FFB Week 10: Twelve Takeaways

WELCOME BACK. 

Another Wednesday, Twelve more Takeaways from this past week's action. 

Alright, that's enough small-talk. Let's ride. 


1. We had ourselves a good, old-fashioned Thursday night Ja'Marr Chase points explosion.


More like a pants explosion for people that started him, am I right? 

Anyways, it was a night to remember for Ja'Marr Chase fantasy owners as he more or less won a good portion of the matchups he was a part of before they got started. The feeling of dread for folks that were going against him and didn't check the box score until the next morning is the stuff of fantasy nightmares. 

Chase caught 11 passes for 264 yards and 3 touchdowns in the contest putting up 49.90 fantasy points in half-PPR leagues, a performance for the ages. 

Somehow, the Bengals lost the game and fell to 4-6, BUT if you're a fan of bargain buys they're +130 to make the playoffs and Joe Burrow is in God-mode with two straight QB1 finishes. 

After going nuclear this past week, Ja'Marr Chase now sits comfortably ahead of Justin Jefferson as the overall WR1 by over 50 fantasy points.

2. The Cowboys are worse than dead, they're a laughing stock.

Jerry Jones is back at it again, defending himself from the VERY unfair Dallas media. This time, it’s his stadium design that's under scrutiny.

As you might imagine, Jerry Jones handled it with great aplomb when reporters asked him why he insists on blinding his players. 

Then, on his weekly 105.3 The FAN radio appearance, he claimed “I don’t want to adjust it for one reason is because it is an advantage to us.” 

Just to add a little kerosene to the raging dumpster fire, someone had the idea to give Mike McCarthy a sun shade for his press conference. Absolute perfection.   

I love this guy interviewing Jerry Jones, indoors, wearing sunglasses and looking generally like he's staring directly at the sun just to drive the point home. He might just be a "wears sunglasses inside" guy, but if it was intended to be a thinly-veiled troll then it was pretty good one. I'm surprised Jerry didn't threaten to fire him. 

It's unmitigated chaos on and off the field for the Cowboys right now. I said last week that they were dead. They're way past that. It's somehow worse than being dead. 

Dak Prescott is having season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn hamstring, Micah Parsons ripped Mike McCarthy to pieces then reneged it on his podcast, and Cooper Rush is currently their best available option at quarterback. 

The only thing that matters here is CeeDee Lamb.  

On one hand, I'm hesitant to declare that CeeDee Lamb's fantasy stock is tanked, just because he's one of three or four guys that exist in their own atmosphere and transcend bad quarterbacks. Their talent actually makes quarterbacks better. 

On the other hand, it's hard to feel confident after last week. His overwhelming talent didn't supersede dogshit quarterback play and Cooper Rush's stat line is enough to make a man's eyeballs bleed: 13-for-23 for 45 yards, no TDs, and two lost fumbles. For those of you counting, that's -2.00 fantasy points. 

After the worst showing of his season with 6 catches on 10 targets for a measly 21 yards, Lamb shareholders are now faced with uncertainty. You can't bench him, that's out of the question. You also can't afford another 5 fantasy point game from an anchor roster spot. A lot of fantasy seasons are going to be decided by Cooper Rush and/or Trey Lance, and that's a scary thought. 

3. Kyler Murray took a vicious back shot and lived to tell the tale.

He got up after this hit, somehow, and threw a TD pass to Marvin Harrison Jr. on the very next play. 

NFL players are absolute freaks. Sometimes I like to play the game where I imagine myself in a players' shoes.

I'm not exaggerating when I say I think I'd be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life if I took that hit. I don't think it's a back brace, but I'd be wearing this thing indefinitely.  


Kyler is tough! He popped right back up as if nothing happened. He retrieved his helmet 20 yards downfield and went about his business, and business was good. 

It was one of "those" Kyler days and he was 22/24 passing for 266 yards and a touchdown. The bonus value really came into play as he rushed 3 times for 21 yards and two TDs. It was his best output of the season, QB4 for the week on 28.74 fantasy points.   

4. Buccaneer Baker really is a swashbuckler.

The 49ers got the best of him, but at least this play was cool. Baker is fully activated once again even though it was a crummy fantasy day - just 116 yards and a TD (8.94 fantasy points) - but Baker is still QB2 overall and Mike Evans should be back in week 12 after the bye. The resurgence continues. 

It's also worth noting that Rachaad White has scored 5 total touchdowns in the last 4 weeks. The Bucs have made room for Bucky Irving and it's been a productive backfield all around with both Tampa Bay running backs are currently inside the top-25 at their position. THIS is why we didn't give up on Rachaad.

5. Tua fantasy owners, look away…

Is a full-speed knee to the side of the head good for a guy that's had roughly a dozen concussions in the last year?  

The Dolphins look broken and Tua clearly can't be trusted not to endanger himself, so I'm out. It's not like the offense has been good even when he's played.    

