If you tuned in last night to watch the game, you got half of one. The Ravens put on a clinic. The Rams belonged in a clinic.
I don't remember what went through my mind when this same Baltimore squad lost convincingly at home to Cleveland eight weeks ago. It was probably something like, "Huh, that's interesting." Of course, that was one week after Cleveland lost at home to the Rams, in a game where Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks each went over 100 yards--the first of three consecutive games where the Rams had two 100+ yard receivers.
Back to Baltimore: How exactly were they overwhelmed by the Browns? Yeah, they had their share of injuries like most teams. But this was before they lost multiple safeties for the year. As it turned out, after giving up 40 points that day, they haven't yielded more than 23 in a game since. And after scoring "only" 25 points, they've exceeded that total in six of seven (they scored 23 in the seventh). They're now averaging 35.1 on the year, which would be the fourth highest mark in history. The record is 37.9.
If there's any doubt heading into next Sunday's showdown vs. the Niners, it's whether Lamar Jackson will once again get pulled in the fourth. It'll be Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks. Their records are meaningless. It's hard to see Baltimore grind to a halt these days. Anything's possible. But some things are improbable.
Now to the Rams. Heading into Week 16 last year they were averaging 36.5 points per game. If you've been reading today's column since the beginning, you already know that's better than this year's Ravens. This year they're down to 23.2--and less than 12 in the past three contests, which have effectively doomed their season. With Todd Gurley at less than 100% and Jared Goff looking like Jimmy Garoppolo's frightened younger brother, I can't remember how this team averaged 29.2 in their first five games.
In the first quarter I was thinking "This is a 7-9 squad." They're now 6-5 and certainly technically still in the hunt. But their remaining schedule consists of the Niners, Cowboys, Seahawks, and Cardinals (twice). 7-9 might be optimistic. Would anyone be surprised if they don't win another?
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Let's get back to some positives. Andy Dalton's back. Yes, that Andy Dalton. And I for one am thrilled, and if you're a playoff-bound team with a non-QB1 anchoring an otherwise solid-to-fantastic roster, consider stashing the Red Rifle, because in Week 16 he'll get the Dolphins. And you'll get to tell your friends you won the title thanks to Andy Dalton.
I tried trading for Jameis Winston a couple times this season. No luck. Wish I'd offered more, because his fantasy playoff schedule (weeks 14-16) is very favorable: Colts, @Lions, Texans, and if you compete Week 17, the Falcons. As a field general, Winston is lacking. He has more turnovers than touchdowns. He might not be long for the Bucs. But he's the seventh highest scoring fantasy QB with relatively soft matchups when it matters most.
Elsewhere, Baker Mayfield deserves some love with the Bengals Week 14, though things get a little tougher in Arizona Week 15, and then tougher still Week 16 vs. Baltimore. Pair with Ryan Tannehill, you might have a winning combo. Tennessee's locked-in starter gets the Raiders on the road, then the Texans at home, followed by the Saints at home. Or pair Baker with Daniel Jones, as the Giants will face Philly on the road, Miami at home, and then Washington on the road.
Four of these five quarterbacks are available in some-to-most leagues (all but Winston). There's no perfect option among them. But if you can bench one or two, you'll be set for the postseason.
I don't remember what went through my mind when this same Baltimore squad lost convincingly at home to Cleveland eight weeks ago. It was probably something like, "Huh, that's interesting." Of course, that was one week after Cleveland lost at home to the Rams, in a game where Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks each went over 100 yards--the first of three consecutive games where the Rams had two 100+ yard receivers.
Back to Baltimore: How exactly were they overwhelmed by the Browns? Yeah, they had their share of injuries like most teams. But this was before they lost multiple safeties for the year. As it turned out, after giving up 40 points that day, they haven't yielded more than 23 in a game since. And after scoring "only" 25 points, they've exceeded that total in six of seven (they scored 23 in the seventh). They're now averaging 35.1 on the year, which would be the fourth highest mark in history. The record is 37.9.
If there's any doubt heading into next Sunday's showdown vs. the Niners, it's whether Lamar Jackson will once again get pulled in the fourth. It'll be Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks. Their records are meaningless. It's hard to see Baltimore grind to a halt these days. Anything's possible. But some things are improbable.
Now to the Rams. Heading into Week 16 last year they were averaging 36.5 points per game. If you've been reading today's column since the beginning, you already know that's better than this year's Ravens. This year they're down to 23.2--and less than 12 in the past three contests, which have effectively doomed their season. With Todd Gurley at less than 100% and Jared Goff looking like Jimmy Garoppolo's frightened younger brother, I can't remember how this team averaged 29.2 in their first five games.
In the first quarter I was thinking "This is a 7-9 squad." They're now 6-5 and certainly technically still in the hunt. But their remaining schedule consists of the Niners, Cowboys, Seahawks, and Cardinals (twice). 7-9 might be optimistic. Would anyone be surprised if they don't win another?
---
Let's get back to some positives. Andy Dalton's back. Yes, that Andy Dalton. And I for one am thrilled, and if you're a playoff-bound team with a non-QB1 anchoring an otherwise solid-to-fantastic roster, consider stashing the Red Rifle, because in Week 16 he'll get the Dolphins. And you'll get to tell your friends you won the title thanks to Andy Dalton.
I tried trading for Jameis Winston a couple times this season. No luck. Wish I'd offered more, because his fantasy playoff schedule (weeks 14-16) is very favorable: Colts, @Lions, Texans, and if you compete Week 17, the Falcons. As a field general, Winston is lacking. He has more turnovers than touchdowns. He might not be long for the Bucs. But he's the seventh highest scoring fantasy QB with relatively soft matchups when it matters most.
Elsewhere, Baker Mayfield deserves some love with the Bengals Week 14, though things get a little tougher in Arizona Week 15, and then tougher still Week 16 vs. Baltimore. Pair with Ryan Tannehill, you might have a winning combo. Tennessee's locked-in starter gets the Raiders on the road, then the Texans at home, followed by the Saints at home. Or pair Baker with Daniel Jones, as the Giants will face Philly on the road, Miami at home, and then Washington on the road.
Four of these five quarterbacks are available in some-to-most leagues (all but Winston). There's no perfect option among them. But if you can bench one or two, you'll be set for the postseason.