Fantasy Footnotes: Gordon returns, McCoy gains momentum, Broncos bounce back
Every gameday during the regular season, theScore's fantasy editors recap the most important news and notes from around the league.
Gordon impressive in return to action
Despite pre-game reports suggesting the Cleveland Browns planned to limit Josh Gordon to 20-30 snaps in his return from suspension, the team showed no hesitation in unleashing the NFL's 2013 receiving leader.
Gordon played 51 of 74 snaps Sunday and showed no signs of rust. Like he did a year ago, Gordon separated from defenders with ease and churned out YAC. He finished the game with eight catches for 120 yards - the highest total of any Browns receiver all season.
It wasn't all smooth sailing for the Browns - Brian Hoyer was too willing to force the ball to Gordon, even when he wasn't open, and he almost cost the team the win with a late interception - but it's very promising for Gordon's fantasy owners to see him immediately become the focal point of the Browns' offense. Gordon is immediately back to being a high-end WR1 in all formats.
This is the ideal scenario for owners who drafted Gordon and managed to keep him stashed for the duration his 10-game suspension. They now have a player who can be the final piece of a championship roster.
McCoy gaining momentum
For perhaps the first time all season, Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy looked like the player fantasy owners thought they were getting when they used the first overall pick in their fantasy draft to select him.
McCoy's vision, lateral agility and short-area burst were all on full display in a 130-yard performance Sunday. It seemed like almost every time he touched the ball, he was juking at least one Tennessee Titans defender out of his jockstrap.
Most importantly, McCoy managed to scored a touchdown on a goal-line carry. It's only his second trip across the stripe since Week 3. Touchdowns are unpredictable and often come in spurts, so it's fair to blame McCoy's low total on bad luck. He's a prime regression candidate, which means he could prove to be a crucial player in the fantasy playoffs.
McCoy's disappointing start can be attributed almost entirely to injuries along his offensive line. The unit is finally healthy and starting to find cohesion. That's great news for McCoy's owners as the fantasy playoffs loom.
Broncos bounce back
If there's one sure thing in football, it's that a Peyton Manning-led team will always bounce back after a sub-par performance. Manning's not a guy who's short on motivation, but nothing lights his fire like a loss.
Manning blamed himself for an embarrassing 22-7 defeat to the St. Louis Rams last week. Sunday, he atoned by shredding a very good Miami Dolphins defense for 257 yards and four touchdowns.
Manning's numbers could have been even bigger, as he missed several deep shots to Emmanuel Sanders. No matter. You won't hear any fantasy owners complaining about a four-touchdown day.
Demaryius Thomas caught three of Manning's touchdown passes, becoming the third Broncos player to go for a hat trick in a game (Julius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders). Life's good when you're catching passes from Peyton Manning.
The success of the Broncos' passing attack opened things up in the run game. C.J. Anderson finished the day with 167 yards rushing and a touchdown. It's possible he's the best running back on the Broncos - even when Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball are healthy.
Notable Fantasy Lines
Andrew Luck, QB, Colts
253 yards passing, 49 yards rushing, TD, 2 FUM
Luck's streak of eight straight games with at least 300 yards passing came to an end.
Eddie Lacy, RB, Packers
125 yards rushing, 13 yards receiving, 2 TDs
Lacy is running hot as the weather turns cold. That's great news for the Green Bay Packers.
Isaiah Crowell, RB, Browns
88 yards rushing, 2 TDs
Crowell looks like he'll remain the starter in Cleveland.
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Patriots
78 yards rushing, 2 TDs
In his first game back with New England, Blount handled short-yardage work and emerged with two scores.
Jonas Gray, RB, Patriots
0 yards rushing
Gray followed up his 200-yard, four-touchdown performance with a goose egg. Probably shouldn't have shown up to work late.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Giants
146 yards receiving, 2 TDs
It's scary to think that Beckham was available for free on the waiver-wire in most leagues just a few weeks ago.
Jarvis Landry, WR, Dolphins
50 yards receiving, 2 TDs
Landry is well on his way to becoming the Dolphins' No. 1 receiving option.
Michael Floyd, WR, Cardinals
0 yards receiving
Even with Larry Fitzgerald out hurt, Floyd couldn't get anything going. He's been so frustrating to own.
Tim Wright, TE, Patriots
36 yards receiving, 2 TDs
Both of Tom Brady's touchdown passes went to Wright. Sorry, Rob Gronkowski owners.
Injury Ward
Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers
Mathews left the game with an apparent shoulder injury but returned after heading to the locker room for a check-up. He looks like he'll be fine.
Waiver Wire Targets
Zach Mettenberger, QB, Titans
If you're desperate for quarterback help (for instance, if you're still relying on Robert Griffin III), you could do worse than Mettenberger. He's a statue in the pocket but he slings the ball all over the field.
Jarvis Landry, WR, Dolphins
Landry gets lost in the shuffle in the best year of rookie receivers ever. Don't sleep on him.
Charles Johnson, WR, Vikings
Johnson, not Greg Jennings or Cordarrelle Patterson, might be the best receiver the Vikings have.
Tim Wright, TE, Patriots
Wright scored two touchdowns Sunday. In weeks that the Patriots' opponents focus their attention on stopping Rob Gronkowski, Wright is a low-end fantasy starter.