The Dynasty Aftermath: Week One

Ken Kelly Posted On September 11, 2012

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After what seems like an eternity in hibernation, DLF’s Dynasty Aftermath is back. This Tuesday staple has long been one of our signature pieces as we have a little fun after a tough week at the Dynasty League Football office. You’ll find this article will review the week’s happenings in a variety of ways and help set you up for the coming weeks as we spin around the league in the way we know best.

Week One Fantasy MVP

There were a lot of great candidates, including Kevin Ogletree, Robert Griffin III, Julio Jones and a host of others, but we’re going with Jones’ teammate and signal caller, Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons. Ryan has been a chic pick of many to be the fantasy MVP this year as he was rumored to have full control over a much more pass heavy offense. He delivered on Sunday by completing 23-of-31 for 299 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 25 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Ryan has always been on the outside looking in when it comes to the fantasy elite, but that could change this season.

Week One Fantasy LVP

When Jonathan Stewart was declared out for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay, fantasy owners ran to their collective computers to insert DeAngelo Williams into their lineups. After all, the Bucs were awful on defense last year and Williams was a sure fire RB1 this week with his platoon mate on the shelf. He responded with -1 yards on six carries (good for a healthy yards per carry average of -.16) and one catch for five yards. Ouch.

Lineup Fun

The virtually unbeatable lineup of the week…

QB Matt Ryan ATL = 299 passing yards, 25 rushing yards, four total touchdowns
RB Kevin Smith DET = 91 total yards, four catches, two total touchdowns
RB CJ Spiller BUF = 194 total yards, two catches, one touchdown
RB Ray Rice BAL = 93 total yards, three catches, two touchdowns
WR Kevin Ogletree DAL = 8 catches, 114 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Julio Jones ATL = 6 catches, 108 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Brandon Marshall DEN = 9 catches, 119 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Jimmy Graham NO = 6 catches, 85 receiving yards, one touchdown

The dominant underdog lineup of the week (seriously, how many of you would have laughed this owner out of your league)…

QB Blaine Gabbert JAX = 260 passing yards, two touchdowns, no INTs
RB Alfred Morris WAS = 96 rushing yards, two touchdowns
RB Michael Bush CHI = 42 rushing yards, two touchdowns
RB Dexter McCluster KC = 6 catches, 82 yards
WR Randall Cobb GB = 9 catches, 77 yards, one punt return touchdown
WR Stephen Hill NYJ = 5 catches, 89 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Jeremy Kerley NYJ = 4 catches, 45 recieving yards, two total touchdowns
TE Marcedes Lewis JAX = 5 catches, 52 receiving yards, one touchdown

The unexpected horrible lineup of the week…

QB Andrew Luck IND = 309 passing yards, one touchdown, three INTs, one fumble
RB Trent Richardson CLE = 44 total yards, one catch
RB Rashad Jennings MIN = 40 rushing yards, one catch, one injury
RB Roy Helu WAS = 27 total yards, two catches
WR Wes Welker NE = 3 catches, 14 receiving yards
WR Hakeem Nicks NYG = 4 catches, 38 receiving yards
WR Greg Little CLE = No catches
TE Dustin Keller NYJ = 1 catch, seven yards on a day his team scores 48 points

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if…

I’m counting on Isaac Redman for production this year. He was outplayed by Jonathan Dwyer this week and really looks pedestrian at best.

I expect anything early on from Ronnie Hillman – he was a healthy scratch for the Broncos this week.

I’m buying into the notion that Arian Foster and Ben Tate are going to somehow split carries this year. If it was really going to happen, it would have this week. It didn’t.

I think Kevin Kolb’s sudden effectiveness is going to last beyond this week. He looked great after coming in, but he’s looked scared when he knows he’s going to play.

I expect the production from James Jones to continue. Randall Cobb is waiting in the wings and the Packers are going to spread the ball around a ton. You’ll just never really know which second or third option is going to have a big day.

I’ve completely written off Randy Moss.

Ditto for Frank Gore.

Double ditto for Cedric Benson, even after a bad performance.

Triple ditto for Reggie Wayne who led the league in targets with 15.

I have any faith in Beanie Wells ever really becoming a fantasy factor again. He spends more time at the Doctor’s office than my wife and she’s a Nurse.

I expect anything early from Michael Floyd. He’s a total afterthought in the Arizona offense right now.

I own LeGarrette Blount in my dynasty league. You can’t cut him because you never know what the future holds. However, the future in Tampa Bay seems to be a healthy dose of Doug Martin.

I have Fred Jackson in my dynasty league. Every time he gets hurt, CJ Spiller delivers in a big way. Sure, much of his yardage came in garbage time, but Spiller adds an explosive offensive element the Bills simply don’t have elsewhere.

I have Greg Little, Josh Gordon or any other Cleveland receiver. It’s safe to say Brandon Weeden is a project.

I own David Nelson in my dynasty league. A torn ACL will end his season after just one week.

I’ve completely written off Mark Sanchez. Good for him as he must have felt like there was an elephant sitting on his head.

I’m hoping for a breakout for Leonard Hankerson. He seems to be the lost receiver in Washington.

I own any Washington running back of the present or future as long as Mike Shanahan is the coach. I don’t care what Alfred Morris did this week. Honestly. Don’t. Care. We’ve been down this road before and it ends with you throwing up on your couch.

I own any Dolphins receiver.

I burned a high rookie pick on Jonathan Baldwin last year. Yikes.

I’ve given up hope on Blaine Gabbert. Of all the players who we’re surprised looks at least mediocre, Gabbert takes the prize.

I expect Isaiah Pead to give Steven Jackson a breather any time soon. After a dreadful preseason, Pead saw as many touches as you did this week. Daryl Richardson is even playing ahead of him.

I have Michael Turner anywhere near my fantasy lineup. It’s ironic he was once called the burner because it’s obvious he’s flamed out.

I’m giving up on Mark Ingram. I can’t imagine the Saints having another game with a 52:10 pass-to-run ratio.

I have Michael Vick as my QB1. It sure seems like 2010 was about a decade ago. He looked absolutely terrible against a Browns team that might BE absolutely terrible.

I own Shane Vereen. His injury opened the door for Stevan Ridley and he’s really taken advantage. If Ridley can maintain this momentum and avoid the fumbles, we could have a serious weapon on our hands – he was the first Patriot running back to rush for 100 yards in a season opener since Curtis Martin.

I expected Daniel Thomas to start taking carries from Reggie Bush. Three carries for 11 yards, a lost fumble and a possible concussion won’t make Reggie sweat too much.

I own Chris Johnson. You could say it’s just one game, but it’s not just one game. After gaining just four yards on 11 carries, it’s safe to start wondering if we really have seen the best of him.

I’m penciling in a major breakout for Titus Young this season. It could still happen, but the certainty of that is fading pretty quickly after a rough start on Sunday.

and most importanty, I’d be worried if…

I’ve underestimated the greatness that is Adrian Peterson or Peyton Manning.

See you next week for the next edition of the Dynasty Aftermath. You can follow Ken on twitter @DLF_KenK.

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK