Somehow Kirk Cousins outperformed Russell Wilson in a game neither offense deserved to win. And for the third time in five games, Cousins finished with fewer than 11 fantasy points. You can blame it on defensive pressure. But the high-priced signee is on pace for a loss of 236 yards lost on 39 sacks this season. Last year he lost a whopping 342 yards on 41 sacks . . . yet still finished #6 among all fantasy QBs.
No, this about more than pressure. Cousins' current #13 ranking is actually inflated, as he's picked up more garbage-time TDs than most quarterbacks. Nine of his 24 passing TDs (38%) have come in the fourth quarter. It happened again yesterday with the game well out of reach. Compared to last year, he's also playing with a more talented backfield, a stronger receiving corps, and a better defense. He's also leading the league in lost fumbles.
After starting very strong, he's averaged only 15.6 fantasy points in his past nine games. That pace would have made him last season's 13th best fantasy QB. In this year's higher-scoring NFL, he's looked even worse.
To blame Cousins' struggles entirely or even mostly on pressure is to discount how he thrived last season despite facing comparable -- or arguably more -- pressure. There's more to this. Maybe he's still adjusting to a new team and new system (doubt it). Maybe he's playing hurt (probably not). And it's likely not strength of schedule: last year Washington faced teams with a .543 winning percentage in 2016; this year Minnesota's opponents had a combined .520 winning percentage in 2017.
Taking all these factors into account, it's baffling why Cousins hasn't been able to move this offense more consistently or effectively.
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Looking ahead to some of this week's best waiver targets, Josh Allen (83% Available in ESPN Leagues) gets Detroit at home in Week 15. After two straight dominating performances (from a fantasy perspective), he finished a point shy of the QB1 field this past weekend despite making a lot of mistakes. That bodes well for those seeking a cheap QB1 in their upcoming playoff game. And Jeff Driskel (96%) will get a Raiders team that's yielded 100+ QB ratings to seven of their last nine opponents.
At RB, Justin Jackson (57%) should be on nearly every roster with Austin Ekeler (neck) and Melvin Gordon (knee) questionable for Thursday's contest in Kansas City. Kenneth Dixon (97%) is a no-brainer add. And for you dynasty/keeper folks, don't forget about rookie Derrius Guice (97%); he'll be on the RB2 radar next year with or without the 34-year-old Adrian Peterson on the roster.
At WR, Chris Conley (85%) and Demarcus Robinson (100%) are names to watch with Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins ailing. If they're both forced into the starting lineup Thursday, at least one will serve as Patrick Mahomes' #2 target, translating into a high-probability WR3+ night. (No, I'm not putting much stock in the recently signed Kelvin Benjamin.) And it's hard to ignore Tim Patrick (100%) and DaeSean Hamilton (94%) facing a beatable Cleveland pass D at home.
At TE, Ian Thomas (74%) proved his worth and now gets New Orleans and Atlanta at home. Meanwhile, Vernon Davis (95%) will be a top-16 TE if Jordan Reed sits Week 15.
No, this about more than pressure. Cousins' current #13 ranking is actually inflated, as he's picked up more garbage-time TDs than most quarterbacks. Nine of his 24 passing TDs (38%) have come in the fourth quarter. It happened again yesterday with the game well out of reach. Compared to last year, he's also playing with a more talented backfield, a stronger receiving corps, and a better defense. He's also leading the league in lost fumbles.
After starting very strong, he's averaged only 15.6 fantasy points in his past nine games. That pace would have made him last season's 13th best fantasy QB. In this year's higher-scoring NFL, he's looked even worse.
To blame Cousins' struggles entirely or even mostly on pressure is to discount how he thrived last season despite facing comparable -- or arguably more -- pressure. There's more to this. Maybe he's still adjusting to a new team and new system (doubt it). Maybe he's playing hurt (probably not). And it's likely not strength of schedule: last year Washington faced teams with a .543 winning percentage in 2016; this year Minnesota's opponents had a combined .520 winning percentage in 2017.
Taking all these factors into account, it's baffling why Cousins hasn't been able to move this offense more consistently or effectively.
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Looking ahead to some of this week's best waiver targets, Josh Allen (83% Available in ESPN Leagues) gets Detroit at home in Week 15. After two straight dominating performances (from a fantasy perspective), he finished a point shy of the QB1 field this past weekend despite making a lot of mistakes. That bodes well for those seeking a cheap QB1 in their upcoming playoff game. And Jeff Driskel (96%) will get a Raiders team that's yielded 100+ QB ratings to seven of their last nine opponents.
At RB, Justin Jackson (57%) should be on nearly every roster with Austin Ekeler (neck) and Melvin Gordon (knee) questionable for Thursday's contest in Kansas City. Kenneth Dixon (97%) is a no-brainer add. And for you dynasty/keeper folks, don't forget about rookie Derrius Guice (97%); he'll be on the RB2 radar next year with or without the 34-year-old Adrian Peterson on the roster.
At WR, Chris Conley (85%) and Demarcus Robinson (100%) are names to watch with Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins ailing. If they're both forced into the starting lineup Thursday, at least one will serve as Patrick Mahomes' #2 target, translating into a high-probability WR3+ night. (No, I'm not putting much stock in the recently signed Kelvin Benjamin.) And it's hard to ignore Tim Patrick (100%) and DaeSean Hamilton (94%) facing a beatable Cleveland pass D at home.
At TE, Ian Thomas (74%) proved his worth and now gets New Orleans and Atlanta at home. Meanwhile, Vernon Davis (95%) will be a top-16 TE if Jordan Reed sits Week 15.