We're at the "Oh no, what's wrong with my team" phase of the fantasy season. Or maybe some of you are well passed that point, now in the "I know what's wrong and feel helpless to change it" phase. Well, it's not too late to turn things around. Let's try to get ahead of the curve and examine what I believe is the most important fantasy storyline for each Sunday team.
Bears -- Is Rome Odunze more valuable than Keenan Allen?
Jaguars -- Travis Etienne vs. Tank Bigsby. A fascinating situation, and obviously frustrating for those who spent big on Etienne and didn't/couldn't land his handcuff.
Packers -- Once again, Dontayvion Wicks is an important fantasy question mark. Might be a top-30 WR if things break right, or might be mostly unstartable if things break sideways (or worse).
Cardinals -- You might think it's boring for me to discuss James Conner every week. But when an aging RB has missed 3+ games in five of the last six years, and when he's on pace for 300+ touches, and when at any moment it might be too late to sell high . . . he needs to be mentioned.
Titans -- There's a squeaky-wheel element to Calvin Ridley this weekend, who's looked like an afterthought these past two games with DeAndre Hopkins returning to form. Still closely tracking this tandem, with the understanding that seemingly only one of them can be adequately fed each week.
Colts -- Trey Sermon is in line for another start. Can he do enough to secure even a complementary role when Jonathan Taylor returns?
Patriots -- With Rhamondre Stevenson sidelined, can Antonio Gibson push for more touches for when Stevenson returns?
Texans -- Nico Collins' hamstring injury leaves a gaping hole in a passing attack that might or might not lean more heavily on Stefon Diggs. Can Tank Dell and/or Dalton Schultz get going?
Saints -- With Derek Carr out for possibly several weeks, we should wonder if anyone besides Alvin Kamara will be a safe start.
Buccaneers -- Rachaad White is doubtful, meaning Bucky Irving might finally seize the 1A role.
Eagles -- Jalen Hurts is the QB12 in fantasy points per game despite missing A.J. Brown for 75% of his games and DeVonta Smith for 25%. Easily a buy-low guy. The question is whether my preseason QB1 can return to elite form.
Browns -- Still tracking Deshaun Watson, his objectively bottom-tier passing numbers, his league-high 26 sacks, and his league-low 4.9 yards per throw. If this team bails on 2024 and moves Amari Cooper (and others?) before the trade deadline, it could make the remaining players virtually unstartable . . . unless Jameis Winston gets his chance.
Ravens -- Last week was a modest-to-huge relief for those who drafted Baltimore receivers. Can it continue?
Commanders -- After missing the second half last week with a knee injury, Brian Robinson is questionable heading into Sunday. Whether or not he plays, is Jeremy McNichols a more valuable hold than Austin Ekeler?
Broncos -- Is Javonte Williams now a reasonably good bet?
Chargers -- Quentin Johnston vs. Ladd McConkey: who will score more points going forward?
Raiders -- As Davante Adams trade rumors heat up, we should wonder if Tre Tucker is ready to be a consistent streamer.
Steelers -- Can Najee Harris play well enough to hold off Jaylen Warren when the latter returns?
Cowboys -- Once again, Jaylen Tolbert.
Lions -- Is Jameson Williams as boom-bust as he appears to be?
Panthers -- How long can Chuba Hubbard keep this up? His numbers these past four games are simply ridiculous: 62-379-2 rushing line (6.1 YPC) and 17-82-1 receiving line. If we exclude Week 1, that would be a full-season clip of 1,959 total yards. Truly insane and seemingly entirely unsustainable in a pretty bad offense that frequently plays from behind.
Falcons -- Will Bijan Robinson get going?
Giants -- Is Tyrone Tracy the real deal, and does this mean Devin Singletary's days as a fantasy starter are virtually over?
Bengals -- Still Chase Brown vs. Zack Moss, and you all know where I've stood on this since the outset (Brown's the better bet).
---