The Dynasty Aftermath: Gardenscapes

Ken Kelly Posted On October 9, 2018

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. Expect it each and every week.

I’ve written this column for over a decade and I always forget how much I truly enjoy it. I love combing through the stats of the week, putting together ridiculous lineups, finding waiver wire gems, picking MVPs/LVPs and discussing things to worry about.

That’s not all.

I also really love sharing little bits of my life with the community of DLF and picking a theme for this column each week. This year, I’m going off the rails a bit. I’m not just exclusively choosing movies or TV shows and sticking with them. I’m simply picking something relevant, wacky or whatever may come into my mind each given week. My hope is each week will at least be interesting in some way and hopefully make you laugh a few times along the way.

I’ve always been a bit of a gamer. If you’ve read this column for any amount of time, you know I spent many hours indoors all Summer when I was kid due to some really wicked allergies. In that time, I grew to love Super Mario Bros., Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out and so many more NES games. I don’t have time to play console games because of all my other responsibilities these days. However, I’ve somehow found a new obsession that has taken over my life.

Enter Gardenscapes.

To put it in simple terms, Gardenscapes is a “Match Three” app that promises to give you fun times as you solve puzzles and re-create a garden. It’s something to pass the time on a car ride or as you sit around the house. Instead, this app actually consumes your life, takes up any element of free time you have, frustrates you to all-end and could even have you considering taking out a second mortgage for just one more power-up. In the middle of an Email downloading? Yep, there’s time for a round! Stopped at a long light? At least two moves. Need to pee? Sit down and get a round in. Yep, I’m not kidding.

After my kids showed me this app two years ago, I currently sit at level 2,488. Realistically, I haven’t spent more than maybe $10 in that time but I’ve thought about spending much more and am not sure if I need to be proud or embarrassed by my accomplishments. The scary thing is I have no idea how I’m going to react if and when I get to the end. I think I’ll feel like Kramer when the Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant closes.

Try it if you want, but this thing is like crack for your phone.

Week Five Fantasy MVP

I could give this award to Todd Gurley just about every week at this point. The award could also go to James Conner or OBJ this week as well. Instead, I’ll go with a player who was a true difference maker this week if he was inserted into lineups – Eric Ebron of the Indianapolis Colts. Ebron erupted for nine catches, 105 receiving yards and two scores. Ebron has always had tremendous potential and this year seems to be a bit of a coming out party for him.

Week Five Fantasy LVP

After averaging over 34 PPR fantasy points per game over the first month of the season, Alvin Kamara came back to earth with a huge thud as he posted just 24 rushing yards, three catches and 15 scoreless receiving yards. The return of Mark Ingram obviously caused a massive shift in workload that has to concern his owners. However, it’s not time to panic. While Kamara may not be the fantasy dynamo we saw the first few games, he’ll still find game scripts more geared to him and the expectation is that while he lost a ton of work to Ingram, that was mostly due to the Saints wanting to get Ingram back in shape and give Kamara some rest. Things should even out over the next few weeks.

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Lineup Fun

We’re adding something fun again this week! Our own Ryan McDowell had a great suggestion this year. If you fielded any of the lineups below, let us know and you’ll get a free three months of DLF Premium. We just need the league ID and a screenshot to verify and you’re off an running. The first three to respond would win!

The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week

QB Drew Brees NO = 363 passing yards, three touchdowns, one serious broken record
RB James Conner PIT  = 110 rushing yards, four receptions, 75 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Todd Gurley LAR  = 77 rushing yards, four receptions, 36 receiving yards, three touchdowns
RB Saquon Barkley NYG  = 48 rushing yards, four receptions, 81 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Odell Beckham Jr. NYG = Eight receptions, 131 receiving yards, 57 passing yards, two touchdowns
WR Davante Adams GB = Nine receptions, 140 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Antonio Brown PIT = Six receptions, 101 receiving yards, two touchdowns
TE Eric Ebron IND = Nine catches, 105 receiving yards, two touchdowns

The Underdog Lineup of the Week

QB Case Keenum DEN = 377 passing yards, two touchdowns, one interception
RB Isaiah Crowell NYJ = 219 rushing yards, one reception, 12 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB TJ Yeldon JAX = 53 rushing yards, eight receptions, 69 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Kenyan Drake MIA = 46 rushing yards, seven receptions, 69 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Robby Anderson NYJ = Three receptions, 123 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Tre’Quan Smith NO = Three receptions, 111 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR David Moore SEA = Three receptions, 38 receiving yards, two touchdowns (though we did suggest him as a waiver add LAST week)
TE Niles Paul JAX= Seven catches, 65 receiving yards

