royal's been a major disappointment after an excellent 91-catch rookie campaign. His 4 catches for 29 yards against the Chargers were pretty much par for the course. He is a low-end No. 3 option and an inadvisable start.
'Forgetting' Brandon Marshall had a lousy afternoon against the Chargers (3 catches for 26 yards) during a game in which the entire Broncos offense was out of sync. One week prior, he had 5 catches for 134 yards and 2 TDs, his second consecutive foray over the century mark. He's a great talent and seems to have developed a connection with Orton. A No. 1 fantasy WR on Thanksgiving night.
Scheffler caught 1 ball for 12 yards against the Chargers. Scheff 'de Cuisine' has had major issues connecting with Orton after an excellent '08 campaign. He's a second-tier TE option at best, with just 23 catches for 270 yards and 2 TD on the year.
Prater 'Alligator' is 15-for-19 on the year after going 1-for-1 against San Diego. He's an average fantasy option, kicking only 3 FGs in the last 4 weeks.
After three disappointing outings against the Ravens, Steelers and 'Skins, the Broncos' defense gave up 32 pointsand 348 yards to the Chargers, neither forcing a turnover nor sacking Rivers once. Ouch. Recommendation to avoid.
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