So much to talk about after yesterday's full slate of games. I got crushed on the DFS 50/50, no thanks for Mike Evans' early exit and middling production elsewhere. When your TE is the only pleasant surprise, that's trouble. On the highly contrarian bargains and busts I hit five of 11 with one question mark heading into Monday night, bringing my season total to 98-for-161 (61%).
And now, a rundown of the most notable fantasy storyline for each Sunday team:
Bengals -- Remember Joe Mixon's 2-yard performance Week 7? He's had must-start production in five of his six games since.
Browns -- Cleveland deserved to lose this one. It was reported just beforehand that Odell Beckham, Jr. has been playing with a sports hernia. In my semifinal matchup next week I'd rather not play him, but probably will have to because of a second consecutive season of playoff injury hell (more on that later).
49ers -- What a game. Fantasy-wise, a healthy Matt Breida further muddies the backfield, though Raheem Mostert didn't let that stop him. And Jimmy Garoppolo . . . is now the 12th highest scoring fantasy QB. Startable in only one of his first seven games, he's dominated in three of seven since with three exceptional receivers at his disposal.
Saints -- Have to mention Drew Brees, who's been superb in four of six since returning from his midseason injury. The stories with deeper implications could be Jared Cook's concussion, and the fact that Alvin Kamara was comfortably outplayed by Latavius Murray.
Colts -- Marcus Johnson is making the most of his opportunities. If T.Y. Hilton remains sidelined next week, Johnson has to be in the deep flyer conversation.
Buccaneers -- Jameis Winston briefly exited with a small fracture in his throwing hand, then led his team back from a hole he alone had dug. Even more notably, Mike Evans left early with a hamstring injury, which head coach Bruce Arians remarked was "not good." As someone relying on Evans (and OBJ) next week, I'm in a bit of emotional pain.
Lions -- I warned many people not to trust Kenny Golladay. For the second straight week he proved me wrong on a season where he's otherwise proved me right. Apparently it doesn't matter who's throwing to him. He's now fantasy's #7 WR. Meanwhile, Bo Scarbrough enjoyed his first reception in four starts while continuing his trend of scoring fewer points each week. A potentially returning Kerryon Johnson could render Scarbrough worthless next week.
Vikings -- While Dalvin Cook and Stefon Diggs got the job done, they didn't have the blow-up games managers probably were hoping for. And Adam Thielen *should* return next week, just in time for my semifinal opponent--who I traded him to several weeks ago.
Redskins -- Washington played Green Bay tough, fell to 3-10, and yet are still not out of the playoff hunt. If they win out, Dallas loses its remaining games, and Philly loses all of its games (except against Dallas), then the Redskins should win the three-way tiebreaker based on vanquished opponents' winning percentage. Crazy times. And Derrius Guice MCL sprain could elevate Adrian Peterson if it's serious.
Packers -- Similar to the Vikings, Green Bay's production seemed muted based on the matchup. It was Aaron Rodgers' fourth unstartable effort in his past five contests.
Panthers -- Another lacking output for Kyle Allen. Most notably, Ian Thomas came through, and will continue to be a streamer for as long as Greg Olsen's out.
Falcons -- Devonta Freeman scored his first rushing touchdown. He's back in the top 20 with a shot at the top 15 if he continues producing.
Ravens -- Marquise Brown had negative-2 yards. He now has negative-one yard in his last two games. He's a hyper-version of DeSean Jackson in his prime--at times incredible, and at times invisible. Never know which one you're going to see.
Bills -- Josh Allen finally looked human, and Devin Singletary took another step forward. Buffalo has a brutal fantasy playoff schedule that next takes them to Pittsburgh and then New England.
Dolphins -- Patrick Laird earned more touches than I anticipated, though he looked middling at best, and DeVante Parker and Albert Wilson suffered concussions. Without Parker, it's hard to see Ryan Fitzpatrick as a top-20 QB.
Jets -- Sam Darnold was headed toward a very nice day at halftime, and then the game ended with seven straight field goals between the Jets and Dolphins. Most notably, Bilal Powell looked a bit better than Le'Veon Bell, though he proved to be only marginally startable rather than the "very" startable I was expecting.
