Quick decisions, shorter routes helping Rodgers

Jan 08, 2010

After eight games, Aaron Rodgers ranked third in the NFL in yards per attempt (8.67) behind New Orleans' Drew Brees (8.82) and Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger (8.76). The next closest to Rodgers was Dallas' Tony Romo (8.39).

After 16 games, Rodgers ranks fourth (8.2), just ahead of Houston's Matt Schaub (8.18) and Romo (8.15). The second half of the season his yards per attempt was 7.75, down almost a yard from midseason.

Rodgers's completion percentage, meanwhile, improved from 63.1% over the first eight games to 66.2% the last eight. His touchdown-to-interception totals went from 16-5 to 14-2.

Clearly, he's doing a better job of dumping the ball off and checking out of bad running plays at the line of scrimmage to quick completions to his receivers.

"I think it's that and having Jermichael Finley out there," Rodgers said of his pass-catching tight end. "When he's out there, it's more of a spread set. The emphasis is on quick decision-making and shorter routes.

Fantasy Impact:

yesterday

Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson officially Out for Week 13

Adam Schefter

yesterday · 7:52 PM EST

Cowboys ruled out Jake Ferguson for the Thanksgiving game vs. the New York Giants due to his concussion. His replacement, once again, will be Luke Schoonmaker.

Fantasy Impact:

This was expected, but it could have been a nice matchup for the No. 2 pass-catcher. Schoonmaker is a little less exciting but is worth a TE stream for desperate managers.

Seahawks WRs DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett miss Wednesday practice

Brady Henderson

yesterday · 7:48 PM EST

The Seahawks list DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett as non-participants in practice today. These appear to be new injuries (though Lockett was also listed with a knee injury in Week 7). Leonard Williams has been playing through his foot injury the past few weeks.

Related Players: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jake Bobo

Fantasy Impact:

This is obviously not a great sign for Geno Smith or the general offensive environment for the Seahawks. We would have to imagine that JSN would be seeing his fifth double-digit target game of the season if either of the two were forced to miss Week 13, which catapults him into solid WR2 territory. We'll keep an eye on the reports through the rest of the week.

Giants QB Tommy DeVito officially Questionable for Week 13

Ian Rapoport

yesterday · 1:24 PM EST

Giants QB Tommy DeVito (right forearm) is listed as questionable for tomorrow against the Cowboys. Drew Lock, his backup, took some first-team reps just in case.

Fantasy Impact:

What a treat this game will be. Whether DeVito or Lock is back there on Thanksgiving, they both need to remain firmly on waiver wires.