Four days after the Raiders dismantled an upper-tier Denver defense, the Browns’ backup QB and third-string RB did it again. Not as convincingly, but certainly more shockingly. As fantasy managers, how do we process what happened on Thursday Night Football? And how should we adjust player values going forward?
Credit all of you who started D’Ernest Johnson last night. Candidly, I wrongly warned readers that he was too risky, anticipating that Case Keenum would have trouble moving the chains against the Broncos’ top-5 pass defense. This was, after all, the 35-year-old’s first NFL start in nearly two years. Denver’s similarly stout run defense held Saquon Barkley, James Robinson, and other capable backs largely in check. Surely they could do the same to Johnson.
But Cleveland’s opening drive set the tone, and I ate crow (and perhaps other unsavory creatures) as Johnson racked up 9.4 fantasy points in the game’s first three minutes. Nearly every other prediction on that side of the ball played out as expected. Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham, Jr. were nothing more than desperation dart throws, as I warned earlier Thursday. The same for Demetric Felton and the newly signed John Kelly.
Additionally, Donovan Peoples-Jones injured his groin during pre-game warmups. If he’s unable to suit up next week against Pittsburgh, Landry and Beckham (if healthy) will get small bumps, though not enough to merit automatic fantasy starts.
Returning to the backfield, if Nick Chubb can’t play Week 8, with Hunt already expected to miss multiple games, Johnson has to be viewed as a must-start. I realize that sounds like jumping on the bandwagon. Hey, I get it. But it’s hard to ignore what we all just saw. He ran confidently and forcefully, and Cleveland's offensive line opened up lanes we don't normally see. He clearly deserves to be more than a third-stringer.
Meanwhile, Denver is 0-4 after starting 3-0. During this winless streak they’ve been outscored 101-57, as Teddy Bridgewater has thrown 7 TDs and 5 interceptions. Jerry Jeudy could return in Week 8. Given the inconsistency of this passing attack, it’s fair to wonder if this offense can consistently feed Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and Noah Fant, particularly if Tim Patrick remains involved as a fringe asset. Are Sutton’s days as a WR2 coming to an end?
As for Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon, Cleveland’s defense held them in check on the ground, as anticipated. But I did not foresee they’d both score through the air, as Gordon earned RB3 production, while Williams pushed for RB2. Congratulations to those who took what I thought was a big risk to start a split back on the road against a tough defense. I still believe Williams will outperform Gordon this season. Older RBs sharing backfields with highly talented rookie RBs face an uphill climb, especially if the postseason if out of reach.
Finally, Tim Hopkins wins the grand prize for coming closest to the final score; he predicted 20-17 Browns. Terry Van Sickle takes honorable mention with a 23-17 prediction. I got the score almost right (19-13), but the wrong team won. Well, for many of you, the right team won. A big win for Cleveland. Congrats Tim and Terry. And congrats again to all of you who completely ignored my warnings about D'Ernest Johnson and made the right call.
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Credit all of you who started D’Ernest Johnson last night. Candidly, I wrongly warned readers that he was too risky, anticipating that Case Keenum would have trouble moving the chains against the Broncos’ top-5 pass defense. This was, after all, the 35-year-old’s first NFL start in nearly two years. Denver’s similarly stout run defense held Saquon Barkley, James Robinson, and other capable backs largely in check. Surely they could do the same to Johnson.
But Cleveland’s opening drive set the tone, and I ate crow (and perhaps other unsavory creatures) as Johnson racked up 9.4 fantasy points in the game’s first three minutes. Nearly every other prediction on that side of the ball played out as expected. Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham, Jr. were nothing more than desperation dart throws, as I warned earlier Thursday. The same for Demetric Felton and the newly signed John Kelly.
Additionally, Donovan Peoples-Jones injured his groin during pre-game warmups. If he’s unable to suit up next week against Pittsburgh, Landry and Beckham (if healthy) will get small bumps, though not enough to merit automatic fantasy starts.
Returning to the backfield, if Nick Chubb can’t play Week 8, with Hunt already expected to miss multiple games, Johnson has to be viewed as a must-start. I realize that sounds like jumping on the bandwagon. Hey, I get it. But it’s hard to ignore what we all just saw. He ran confidently and forcefully, and Cleveland's offensive line opened up lanes we don't normally see. He clearly deserves to be more than a third-stringer.
Meanwhile, Denver is 0-4 after starting 3-0. During this winless streak they’ve been outscored 101-57, as Teddy Bridgewater has thrown 7 TDs and 5 interceptions. Jerry Jeudy could return in Week 8. Given the inconsistency of this passing attack, it’s fair to wonder if this offense can consistently feed Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and Noah Fant, particularly if Tim Patrick remains involved as a fringe asset. Are Sutton’s days as a WR2 coming to an end?
As for Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon, Cleveland’s defense held them in check on the ground, as anticipated. But I did not foresee they’d both score through the air, as Gordon earned RB3 production, while Williams pushed for RB2. Congratulations to those who took what I thought was a big risk to start a split back on the road against a tough defense. I still believe Williams will outperform Gordon this season. Older RBs sharing backfields with highly talented rookie RBs face an uphill climb, especially if the postseason if out of reach.
Finally, Tim Hopkins wins the grand prize for coming closest to the final score; he predicted 20-17 Browns. Terry Van Sickle takes honorable mention with a 23-17 prediction. I got the score almost right (19-13), but the wrong team won. Well, for many of you, the right team won. A big win for Cleveland. Congrats Tim and Terry. And congrats again to all of you who completely ignored my warnings about D'Ernest Johnson and made the right call.
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Pro Football Network fantasy site -- www.profootballnetwork.com/fantasy-football/
Listen to the PFN fantasy podcast Monday, Tuesday, and Friday -- podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-mood-for-fantasy-football/id1580114372