There are surprises every week. But sometimes the surprises come out of nowhere. With 23 standard-scoring points, RB James Starks was the Packers' top fantasy player Sunday. It's gotta be the first time Starks has led the team's offense. In fact, it was only the second time the 29-year-old has cracked 100 rushing yards.
Entering the preseason, Green Bay's offense was among the league's most predictable. Aaron Rodgers: top 2 fantasy QB. Eddie Lacy: top 6 RB. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb: two top 10 fantasy WRs. We saw this play out in 2014. Why wouldn't it in 2015?
Maybe Jordy's season-ending injury shook things up. Maybe the Packers realized they needed more than one player to fill their star receiver's shoes. That's why they signed former Packer James Jones. That's why they've leaned more heavily than usual on their #3 wideout: first Davante Adams, then when he got hurt, Ty Montgomery, and then when Montgomery got hurt today, Jeff Janis (79 yards).
But Lacy . . . Maybe his ankle injury hasn't healed. But Starks is making a case to be added in every fantasy league--not only as Lacy's handcuff, but as a "hot hand" complementary RB. While it's only one game, the winner of this backfield has RB1 potential in one of the league's most prolific offenses.
Other surprises: What a difference a coaching change makes. The Dolphins D--a popular top 5 DST this preseason--finally got back on track in a not-so-easy matchup in Nashville. Entering the weekend as fantasy's second-to-worst DST, they posted the most fantasy points, which pushes them close to the middle of the pack and heavily into the DST streamer conversation. The talent has always been there; the chemistry--up until Sunday--hasn't.
And while I don't spend much time discussing kickers, Chris Boswell--Pittsburgh's fourth kicker since August--led everyone at his position Sunday thanks to a 4-for-4 FG performance, including a 47- and 48-yarder. When Big Ben returns and the offense starts clicking, he should get 3-4 field goal opportunities most weeks, making him a useful risk to take if you've been struggling to find a dependable leg.
Entering the preseason, Green Bay's offense was among the league's most predictable. Aaron Rodgers: top 2 fantasy QB. Eddie Lacy: top 6 RB. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb: two top 10 fantasy WRs. We saw this play out in 2014. Why wouldn't it in 2015?
Maybe Jordy's season-ending injury shook things up. Maybe the Packers realized they needed more than one player to fill their star receiver's shoes. That's why they signed former Packer James Jones. That's why they've leaned more heavily than usual on their #3 wideout: first Davante Adams, then when he got hurt, Ty Montgomery, and then when Montgomery got hurt today, Jeff Janis (79 yards).
But Lacy . . . Maybe his ankle injury hasn't healed. But Starks is making a case to be added in every fantasy league--not only as Lacy's handcuff, but as a "hot hand" complementary RB. While it's only one game, the winner of this backfield has RB1 potential in one of the league's most prolific offenses.
Other surprises: What a difference a coaching change makes. The Dolphins D--a popular top 5 DST this preseason--finally got back on track in a not-so-easy matchup in Nashville. Entering the weekend as fantasy's second-to-worst DST, they posted the most fantasy points, which pushes them close to the middle of the pack and heavily into the DST streamer conversation. The talent has always been there; the chemistry--up until Sunday--hasn't.
And while I don't spend much time discussing kickers, Chris Boswell--Pittsburgh's fourth kicker since August--led everyone at his position Sunday thanks to a 4-for-4 FG performance, including a 47- and 48-yarder. When Big Ben returns and the offense starts clicking, he should get 3-4 field goal opportunities most weeks, making him a useful risk to take if you've been struggling to find a dependable leg.