Week 8’s big surprise came in the Houston-Seattle game where 79 total points were scored and each QB put up over 450 yards of total offense. Other than that a lot of results were mostly expected, but there are still some new names to focus on this week after all was said and done.

 

Target Monster

Marvin Jones - Jones leads the list this week with a four-target game against the Steelers. He now leads the Lions in red zone looks this season with eight, seven of which have come in the last two games. The problem for Jones is that he has caught just one pass out of those eight looks. So while he leads the team with 18.4% of all the red zone passes going his way, he’s last on the team in catch-rate at just 12.5%.

LeSean McCoy - Week 8 was McCoy’s first three-target game of the season and brings his total to eight on the season, not including the game against the Jets. That leads his team, which isn’t surprising given the quality of receivers outside and the injury to Charles Clay, however the addition of Kelvin Benjamin could change that dynamic. For the time being though, his chemistry with Tyrod Taylor close to the end zone is definitely helpful in PPR formats.

A.J. Green - The stud for Cincy posted his first three-target game of the season as well this past week against the Colts. He hauled in one for a score and couldn’t corral the other two. He still trails Brandon LaFell for most looks on the team but, his four catches in the seven looks gives Green a better catch-rate at 57.14%. Green is still the preferred choice inside the 10 however. Anyway you slice it, Green is still a top-tier receiver every week.

 

Most Efficient

Kyle Rudolph - Rudolph saw his first two-catch week of the season, at least inside the 20 that is. Case Keenum looked his way from the 11 and the four and Rudolph snagged both, including one for a score. On the season, he has not caught just one ball thrown his way, out of eight tries, with three going for scores. The switch to Keenum continues to not slow him down in the least.

Rob Gronkowski - Gronk may not have seen the volume we’re used to him seeing, but the one look he got, he made count. One catch from the 2-yard-line and a score certainly helps a stat line on a weak day otherwise. He is still the best red zone target they have in New England and Brady has already looked his way 10 times.

Paul Richardson and Jimmy Graham - As mentioned in the intro, it was an offensive outburst in Seattle on Sunday and Richardson and Graham are key reasons why. They each were targeted four times, and each hauled in three catches, and each scored twice. It was clearly Richardson’s best showing of the season, however for Graham it simply bolstered his standing as the top red zone threat for Russell Wilson. The likelihood of both guys going off like this again is slim, but it does keep the opposing defense honest and doesn’t let them just focus on one guys solely.

 

Ones to watch for

Austin Hooper - Against the Jets, Hooper had two passes thrown his way and he caught one for a score. That’s a solid game in it’s own right, but when you consider that the two targets keep him even with Julio Jones on the year, and the one catch gives him five, more than Jones, it’s that much more solid. Hooper has caught an impressive 71.43% of targets inside the 20 and 50% inside the 10 so far. He can be matchup specific, but when it’s in his favor he knows how to capitalize.

Benjamin Watson - In one sense he could be considered a target monster this week because his three targets were all the attempts both QBs made in the red zone. However he is in this section because he is more than just a one-week blip. He is the most targeted member of the offense in the red zone this season both inside the 20 and the 10. Watson has steadily seen his targets increase each week and clearly has the trust of whoever is under center for the Ravens.

Mark Ingram - Ingram was thought to be the truer running back option coming into the season, while Alvin Kamara would be the pass catching threat. Well to a degree that has held, but would it surprise you to learn that Ingram is the most-targeted member of the Saints offense in the red zone? He has eight targets on the year (three this week), one more than Kamara, and he’s caught all but one of those looks, however none for scores yet. It is something to certainly monitor however, adds this only adds value for his PPR-league owners.