Another week means another opportunity to sit in judgment of Jeff Mans!  I have poured over Jeff’s rankings and opinions and, well, let us see how he did.  Oh, and as usual, I will pepper this piece with a few of my own masterpieces and pieces of [use a word for dung] from the past week.

Here is the 2015 Week 11 edition of Right, Wrong or Indifferent:

RIGHT

Cam Newton:  Maestro Mans was dead on when he penned:  “My favorite cash game QB this week for a number of reasons. He is fairly priced across the board considering his high floor and high ceiling capabilities. The Redskins are the third-worst team in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game, and second worst in rushing yards per attempt surrendered. Cam has rushed 10-plus times and/or scored a rushing TD in every game this season.”  Newton did not disappoint and surely lived up to his “safe as can be” label and then some.  However, Jeff was not 100 percent right as Newton did not need to rely on his legs Sunday throwing for 246 yards and five TD.  As much as I hate to say this, Newton is a must start every week.  He is on fire.  Tony Romo will have to be back to 100 percent to keep up with Newton on Thursday.  I actually think Romo is up to it, but that will only fuel Newton's production.   Play him with confidence.

Mike Evans:  Mr. Mans was spot on regarding Mike Evans.  Jeff wrote: “Mike Evans without Vincent Jackson is like Russell Westbrook without Kevin Durant. V-Jax unfortunately practiced the past two days and is listed as questionable for this week. In the last three games, though, without V-Jax, Evans has amassed 41 targets (most in NFL), 19 receptions (second most in NFL) and 324 yards (second most). With that much attention, the TDs will come and could come in bunches against a defense that gives up the third-most fantasy points to WRs this season. I am good with Evans either way but strongly prefer him without Jackson being active this week.”  With V-Jax back in the lineup, Evans was what Jeff predicted – good, not great.  One cannot scoff at Evans 4-63 and a TD on seven targets.  However, when considering Evans and his high price tag next week, remember that the return of V-Jax meant Evans saw a 50 percent drop in targets and that those targets could fall further if he continues the dropsies.  Proceed with caution.

Devin Funchess:  Jeff is looking good here as he wrote about Funchess:  “Value play in GPP contests only but a very intriguing option to say the least. Funchess is drawing the start this week due to the injury to Philly Brown and immediately becomes a viable option for Cam Newton in the Panthers passing game. Nobody in the Redskins secondary can matchup against the 6-foot-5 Funchess, giving him immense red zone value both for Newton and for fantasy owners.”   Given the price, you gotta call this a win. Funchess hauled in four passes for 64 yards and a TD.  In classic PPR, that is a cool 16.4 fantasy points.  Nice.  Look for Funchess to get more red zone looks as the season progresses.  In standard leagues that weigh TDs very heavily, Funchess should be on your radar or better yet, on your roster. 

Terrance Williams:  Ok, one for me.  I told all who would listen that lost in the hype of Tony Romo’s return is how much that will benefit Terrance Williams.  Well, T-Will delivered, hauling in all of his targets and going 4-79 and a TD.  Because of all the weapons and the lethal nature of that offensive line’s run blocking, T-Will will never be a target monster.  However, he is a big-play WR who draws single coverage all the time.  I am in on T-Will at his price as long as No. 9 is under center.

WRONG

Jarvis Landry:   Well, now for the other side of the coin.  This Mans prediction hardly came to pass:  “All that Jarvis Landry does is make plays. He catches the ball well, runs after the catch well, chases after tipped passes like last week well. His salary is very affordable week after week, making him one of my favorite players to use consistently in cash games. The Dolphins have the third-highest pass/run percentage in the NFL and the Cowboys rank 20th in passing yards per attempt given up this year.”  Four catches for 66 yards with Morris Claiborne in street clothes just was not getting it done.  Honestly, Landry suffered from a subpar effort from Ryan Tannehill – a risk that is always just under the surface with the Fish.  I see more targets and receptions in the future but would not be too excited to start Landry in non-ppr leagues. 

