On any given NFL weekend, many different players score touchdowns. Most of them are frequently started on fantasy football rosters. But others come out of nowhere to vulture touchdowns or beat a third-string cornerback repeatedly for a career-day. In fantasy, these are our That Helps No One champions. The players whose success leads to the imminent demise of countless fantasy teams. All season long, we'll be tracking and crowning a That Helps No One winner each week on NFL Fantasy LIVE. Below are the top candidates for Week 6.
Joe Flacco was on fire on Sunday, throwing five touchdowns on the day. He was so generous in feeding his teammates, that Torrey Smith even scored -- twice! However, Flacco was a little too generous to some no-name wide receivers on his team. He got things started with Kamar Aiken, long lost brother of Clay Aiken, at least that's what I'm going to pretend, since this touchdown meant as much to fantasy owners as Aiken's debut CD did to America.
Flacco continued his charitable touchdown spree by flinging one to Michael Campanaro later in the game. I'm not sure if this was simply Flacco finding the open receiver, or trying to demoralize the Buccaneers by throwing touchdowns to guys who sound like they should be managing midwestern Applebee's and not playing on Sundays.
Jace Amaro, TE, New York Jets
Now, the NFL Fantasy LIVE producers wanted to include Amaro, and rightfully so as he's owned in just 0.8 percent of NFL.com fantasy leagues. However, I've been talking about Amaro for weeks in my weekly deep waiver wire column, so I felt vindicated with his solid performance (12.80 fantasy points). If only I'd taken my own advice and started him in my dynasty league! Doh. So in the end Amaro did help no one after all.
How frustrating is the Titans' backfield? Only one fantasy point separated their three backs -- Bishop Sankey, Battle, and Dexter McCluster. ONE! Sankey rushed for 61 yards on the day, and had Ken Whisenhunt given the rookie the rock at the goal line he would have turned in a solid day. Instead, he gave it to Battle, who finished with one carry for one yard and one touchdown. Ugh.
It's tough to be too mad at Brady, but when Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman both went scoreless, and Brandon LaFell already had two touchdowns, it'd be nice if he threw fantasy owners a bone. Instead, he threw it to Brian Tyms. You couldn't even look the way of Timothy Wright again. Brady? Come on man. Look, we're all glad you're not "declining" any more as the media seemed to want us to think, but can you make these bounce-back games coincide with our fantasy rosters a bit more? That would be great.
WINNER -- Gavin Escobar, TE, Dallas Cowboys
OK, look Romo, we get it that Escobar is a big target in the red zone with his 6-foot-6 frame and all, but you know who else is a great target? That 6-foot-2 wide receiver you have named Dez Bryant who can jump out of the stadium and has great hands. Next time, look his way please. Or at least audible to a run and hand the ball off to your outstanding running back. We're really not asking for much here. Whatever works for you ... except throwing it to Escobar.
Holmes is another one of my deep waiver wire column champions. Holmes caught four passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns, averaging a ludicrous 30.2 yards per reception. Unfortunately, next to no one started him in fantasy.
Derek Carr tossed four touchdowns on Sunday in a losing effort. Two went to That Helps No One contender Holmes, while another went to Brice (what's up with that spelling?) Butler. Not that there were many other viable fantasy targets on this offense, but still, Carr could have at least thrown it to someone whose name we recognize.
So who do you think should take home the Week 6 #ThatHelpsNoOne crown? Weigh in on Twitter with #ThatHelpsNoOne and be sure to tune in to NFL Fantasy LIVE (weekdays at 5pm ET on NFL Network) to see who is crowned the Week 5 winner!
-- Follow Alex on Twitter @AlexGelhar.
