Adrian Peterson’s predicted but delayed return to prominence highlights this week’s NFL Week That Was.

Adrian Peterson:  For those who doubted All-Day, well shame on you!  Against all odds again, Adrian Peterson showed why he is destined for Canton.  After less than a week in the desert with the Cardinals, Peterson sliced and diced through the Bucs for 134 yards and 2 TD on 26 carries.  If there is anyone out there who continues to doubt All-Day, well consider these tidbits:  1) the Bucs were in the top half of the NFL in fantasy points allowed to RBs in the last three weeks (in other words, this was not a patsy assignment); 2) in seasons where he played more than three games, Peterson has never averaged fewer than 4.4 yards per carry so his 5.2 Sunday is hardly a fluke; 3) in the next two games, Peterson will go up against the Rams and 49ers – teams that coming into this week were second and third worst in the NFL in points allowed to fantasy running backs.  Pay full freight if he is somehow still on your waiver wire. 

Terrelle Pryor:   Terrelle Pryor managed just 3 catches and just 23 yards against a winless 49ers team that had to travel across the country to play a Washington team coming off a bye.  Ugh!  Let me say that again … Ugh! Washington receivers more productive Sunday included such pass catching luminaries as Ryan Grant and Samaje Perine (yes that was sarcasm).  The only consolation (not really) is that Jamison Crowder was even worse.  On the year, Pryor has just not gelled with Kirk Cousins and has not lived up to his billing.  Indeed, over his last four games, Pryor has a total of just 10 receptions.  If you own him, hold him but it is time for him to ride the fantasy-pine until he shows something more – a lot more.  [Note – let’s not forget that Pryor has exactly one full season of playing wide receiver under his belt and that came with the hapless Browns who had little choice but to fling the ball around the yard in an attempt to catch up in most games].

Kirk Cousins:   Kirk Cousins went 25-37 for 330 yards and two TD.  Cousins also ran for 26 yards and another TD.  Those are very solid fantasy numbers for sure but they are more impressive when you consider that his team played badly, his main receivers did little to help him and the 49ers played a lot more inspired than most expected.  Cousins is a solid QB1 in fantasy and if the Cousins owner in your league doubts it, make him/her pay by fleecing him/her.  Oh, and if you had some doubt, consider this: in the last two full seasons, Cousins has amassed 9,000+ passing yards, 54 passing TDs and another 9 rushing TDs for good measure.  Sign me up!

Devonta FreemanDevonta Freeman managed just 68 rushing yards and just 11 receiving yards in a loss to the Dolphins.  One has to wonder – I mean seriously has to wonder – how Freeman could warrant only 11 touches in a game after a bye week.  It really does baffle the mind.  From a fantasy perspective, this creates opportunity to buy low.  The Falcons really cannot be that foolish over and over again can they?  Even with Kyle Shanahan pacing the sidelines in SF, I have to doubt it.  With two games against the Saints in the fantasy playoffs (weeks 14 and 16), Freeman is going to be on many a winning fantasy team once the Falcons wake up and realize that they must get the ball to their playmakers.  [Don’t get me started on Julio Jones either – 7 targets and none in the red zone in week 6? 2 red zone targets in 5 games?  Really?]

Austin Seferian-Jenkins:  Austin Seferian Jenkins caught 8 balls for 46 yards and a TD on 11 targets in a heartbreaking loss to the Patriots.  Oh, and do not get Jets fans started on the TD taken away.   That makes 19 targets and two TD in the last two weeks.  Given the limited choices of receivers for Josh McCown and the fact that ASJ may finally be living up to his billing and talent, there is real bargain value here.  With Miami and Atlanta next up, ASJ stands a strong chance to continue his paydirt string.  I now believe and you should too.

Cameron Brate:  Last week we quoted our previous week and wrote: “ ‘Cameron Brate had a nice game on the stat sheets – 4 catches, 80 yards and a TD.  However, the real story comes from watching the game.  Yes, Mike Evans will dominate the target share and yes Desean Jackson is exciting but when it comes to crunch time, Jameis Winston trusts his Tight End to make the big grab and to be where he is supposed to be.  That should yield a bunch of TD as the year goes on.  Brate is undervalued now but will not be for long.  Act now! Brate went out Thursday night and put up the numbers – 5 catches for 68 yards and a TD.  Oh, and it could have been even bigger had he hauled in one more of his 3 red zone targets.  If Brate is somehow still available in your league (maybe some OJ Howard fan still believes), grab him. Winston is a gunslinger and he clearly has eyes for Brate.”  Well, Brate did it again with 6 grabs for 76 yards and a TD.  I guess Brate is immune from the Ryan Fitzpatrick effect as even with Winston on the sidelines, the Harvard tight end TD machine kept on producing.

Final Note:  Injuries are part of the game.  First and foremost, never root for injuries and never rejoice in someone else’s pain.  These are real people with real injuries irrespective of whether you are a fan of their NFL team or whether you or your fantasy football nemesis rostered that player.  Ok, preaching over.  Serious fantasy point – an injury to a player like Aaron Rodgers requires that you carefully examine what Brett Hundley is and is not and what the effect will be on not only the Packers receivers but also the running backs and possibly even the defense.  A lot more about that in the coming days on fantasyalarm.com, the Fantasy Alarm Show (4-6pm ET daily) and Colton & the Wolfman (Tuesday 10pm-midnite ET) on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.