The Dynasty Aftermath: Week Four
Welcome to DLF’s Dynasty Aftermath. This staple article 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.
When I think of “Cairo,” I immediately think of the capital city of Egypt and, of course, the Indiana Jones movies. After all, Cairo is always a central city in that beloved series. However, this week made us all think of “Cairo” in a different way, as in Cairo Santos, the placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs. After kicking just three field goals through the first three weeks of the season, Santos booted through seven on Sunday, giving those teams who played him a massive advantage in any league. Depending on your scoring format, it’s likely he scored as many as three times as many points as another Jones, dynasty darling Julio Jones of the Falcons this week.
We’ve done many articles on whether or not kickers should be in fantasy leagues, but this week showed us just how impactful the position can be. Think about all the games impacted by kickers this week – Josh Brown missed an extra point, Caleb Sturgis missed a short field goal and an extra point, Blair Walsh missed a 38-yarder, Zach Hocker missed a chip shot to win the game for the Saints (and think about those points from Drew Brees and CJ Spiller that should have never happened), Jason Myers kept the Colts season alive even though he plays for the Jags as he missed not one, but two potential game winners, Kyle Brindza was all over the place for Tampa Bay and Josh Scobee was fired for his performance on Thursday that featured two missed kicks of his own late in the fourth quarter…and he was a player the Steelers traded for just a couple of weeks ago.  Those plays have a direct impact on leagues not only because of the points the kickers posted (or didn’t), but also how those game situations were changed based on makes and misses.
It’s not my place to say if having kickers in your league is right or wrong. However, don’t think for a second they don’t make an impact. The new extra points are making this pretty interesting. Projecting kicker performances is impossible, but so were many other things that happened this week.
Since we’re already on the “Cairo” bandwagon this week, let’s go ahead and add some references from Indiana Jones (one of my all-time favorites) this week. This franchise features three amazing movies – Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. There was also one other movie made, but we’re not going to mention that one and are going to continue pretending it didn’t exist. Parental discretion is advised on the video clips.
Let’s whip through week four. (See what I did there)
Week Four Fantasy MVP
Devonta Freeman’s August ADP was #104 as the RB37, right in between Bishop Sankey and Tre Mason. His September ADP was even worse at #110 through the first four mock drafts we’ve done. After this week’s repeat performance, it’s safe to say that number is going to absolutely skyrocket.
Freeman was an afterthought in many drafts and leagues this year as most felt Tevin Coleman would take that featured running back job in Atlanta and, well, run with it. Instead, he has taken advantage of Coleman’s injury and put together two amazing back-to-back performances. After posting 141 yards and three touchdowns against Dallas last week, Freeman rushed for a 68 yards and scored another hat trick of touchdowns against Houston on Sunday, giving him seven scores through four games and making him fantasy football’s RB1 in the process. With defenses having no choice but to roll coverage to the aforementioned Julio Jones, lanes are going to be open for the Atlanta running game.
Kyle Shanahan has been known to create some amazing numbers with running backs and Freeman looks poised to be this year’s big surprise in fantasy leagues. While his pace will certainly cool off and Coleman will get his chances in the future, it’s going to be tough for Atlanta to keep Freeman off the field if he continues playing this week.  If you have him, you inevitably feel pretty good about things. If you traded him away for pennies on the dollar, you probably feel like someone opened the Ark and did this to you:
Week Four Fantasy LVP
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The Redskins offense is just baffling. Matt Jones exploded onto the scene with 123 rushing yards, three catches, 23 receiving yards and two scores against a stout Rams defense in week two, but has now posted just 18 carries for 49 yards with no catches combined the past two weeks, including an 11-yard clunker on Sunday. While Alfred Morris isn’t setting the world on fire (his yards per carry average has decreased in every season thus far, including this one), the takeover of Jones isn’t happening. He’s still squarely in a timeshare and if you still believe he’ll emerge as an every down back over Morris, now is the time to get him. Â If you overpaid to get him a couple of weeks ago, you probably feel like this guy:
Lineup Fun
Unbeatable Lineup of the Week
“You have chosen…wisely.”
QB Philip Rivers SD = 358 passing yards, three touchdowns
RB Devonta Freeman ATL = 68 rushing yards, five catches, 81 receiving yards, three touchdowns
RB Le’Veon Bell PIT = 129 rushing yards, seven catches, 21 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Doug Martin TB = 106 rushing yards, five catches, 37 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Vincent Jackson TB =Â Ten catches, 147 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Jeremy Maclin KC = 11 catches, 148 receiving yards
WR DeAndre Hopkins HOU = Nine catches, 157 receiving yards on 22 (!) targets
TE Martellus Bennett CHI =Â Eleven catches, 83 receiving yards, one touchdown
Underdog Lineup of the Week
The chips are down, armies are closing in, the world needs you and all you have is a whip, your sense of humor and this seemingly terrible group of players. Only with a leap from the Lion’s head can you prove your worth.
QB Josh McCown CLE Â =356 passing yards, two touchdowns
RB Duke Johnson CLE = 31 rushing yards, nine catches, 85 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Jeremy Hill CIN = 40 rushing yards, three touchdowns, one 2PT conversion
RB CJ Spiller NO = Ten rushing yards, five catches, 80 receiving yards, one giant OT touchdown (thanks to a missed kick)
WR Tavon Austin STL = 20 rushing yards, six catches, 96 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Allen Hurns JAX =Â 11 catches, 116 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Mike Wallace MIN = Eight catches, 83 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Coby Fleener IND = Nine catches, 83 receiving yards, one touchdown
Disappointing Lineup of the Week
Because “X” never, ever marks the spot
QB Joe Flacco BALÂ = 189 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception, one lost fumble
RB Matt Jones WAS Â = 11 rushing yards
RB Arian Foster HOU = Ten rushing yards, three catches, 25 receiving yards
RB Darren Sproles PHI = 17 rushing yards, no catches
WR Rishard Matthews MIA = One catch, 16 receiving yards
WRÂ Steve Smith BALÂ = Four catches, 24 receiving yards
WR Julio Jones ATL Â = Four catches, 38 receiving yards
TE Heath Miller PIT = One catch, one receiving yard
Gut Checks
I’d be worried if I had any Dolphins players other than Jarvis Landry. That team looks more like a volcanic eruption than a dumpster fire and the combination of Lamar Miller and DeVante Parker are the ones suffering the most.
I’d be worried if I had Peyton Manning. He’s really turned into a game manager at this point and it’s really not very fun to watch.
I’d be worried if I had DeMarco Murray. This isn’t going to end well in Philadelphia.
I’d be worried if I had too much invested in Tevin Coleman. It’s going to take some work now.
I’d be worried if I passed on Amari Cooper for anyone other than Todd Gurley. After this week, it really looks like we have two budding superstars from this draft.
I’d be worried if I I’m completely dismissing the start of Andy Dalton.
I’d be worried if I was relying too heavily on Antonio Brown. The Pittsburgh offense needs to open it up more, but he’s going to suffer through some tougher weeks without Ben Roethlisberger.
I’d be worried if I owned Brandin Cooks. After a Summer full of hype and an uber-productive preseason, he’s suddenly disappeared.
I’d be worried if I’m overreacting to any bad game from Odell Beckham (don’t call me Junior!)
I’d be worried if I had Colin Kaepernick anywhere but my bench. Talk about a hot mess. Wow.
I’d be worried if I thought Julio Jones would have another clunker like that anytime soon.
I’d be worried if I was holding out too much hope for Markus Wheaton. He didn’t take advantage of the golden opportunity while Martavis Bryant was out.
I’d be worried if I had CJ Spiller and wasn’t shopping him. He may get more playing time moving forward, but one big play made his night.
Ditto on Tavon Austin. I’d be moving him to someone overreacting as well.
I’d be worried if I thought Brandon Marshall was going to go away quietly. He’ll burn his bridges in New York eventually, but until he’s at the foot of a bridge with a gas can and a torch, he’s going to put up numbers.
I’d be worried if I had Lance Dunbar. That was yet another unfortunate injury this year. Oh, and let’s just table the “Christine Michael is going to blow up now” talk.
I’d be worried if I didn’t start putting James Jones in my lineup. It’s time to just accept it.
I’d be worried if I have Russell Wilson as my QB1. Yes, he’s magical to watch. However, if that line doesn’t start playing better, the chances of him getting hurt are going to be multiplied.
I’d be worried if I had Shane Vereen. This whole Giants thing just isn’t working.
