If you predicted the Dolphins would implode after a 4-2 start, you made the right call. When the average margin of victory in your four wins is 3.5 points, you either know how to win close games, or you're lucky to have won four close games. When the average margin of defeat in your five losses is 20 points, the "lucky to have won four close games" theory makes more sense.
Miami is a pretty bad team whose three young, talented receivers are wasted on weak QB play and, at times, dumb play-calling. Last night typified this, as Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, and Kenny Stills all reminded us that their numbers would be far more impressive if they played elsewhere. Meanwhile, Damien Williams effectively got the start in the backfield and produced about two yards per carry on nearly 10 attempts, while the far more talented Kenyan Drake sat on the bench. It wasn't until late in the third quarter, with the game out of hand, that Drake was given the chance to produce. And of course he did. Because as this site has been pushing for five months, he's a starter-caliber RB, while Williams is a backup-caliber RB.
Whether you added Drake when I did in September, or you added him right after the Jay Ajayi trade, recognize that you have an RB2+ as long as Adam Gase & company do what makes sense. That, of course, is no guarantee.
On the other side of the ball, Carolina did whatever it wanted to do on offense. Devin Funchess did what he's capable of, Curtis Samuel picked up 45 yards on seven targets, and the running game was literally flawless. As I shared recently on this page, the Panthers are one of those rare teams with three home games during the fantasy playoffs. At least two of them are very favorable. Hopefully you stocked up on Panthers before the trade deadline.
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Looking ahead to this week's waiver / free agent targets:
Jamaal Williams (98% available in ESPN leagues) is a seemingly logical Week 11 target, as he could lead Green Bay's backfield this week and beyond. But I'd caution people that he's an RB3 at best--and unstartable at worst--because of the Packers' brutal run D schedule (something I highlighted last weekend), and because Ty Montgomery could return this weekend. So grab him if you have space, but don't grab him if you need someone who can get you more than six points.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (74% available) -- Don't take his lame performance Sunday as an indication of true potential. We know what Fitzpatrick can do, and this week Mike Evans will return. And they're playing Miami. So yeah.
How is Robert Woods available in 39% of leagues? Granted, he can't sustain this production (four TDs in two games). But he's a legit fantasy starter.
I'll again mention Kenyan Drake (43% available), because he should be rostered in most leagues as a likely RB2.
Vernon Davis (45% available) will keep producing as long as Jordan Reed's sidelined or hobbled. Gotta like those odds.
Austin Ekeler (98% available), because why not? At worst you're getting a handcuff. At most you're getting a guy who could get 10+ weekly touches.
Miami is a pretty bad team whose three young, talented receivers are wasted on weak QB play and, at times, dumb play-calling. Last night typified this, as Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, and Kenny Stills all reminded us that their numbers would be far more impressive if they played elsewhere. Meanwhile, Damien Williams effectively got the start in the backfield and produced about two yards per carry on nearly 10 attempts, while the far more talented Kenyan Drake sat on the bench. It wasn't until late in the third quarter, with the game out of hand, that Drake was given the chance to produce. And of course he did. Because as this site has been pushing for five months, he's a starter-caliber RB, while Williams is a backup-caliber RB.
Whether you added Drake when I did in September, or you added him right after the Jay Ajayi trade, recognize that you have an RB2+ as long as Adam Gase & company do what makes sense. That, of course, is no guarantee.
On the other side of the ball, Carolina did whatever it wanted to do on offense. Devin Funchess did what he's capable of, Curtis Samuel picked up 45 yards on seven targets, and the running game was literally flawless. As I shared recently on this page, the Panthers are one of those rare teams with three home games during the fantasy playoffs. At least two of them are very favorable. Hopefully you stocked up on Panthers before the trade deadline.
---
Looking ahead to this week's waiver / free agent targets:
Jamaal Williams (98% available in ESPN leagues) is a seemingly logical Week 11 target, as he could lead Green Bay's backfield this week and beyond. But I'd caution people that he's an RB3 at best--and unstartable at worst--because of the Packers' brutal run D schedule (something I highlighted last weekend), and because Ty Montgomery could return this weekend. So grab him if you have space, but don't grab him if you need someone who can get you more than six points.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (74% available) -- Don't take his lame performance Sunday as an indication of true potential. We know what Fitzpatrick can do, and this week Mike Evans will return. And they're playing Miami. So yeah.
How is Robert Woods available in 39% of leagues? Granted, he can't sustain this production (four TDs in two games). But he's a legit fantasy starter.
I'll again mention Kenyan Drake (43% available), because he should be rostered in most leagues as a likely RB2.
Vernon Davis (45% available) will keep producing as long as Jordan Reed's sidelined or hobbled. Gotta like those odds.
Austin Ekeler (98% available), because why not? At worst you're getting a handcuff. At most you're getting a guy who could get 10+ weekly touches.