The New York Giants‘ clash with the Washington Redskins on Thursday night represented a bit of a slog early on, but inefficient offensive displays didn’t prevent Big Blue’s most dynamic threats from putting up solid numbers down the stretch of New York’s 32-21 victory, which had fantasy owners grinning.
Along with Odell Beckham Jr.’s splendid outing, here’s a look at how Giants quarterback Eli Manning and receiver Rueben Randle fared Thursday evening:
Odell Beckham Jr.
It was another day at the office for one of the league’s most dynamic vertical weapons. While Beckham’s night was a relative snoozer before he caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Manning in the third quarter, he crossed the goal line for the second straight week after a five-catch, 44-yard clunker in his 2015 debut.
NFL Network relayed video of Beckham’s touchdown catch, which showcased his ridiculously strong hands and elite leaping ability:
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Beckham has now tallied 14 touchdown catches in his first 15 games. Given that trajectory, owners should continue plugging him into their lineups as a rock-solid WR1.
Eli Manning
Manning appeared to be headed for another underwhelming outing, but the 30-yard strike to Beckham and a 41-yard garbage-time heave to Randle salvaged his evening.
NFL Network offered a glimpse at Manning’s second touchdown toss:
Through three games, Manning is averaging 254.7 passing yards per game. That’s not great, but it’s not bad, either.
The problem at this stage is that New York has been reluctant to open up the playbook and take repeated shots downfield. When the Giants did so Thursday, they were successful. But too often, New York settled for conservative throws under 10 yards that capped Manning’s upside.
He’ll remain a worthy starter in 12-team leagues moving forward, but owners in 10-team formats should rely on him only as a streaming option against shaky secondaries. Manning will be a risky bet to post similar numbers next week against a tenacious Buffalo Bills defense.
Rueben Randle
Randle was already solidly on the stat sheet with 75 yards prior to his 41-yard touchdown catch, but the late score proved to be icing on the cake for owners who took a shot on the streaky receiver.
The clear No. 2 option Thursday evening, Randle caught all seven of his targets for 116 yards after compiling just four catches for 28 yards over his first two outings.
With Preston Parker out of a job and Victor Cruz still sidelined with a calf injury, Randle should continue to see heavy doses of targets as defenses key in on Beckham.
Randle was owned in less than 30 percent of ESPN leagues at game’s end, but that number should spike considerably following his destruction of Washington’s secondary.
Consider Randle a worthy flex option in 12- and-14-team formats as the Giants search for consistent playmakers on the outside.
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NFL
New York Giants
Eli Manning
Fantasy
Rueben Randle
Odell Beckham Jr.
