By Winsto (10/15/2022)
- I wonder which Jacksonville offense will we see against Indianapolis? Last week’s discombobulated one that had zero TDs against Houston, or the one that put up three TDs against Indianapolis in Week 2 and four TDs against LAC in Week 3? Season-wise, we should get a better sense of what to expect from Trevor Lawrence, James Robinson, Travis Etienne, and Christian Kirk based on how this game unfolds. There is potential here. It would help if there was more consistency.
- I wonder which side is going to give between Dallas’s defense and Philadelphia’s offense. Dallas’s defense has not allowed 20 points to an opponent all season. Philadelphia has scored 20 or more in every game thus far. This may not be high ceiling games for anyone on Philadelphia’s offense. Jalen Hurts, A. J. Brown, Dallas Goedert, and Miles Sanders are probably still starting for you, but you should temper expectations. As for DeVonta Smith, he is definitely the wild card. If you have a better or comparable option in a better match-up, consider benching him this week.
- Could Cade Otton (TE) be a thing? Hear me out. He was the 1st pick in the 4th round for Tampa Bay, and he seems to have earned some trust from Tom Brady. Unless you have a top 10 TE, you are basically relying on a player who is TD or bust. Cade Otton, with Brady throwing, is already basically a TD or bust player. At least he has theoretical upside. He was already playing at about 50% of the snaps before Brate’s injury. What if Cameron Brate (TE) comes back from injury this week as a more complimentary player? Tampa Bay’s receiving corp seems to be constantly banged up; that offense is looking for play-makers. Cotton could be one. And if I am wrong, how many points did you really miss out on, especially in a non-PPR league? I think this weekend might give us a good indication how this situation is going to play out.
- I wonder if corn is the only vegetable that pops.
- I really wonder what is happening with Cam Akers (RB), as he was “excused” from the Los Angeles Rams and will not play this weekend. (So did you notice I waited this long to discuss the fall-out from Cam Akers (RB). Just wanted to make sure you at least noted my other points). First off, I hope everything is okay in Akers’s life. As for the fantasy implications, I can envision three scenarios. The first one is basically a repeat of the Los Angeles’s backfield usage in 2021, with Darrel Henderson and Malcolm Brown (instead of Sony Michel) splitting the carries, with a small amount of Kyren Williams when he returns from injury. In this scenario, there is not much value in this backfield.
- However, in the second scenario, I wonder if Kyren Williams becomes a thing in fantasy. His competition is not overwhelming. Henderson is a solid player, but it has become quite clear that Sean McVay does not envision him as a workhorse running back. Malcolm Brown, at this stage of his career, is a solid back-up. Los Angeles traded up in the 5th round to grab him. He has had some injuries, though. Still, if you have a vacant IR spot on your team, why not grab him just to see what happens.
- With all of that said, I am really curious about the third scenario: could Sean McVay, who is not shy about trading draft picks, figure out a trade with say… Carolina? Las Vegas? Chicago? Christian McCaffrey is already available at the right price, apparently. Josh Jacobs and David Montgomery, depending on how their teams do in the next few weeks, could also be available. Okay, yes, these are probably very far-fetched. I agree. It is very difficult to try and predict a trade. Still, wouldn’t a trade like this be the kind of trade that Los Angeles has been doing under McVay? I am pretty sure he must realize that his offense needs another playmaker other than Cooper Kupp. Again, this probably won’t happen, and it is not like Los Angeles has a lot of draft capital to trade to pull a trade like this off. Still, crazier things have happened.
- I think that in a pinch, I would consider starting Deon Jackson (RB) from Indianapolis, now that Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines have both been ruled out. He may prove to be a low end RB3 this week.
- I wonder what is going to happen in the Buffalo-Kansas City matchup. (So, yes, I waited to discuss this week’s premium match-up until the end of the column. But, are you not a more informed fantasy football player, and thus, a better person, because of that?) I do not see how you could possibly bench Josh Allen (QB), Patrick Mahomes (QB), Stefon Diggs (WR), Travis Kelce (TE), and Gabe Davis (WR). Clyde Edwards-Helaire is not sure fire start, but this game could get crazy. If you need flex options, Isaiah McKenzie (WR), JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Marquez Valdez-Scantling could all have value, though Smith-Schuster and Valdez-Scantling have yet to see the endzone this season. In deeper leagues, Jerick McKinnon and/or James Cook could make some noise as well.
- I am now wondering if I completely jinxed the Buffalo-Kansas City game, and the final score winds up being 5 – 6 (yep, somehow, there will be a safety).
- I wonder if dogs and bees, who both can smell fear, are currently smelling the collective fantasy owners who are starting Raheem Mostert and/or Geno Smith–Mostert because of his durability history, and Smith because, you know, he is Geno Smith.