The Dynasty Aftermath: Week One
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.
Don’t be surprised if I choose a theme for this during some weeks. This week, the Dynasty Aftermath is sponsored by a childhood favorite TV show of mine – “The A-Team.”  If you don’t remember “The A-Team,” the premise went like this:
“In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team.” [insert cool gunfire sounds here]
The crazy thing to me about the A-Team was the fact nobody ever died.  They’d get into weekly pickles featuring grenade throwing, M-16 shooting and dynamite explosions. They’d even create makeshift bombs out of crazy stuff like hay bales, a can of Del Monte green beans and an old Sports Illustrated magazine and use them to blow up military jeeps that were subsequently launched through the air like the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard. After every accident, people just walked away and said, “Better luck next time!” Heck, even Hannibal (this is the Hannibal from the A-Team, not the Hannibal from the 90s who ate people, but was kind of likable in a weird way) smoked cigars like crazy and never showed a single sign of lung cancer or emphysema. This was also the show that launched Mr. T’s career as he starred as B.A. “Bad Attitude” Baracus and wore enough necklaces to easily snap the neck of Cris Collinsworth.
If you’re really interested in the A-Team after reading this (and I honestly don’t think I’ve given you anything informative or funny enough to achieve that), make sure you check out the 80s TV version, not the terrible re-make movie featuring Bradley Cooper and Liam Neeson. Seriously, you’ll spend the whole time watching that movie and wondering what Liam Neeson is doing with this military group while his daughter has to be kidnapped somewhere overseas and being sold to some crazy rich guy choosing questionable and unsavory ways to spend his money.
Oh, and before I get into this. How is it you can escape from a maximum security stockade, move to LA and be easily found by random people who need help while the entire military force can’t actually track you down? I digress, but expect some A-Team references this week.
Let’s take a look back at the opening week that was!
Week One Fantasy MVP
There are a lot of candidates for the initial award this week, including Carlos Hyde, DeAndre Hopkins, Marcus Mariota, Rob Gronkowski, Tyler Eifert and a host of others, but I’m going with Tom Brady this week. Brady torched the Steelers for 288 passing yards and four touchdowns on opening night. Sure, the fact Pittsburgh decided not to defend Rob Gronkowski half the time helped, but still, this was epic “Tom Terrific.”
Not only was Brady able to rally from an off-season featuring accusations of him cheating (not on Giselle, but in football) and constant questions about the so-called “Deflategate” scandal, he was also able to rally from the depths of the abyss after a hideous courtroom drawing of him was released last month. The image was compared to Gollum, E.T., Michael Jackson from Thriller and Freddy Krueger at one time or another. In fact, I think you can make a case they all missed the boat and that sketch may just have been George Peppard featured on the right.
Brady is poised to have a monster season and should be considered an elite play just about every week.
Week One Fantasy LVP
There was some worry surrounding Sammy Watkins after his 65/982/6 rookie season was overshadowed by some other rookies, namely Mike Evans and O’Dell Beckham, Jr. That worry seemed to mount when “Ground and Pound” coach Rex Ryan was hired. After this week’s performance that featured no catches on just three targets, it’s quickly turned to panic. Meanwhile, newly acquired Percy Harvin had five catches for 79 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Harvin even stayed healthy the entire game, which was just as shocking.
As Aaron Rodgers would say, “R-E-L-A-X.” The Bills offense is certainly going to be very conservative with their ferocious defense playing well and a young quarterback they’re trying to protect from taking unnecessary risks. However, Watkins is still an elite talent who had a bad day that’s simply going to get magnified too much. If the Watkins owner in your league thinks he’s the second coming of Trent Richardson, go ahead and buy extremely low.
Honorable mention this week has to go to Adrian Peterson, who posted just 31 rushing yards, three catches and 21 receiving yards. There was no way he could match the expectation of some folks who penciled him in for 300 rushing yards, but still, this was a buzzkill.
Lineup Fun
“The A-Team”
(The unbeatable lineup of the week)
QB Tom Brady NE = 288 passing yards, four touchdown passes
RB Matt Forte CHI = 141 rushing yards, five catches, 25 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Ameer Abdullah DET = 50 rushing yards, four catches, 44 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Carlos Hyde SF = 168 rushing yards, two catches, 14 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR DeAndre Hopkins HOU = Nine catches, 98 receiving yards, two touchdowns, one 2PT conversion
WR Keenan Allen SD = 15 catches, 166 receiving yards on 17 (!) targets
WR Julio Jones ATL = Nine catches, 141 receiving yards, two touchdowns
TE Rob Gronkowski NE = Five catches, 94 receiving yards, three touchdowns
“I love it when a plan comes together!”
(The dominant underdog lineup of the week)
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QB Marcus Mariota TEN = 209 passing yards, four touchdown passes and a lot of hope
RB Danny Woodhead SD = 42 rushing yards, four catches, 20 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Marcel Reece OAK = three catches, 26 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Karlos Williams BUF = 55 rushing yards, one touchdown
WR James Jones GB = Four catches, 51 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Percy Harvin BUF = Nine rushing yards, five catches, 79 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Travis Benjamin CLE =Â Three catches, 89 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Darren Fells ARI =Â Four catches, 82 receiving yards, one touchdown
“What!?! Did Murdock set this lineup?”
(The unexpectedly horrible lineup of the week)
QB Joe Flacco BAL = 117 passing yards, two interceptions
RB Darren McFadden DAL = 16 rushing yards, one catch, 13 receiving yards
RB Frank Gore IND = 31 rushing yards, two catches, 0 receiving yards
RB Isaiah Crowell CLE = 20 rushing yards, two catches, 13 receiving yards
WR Michael Floyd ARI = One catch, 18 receiving yards
WR DeSean Jackson WAS = No catches, one hurt hamstring
WR Sammy Watkins BUF = No catches and two healthy hamstrings
TE Greg Olsen CAR = One catch, 11 receiving yards
Gut Checks
I’d be worried if I owned C.J. Anderson. Ronnie Hillman just looks better at the moment and he could easily earn a timeshare here shortly.
I’d be worried if I owned Dez Bryant. The reason is both obvious and unfortunate.
I’d be worried if I owned Percy Harvin and wasn’t immediately looking to sell high. Or even sell at all.
I’d be worried if I owned Marqise Lee. Rashad Greene didn’t do a ton with the catches he made, but at least he made some catches – that’s more than we can usually say for the oft-injured Lee.
I’d be worried if I thought the Brandon Coleman touchdown was a fluke.
I’d be worried if I thought Tyrod Taylor couldn’t keep this up.
I’d be worried if I didn’t think Chris Ivory could be a good fantasy performer this year.
I’d be worried if I was counting on Rueben Randle.
I’d be worried if I’m re-thinking my picks of Adrian Peterson, Allen Robinson, Brandin Cooks or O’Dell Beckham. C’mon, gang. It’s ONE week.
I’d be worried if I owned Montee Ball. Still nothing going on with him. Ouch.
I’d be worried if I thought Tavon Austin was suddenly going to set the world on fire.
I’d be worried if I didn’t think Chris Johnson couldn’t do at least a little bit with Andre Ellington out.
I’d be worried if I was still looking for an early breakout from Jeff Janis.
I’d be worried if I didn’t think Jeremy Maclin could still be productive, even in Kansas City.
I’d be worried if I’m bailing on Davante Adams after the James Jones experience happened. Chill.
I’d be worried if I was counting on Justin Hunter for really anything.
I’d be worried if I was still sleeping on the potential for Stevie Johnson in San Diego.
I’d be worried if I still wasn’t planning on watching some re-runs of “The A-Team.”
I’d be worried if I owned Michael Floyd. John Brown has simply replaced him.
I’d be worried if I had given up on Keenan Allen.
I’d be worried if I owned Melvin Gordon. He’s going to be just fine, but Danny Woodhead isn’t going away any time soon.
I’d be worried if I didn’t think Donte Moncrief was going to be a significant player in the next few weeks.
I’d be worried if I didn’t think Travis Kelce was legit. I answered ONE lineup question this week and it was Kelce or Greg Olsen.  I thought Olsen would do better this week. Ouch and sorry! Yes, we make mistakes and have no problem calling ourselves out.
I’d be worried if I didn’t think Jarvis Landry couldn’t be a very significant player on a championship fantasy team.
I’d be worried if I was playing Rob Gronkowski or Julio Jones any week of the year. Geez.
I’d be worried if I didn’t think Julian Edelman wasn’t the least talked about total stud in PPR leagues.
I’d be worried if I owned Roy Helu. Inactive? Seriously!?!
I’d be worried if I owned Kenny Stills. Remember the problems Mike Wallace had last year with Ryan Tannehill? Yep.
I’d be worried if I owned Calvin Johnson. Not panicked yet, but still.
I’d be worried if I owned Peyton Manning. He’s one of my all time favorites in fantasy and reality, but it’s just not looking good.
I’d be worried if I owned Frank Gore or Andre Johnson. These two were supposed to be the missing links to the Colts this year, but they just seemed to be missing this week. Has Father Time caught up with them?
