It's Monday morning, and that means it's time to try to make sense of yesterday's contests, highlighting the most notable fantasy impact for each team.
Chiefs -- Three of Kansas City's Big 4 excelled as expected. All the while, Spencer Ware has continued to look dominant. He's now up to 118 rushing yards on 20 carries (5.9 YPC) and 13 receptions for 158 yards.
Browns -- New coaches led to a new game plan featuring more Duke Johnson, and the fourth-year back delivered big-time. Ridiculously underutilized this year by the previous regime, Johnson's averaged 63 catches a season and should now be a regular contributor in PPR lineups.
Jets -- There's plenty of hype surrounding Elijah McGuire, who was activated from Injured Reserve this past week and earned a healthy 10 touches. For the record, I'm still not buying this so-so backup RB on a terrible offensive team. If Isaiah Crowell gets hurt, McGuire could be as high as an RB3, meaning I'm not burning on roster spot on him in most 12-team leagues.
Dolphins -- Most notably, Miami won. So Brock Osweiler gets some more breathing room despite not playing very well. The key is that he limited his mistakes. All eyes (check that: "some" eyes) will be on the potential Ryan Tannehill / Osweiler competition as soon as Week 12. Until then, Osweiler must do well next weekend in Green Bay.
Bears -- Jordan Howard now has four touchdowns in his last three games, continuing to reward patient fantasy managers.
Bills -- When referring to this offense, "What a mess" doesn't do justice. On the fantasy front, Chris Ivory injured his shoulder, meaning Marcus Murphy could be elevated to LeSean McCoy's backup if Ivory has to sit Sunday. That would make him a nice desperation deep-league PPR option.
Lions -- Right after the Golden Tate trade last week, I essentially warned on this page that anyone hoping Matthew Stafford would be a top-12 QB the rest of the way could stop hoping. Minnesota obliterated him yesterday to the tune of 10 sacks and a forced fumble. Stafford is droppable in all 12-team and some 14-team leagues, and surely will be droppable after everyone's bye weeks end.
Vikings -- This is the Dalvin Cook we've been waiting for. Now healthy, the biggest challenge will be earning enough touches with Latavius Murray hanging around. But Cook should be startable the rest of the way regardless.
Falcons -- The day I bench Tevin Coleman is the day he goes off. Just as a healthy Dalvin Cook is the 1A to Latavius Murray's 1B, Tevin Coleman will continue to be a cut above Ito Smith.
Redskins -- Um, Maurice Harris? I wouldn't think much of his blow-up outing, except Washington's travelling to Tampa Bay next weekend, where mediocre receivers transform into fantasy gods. If Jamison Crowder sits, Harris is worth a flyer. Then drop him for an RB handcuff for the stretch run.
Buccaneers -- In Carolina's four other home games this year, opposing QBs had collected five TD passes while throwing eight picks. Ryan Fitzpatrick proved he deserves to be the Bucs' starting QB with four TDs and two picks. When things looked bleak in the first half, head coach Dirk Koetter made clear that Jameis Winston wasn't coming in. That's all we need to know about Fitz's 2018 outlook.
Panthers -- Greg Olsen finally played like Greg Olsen. It came against Tampa Bay, so don't put too much stock in it. But I took some flack a few weeks ago for predicting the veteran would post TE1 numbers going forward. He's easily met that expectation, thanks to back-to-back near-elite TE1 performances.
Steelers -- Why was I worried about James Conner? I really thought Baltimore would bottle him up. For something like the 10th time, I'll express awe at how much Le'Veon Bell has completely screwed up this season. Rather than accept a very generous long-term contract, he rolled the dice on a holdout. Now he looks more like a system back than a truly great back, while Conner is unlikely to relinquish the starting job even if Bell somehow returns.
Ravens -- Another week, another sub-par QB performance for the perennially overrated Joe Flacco. The Lamar Jackson Era -- or really any post-Flacco Era -- can't come soon enough.
