After this week, several teams could be on the brink (or close to the brink) of playoff elimination, including the Jaguars, Jets, Raiders, and Saints. What might happen to the fantasy playoff values of Breece Hall, Davante Adams, and Garrett Wilson if they lose today? How much more concerning if they then fall to Houston on Thursday?
Jacksonville has it even worse; these next five contests are against the Packers, Eagles, Vikings, Lions, and Texans. Will the injury-plagued Travis Etienne be a higher-likelihood late-season IR candidate? Could the nearly unstoppable Brian Thomas head to the shelf by Week 17 while dealing with a nagging injury he might otherwise have played through?
So beyond the micro level, we should recognize the impact of the macro: "bad" teams need to keep winning to increase the odds of their players remaining on the field when our fantasy matchups matter most.
As always, here's my top fantasy storyline for each Sunday team:
Bengals -- As is often the case, Chase Brown vs. Zack Moss. Brown has moved ahead, as expected. (I had ranked him ahead of the higher-priced Moss on my draft board.) Can Brown continue to play the 1A role?
Eagles -- Should we worry about DeVonta Smith after his huge Week 7 letdown? I'm buying low.
Browns -- I've been pushing Jameis Winston as a "should-be" QB replacement for months. Wasn't supposed to happen this way. But now we'll see if he can move the offense better than Deshaun Watson has in years.
Ravens -- As always, who can we trust as pass-catchers? Probably two out of four among Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely, with Likely now serving more as a TD spoiler than as a key cog.
Lions -- Will Jameson Williams' two-game suspension open the door for Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond, or none-of-the-above?
Titans -- It's Calvin Ridley's job to lose. And yes, he might lose it. He's also a cheap, little-to-lose rest-of-season dart throw. But he probably doesn't have much time left to prove himself in 2024.
Dolphins -- The highly anticipated (and admittedly, a little worrisome) return of Tua Tagovailoa. This offense *should* return to greatness. Anything less would be surprising and disappointing for those who invested big in Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De'Von Achane.
Cardinals -- When, if ever, will we see another good game from Marvin Harrison Jr. this season? I still believe it's inevitable, but who knows.
Patriots -- Can we now trust Drake Maye as a must-start in superflex leagues and as a reasonable bye-week streamer in one-QB leagues?
Jets -- More can go wrong for this team than right, or so it seems. The 2024 version of Aaron Rodgers likely can't feed both Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson consistently, or maybe even semi-consistently.
Buccaneers -- Which WR will step up most in the absence of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and will it matter for near-term fantasy purposes?
Falcons -- Kyle Pitts is suddenly the overall TE7. Another double-digit performance could place him on the doorstep of the top 5 or even the top 4. Fool's gold, or is he now a must-start option?
Jaguars -- Christian Kirk has caught only one pass three times, including last weekend. There's a squeaky-wheel element here, or so I think.
Packers -- As always, which WR(s) will step up most?
Texans -- How much can we trust Tank Dell after his Week 7 donut?
Colts -- Fantasy managers are jettisoning Anthony Richardson like he were the Week 3 version of Kyle Pitts or Mark Andrews. Can he rebound like they have? Or was his abridged 2023 fantasy breakout a mirage -- a function of having TD-boosted fantasy numbers that covered up his apparently glaring limitations (for now) as an NFL passer?
Chargers -- The nearly 27-year-old journeyman Simi Fehoko has five catches for 89 yards in his past two outings. He entered this season with a career 4-33 receiving line. In Quentin Johnston's absence last week, Fehoko saw the field more than any other Charger skill player. Will he be a fantasy thorn in the side of this team's supposedly "better" WRs?
Saints -- I'm still heavily tracking Kendre Miller on a team that might turn to him in December if they're firmly out of playoff contention.
Seahawks -- When, if ever (this season), will Jaxon Smith-Njigba become a weekly must-start wideout? Assuming DK Metcalf sits, he has an opening for short-term success, which could elevate his floor even when Metcalf returns.
Bills -- I respect all of the James Cook truthers, and I also firmly believe Ray Davis will keep pushing for a timeshare. The question is more "when" than "if."
Broncos -- Just as with Drake Maye, can we now consider Bo Nix as no less than a weekly one-QB-league streamer?
Panthers -- As always, how long can Chuba Hubbard keep this going? And as always, I'd be royally shocked if he's still a Panther after the trade deadline.
Raiders -- Zamir White vs. Alexander Mattison, and in the end it might not matter. But a starting RB is a starting RB, so for now it matters in most leagues.
Chiefs -- All eyes should be on the newly arrived DeAndre Hopkins and whether he can be "the guy" (alongside the hit-or-miss Travis Kelce) in this passing attack.
Commanders -- As long as Brian Robinson keeps scoring, he'll be a must-start. Of course, that's an obvious statement. But beyond the strong fantasy numbers are concerns that a Marcus-Mariota-led offense won't be nearly as effective as when Jayden Daniels is under center. Robinson isn't heavily used through the air and needs near-the-goal-line touches. That's why his floor is deceptively low.
Bears -- Is Caleb Williams now a no-brainer weekly fantasy starter?
49ers -- With Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings out, and with Deebo Samuel questionable, can Ricky Pearsall (and/or perhaps Jacob Cowing) make a stronger case for a meaningful rest-of-season role?
Cowboys -- Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb are producing well below expectations. How much should fantasy managers panic? I'm thinking not much, but some of that is wishful thinking, since I'm mostly stuck with Dak.
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