I’d be worried if I owned Melvin Gordon.  I still think he’s going to be just fine, but my worry meter is now at about a four.
I’d be worried if I’m panicking too much in regards to Mike Evans. It’s going to take some time with Jameis Winston.
I’d be worried if I had given up on Jeremy Hill.
I’d be worried if I thought Ted Ginn, Jr. suddenly became good.
I’d be worried if I owned Steve Smith. He has a tendency to start fast and fade late in the season. A back injury won’t help that from happening again during his swan song.
I’d be worried if I didn’t pick up Willie Snead.
I’d be worried if I hadn’t tried to get Jeremy Langford already. If Matt Forte is traded or moves on after the season, you’ll be sorry you didn’t try.
I’d be worried if I’m ignoring the good start from Charles Clay.
Same with Gary Barnidge.
I’d be worried if I didn’t think Danny Woodhead could be a significant piece to a championship team this year.
Ditto for Chris Ivory.
I’d be worried if I didn’t think DeAndre Hopkins could keep this up. This kid can really play.
I’d be worried if I had any Browns running back. Sure, Duke Johnson was great this week. Who will it be next? Robert Turbin?
I’d be worried if I had CJ Anderson. I’m going to say this every week and give him the Jonathan Stewart treatment until he does something meaningful.
I’d be worried if I had Arian Foster. He’ll have better days moving forward, but that wasn’t exactly the season debut we were hoping for.
A Look Ahead to Hot Names on the Week Five Waiver Wire
Remember, we focus on the lesser names here who we haven’t mentioned much this season.
1.) Stefon Diggs, WR MIN
Diggs will be the hottest names on waiver wires this week as he busted out for 87 yards on six catches this week for the Vikings. Minnesota hasn’t been able to maintain value for Charles Johnson or Mike Wallace so far this year, but Diggs at least staked a claim for more opportunities. If he somehow went undrafted in your league and is still on waivers, this will be your last chance to get him.
2.) Roy Helu, RB OAK
After being a healthy scratch in the first two weeks, Helu is starting to eat into Latavius Murray’s workload. He had five carries and two catches (including a touchdown) this week. Murray had some problems with his hands this week and Helu may be working his way into some meaningful playing time, at least on third downs. If someone dropped him in your league, he’s worth stashing on a roster again.
3.) Andre Williams, RB NYG
His stats leave a lot to be desired thus far, but the Giants seem to be working him into the rotation more and more. He actually led the team in carries this week with 11. Again, this is a player who should be on a roster already, but he merits mentioning just in case.
4.) Chris Thompson, RB WAS
A week after posting a monster garbage time line with 29 rushing yards, eight catches, 57 receiving yards and one touchdown, Thompson earned some more work with six carries for 53 yards and two catches for 24 yards. More importantly, he did it in a competitive game. With the Washington backfield in flux, he’s worth a speculative add.
5.) Charcandrick West, RB KC
Nobody wants Jamaal Charles to get hurt, but don’t be surprised if West has a significant role if Charles does miss time this season. It’s always best to be proactive.
7.) Jamison Crowder, WR WAS
I’m not sure why we have so many Redskins on this list this week, but Crowder is starting to really some playing time. With DeSean Jackson still out, you could do worse.
8.) Robert Turbin, RB CLE
You know, because we want to chase Cleveland running backs for the next ten years, too. In about 100 years, Indiana Jones would find some crazy markings in cave indicating our century long quest to strike gold with that team’s running back corps.
9.) Tim Wright, TE DET
Check the injury status of Eric Ebron on this one. At the time of posting, we’re still not sure how serious his knee injury is. If he’s out for an extended period of time, Wright is worth a look.
Editor’s note: Normally, I’d be proactive in picking up backup quarterbacks who may be getting a chance soon, but since Blaine Gabbert is the backup in San Francisco, I just can’t do it.
Previous Suggestions: Dion Lewis, James Jones, Travis Benjamin, Darren Fells, Rishard Matthews, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Josh McCown, Antonio Andrews, Michael Vick, Thomas Rawls.
And remember, fantasy football is the search for fact… not truth. If it’s truth you’re looking for, Dr. Tyree’s philosophy class is right down the hall.
You can follow Ken on twitter @DLF_KenK.
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Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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