The Dynasty Aftermath: Week Eight

Ken Kelly

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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. This week had not one, not two, not three, but four incredibly explosive performances,

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


Week Eight Fantasy MVP

It would be really easy to pick Ben Roethlisberger (522 passing yards, six touchdowns), Jeremy Maclin (12 catches, 187 receiving yards, two touchdowns) or Emmanuel Sanders (Nine catches, 120 yards, three touchdowns), but this week’s award goes to none other than Rob Gronkowski, who posted  Nine catches, 149 receiving yards and three touchdowns in a demolition of the Chicago Bears. This performance was significant because it really showed Gronkowski at his pre-injury form and showed everyone he could very easily be the “King of Tight Ends” again this season. A healthy Gronk gives any team a huge competitive advantage just about every week and this performance gives his owners a lot of hope for the stretch run.


Week Eight Fantasy LVP

What has happened to Torrey Smith? In what was supposed to be a major breakout season, he’s on pace for just 36 catches and 616 receiving yards. His four touchdown receptions have masked just how bad it’s been in a way, but there was no hiding this week as Smith failed to catch a single pass.


Lineup Fun

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The unbeatable lineup of the week…

QB  Ben Roethlisberger PIT = 522 passing yards, six touchdowns
RB Arian Foster HOU = 151 rushing yards, four catches, 22 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Matt Forte CHI = 114 rushing yards, six catches, 54 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Jamaal Charles KC = 73 rushing yards, four catches, 44 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Jeremy Maclin PHI = 12 catches, 187 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Emmanuel Sanders DEN = Nine catches, 120 yards, three touchdowns
WR Antonio Brown PIT = Ten catches, 133 receiving yards, two touchdowns
TE Rob Gronkowski NE = Nine catches, 149 receiving yards, three touchdowns

The dominant underdog lineup of the week…

QB Kyle Orton BUF = 238 passing yards, four touchdowns
RB Theo Riddick DET =
 Five rushing yards, eight catches, 74 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Lorenzo Taliaferro BAL = 27 rushing yards, two catches, 42 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Juwan Thompson DEN =
24 rushing yards, two touchdowns
WR Brandon LaFell NE =
11 catches, 124 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Martavis Bryant PIT =
Five catches, 93 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Donte Moncrief IND =
Seven catches, 113 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Mychal Rivera OAK =
Seven catches, 83 receiving yards

The unexpectedly horrible lineup of the week…

QB Cam Newton CAR  = 171 passing yards, 24 rushing yards, one interception
RB Bryce Brown BUF = 15 rushing yards
RB Tre Mason STL = 32 rushing yards, one catch, one receiving yard
RB Doug Martin TB = 27 rushing yards, two catches, -1 receiving yard
WR Torrey Smith BAL = No catches
WR Brian Quick STL = One catch, 10 receiving yards, one season-ending injury
WR Vincent Jackson TB = One catch, 13 receiving yards
TE Greg Olsen CAR = One catch, 16 receiving yards


Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I owned Ben Tate. Two straight clunkers and a coaching staff saying they’re concerned is a bad recipe.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t trying to get whatever I could right now for Jonathan Stewart.

I’d be worried if I owned Marqise Lee. Allen Robinson is proving you can be productive in Jacksonville as a rookie.

I’d be worried if I thought I knew how the Rams were going to deploy their running backs any time soon.

I’d be worried if I owned Geno Smith. Folks, we’ve now hit rock bottom. When you get benched for turnovers and the alternative is the human turnover in Michael Vick, there’s a problem.

I’d be worried if I expected any type of consistency from Eric Decker.

I’d be worried if I was counting on Jay Cutler. The Bears are married to him, but I wonder if they want a divorce.

I’d be worried if I owned Marshawn Lynch. A week after sending away Percy Harvin, it seems the Hawks have already decided to move on from Lynch sooner rather than later. I suspect he’ll soon be “East Mode.”

I’d be worried if I was counting on Brian Quick for the stretch run. That’s a really unfortunate injury for an emerging player.

I’d be worried if I owned Jordan Cameron. Concussions are serious and he’s already had too many.

I’d be worried if I didn’t think Peyton Manning can make anyone amazing. See Sanders, Emmanuel.

I’d be worried if I owned Shonn Greene. Really, Shonn?  Really?

I’d be worried if I was counting on Anthony Dixon or Bryce Brown. That was quite the debut for the dynamic duo this week.

I’d be worried if I was still holding on to Maurice Jones-Drew or Chris Johnson. Sometimes it’s just time to move on.

I’d be worried if I was expecting the same level of production from Steve Smith. Nobody could have kept that up, gang.

I’d be worried if I owned Doug Martin. Outside of a couple great games, he’s been flat out awful.

I’d be worried if I owned Jake Locker. For better or worse, the Zach Mettenberger Selfie era has begun.

I’d be worried if I owned Bernard Pierce. Speaking of rock bottom…

A Look Ahead to Hot Names on the Week Nine Waiver Wire
Remember, we focus on the lesser names here who we haven’t mentioned much this season. This week is very, very slow.

1. Charles Sims, RB TB

If he’s somehow still available in your league, this is the week to pounce.

2. Brandon Weeden, QB DAL

At the time this is posting, there’s not much known about Tony Romo’s injury. However, we do know Dallas has a ton of weapons and Weeden, while inconsistent, has never had talent around him like this.

3. Kamar Aiken, WR BAL

If you’re looking for a total dart throw, here it is for the week. Michael Campanaro of the Ravens also deserves a look.

4. Michael Vick, QB NYJ

You’d have to be really hurting at the position, but I always feel like every starting quarterback should be owned in most leagues.

5. Dan Herron, RB IND

And if you’re looking for a deep running back sleeper to stash, here you go.

Previous suggestions: Justin Forsett, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Bobby Rainey, Anthony Dixon, Case Keenum, Alfred Blue, Knile Davis, Donald Brown, Khiry Robinson, Kirk Cousins, Jarvis Landry, Aaron Dobson, Niles Paul, Damien Williams, Austin Davis, Zach Mettenberger, Joe Banyard, Silas Redd, DeAndre Levy, Mike Glennon, Joe McKnight, Philly Brown, Rhett Ellison, Jerick McKinnon, Darrin Reaves, Branden Oliver, Jarius Wright, Louis Murphy, Kyle Orton, Juwan Thompson, Tim Wright, George Winn, Robert Herron, Adam Thielen, James White, Chris Hogan, Preston Parker, Jonas Gray, Colt McCoy, Bryce Brown, Anthony Dixon, Marion Grice and Ryan Mallett.

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