By Winsto (11/18/2022)
Tennessee Takes Down Green Bay
Coach Mike Vrabel should be a candidate for coach of the year. He continues to put together a solid team despite lacking elite talent, Derrick Henry aside, of course. Henry (1 passing TD, 87-1 rushing, 45 receiving) had a nice night. Ryan Tannehill also had a nice night (333-2-1). Austin Hooper had a great night for a tight end (4-36-2). HOWEVER, I think the most interesting story here is the play of Treylon Burks, who went for 7 catches and 111 yards with close to a 30% target share. I also think Vrabel knows that he needs to get Burks consistent involvement if Tennessee is going to go deep into the play-offs. If Burks is somehow on your waiver wire, go get him. If he is already rostered, consider a trade offer if your league’s trade deadline has not arrived. I would treat him as a high upside WR3 from this point forward.
As for Green Bay, rumors of Aaron Rodgers being completely droppable have proved to be somewhat false (227-2). That is back-to-back games with multiple passing scores. There is value if you need a Bye Week fill-in or play in 2 QB leagues. Still, he still has yet to have a 300 yard passing day this season. In addition, this recent success seems to be completely fueled by Christian Watson, as he went for 4-44-2. i think this is the the most interesting story on the Green Bay side. Is that a great day? Not necessarily, but I think we would all take a 2 TD game from any of our wide receivers any time. What is also of interest is that when Green Bay got in close, Rodgers was looking Watson’s way. I expect that to continue. The assumption is he is already rostered. Like with Burks, consider a trade offer for him just to see, as I would consider him a solid WR2 moving forward with upside. The only reservation is Watson’s injury history this season. Alan Lazard, meanwhile still has value (5-57), even with the arrival of Watson. I would treat him as a lower end WR3 moving forward. As for Green Bay’s rushing attack, Aaron Jones (12-40, 6-20) and A. J. Dillon (6-13, 1-10) had a rough night at the office, as Tennessee’s stingy run defense proved up to the task of stopping them.
Weekend Hail Marys
As we are getting more information on who is and who is not playing this weekend, here are some possible Hail Mary players who may have success:
- Kenyan Drake (RB-Baltimore)–If for some reason, he is available, he could be a sneaky play. Gus Edwards (RB) is questionable, and Baltimore may be conservative with his usage. Maybe no one in your league picked him up assuming Edwards would return after the Bye week and be the alpha back. You should double-check.
- Isaiah Likely (TE-Baltimore)–Okay, hear me out. If Mark Andrews does not play, Likely is a TE1 and does not really belong in this section. BUT, what if Andrews does play? Do we think Likely is just going to go back to a part-time role? Likely passes the eye-test, easily. He looks more like a wide receiver playing the tight end position. Baltimore has limited options at the receiver position. Coach John Harbaugh has to recognize the benefits of having Likely on the field. Even if Andrews plays, I think Likely will continue to have a role in this offense.
- Justin Watson (WR-KC)–(I am obviously assuming Kadarius Toney and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are not available. If somehow they are, I would run and grab them, in the aforementioned order). Watson is entering Kansas City’s match-up with the Los Angeles Chargers no lower than 3rd on the wide receiver pecking order, and he has was on the field for 73% of Week 10. (Though, he only had 1 reception for 12 yards. Again, this is the Hail Mary section). Vegas expects the game to be the highest scoring of Week 11. If you are in a bind, there are worst options.
- Skyy Moore (WR-KC)–Much of what was stated above also applies here. The only difference is Moore’s playing time (25%) was not really affected by the absence of Mecole Hardman or JuJu Smith-Schuster’s injury in Week 10. It looks like he is 4th in pecking order, so of Moore or Watson, Watson would be the play. But, maybe Moore shows why he was a 2nd round draft pick this game. Maybe?
- Other players to consider for the truly desperate: Trestan Ebner (RB-Chicago) with Khalil Herbert going on IR, Deon Jackson (RB-Indianapolis) if they find themselves falling behind Philadelphia, Chuba Hubbard (RB-Carolina) if they find themselves falling behind to Baltimore, and/or Jaylen Warren (RB-Pittsburgh) if they find themselves falling behind to Cincinnati.