The Disappointing Lineup of the Week

QB Marcus Mariota TEN = 129 passing yards, one interception
RB Nick Chubb CLE = Two rushing yards
RB Corey Grant JAX = Eight rushing yards, one bad foot injury
RB Jay Ajayi PHI = 29 rushing yards, one catch, five receiving yards, one torn ACL
WR Doug Baldwin SEA = One catch, one receiving yard
WR Amari Cooper OAK = One catch, ten receiving yards
WR Will Fuller HOU = Two catches, 15 receiving yards
TE Vance McDonald PIT = One catch, six receiving yards

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I owned Alvin Kamara. Look, he’s amazing. However, as I said above, his massive workload may have been fun while it lasted.

I’d be worried if I was playing against Adam Thielen. His name doesn’t carry the same weight as Antonio Brown, OBJ, DeAndre Hopkins and a few others. However, I’d be hard pressed to take anybody over him at this point. The consistency he’s been showing is truly amazing.

I’d be worried if I owned James Conner and didn’t have a plan on what my next steps were.

I’d be worried if I owned Brandin Cooks. Let’s not forget he was knocked out of the Super Bowl as well.

I’d be worried if I didn’t think ahead two moves in dynasty leagues and Gardenscapes.

I’d be worried if I was relying on any Green Bay running back.

I’d be worried if I owned Pierre Garcon.

I’d be worried if I was only looking at the box scores in terms of Courtland Sutton’s development.

I’d be worried if I didn’t use my power-ups strategically.

I’d be worried if I owned Blake Bortles.

I’d be worried if I was still holding on to CJ Anderson.

I’d be worried if I was relying on Willie Snead.

I’d be worried if I was starting Josh Gordon.

I’d be worried if I didn’t make it all the way to unlocking the horse stable in your garden.

I’d be worried if I was expecting more from Latavius Murray.

I’d be worried if I owned Dalvin Cook. Things are pretty slow developing here.

I’d be worried if I didn’t have Cooper Kupp in my lineup every week.

I’d be worried if I didn’t agonize over what to name my fake dog on Gardenscapes.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t paying attention to what TJ Yeldon is doing with an opportunity.

I’d be worried if I was relying on any Tennessee Titan. Marcus Mariota has been awful in just about every way.

I’d be worried if I had dropped Greg Olsen.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t hoping for a DeVante Parker trade at this point.

Ditto for LeSean McCoy.

I’d be worried if I had ignored all the buzz on Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

I’d be worried if I didn’t strategically hit “go” when you have an hour of unlimited lives. Don’t do it before your commute! It’s a waste.

I’d be worried if I didn’t own an elite tight end. It’s kind of a wasteland at the moment.

I’d be worried if I didn’t think Julian Edelman was going to be a major factor this year.

I’d be worried if I was still holding out hope for Laquon Treadwell.

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 already rostered like Antonio Callaway, Gio Bernard, Keke Coutee or Aaron Jones. Pay close attention because we tend to be ahead of the curve. Make sure you also check out our in-depth column on the wire this week. I’m going to focus on a few players not mentioned in that column so we’re not redundant.

Jamaal Charles, RB JAX

Look, I don’t believe Charles is in for a resurgence. However, Leonard Fournette just can’t stay healthy, Corey Grant is out for the year and Charles could be one TJ Yeldon injury away from relevance.

Josh Adams, RB PHI

The loss of Jay Ajayi could open up an opportunity for Adams.

Niles Paul, TE JAX

Another injury (this time to ASJ) gives us another streaming option.

Roc Thomas, RB MIN

I just feel like Dalvin Cook isn’t right and the Vikings really like Thomas. He’s a deep stash for sure but one to at least keep an eye on.

Previous suggestions: Jonnu Smith, Ian Thomas, Will Dissly, Geronimo Allison, Phillip Dorsett, Phillip Lindsay, Brandon Marshall, Austin Carr, Shaun Wilson, Jakeem Grant, Corey Grant, Tyler Boyd, Taywan Taylor, Mark Walton. CJ Beathard, Rhett Ellison, Wendell Smallwood, Jeremy McNichols, Robert Turbin, David Moore.

That’s it! I have to move on to level 2,489.

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK