Midway through the second quarter, with the Pats up 14-0, it looked like they'd plow their way to a comfortable victory. But in 90 seconds that all changed, thanks to Golden Tate's impressive TD (keeping control of the ball while also navigating the field) and Markus Golden's 42-yard fumble recovery for a score.
Then order was restored, and New England overmatched a team that might have actually pulled off the upset if their best players weren't ailing.
Some fantasy thoughts: Sony Michel looked pedestrian once again; that's four bad fantasy performances in six contests this year. If Rex Burkhead had been healthy, I'm convinced he would have cut into Michel's usage. Josh Gordon's injury looked pretty bad, but it's obviously too early to over-speculate. John Hilliman was unstartable as expected. The previously mentioned Tate made me look like an idiot. And the Pats' DST is now the #2 scorer in all of fantasy.
That's right: If you drafted them in one of the final rounds like pretty much everyone else, you got one of the biggest steals in fantasy draft history (at least through the first six weeks).
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This is a popular point of the season for NFL trade speculation to run wild. Last year Amari Cooper revitalized a faltering career by moving to Dallas. Carlos Hyde's departure from Cleveland opened the door for Nick Chubb. And Golden Tate went from a WR2 in Detroit to a WR4/5 in Philly.
This season a lot of eyes are on the rehabilitating A.J. Green, who will be a free agent after the season. Sure, head coach Zac Taylor insisted Cincy won't trade Green. But what is he going to say--that they're desperately trying to unload him while they can still get something in return?
Not knowing who's got what salary cap limits, there are maybe seven playoff contenders that could become conference title contenders if they land him. The Bills are 4-1 despite riding a 36-year-old running back and leaning on a receiving corps led by John Brown and Cole Beasley. Imagine what it would mean for Josh Allen to have a true #1. Could they topple the Patriots in New England (a likely playoff destination)? Probably not. But Green would give them a legitimately decent passing attack which, combined with an earnest running game, a dynamic QB, and a strong defense, would make them dangerous.
Elsewhere in the AFC, the Ravens and Colts would sharply benefit from Green's services. At the risk of painting a broad brush, Baltimore is Buffalo with a better running game and worse defense. This could be debated, obviously. But what's pretty unquestionable is that if Green replaces Willie Snead in the starting lineup, that could mean 1-2 more wins this season. As for Indy, T.Y. Hilton's injury woes and the lack of a true #2 for Jacoby Brissett make this team one of the biggest overachievers of 2019. A healthy Hilton and Green lining up together would be transformative for an otherwise run-first offense.
The Niners are atop the NFC West, followed by the comparably / differently talented Seahawks. Jimmy G. lacks a #1. The addition of Green would fill the biggest visible gap in a realistically Super Bowl-caliber squad. And Green in Seattle would make Russell Wilson a near lock for top-3 fantasy production, and the Seahawks the favorites for an all-important division title.
Finally, the Saints and Bears could really use Green. Chicago's defense can get them to the playoffs. Maybe. I said after Week 1 they'd be lucky to finish 8-8. But if Green replaced the scuffling Anthony Miller, they'd have enough fire power to become one of the most feared playoff teams. And New Orleans can't keep relying on Ted Ginn as their #2, and Jared Cook apparently won't be a game-changer at tight end. When Drew Brees returns, imagine a 1-2 punch of Michael Thomas and A.J. Green. More than any other team on this list, they'll be frontrunners for another Super Bowl appearance.
Then order was restored, and New England overmatched a team that might have actually pulled off the upset if their best players weren't ailing.
Some fantasy thoughts: Sony Michel looked pedestrian once again; that's four bad fantasy performances in six contests this year. If Rex Burkhead had been healthy, I'm convinced he would have cut into Michel's usage. Josh Gordon's injury looked pretty bad, but it's obviously too early to over-speculate. John Hilliman was unstartable as expected. The previously mentioned Tate made me look like an idiot. And the Pats' DST is now the #2 scorer in all of fantasy.
That's right: If you drafted them in one of the final rounds like pretty much everyone else, you got one of the biggest steals in fantasy draft history (at least through the first six weeks).
---
This is a popular point of the season for NFL trade speculation to run wild. Last year Amari Cooper revitalized a faltering career by moving to Dallas. Carlos Hyde's departure from Cleveland opened the door for Nick Chubb. And Golden Tate went from a WR2 in Detroit to a WR4/5 in Philly.
This season a lot of eyes are on the rehabilitating A.J. Green, who will be a free agent after the season. Sure, head coach Zac Taylor insisted Cincy won't trade Green. But what is he going to say--that they're desperately trying to unload him while they can still get something in return?
Not knowing who's got what salary cap limits, there are maybe seven playoff contenders that could become conference title contenders if they land him. The Bills are 4-1 despite riding a 36-year-old running back and leaning on a receiving corps led by John Brown and Cole Beasley. Imagine what it would mean for Josh Allen to have a true #1. Could they topple the Patriots in New England (a likely playoff destination)? Probably not. But Green would give them a legitimately decent passing attack which, combined with an earnest running game, a dynamic QB, and a strong defense, would make them dangerous.
Elsewhere in the AFC, the Ravens and Colts would sharply benefit from Green's services. At the risk of painting a broad brush, Baltimore is Buffalo with a better running game and worse defense. This could be debated, obviously. But what's pretty unquestionable is that if Green replaces Willie Snead in the starting lineup, that could mean 1-2 more wins this season. As for Indy, T.Y. Hilton's injury woes and the lack of a true #2 for Jacoby Brissett make this team one of the biggest overachievers of 2019. A healthy Hilton and Green lining up together would be transformative for an otherwise run-first offense.
The Niners are atop the NFC West, followed by the comparably / differently talented Seahawks. Jimmy G. lacks a #1. The addition of Green would fill the biggest visible gap in a realistically Super Bowl-caliber squad. And Green in Seattle would make Russell Wilson a near lock for top-3 fantasy production, and the Seahawks the favorites for an all-important division title.
Finally, the Saints and Bears could really use Green. Chicago's defense can get them to the playoffs. Maybe. I said after Week 1 they'd be lucky to finish 8-8. But if Green replaced the scuffling Anthony Miller, they'd have enough fire power to become one of the most feared playoff teams. And New Orleans can't keep relying on Ted Ginn as their #2, and Jared Cook apparently won't be a game-changer at tight end. When Drew Brees returns, imagine a 1-2 punch of Michael Thomas and A.J. Green. More than any other team on this list, they'll be frontrunners for another Super Bowl appearance.