Broncos -- How did this happen? Drew Lock's career has started strong with wins against the Chargers and Texans. This one in Houston was simply shocking. Keep an eye on the severity of Noah Fant's foot injury.
Texans -- Again, how did this happen? Deshaun Watson salvaged a huge day and Keke Coutee stepped up where I thought Kenny Stills would--though Coutee's lost fumble won't help his case.
Chargers -- Austin Ekeler did more on 12 touches than most bellcows do across two games.
Jaguars -- A rough return to the starting lineup for Gardner Minshew, though I doubt Nick Foles would have done better. Of course, D.J. Chark was his usual great self, and the whole team should get back on track next week against Oakland.
Titans -- Ryan Tannehill proved me wrong with another big day, and Jonnu Smith proved me right a week too late. And A.J. Brown had his second dominating output in three games; he's obviously a fantastic boom-bust receiver.
Raiders -- DeAndre Washington was better than adequate (primarily) filling in for Josh Jacobs. Jacobs is yet another player I might be without Week 15, but enough with my excuses. Washington will be an RB3+ if Jacobs sits again.
Steelers -- Vance McDonald was yet another concussion victim, and it was Diontae Johnson's turn to lead the receiving corps. And Benny Snell crashed at the worst possible time with James Conner likely returning next week and both Jaylen Samuels and Kerrith Whyte looking sharp.
Cardinals -- Another poorly timed letdown: Kenyan Drake. David Johnson showed a little bit of his 2016 vintage self, albeit on only five touches. Still, this probably won't be any one RB's backfield the rest of the way.
Chiefs -- Of all the ways to win, Kansas City prevailed with defense. And if anyone thinks an RB will rise to the top here, we're now 14 weeks into the season. No Chief back will be safely startable in the fantasy playoffs.
Patriots -- The worst home performance I've seen out of Tom Brady maybe ever. Beyond Julian Edelman, who can anyone trust fantasy-wise?
Seahawks -- Rashaad Penny suffered a knee injury early, which obviously could have huge implications the rest of the season.
Rams -- Tyler Higbee did it again. Too bad Gerald Everett wasn't traded after his big early-season performances; they could have tried to bolster their o-line. Addition by subtraction.
And now, a rundown of the most notable fantasy storyline for each Sunday team:
Bengals -- Remember Joe Mixon's 2-yard performance Week 7? He's had must-start production in five of his six games since.
Browns -- Cleveland deserved to lose this one. It was reported just beforehand that Odell Beckham, Jr. has been playing with a sports hernia. In my semifinal matchup next week I'd rather not play him, but probably will have to because of a second consecutive season of playoff injury hell (more on that later).
49ers -- What a game. Fantasy-wise, a healthy Matt Breida further muddies the backfield, though Raheem Mostert didn't let that stop him. And Jimmy Garoppolo . . . is now the 12th highest scoring fantasy QB. Startable in only one of his first seven games, he's dominated in three of seven since with three exceptional receivers at his disposal.
Saints -- Have to mention Drew Brees, who's been superb in four of six since returning from his midseason injury. The stories with deeper implications could be Jared Cook's concussion, and the fact that Alvin Kamara was comfortably outplayed by Latavius Murray.
Colts -- Marcus Johnson is making the most of his opportunities. If T.Y. Hilton remains sidelined next week, Johnson has to be in the deep flyer conversation.
Buccaneers -- Jameis Winston briefly exited with a small fracture in his throwing hand, then led his team back from a hole he alone had dug. Even more notably, Mike Evans left early with a hamstring injury, which head coach Bruce Arians remarked was "not good." As someone relying on Evans (and OBJ) next week, I'm in a bit of emotional pain.
Lions -- I warned many people not to trust Kenny Golladay. For the second straight week he proved me wrong on a season where he's otherwise proved me right. Apparently it doesn't matter who's throwing to him. He's now fantasy's #7 WR. Meanwhile, Bo Scarbrough enjoyed his first reception in four starts while continuing his trend of scoring fewer points each week. A potentially returning Kerryon Johnson could render Scarbrough worthless next week.
