Three of yesterday's top 10 scorers were Dolphins, and three of the top 11 scorers were Bears. Considering both teams entered the weekend among the bottom-third in points scored, that's quite a feat. As always, let's examine the biggest fantasy storyline for Miami, Chicago, and every other Sunday team:
Bears -- Saturday's column: "Caleb Williams ran for a career-high 70 yards last Sunday, salvaging an otherwise 'unstartable' fantasy performance. With D'Andre Swift hobbled, will we see more run from Williams?" Sunday: Minnesota had been yielding the league's fewest QB rushing yards per game (6.2), so Williams' 6-33 rushing line was a minor fantasy win. As long as he keeps slinging it, he'll be in weekly top-16 conversations.
Vikings -- Saturday's column: "Should we be concerned about Aaron Jones? Bottom-tier efficiency in three of his last four outings, plus a steady slide in receiving yards, plus more involvement from Cam Akers suggest that managers should be at least somewhat concerned." Sunday: Scratch that. While Akers looked good in a limited role, it was *very* limited. Jones had his second TD in eight weeks and his first 100-yard rushing day in nine weeks. Let's see if this is a sign he's turning things around.
Colts -- Saturday's column: "Can we trust Anthony Richardson as a (mostly) must-start RB?" Sunday: Josh Downs' injury didn't help. Neither did Detroit's defense. The good news is that Richardson's ground work should keep him in the top 18 most weeks, and his ceiling remains relatively high.
Lions -- Saturday's column: "Can we trust Jameson Williams as a (mostly) must-start WR?" Sunday: The often-injured and slow-developing wideout is hitting his stride. There are no good reasons to bench him in 12+ team leagues. And obviously keep an eye on David Montgomery's injury ahead of Thursday.
Dolphins -- Saturday's column: "Is Jaylen Waddle somehow droppable in 10-team leagues? It seems inconceivable that he's little more than an 8-to10-point WR." Sunday: Finally . . .
Patriots -- Saturday's column: "Demario Douglas has only one offensive touchdown in 25 NFL games. There has to be some kind of law of averages here." Sunday: He led all New England wideouts in targets, catches, and receiving yards. He's still the only fringe weekly fantasy WR starter on this team.
Giants -- Saturday's column: "How will Tommy DeVito impact this offense?" Sunday: Terribly. It's hard to know which New York franchise is in worse shape.
Buccaneers -- Saturday's column: "As always (deep breath), Rachaad White vs. Bucky Irving. Can managers comfortably start either/both?" Sunday: In what might be an NFL first, four guys ran the ball, and each of them scored once. Sean Tucker lost ground despite his touchdown. Irving remains a must-start RB, and White is still a capable streamer.
Commanders -- Saturday's column: "In recent weeks, Brian Robinson has taken a firm backseat to Austin Ekeler in the receiving game. Hasn't mattered for the TD-dependent Robinson. But consider that he's as TD-dependent as ever." Sunday: Injuries to Robinson and Ekeler (though Robinson returned) make this a bit of a wash. But it was a reminder that even if Ekeler (concussion) misses time, Robinson's floor is still pretty low for a starting running back.
Cowboys -- Saturday's column: "Is anyone besides (presumably) CeeDee Lamb startable?" Sunday: Rico Dowdle and Jalen Tolbert squeaked by with about 10 points each, and Luke Shoonmaker delivered while filling in for the injured Jake Ferguson. But this is still a hold-your-breath offense, with Lamb operating as the only "safe" starter.
Panthers -- Saturday's column: "Rookie Jonathon Brooks could make his first appearance. Should managers with Chuba Hubbard be somewhat nervous . . . or very nervous?" Sunday: A late score salvaged Hubbard's day. Now 3-8 and nearly mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, Carolina could (and probably should) give Brooks more run, which would be brutal news for those depending on Hubbard.
Chiefs -- Noah Gray wasn't a TD-friendly tight end in college, but he now has four in the last eight days. Incredible. With JuJu Smith-Schuster now mostly in the rear-view mirror, and with the aging Travis Kelce netting the fewest yards-per-game of his career, Gray's outburst might not be as fluky as it looks.
Texans -- Saturday's column: "C.J. Stroud is in that 'What do we do with C.J. Stroud?' realm. Too much upside to firmly bench, and too much risk to firmly start." Sunday: Stroud's 15.7 points marked his highest output since Week 6. Not good. His fantasy playoff schedule (Miami, Kansas City, and Baltimore) could force managers to find a backup option for at least one of those weeks.
Titans -- Saturday's column: "Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has five touchdowns on 15 receptions in his past six games. The scores don't seem remotely sustainable." Sunday: Apparently they are, at least for now. It's been an insane run, and it's come at the expense of the otherwise dependable Calvin Ridley and wannabe-streamer Tyler Boyd.
Raiders -- Saturday's column: "Should any RB be rostered in any 12-team league?" Sunday: Sincere McCormick ran well, and 31-year-old Ameer Abdullah delivered through the air. Both looked better than the injured Zamir White and Alexander Mattison. Whenver White or Mattison returns, it will be tough to trust anyone. Also, Gardner Minshew's injury might signal a downgrade of this entire offense.
Broncos -- Saturday's column: "Again, Javonte Williams vs. Audric Estime. Williams is still favored and has, at minimum, the receiving advantage." Sunday: I forgot about Jaleel McLaughlin. One week after Williams crushed it, he crashed, opening the door for McLaughlin to lead this RB corps. Utter chaos.
Packers -- Saturday's column: "Once again, Christian Watson is on a roll. Is he the de facto #1 WR?" Sunday: Not so fast. Zero catches on three targets, and he couldn't even get going after Romeo Doubs exited. This remains a spread-the-ball receiving corps.
49ers -- Saturday's column: "How much can we trust Jauan Jennings after clearing 80 receiving yards for the fourth time in six contests?" Sunday: Ricky Pearsall got hurt, and Jennings led the Niners with seven targets. Outside of the high-flying George Kittle, Jennings somehow appears to be a safer option than even Deebo Samuel.
Seahawks -- Saturday's column: "Jaxson Smith-Njigba vs. D.K. Metcalf. Who's the #1?" Sunday: Been discussing this for months, and now it might be happening: I'd rather have JSN than Metcalf.
Cardinals -- Saturday's column: "As always, I'm on a James Conner watch, though each week it seems more ridiculous. Regardless, keep Trey Benson close by." Sunday: Conner was stymied on the ground. Benson was not. Conner has now averaged below 3.0 YPC in three of his last four outings. Still a must-start fantasy RB, but for how long?
Rams -- Saturday's column: "Handcuff RB Blake Corum isn't exactly getting steady work. But it's work nonetheless, and he's an underappreciated lottery ticket." Sunday: Corum was a complete afterthought in a game where L.A. led for only about 15 game minutes. However, Kyren Williams has now lost a fumble in each of the Rams' past three losses. He's turned the ball over five times in his last 14 contests. As seemingly invaluable as he is to this team, those mistakes matter.
Eagles -- Saturday's column: "Saquon Barkley has had 73 touches this month, pushing him to 220 with seven games remaining. That puts him on track for 374, plus (probably) the playoffs. He's playing at an MVP level, and at the same time, Philly might manage his load at some point." Sunday: Um . . . 30 touches later, Barkley has 30+ points in three of his last four games, putting him just above his rookie-year, career-high 24.1 points per game. There's nothing left to be said. I hate his excessive volume, and I completely underestimated his ability to dominate in a supposedly Jalen-Hurts-led offense.
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