Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 24th at 1:00 PM ET
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Betting Odds: -3 CAR, 43 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Sam Darnold (Start, QB1)
Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold had a bad game last week. Part of his struggle was self-inflicted, Darnold was intercepted on his very first pass attempt. Part of his struggle was his supporting cast, his receivers dropped six passes. He was sacked four times, and his offensive line allowed pressure on nearly 15% of his dropbacks. Still, Darnold fought his way back to tie the game late before the Panthers lost in overtime. Darnold finished with 19 fantasy points, the QB15 on the week. This week managers can count on Darnold to bounce back. With several QBs on bye week, he is a solid start against a Giants defense who are allowing 25 points to the points to the position and have allowed multiple touchdowns in all but one week.
Running Backs
Chuba Hubbard (Start, RB2)
Last week the Panthers placed Christian McCaffrey on IR, meaning he is slated to miss at least two more games. In his absence, rookie Chuba Hubbard has been solid but not spectacular. Hubbard is handling the bulk of the carries, more than 80% these past two weeks, but Carolina has been forced to pass the ball more and Hubbard hasn’t been involved much as a pass-catcher. Despite running routes on more than 40% of dropbacks these past two weeks, Hubbard isn’t seeing the field in the two-minute offense or long down and distance. However, this week with so many teams on bye, Hubbard is a solid option and a back who should see plenty of volume against a subpar Giants defense. He’s a solid RB2 option this week that should be able to find the endzone at least once.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
D.J. Moore (Start, WR1), Robby Anderson (Start, Flex), Terrace Marshall Jr. (Sit), Tommy Tremble (Sit)
Despite catching just five of 13 targets last week, D.J. Moore was heavily involved and is the clear alpha of this receiving corps. Moore finished with 222 air yards, and his role last week makes it clear that the team will try and get him involved each week, in a variety of situations. While we don’t want to see his air yards quite so high, it is clear that he is an every-week set it and forget it monster, and his big games will come. New York won’t be able to do much to slow him this week, and he is a Top 10 fantasy option.
Last week the Panthers made an attempt to get Robby Anderson more involved, he saw 11 targets, but the team used him as a short possession receiver and Robby only ended up with three catches for 11 yards. Managers have been waiting six weeks for an Anderson resurgence, but at this point, he just isn’t a player that can be trusted in fantasy lineups. Anderson is currently the WR71 in fantasy points per game and his aDOT is trending in the opposite direction of a player who is a deep threat.
Since the team traded Dan Arnold, the Panthers have operated with three wideouts more than 75% of the snaps. Unfortunately, that volume hasn’t found its way to fantasy production for Terrance Marshall or Tommy Tremble, two promising rookies. Marshall exited last week’s game with a concussion, but he doesn’t belong in your lineups anyway. Tremble is only seeing about 5% target share, and that just isn’t enough opportunity for a starting tight end.
New York Giants
Quarterback
Daniel Jones (Start, Low-end QB1)
Despite a career-high 51 pass attempts, Daniel Jones managed just 8 fantasy points last week, just the third time he has managed to score less than 10 in his career. However, fantasy managers could be scrambling this week to find a bye week replacement for several top signal-callers who are off this week. The Giants are passing on 64% of offensive plays, well above the league average of 59%, and the team wants to get Jones involved with designed runs. Jones is a solid option against a Panthers defense who has taken a step back in recent weeks.
Running Backs
Devontae Booker (Start, RB2)
Fantasy managers who started Devontae Booker last week are kicking themselves, but his afternoon was derailed early as the team fell behind and mostly abandoned the run. Booker, however, operated as the primary ball carrier and ran routes on 54% of dropbacks. Booker has earned nice targets the past two weeks, and with the state of the running back position at the moment, managers could do worse. Elijhaa Penny did see some work late in the game but it was mostly when the game was already decided. Booker is a solid RB2/Flex option for managers looking for a solid floor with upside.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Sterling Shepard (Start, WR2), Kenny Golladay (Start, Flex if healthy), Kadarius Toney (Sit, Injury), Evan Engram (Sit)
Injuries have hit the Giants receiving corps hard these last few weeks. The team has yet to have its full complement of receiving options for most of the season. Last week, rookie breakout Kadarius Toney exited the game early after he reaggravated his ankle, but in limited work, he caught three balls for 36 yards. Managers should plan on Toney being out this week, but he is a solid hold and could be a difference-maker down the stretch. Kenny Golladay‘s status is also in question this week. In Week 5, Golladay hyper-extended his knee and he missed Week 6. After battling hip, groin, and now knee injuries early in the season, Golladay is still working his way back and will likely be held out once again. Even if he plays, it will be tough to trust him in your lineups.
The silver lining in the Giants receiving corp is Sterling Shepard returned to the lineup and dominated targets once again. In three games played Shepard has seen 25%, 31%, and 30% of the team’s targets. In Week 6 Shepard earned 14 targets and caught 10 balls, solid production in PPR leagues. Expect Shepard to see the lion’s share of the receiving work this week, he’s a high-end WR2 option with touchdown upside.
Tight end Evan Engram continues to be a mild disappointment, failing to emerge despite injuries to his target competition. Engram has failed to top 10 fantasy points in any of the four games he’s played, and while he has the potential to have a breakout game at any time, identifying the week is nearly impossible. Look for a safer option, if you need help at the position this week.
-Marc Salazar (@oldsnake77)