A huge shout-out to Tom Alexander for predicting the exact final score in yesterday's Chiefs-Raiders thriller. And wow, the ending to that game was . . . something. The entire game was something. Aidan O'Connell's sterling performance (so many brilliantly thrown balls) reminded me of Dan Orlovsky's shockingly good performance at this year's Pro Bowl quarterback challenge. Wearing a tie and dress shirt, the long-retired Orlovsky beat several Pro Bowlers. He not only looked like he could still be playing; he looked like he *should* still be playing.
Of course, there were no defenders coming at him. But we need to remember that these guys -- whether starters or backups -- are exceptionally talented. Some abilities translate well to the NFL. Others don't. And then there are the players who need time and surrounding personnel to develop into the NFL-caliber QB. O'Connell's career appeared almost over in Week 1. He was the backup to a fringe starter on a team with the fourth-worst Super Bowl odds. Then the backfield was exposed, Davante Adams went to the Jets, and the franchise surely was looking forward to drafting their next "great" quarterback next spring.
And they almost assuredly will regardless of how well O'Connell plays. But yesterday the 2023 fourth-round pick showed poise and precision. He showed why the Raiders drafted him. If he plays anywhere close to this level down the stretch, then Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers are in good hands.
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There are 11 games tomorrow. As always, here's the biggest fantasy storyline I'm tracking for each team:
Falcons -- Kyle Pitts, as always. Can't confidently start him. Can't confidently bench him.
Chargers -- How will Gus Edwards fare with D.J. Dobbins out, and is there any realistic chance that sixth-round rookie Kimani Vidal will poach touches?
Bengals -- The enigmatic Mike Gesicki has oscillated between effective and non-existent. How will the 4-7 Bengals utilize him in December?
Steelers -- Najee Harris hasn't cleared 3.5 yards per carry in more than half his games this year -- including each of his last three. Could Jaylen Warren push for more of a timeshare?
Vikings -- It seems like it's Justin Jefferson's turn, which raises the question of whether Sam Darnold can feed more than two receivers per game.
Cardinals -- As always, I'm on a James Conner watch, which is just as much a Trey Benson watch.
Patriots -- How much longer will New England stick with Rhamondre Stevenson? Longer term, they're already stuck with him. But he's struggled to the move the ball at a time when Antonio Gibson has caught fire.
Colts -- Last weekend, Michael Pittman enjoyed only his second 65+ point performance of the season. Anytime it looks like he's turning a corner with Anthony Richardson under center, he quickly falls flat.
Jets -- Although Breece Hall is expecting to be active, Braelon Allen looms for a team that's almost been mathematically eliminated from postseason contention.
Seahawks -- Once again, Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. D.K. Metcalf, with major implications for managers who "guess wrong." This is the challenge when a rising star competes for targets with an established weekly fantasy starter.
Commanders -- Given the injury situation, can we bet on anyone in this backfield?
Titans -- Can Nick Westbrook-Ikhine somehow do it again?
Jaguars -- Will Travis Etienne come close to resembling his former self, or is it time to throw in the towel?
Texans -- Last year, C.J. Stroud had six outings with multiple touchdowns and zero interceptions. This year, he has only two . . . and none since early October. Is he even a deep-league starter against a bottom-tier Jags pass defense?
Saints -- Will Taysom Hill slow down?
Rams -- Matthew Stafford has everything he needs to be productive. The problem is that his all-world WR duo haven't been as durable as a typical starting WR.
Panthers -- Statistically, there's no good reason to worry about Chuba Hubbard. But in a lost season, we should see more of Jonathon Brooks, and nothing good can come of that if you're depending on Hubbard in the fantasy playoffs.
Buccaneers -- Mike Evans' return corresponded with a reduced role for Cade Otton, who didn't really catch fire until Evans and Chris Godwin got hurt. Will be interesting to see if Otton's no longer a trusted top-10 TE.
Ravens -- Same as always: crowded receiving corps vs. typically low-volume passer.
Eagles -- How urgently should managers add Kenneth Gainwell?
Bills -- After averaging 8.8 targets in Cleveland, Amari Cooper is sitting on 3.3 in Buffalo. That can't continue, right?
49ers -- Jauan Jennings might be San Francisco's de facto #1 WR. Seems bizarre given where things stood in August.
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