Jaylen Waddle is a bummer with just one touchdown all season, nothing better than WR17 back in week 1 and his next best since then was WR35 this past week.  

De'Von Achane has been a true boom-or-bust option with four games inside the top-7 and the rest outside of the top-25. 

Apparently Tyreek Hill is playing through a torn ligament in his wrist, but holy shit - how bad has he been? Injury or not, this was a popular candidate to finish 2024 as WR1. Even with a touchdown catch on Monday night, he is just WR32, one spot behind Mike Evans who has missed the last 3 games. Maybe he should get arrested before every game because his best performance of the year was week 1 when he was in handcuffs an hour before kickoff. He hasn't had more than 10.2 fantasy points in a game since then. 

6. I know all the MVP focus is on Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, but Jalen Hurts is quietly having himself a career year.

Everyone said the Tush Push was cooked when Jason Kelce retired. Boy were they wrong. 

He's playing at an elite level since the Eagles' week 5 bye - QB1 in that stretch - accounting for 16 total touchdowns and just 1 INT. He's been efficient as a passer and lethal as a runner and this is Jalen Hurts at his best. 

Having a top-5 running back like Saquon Barkley around certainly doesn't hurt to divert some attention. On top of that, AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith are WR6 and WR18, respectively, so if they can stay relatively healthy then I believe I'm ready to declare the Eagles a certified wagon and fantasy treasure trove. 

7. Shoutout to Mike Tomlin.

The Steelers are on a tear and George Pickens with Russ has been an absolute weapon. Harnessing the raw talent and athleticism of Pickens is no easy task, especially when he's such a wildcard. I've touched on it previously, but on average he’s good for at least one very bizarre play per game. He's a high-upside guy, so you take the bad with the good. On Sunday, there were two:

He was not satisfied until he took his frustration out on someone. It just so happens that that person did not have the football. 

The "fake hurdle mid-air stiff arm" is not a move I've seen before, but Pickens is an innovator. 

Pickens has been unlocked and he's scored TDs in 2 of the last 3 weeks with Russ as the starter, top-5 production. The Steelers got a massive win over Washington on Sunday and have a slight edge over the Ravens in the AFC North at 7-2. 

8. Jim Harbaugh might be a complete psycho, but Justin Herbert is thriving.

Here's Harbaugh chiding himself for dropping a pass in warmups as the head coach. What a wacko. Guy just lives and breathes football.

Whatever Harbaugh's doing is working, the Chargers are 6-3 in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year and Justin Herbert is QB6 over the last 3 weeks. He's getting more production out of guys like Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey has been integrated nicely into the offense, and Herbert took no sacks on Sunday. Keeping him upright was always the goal, because when you do, Justin Herbert is still very much a top-10 talent at quarterback.  

9. The Bears have fired Shane Waldron, but is that enough?

Seems like this team is on the fritz. Caleb is straight up NOT having a good time as a rookie.

I'm not saying he's blameless, but Caleb Williams isn't as bad as what you're seeing. This is a secondary product of Shane Waldron putting their #1 overall pick in sketchy spots with little to no chance to succeed and being generally bad at his job. The icing on the cake was when this video surfaced last week. Shane Waldron is the first domino. 

Word on the street (the internet) is that some of the Bears players are calling for Tyson Bagent to get some reps and let Caleb think things over on the bench. I disagree with this wholeheartedly. You're not drafting the guy first overall to throw a tantrum and hinder his development halfway through his rookie season (now apply the same logic to Anthony Richardson). 

DJ Moore is their best fantasy receiver at WR39 with Rome Odunze coming in at WR57. There are weapons on this offense and Shane Waldron has been unable to get them open. It's a scheme issue, not a talent issue in Chicago. What a shame it'd be to throw the baby out with the bathwater and decimate his confidence this early. 

10. 

The sweet, sultry crown prince is back in our fantasy lives once again. 

On 20 total touches, he amassed 107 yards. No touchdown but don't worry, those will come.   

11. Jared Goff threw FIVE (5) INTERCEPTIONS and the Lions still won in Houston. 

He had thrown just 4 interceptions all season leading up to Sunday, but he doubled up and let that thing fly against the Texans. He's the fourth quarterback ever to throw 5 interceptions in a road game and come out victorious. 

Football can be cruel: Joe Burrow threw for 428 yards, 4 interceptions and lost to the Ravens, Jared Goff threw 2 TDs and 5 picks in a win. 

You'll never guess who scored again?

Amon Ra St. Brown has been slow and steady this year, averaging 11 FPPG in a run-heavy offense and he's now scored in seven straight games.

Their backfield remains one of the more dangerous in the entire league with Jahmyr Gibbs as fantasy's RB5 and David Montgomery at RB11. 

It was also nice to see Sam LaPorta get involved and snag a touchdown, catapulting him inside the top-10 at TE9, and he's scored in 3 of the last 5 games. He's a potential league-winner that had a quiet start to the year but many projected him as the overall TE1 in 2024 for good reason. 