Texans -- While Demaryius Thomas didn't exactly light up his former team in his first game as a Texan, he caught all three of his targets and is well positioned to improve on his 2018 per-game Denver numbers.
Broncos -- On a day when new #2 Courtland Sutton was supposed to step up, Jeff Heuerman caught 10 balls for 83 yards and a score. Keep in mind he had only 15 catches on the year entering Sunday. The absence of DT is not a good enough reason for this anomaly. In fairness, though, the Broncos are now so thin at receiver that either Heuerman, Tim Patrick, or Matt LaCosse will become Case Keenum's #3 receiver. So Heuerman is far from the worst TE flyer you can invest in.
Chargers -- Keenan Allen enjoyed his best output since Week 1. But that probably doesn't make fantasy managers feel much better. There are simply too many talented mouths to feed to keep Allen in the weekly WR1/2 conversation.
Seahawks -- With Chris Carson sidelined early in the second half, Mike Davis fared well as the new workhorse. Davis obviously would be a must-start RB2/3 next week against the Rams if Carson can't go.
Rams -- Cooper Kupp returned and picked up where he left off pre-injury, producing an impressive 5/89/1 line. Despite the loss, the Rams should be unbeatable the rest of the way (even at home against the Chiefs in a couple weeks) if their Big 5 remain healthy.
Saints -- Some managers panicked when Mark Ingram returned a few weeks ago with two TDs and a while lotta usage, while Alvin Kamara took a backseat. Since then, Ingram has been almost unstartable, while Kamara has six TDs in these past three games.
Packers -- Aaron Jones' fourth-quarter fumble cut short what might otherwise have been an acceptable fantasy day. He's now averaging a blistering six yards per carry, though it will be interesting to see whether his leash significantly shortens if he fumbles again in the coming weeks.
Patriots -- Leave it to Bill Belichick to figure out how to be utilize Cordarrelle Patterson. Long viewed as a major first-round bust, Patterson gives New England depth at receiver and at running back, where he'll continue to have fantasy value whenever Sony Michel or James White are sidelined.
Chiefs -- Three of Kansas City's Big 4 excelled as expected. All the while, Spencer Ware has continued to look dominant. He's now up to 118 rushing yards on 20 carries (5.9 YPC) and 13 receptions for 158 yards.
Browns -- New coaches led to a new game plan featuring more Duke Johnson, and the fourth-year back delivered big-time. Ridiculously underutilized this year by the previous regime, Johnson's averaged 63 catches a season and should now be a regular contributor in PPR lineups.
Jets -- There's plenty of hype surrounding Elijah McGuire, who was activated from Injured Reserve this past week and earned a healthy 10 touches. For the record, I'm still not buying this so-so backup RB on a terrible offensive team. If Isaiah Crowell gets hurt, McGuire could be as high as an RB3, meaning I'm not burning on roster spot on him in most 12-team leagues.
Dolphins -- Most notably, Miami won. So Brock Osweiler gets some more breathing room despite not playing very well. The key is that he limited his mistakes. All eyes (check that: "some" eyes) will be on the potential Ryan Tannehill / Osweiler competition as soon as Week 12. Until then, Osweiler must do well next weekend in Green Bay.
Bears -- Jordan Howard now has four touchdowns in his last three games, continuing to reward patient fantasy managers.
Bills -- When referring to this offense, "What a mess" doesn't do justice. On the fantasy front, Chris Ivory injured his shoulder, meaning Marcus Murphy could be elevated to LeSean McCoy's backup if Ivory has to sit Sunday. That would make him a nice desperation deep-league PPR option.
Lions -- Right after the Golden Tate trade last week, I essentially warned on this page that anyone hoping Matthew Stafford would be a top-12 QB the rest of the way could stop hoping. Minnesota obliterated him yesterday to the tune of 10 sacks and a forced fumble. Stafford is droppable in all 12-team and some 14-team leagues, and surely will be droppable after everyone's bye weeks end.