Vikings -- While Dalvin Cook and Stefon Diggs got the job done, they didn't have the blow-up games managers probably were hoping for. And Adam Thielen *should* return next week, just in time for my semifinal opponent--who I traded him to several weeks ago.
Redskins -- Washington played Green Bay tough, fell to 3-10, and yet are still not out of the playoff hunt. If they win out, Dallas loses its remaining games, and Philly loses all of its games (except against Dallas), then the Redskins should win the three-way tiebreaker based on vanquished opponents' winning percentage. Crazy times. And Derrius Guice MCL sprain could elevate Adrian Peterson if it's serious.
Packers -- Similar to the Vikings, Green Bay's production seemed muted based on the matchup. It was Aaron Rodgers' fourth unstartable effort in his past five contests.
Panthers -- Another lacking output for Kyle Allen. Most notably, Ian Thomas came through, and will continue to be a streamer for as long as Greg Olsen's out.
Falcons -- Devonta Freeman scored his first rushing touchdown. He's back in the top 20 with a shot at the top 15 if he continues producing.
Ravens -- Marquise Brown had negative-2 yards. He now has negative-one yard in his last two games. He's a hyper-version of DeSean Jackson in his prime--at times incredible, and at times invisible. Never know which one you're going to see.
Bills -- Josh Allen finally looked human, and Devin Singletary took another step forward. Buffalo has a brutal fantasy playoff schedule that next takes them to Pittsburgh and then New England.
Dolphins -- Patrick Laird earned more touches than I anticipated, though he looked middling at best, and DeVante Parker and Albert Wilson suffered concussions. Without Parker, it's hard to see Ryan Fitzpatrick as a top-20 QB.
Jets -- Sam Darnold was headed toward a very nice day at halftime, and then the game ended with seven straight field goals between the Jets and Dolphins. Most notably, Bilal Powell looked a bit better than Le'Veon Bell, though he proved to be only marginally startable rather than the "very" startable I was expecting.
Broncos -- How did this happen? Drew Lock's career has started strong with wins against the Chargers and Texans. This one in Houston was simply shocking. Keep an eye on the severity of Noah Fant's foot injury.
Texans -- Again, how did this happen? Deshaun Watson salvaged a huge day and Keke Coutee stepped up where I thought Kenny Stills would--though Coutee's lost fumble won't help his case.
Chargers -- Austin Ekeler did more on 12 touches than most bellcows do across two games.
Jaguars -- A rough return to the starting lineup for Gardner Minshew, though I doubt Nick Foles would have done better. Of course, D.J. Chark was his usual great self, and the whole team should get back on track next week against Oakland.
Titans -- Ryan Tannehill proved me wrong with another big day, and Jonnu Smith proved me right a week too late. And A.J. Brown had his second dominating output in three games; he's obviously a fantastic boom-bust receiver.
Raiders -- DeAndre Washington was better than adequate (primarily) filling in for Josh Jacobs. Jacobs is yet another player I might be without Week 15, but enough with my excuses. Washington will be an RB3+ if Jacobs sits again.
Steelers -- Vance McDonald was yet another concussion victim, and it was Diontae Johnson's turn to lead the receiving corps. And Benny Snell crashed at the worst possible time with James Conner likely returning next week and both Jaylen Samuels and Kerrith Whyte looking sharp.
Cardinals -- Another poorly timed letdown: Kenyan Drake. David Johnson showed a little bit of his 2016 vintage self, albeit on only five touches. Still, this probably won't be any one RB's backfield the rest of the way.
Chiefs -- Of all the ways to win, Kansas City prevailed with defense. And if anyone thinks an RB will rise to the top here, we're now 14 weeks into the season. No Chief back will be safely startable in the fantasy playoffs.
Patriots -- The worst home performance I've seen out of Tom Brady maybe ever. Beyond Julian Edelman, who can anyone trust fantasy-wise?
Seahawks -- Rashaad Penny suffered a knee injury early, which obviously could have huge implications the rest of the season.
Rams -- Tyler Higbee did it again. Too bad Gerald Everett wasn't traded after his big early-season performances; they could have tried to bolster their o-line. Addition by subtraction.