12. Let's check in on next year's draft order (c/o Tankathon).

BONUS:

The Cowboys are the gift that keeps giving. 

WEEK 11 WIN THE WAIVER WIRE sponsored by Olive Garden:

Thank you to our new sponsor, Olive Garden, for believing in us here at the Fantasy Football Boys Fantasy Football Department. 

"When you're here, you're family™"

  • Bo Nix - He's developing at a pretty satisfying rate with work still to be done and he's QB9. The rushing ability is a fantasy difference-maker.
  • Drake Maye - The third best rookie quarterback has shown flashes of brilliance. Again, this is a bit of a stash in deeper leagues but he's also a solid runner.
  • Audric Estime - The backfield has apparently shifted in his favor after Javonte Williams got just one carry last week. He's the priority waiver pickup this week and may take over sole RB1 duty as soon as next week.
  • Cam Akers - Aaron Jones has a rib injury and projects to play this week, but Cam Akers has assumed the backup role in case Jones gets dinged up again.
  • Jaylen Warren - Najee Harris tweaked an ankle and Warren's snap count is creeping upward. He's done it before, I suspect he'll do it again and become more and more involved.
  • Trey Benson - Another backup whose usage has crept up, the rookie Benson was up to 10 carries/62 yards this past week. 
  • Ricky Pearsall - He scored his first NFL touchdown this past week, gunshot survivor, what's not to like? Aiyuk's injury has opened the door.
  • Quentin Johnston - The haters are silent, QJ WR1 2024 is upon us, and see above re: Herbert. The Chargers might be fun again. 
  • Cedric Tillman - Check to see if he's still available. He's the WR1 for Jameis and the Browns. Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore are secondary options if he's already been picked up.
  • Xavier Legette - Another repeat on this list, Legette scores touchdowns and Bryce Young looked the best he ever has on Sunday morning in Germany. 
  • Marquez Valdez-Scantling - All the Saints receivers are injured and he caught a touchdown this past week, only if you're needy.
  • Ja'Tavion Sanders - Again, Bryce Young actually looked in command and Ja'Tavion Sanders snagged a touchdown pass. Deep leagues only. 
  • Mike Gesicki - Only if Tee Higgins misses more time. 
Thank you all kindly for reading. I hope your fantasy season is 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jeff Goodman Is A Loser

Image
I've been at war with the national media for almost 7 years. It's not a big deal, but I've been fighting the good fight ever since "Schiano Sunday" in late 2017 when my eyes were opened to the shit that happens when media members "befriend" coaches and athletic directors. It's a dangerous game and there's a lot of behind-the-scenes maneuvering to make sure stories break the way that people want them to.  Whenever you're reading anything that's written by these select few, just know that they're very sensitive, fragile individuals. Jeff Goodman, Pat Forde, Dan Wolken, Dennis Dodd... they're all hyper-sensitive and soft. If a coach/AD is friendly and makes these dorks feel important, then they generally act nicer and will even volunteer to carry their water. If a coach/AD is mean to them in a presser or ignores calls and doesn't scratch their belly, then they tend to become very fussy and resort to hit pieces. This is the way t...
Read more

2023 Fantasy Football Boys Superlatives

Image
I'm a little sad writing this because it's the first week back after the New Year and we've reached "resting starters" territory for this week's NFL games. This signals the beginning of the end of the 2023 season, so make sure you don't take a second for granted.  With that said, these games are gonna suck out loud. Here's a teaser: Carson Wentz is starting for the Rams.  While the NFL schedule still draws breath, the 2023 fantasy football season has officially gone dormant. With this period of hibernation comes a flurry of expert rankings, recaps, and end-of-the-year musings. On behalf of the fantasy football department, welcome to the Fantasy Football Boys 2023 superlatives , honoring 2023's best and worst.  1. ⭐ Overall Shining Star Best Boy MVP ⭐ - Given to the best overall fantasy player in the whole wide world.  WINNER: Christian McCaffrey This one's easy. He's solely responsible for something like 30% of the fantasy championships ou...
Read more

FFB WEEK 3: TWELVE TAKEAWAYS

Image
Welcome to a Wednesday edition of Twelve Takeaways. Apologies for the tardiness.   1. The Titans once again have a problem at quarterback. I said he was fit for a demotion last week , and I can't believe he wasn't benched in their loss to the Packers, but one thing's clear at this point: Will Levis is not the guy and he's not set up to succeed as a Titan. On Sunday, he was 26/34 for 260 yards and 2 TDs (hey, not bad!) but committed costly 3 turnovers (again? shit).   What else is there to say? The bad has vastly outweighed the good, his ball security and inconsistency is an issue, and any time he does takes a baby step forward he finds new and inventive ways to take multiple steps back.    I've previously referred to Levis as a "charity draft pick"  and I stand by that. In the 2023 draft, the Titans front office said "Sure, why not? Could be fun!" to a career-subpar quarterback. They could've drafted ancillary pieces and planned ahead for wha...
Read more