50 Shades of Fantasy Football, Vol. V: The knee-jerk reaction

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Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) leaps over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Terence Newman (23) for a touchdown during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

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26) In DeMarco Murray’s first five seasons in the NFL, he averaged 43 receptions per year with a total of two receiving touchdowns.

27) In Sunday’s 25-16 loss to Minnesota, Murray had five catches and two receiving touchdowns.

28) Murray received seven targets in Sunday’s game, more than wide receivers Rishard Mathews and Harry Douglas, and equal to wide receiver Andre Johnson’s targets. It was only four fewer targets than rookie wide receiver Tajae Sharpe, who led the team with 11.

29) Murray ran the ball 13 times for 42 yards. That equates to 3.2 yards per carry. Rookie running back Derrick Henry rand the ball five times for three yards, or 0. 6 yards per carry.

30) Henry finished with 41 total receiving yards on five fewer targets than Murray, who finished with a total of 35 receiving yards.

31) The Titans travel to Detroit to face the Lions in their home opener. In Week One, Detroit held the Colts to 16 total first-half rushing yards. In a game where the Colts scored 35 points, lead running back Frank Gore had 19 total receiving yards.

Prediction: DeMarco Murray will underperform in Week 2 at Detroit. He will be held without a touchdown and rush for under 50 yards. As the season progresses, Derrick Henry will create an eventual 50-50 carry split.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) celebrates after he scores a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth quarter at Levi /

32) San Francisco running back Carlos Hyde rushed 23 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-0 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

33) Hyde, who was touted as a “true three down running back,” received three targets and caught two passes for a total of five yards.

34) Fellow running back Shaun Draughn received the majority of the third down and two minute drill snaps. Hyde received 57 total snaps, while Draughn received 21.

35) Draughn still rushed seven times and scored on a design running play inside the five-yard line.

36) According to Cantor Technology, the 49ers are not projected to be favored in any games for the rest of the NFL season.

37) When a team is losing, they are forced to pass more. This will lead to more snaps for Shaun Draughn and fewer snaps for Carlos Hyde.

Prediction: Carlos Hyde owners may have just experienced his best fantasy game of the season. As the 49ers progress through a difficult season, they will be in situations that dictate more passing plays. As such, Shaun Draughn’s productivity will increase, while Hyde’s decreases.

Next: Feast or Famine Jackson?

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