The Dynasty Aftermath: Stranger Things

Ken Kelly

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. As you know, this year I’m covering movies I loved growing up and tying them into fantasy football. However, I’m taking a one week hiatus from it since it’s Halloween and instead, focusing on a show I love right now, Stranger Things.

Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. If you haven’t watched it, the first season is set in the 80s and focuses on the search for a missing young boy. Along the way, his friends find a girl with some mysterious powers and things start to get a little nuts from there. In short, this is like Stand by Me with a monster who has no eyes.

This show is perfect for this column since some “Stranger Things” are happening in the league right now. I mean, seriously, who went home from work last night and thought Jimmy Garropolo, Kelvin Benjamin and Jay Ajayi would all have new homes today? The fantasy world has entered the upside down and it starts with the epic emergence of this week’s MVP.

Week Eight Fantasy MVP

In my eleven years of doing this, I simply can’t recall a rookie quarterback doing something like what Deshaun Watson is doing. When Nick Saban, Andy Reid, Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick all have their chances to stop you and nobody can figure out how, that’s saying something. Watson turned in another epic performance with 402 passing yards, 67 rushing yards, and four touchdowns this week at what is widely considered the toughest place to play up in Seattle. On the season, Watson now has 1,699 passing yards and 21 touchdowns in just seven games. There may be a handful of other quarterbacks you want to build a dynasty team around but that number is getting smaller and smaller by the week.

Week Eight Fantasy LVP

The Wendell Smallwood era in Philadelphia came to a close with a resounding thud as he was given just two touches this week, then had his spot on the depth chart knocked down another peg with the addition of Ajayi. For a player many had real hopes for this season, it’s been a really quick burn. Smallwood is no better than third on the depth chart in Philadelphia now and there’s not much hope for short-term production moving forward. He now finds himself squarely in the “upside down.”

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Lineup Fun

Eleven’s Unbeatable Lineup of the Week

QB Russell Wilson SEA = 452 passing yards, 30 rushing yards, four touchdowns, one interception
RB LeSean McCoy BUF = 151 rushing yards, six catches, 22 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Jerick McKinnon MIN = 50 rushing yards, six catches, 72 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Ezekiel Elliott DAL = 150 rushing yards, one reception, four receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR DeAndre Hopkins HOU = Eight catches, 224 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Will Fuller HOU = Five catches, 125 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Adam Thielen MIN = Five catches, 98 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Travis Kelce KC = Seven catches, 133 receiving yards, one touchdown

Will Byers’ Underdog Lineup of the Week

QB Josh McCown NYJ= 257 passing yards, two touchdowns
RB DeAndre Washington OAK = 26 rushing yards, eight catches, 62 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Isaiah Crowell CLE = 64 rushing yards, four catches, 54 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Rex Burkhead NE = 15 rushing yards, seven catches, 68 receiving yards
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster PIT = Seven receptions, 193 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Paul Richardson SEA = Six receptions, 105 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Jamison Crowder WAS = Nine receptions, 123 receiving yards
TE Jack Doyle IND = 12 catches, 121 receiving yards, one touchdown

Martin Brenner’s  Disappointing Lineup of the Week

QB Jameis Winston TB = 210 passing yards, two interceptions
RB Wendell Smallwood PHI = Five rushing yards, one catch, nine receiving yards
RB Mike Gillislee NE = 34 rushing yards
RB Latavius Murray MIN = 39 rushing yards, one catch, eight receiving yards
WR Deonte Thompson BUF = One catch, five receiving yards
WR Devin Funchess CAR = Two catches, 11 receiving yards
WR Pierre Garcon = Two catches, 17 receiving yards
TE Jordan Reed WAS = One catch, five receiving yards

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I owned Jordan Matthews. The stunning trade of Kelvin Benjamin certainly doesn’t help him.

I’d be worried if I hadn’t handcuffed Ezekiel Elliott if I was really counting on him.

I’d be worried if I was playing against Russell Wilson. He may be even more dangerous now that he has a legitimate left tackle.

I’d be worried if I was relying on Demaryius Thomas. This quarterback situation is bad.

I’d be worried if my kids were talking about seeing a Demogorgon.

I’d be worried if I thought I was going to get anything out of Phillip Dorsett this year.

I’d be worried if I was playing against DeAndre Hopkins right about now.

I’d be worried if I was relying on any Redskins player outside of Chris Thompson. Talk about Stranger Things.

I’d be worried if I never checked my basement where my kids hang out.

I’d be worried if I was buying the idea that LeGarrette Blount was going to hold off Jay Ajayi.

I’d be worried if I hadn’t thrown in the towel on Kenny Britt and Terrelle Pryor.

I’d be worried if thought going inside a tree that looks like it has a cocoon from Gremlins on it was a good idea.

I’d be worried if I thought Drew Brees had lost it. The Saints are actually playing defense.

I’d be worried if I thought I had the New England backfield figured out. Again. For the fifth time this year. Bill Belichick is the fantasy football Demogorgon.

I’d be worried if I was hoping to get something out of David Johnson the rest of the year.

I’d be worried if I lived in a town with a mysterious science lab.

I’d be worried if I had any Dolphins skill players at the moment. That offense looks awful.

I’d be worried if I was counting on CJ Beathard panning out.

I’d be worried if I was hoping for more from Ameer Abdullah.

I’d be worried if my kids had a friend with constant bloody noses.

I’d be worried if I STILL wasn’t really evaluating the value of Will Fuller.

I’d be worried if I owned CJ Anderson.

I’d be worried if I had Martavis Bryant. Hello, JuJu!

I’d be worried if I had Christmas lights that gave me messages from another world.

I’d be worried if I was still underestimating Adam Thielen.

I’d be worried if I had any Eagles running back outside of Jay Ajayi.

I’d be worried if I overpay for Kenyan Drake.

I’d be worried if I rode my bike anywhere alone at night anymore. And I’m 41.

I’d be worried if I owned Trevor Siemian.

A Look Ahead to Hot Names on the Waiver Wire

Remember, we focus on the lesser names here. There’s really no need to be telling people of your skill level to pick up players you undoubtedly have like Tarik Cohen, Marlon Mack, Allen Hurns, Wayne Gallman or Kenny Golladay already rostered.  Pay close attention because we tend to be ahead of the curve. Remember also that you need to have space for deep projects – don’t start dropping known commodities. I’m also assuming Kenyan Drake is owned in your leagues.

1.) Damien Williams, RB MIA

As I mentioned in the rundown of the Jay Ajayi deal, I really think Williams is getting overlooked.

2.) Chad Kelly, QB DEN

This is admittedly deep. However, just really think about it. It’s not hard to envision a scenario where he plays at some point soon.

3.) Tre McBride, WR CHI

There have been few bright spots for the Bears wideouts but McBride is starting to really come on.

Previous suggestions: Chris Moore, Matt Moore, Deonte Thompson, AJ Derby, Brett Hundley, CJ Beathard, Dion Lewis, Bennie Fowler, Roger Lewis, Nick O’Leary, Kevin Hogan, Ricardo Louis, Bryce Treggs, Brice Butler, EJ Manuel, Aaron Jones, Eddie Lacy,Thomas Rawls, JD McKissic, Tyler Kroft, Tyler Higbee, “Smasher” from Over the Top, Jesse James, Mike Tolbert, Kerwynn Williams, Andre Ellington, Orleans Darkwa, Buck Allen, Tommylee Lewis, Markus Wheaton, Geronimo Allison, Keelan Cole, Mack Brown, Malcolm Brown, Alex Collins, Corey Clement, Elijah McGuire, Ryan Griffin, Devin Funchess

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ken kelly