Stevie Johnson:  I think Jeff got twisted around a bit when he wrote, “It's crazy how low the price tag is on Stevie Johnson this week. He is easily the best WR value on the board. Coming off a bye week in which he got healthy (practicing in full), Johnson is ready to assume the WR1 role here for the Chargers. When you consider that San Diego ranks first in pass attempts and yards this year and third in total offensive plays this means a ton of volume for Stevie Johnson. The Chiefs have also given up the second-most fantasy points to WRs this year, making this a no-brainer on so many levels this week.”  Seven catches for 54 yards is not horrendous in PPR, but it is hardly what Jeff (or I) expected.  The Chargers are beaten down and out of it.  That worries me as you just do not know when they will lay another egg and when they will play for pride.  Yet another yellow light here.

Devonta Freeman:   Jeff booted this grounder when he said:  “Freeman is in a good spot here. Sure he is expensive but if going value on QB and WR you can easily get him in your lineup. The Falcons rank fifth in total plays run by their offense, fifth in PFF's offensive line run blocking and 12th in rushing attempts. I expect a high volume game both running and catching the football for Freeman this week.”  I know this is kind of unfair as Freeman’s 43 yards on three carries was as a result of injury.  However, given that Freeman had not seen the end zone in weeks, I thought this rating was a bit generous.  Even assuming he is cleared to play soon, the future is not fabulous.  Atlanta, which has proven they are not nearly as good as they looked early in the year, faces Minnesota, Tampa Bay, and Carolina twice in the next five weeks.  Not ideal at all. 

Dontrelle Inman:  In all fairness, I have to look in the mirror and scold myself at least once.  I really thought the Chargers would wing the ball all over the yard and that not only would Stevie Johnson thrive but that Dontrelle Inman would also reel in a bunch.  Nope.  Inman did not deliver as his three catches for 51 yards stat line shows.  As for what the future holds, see "Johnson, Stevie" for the risks of starting Chargers players from here on out.

INDIFFERENT

Matthew Stafford:  Jeff noted: “The Lions have thrown the third-most pass attempts & have the highest percent of pass plays in the NFL. The Raiders defense ranks third worst in total yards per game surrendered, second worst in passing yards per game, fourth worst in PFF's pass coverage ratings and have given up the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs. Surprisingly, the Lions are actually fourth in the NFL in Red Zone TD percentage as well, so if they can move the ball they will likely make it count."  282 yards passing and no TD is below par for this matchup.  However, the 31 yards rushing and rushing TD makes this “indifferent” rather than a “wrong”.   I am staying on the Stafford train with the Eagles coming to town Thursday – yes, the Eagles that rookie Jameis Winston carved up on Sunday.

Latavius Murray:   Jeff was pretty high on Latavius Murray:  “After running the simulations for this week, I've uncovered that the Raiders' running game actually has a more consistent performance than their passing game. Thus, Derek Carr slid down a bit and Murray rose up. The Lions are fifth worst in the NFL in rushing yards per game and have given up and rank 28th in football outsiders DVOA.”  13 carries for 28 yards is hardly a big-time performance.  Even the rushing TD did not really save this performance.   Murray has rushed for 100-plus yards just once since Week 3.  Bottom line – it is hard to rely on Murray week to week.  That said, a game against Tennessee next week may be what the doctor ordered.

Ronnie Hillman:  About Hillman, Jeff penned as follows:  “Without Peyton Manning under center this week, expect the return of a typical Gary Kubiak style offense. That means a lot of cut back running that sets up play action passing. The Bears' defense is sixth worst at yards per rush attempt surrendered, seventh worst in rushing yards per game given up and sixth worst in total defense DVOA. At a big discount, I like Hillman to lead the Broncos RBs in snaps, touches and fantasy production this week.”  21 carries for 102 yards is solid but with no TD and only one catch, it is hard to give Jeff a “Right” here.  C.J. Anderson actually stole a bunch of touches holding down Hillman’s value.   That will be the risk every week.  For me, Denver is too up in the air to rely upon either back to be the lead in any given week (see what I did there?).

Ok, let’s use what we learned and win in Week 12.  Good luck!