I’d be worried if I was counting on Eddie Royal too much, too early.
I’d be worried if I was overthinking the Doug Martin comeback year. Again. This is one game.
I’d be worried if I was counting on Coby Fleener. Yuck.
I’d be worried if I overspent to get Josh Hill.  Ouch.
I’d be worried if I was expecting to see the same early season performance from Steve Smith we saw last year.
I’d be worried if I thought Brandon Marshall was just going to go away quietly.
I’d be worried if I thought I had that whole Dallas running back thing figured out.
I’d be worried if I was expecting Phillip Dorsett was going to walk in shine immediately. Give him some time.
I’d be worried if I sold prematurely on Matt Forte this off-season.
I’d be worried if I thought DeAngelo Williams was a threat to Le’Veon Bell when he returns.
I’d be worried if I was counting on DeMarco Murray to give me what I got last year. Take out the touchdowns and last night was a mess.
I’d be worried if I was freaking out too much over Nelson Agholor’s egg laying on Monday Night Football.
I’d be worried if I owned Reggie Bush. That might be it.
I’d be worried if I was panicking too much about anyone this week. It’s easy to label players as “busts” or “studs” after one week, but it’s been just that – one week. There’s really no need to panic too much at this point in the season. Veteran dynasty league owners know this and feast on the less experienced. By all means, feast.
A Look Ahead to Hot Names on the Week Two Waiver Wire
Remember, we focus on the lesser names here who we haven’t mentioned much this season.  We’ve talked a ton about players like David Johnson, Richard Rodgers, Tyler Lockett, Brandon Coleman, Rashad Greene, Karlos Williams and other “hot” names you’ll find on other sites out there.
1.)Â Dion Lewis, RB NE
Trying to figure out who is going to run the ball in New England each week is like trying to figure out how “Face” really provided any value to the A-Team. Still, Lewis was great on Thursday night with 69 rushing yards, four catches and 51 receiving yards. With LeGarrette Blount back in the fold, it’s hard to say how the carries and catches are going to be distributed, but he’s certainly a player to have on a roster and hope week one’s performance wasn’t a fluke.
2.) James Jones, WR GB
If you ever wanted to know what a great quarterback can do for an average talent, look no further than the case study of James Jones and Aaron Rodgers. Jones was a colossal flop in Oakland and couldn’t make the Giants as their WR5, but he signs in Green Bay as a replacement for the injured Jordy Nelson and all of a sudden he’s catching touchdowns again. I wouldn’t count on him, nor would I play him over Davante Adams, but this is a situation to monitor. It’s like putting bacon on vegetables. Suddenly, they’re great.
3.) Travis Benjamin, WR CLE
When Travis Benjamin is your WR1, your team is not good. The Cleveland Browns have Travis Benjamin as their WR1. They’re not good.
4.) Darren Fells, TE ARI
I really don’t believe in Fells long-term, but if you had a free spot, you could do worse. He’s primarily a blocker, but Bruce Arians can make players valuable in a hurry if he likes them. Unfortunately, I think this is likely going to be his best game all season. Just make sure you don’t confuse him with Norman Fell from Three’s Company fame – that would be an embarrassing pickup.
Players I’m resisting any type of urge to add: Marcel Reece (inconsistent), Jerricho Cotchery (he’s still Jerricho Cotchery), Rishard Matthews (Landry’s the guy), Matt McGloin (we’ve seen this before), Chris Owusu (the concussions scare me), Ted Ginn, Jr. (I’m just kind of done here).
Projection Fun
Since it’s so much fun to manipulate some data, let’s crunch some numbers after the opening weekend.
- Tom Brady is on pace for 64 touchdown passes this season, with 48 of them going to Rob Gronkowski.
- Marcus Mariota is also on pace for 64 touchdown passes on just 256 attempts.
- Philip Rivers is on pace for 6,464 passing yards.
- Matt Forte is on pace for 2,256 rushing yards this season on a healthy 384 carries.
- Keenan Allen is on pace for 2,656 receiving yards, 240 catches and 272 targets. I feel like he may fall just shy on at least two of those three.
- Isaiah Crowell is on pace for 320 rushing yards this year.
- Adrian Peterson is on pace for just 496 rushing yards as well.
- DeAngelo Williams is on pace for 2,032 rushing yards this year.
- DeMarco Murray rushed for 1,845 yards last season. He’s on pace for 144 this year.
- Jordan Matthews is on pace for 160 receptions.
- Carlos Hyde is on pace for 2,688 rushing yards.
- Sam Bradford is on pace for 832 pass attempts.
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 is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
