The Dynasty Aftermath: Week Fifteen

Ken Kelly

charles

Welcome to DLF’s Dynasty Aftermath. This Tuesday staple is our longest running signature piece 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.

Let’s take a look back at the week that was!

Week Fifteen Fantasy MVP

When Peyton Manning started the season off with 462 yards passing and seven touchdowns against the Ravens, most of us thought that would easily go down as the best fantasy performance of the year. After all, there were few documented performances ever better and that one had to be the highlight of the fantasy year, even though it came on opening night, right!?!

Wrong.

Jamaal Charles posted one of the best fantasy efforts of all-time when his owners needed it the most as he ripped up the Raiders for 20 rushing yards, eight catches, 195 more receiving yards and five total touchdowns. That performance was statistically the best we’ve seen in around a decade and reminds many dynasty league veterans of days posted by Clinton Portis, Shaun Alexander and most recently, Michael Vick. In fact, in PPR leagues that reward six points for a passing touchdown, Charles was only off Manning’s mark set in week one by 0.7 points, and Manning’s performance in those leagues is the best in the last ten seasons. The Raiders have now been torched for 12 touchdowns by two different players when you consider what Nick Foles did to them a while back.

Coming into the week, it was a two horse race for fantasy MVP this season with Peyton Manning and Jimmy Graham, but after this performance, Charles is squarely in the mix.

Week Fourteen Fantasy LVP

It’s unfortunate, but this could actually go in a lot of ways. The aforementioned Jimmy Graham had just two catches for 25 yards, Bobby Rainey was held in check, Demaryius Thomas picked the wrong week to have his streak of touchdown receptions or 100-yard games snapped, Charles Clay had just one catch for six yards, Victor Cruz matched Graham’s totals in both catches and yards, Stevie Johnson had just one catch for four yards, Coby Fleener was shut out and Eli Manning managed to score fewer points than you did by posting a negative line with his 156 yard, five interception gem against the Seahawks.

Since I only pick one, I’m going to go with Shane Vereen who came into this week as hot (or hotter) than anyone in the league not named Josh Gordon. He responded with just 13 rushing yards, three catches and 13 receiving yards. With so many people hoping he’d be the X-Factor to get them a playoff victory, he was likely the determining factor in making sure they lost. It’s an unfortunate end, but Vereen still has massive potential moving forward.

Lineup Fun

The unbeatable lineup of the week…

QB Alex Smith KC = 287 passing yards, five touchdowns (thanks Mr. Charles)
RB Jamaal Charles KC = 20 rushing yards, eight catches, 195 receiving yards, five touchdowns
RB Eddie Lacy GB = 141 rushing yards, four catches, 30 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Matt Asiata MIN = 51 rushing yards, three catches, 15 receiving yards, three touchdowns
WR DeSean Jackson PHI = Ten catches, 195 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Greg Jennings MIN = 11 catches, 163 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Julian Edelman NE = 13 catches, 139 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Tim Wright TB = Seven catches, 82 receiving yards, one touchdown

The dominant underdog lineup of the week…

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick TEN = 402 passing yards, 22 rushing yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions
RB Jordan Todman JAX = 109 rushing yards, four catches, 44 receiving yards
RB Matt Asiata MIN = 51 rushing yards, three catches, 15 receiving yards, three touchdowns
RB Trent Richardson IND = 64 rushing yards, four catches, 38 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Andre Caldwell Den = Six catches, 59 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Doug Baldwin SEA = Six catches, 71 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Robert Woods BUF = Five catches, 82 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Andrew Quarless GB = Six catches, 66 receiving yards, one touchdown

The unexpectedly horrible lineup of the week…

QB Matt Ryan ATL = 210 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception, one lost fumble
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis CIN = Four rushing yards
RB Bobby Rainey TB = 27 rushing yards, one catch, three receiving yards
RB Shane Vereen NE = 13 rushing yards, three catches, eight receiving yards
WR Hakeem Nicks NYG = One catch, five receiving yards
WR Michael Floyd ARI = Two catches, 33 receiving yards
WR Dwayne Bowe KC = Three catches, 24 receiving yards
TE Charles Clay MIA = One catch, Six receiving yards

Fun Stat of the Week

Matt Asiata was the surprise performer of the week after he was thrown into action with the deactivation of Toby Gerhart and Adrian Peterson on Sunday. He responded with 51 rushing yards, three catches, 15 receiving yards and three touchdowns. His numbers made him the second best running back in most fantasy leagues this week. Oh, by the way, he averaged 1.7 yards per carry on the day.

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I thought that one performance gets Trent Richardson in my lineup for championship week.

I’d be worried if I have Eli Manning anywhere near my roster at the moment.

I’d be worried if I suddenly think the Broncos are mortal.

I’d be worried if I don’t yet believe in Nick Foles.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t paying attention to how many targets Mike Wallace is getting at the moment.

I’d be worried if you play in a league where nobody has taken the plunge on Kirk Cousins.

I’d be worried if I needed Cecil Shorts for the stretch run.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring the sudden resurgence of Ryan Mathews.

I’d be worried if I was still banking on Darren Sproles right now.

I’d be worried if I didn’t think Antonio Brown was a permanent WR1 in dynasty leagues.

I’d be worried if I didn’t think the same about Pierre Garcon.

I’d be worried if I put too much stock into anything from this week. Don’t get cute with your lineups in championship week – play who got you there!

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

ken kelly