Vikings -- This is the Dalvin Cook we've been waiting for. Now healthy, the biggest challenge will be earning enough touches with Latavius Murray hanging around. But Cook should be startable the rest of the way regardless.
Falcons -- The day I bench Tevin Coleman is the day he goes off. Just as a healthy Dalvin Cook is the 1A to Latavius Murray's 1B, Tevin Coleman will continue to be a cut above Ito Smith.
Redskins -- Um, Maurice Harris? I wouldn't think much of his blow-up outing, except Washington's travelling to Tampa Bay next weekend, where mediocre receivers transform into fantasy gods. If Jamison Crowder sits, Harris is worth a flyer. Then drop him for an RB handcuff for the stretch run.
Buccaneers -- In Carolina's four other home games this year, opposing QBs had collected five TD passes while throwing eight picks. Ryan Fitzpatrick proved he deserves to be the Bucs' starting QB with four TDs and two picks. When things looked bleak in the first half, head coach Dirk Koetter made clear that Jameis Winston wasn't coming in. That's all we need to know about Fitz's 2018 outlook.
Panthers -- Greg Olsen finally played like Greg Olsen. It came against Tampa Bay, so don't put too much stock in it. But I took some flack a few weeks ago for predicting the veteran would post TE1 numbers going forward. He's easily met that expectation, thanks to back-to-back near-elite TE1 performances.
Steelers -- Why was I worried about James Conner? I really thought Baltimore would bottle him up. For something like the 10th time, I'll express awe at how much Le'Veon Bell has completely screwed up this season. Rather than accept a very generous long-term contract, he rolled the dice on a holdout. Now he looks more like a system back than a truly great back, while Conner is unlikely to relinquish the starting job even if Bell somehow returns.
Ravens -- Another week, another sub-par QB performance for the perennially overrated Joe Flacco. The Lamar Jackson Era -- or really any post-Flacco Era -- can't come soon enough.
Texans -- While Demaryius Thomas didn't exactly light up his former team in his first game as a Texan, he caught all three of his targets and is well positioned to improve on his 2018 per-game Denver numbers.
Broncos -- On a day when new #2 Courtland Sutton was supposed to step up, Jeff Heuerman caught 10 balls for 83 yards and a score. Keep in mind he had only 15 catches on the year entering Sunday. The absence of DT is not a good enough reason for this anomaly. In fairness, though, the Broncos are now so thin at receiver that either Heuerman, Tim Patrick, or Matt LaCosse will become Case Keenum's #3 receiver. So Heuerman is far from the worst TE flyer you can invest in.
Chargers -- Keenan Allen enjoyed his best output since Week 1. But that probably doesn't make fantasy managers feel much better. There are simply too many talented mouths to feed to keep Allen in the weekly WR1/2 conversation.
Seahawks -- With Chris Carson sidelined early in the second half, Mike Davis fared well as the new workhorse. Davis obviously would be a must-start RB2/3 next week against the Rams if Carson can't go.
Rams -- Cooper Kupp returned and picked up where he left off pre-injury, producing an impressive 5/89/1 line. Despite the loss, the Rams should be unbeatable the rest of the way (even at home against the Chiefs in a couple weeks) if their Big 5 remain healthy.
Saints -- Some managers panicked when Mark Ingram returned a few weeks ago with two TDs and a while lotta usage, while Alvin Kamara took a backseat. Since then, Ingram has been almost unstartable, while Kamara has six TDs in these past three games.
Packers -- Aaron Jones' fourth-quarter fumble cut short what might otherwise have been an acceptable fantasy day. He's now averaging a blistering six yards per carry, though it will be interesting to see whether his leash significantly shortens if he fumbles again in the coming weeks.
Patriots -- Leave it to Bill Belichick to figure out how to be utilize Cordarrelle Patterson. Long viewed as a major first-round bust, Patterson gives New England depth at receiver and at running back, where he'll continue to have fantasy value whenever Sony Michel or James White are sidelined.