The Year-End Dynasty Aftermath: Where have you gone, Super Mario?

Ken Kelly Posted On January 1, 2019

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.

Like most people do, I’ve turned into my parents. As I try to get my son to stop playing Fortnite, I do my best to remember the “good ol’ days” when I played the original Nintendo Entertainment System with games like Super Mario Bros. You know, when you could just get a cartridge, put it into a machine and actually play? It’s so unlike today’s world where you have to update games, connect to the Internet, sign-in to an account, choose not to purchase in-game upgrades, then contemplate if you want to play against someone named “Wolfman62.” It’s ridiculous. Give me some Italian Plumbers who like to jump on mushrooms and save princesses over any of this new stuff. Those young whipper snappers!

In short, it was a simpler time.

So, what does this reference really teach us? Don’t make dynasty fantasy football overcomplicated. While it’s certainly advantageous to follow us at DLF and do the research all off-season, it’s also easy to outthink yourself over the next week or so. If you have a team you love that didn’t win this season, it’s time to tinker but not blow it up. While the disappointment of not winning a title this year may be really raw right now, keep things in perspective. A lot of things can make a great team lose, including injuries, schedule anomalies and just plain bad luck. Just remember it’s a lot easier to build a loser than a winner – don’t turn Super Mario Bros. into Shaq-Fu.

On to the playoff and year-end mega edition. I decided to go jumbo sized after the championship weeks and add some off-season gut checks.

Let’s get to it!

Week Sixteen Fantasy MVP

Prior to the odd week seventeen benching, Antonio Brown posted monster 14-catch, 185-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Saints that likely sewed up a fantasy title or two for his owners. It was a bit of an odd season for Brown, who had some mediocre performances but saved his best for last.

Week Seventeen Fantasy MVP

There are few difference makers at tight end, but leagues who had title games in week seventeen saw George Kittle post a ridiculous nine catches for 149 yards and a touchdown to put an exclamation point on his breakout season.

Week Sixteen Fantasy LVP

Tarik Cohen had his fair share of ups and down this year, but clearly picked the worst possible time to lay an egg with just 19 total yards against a suspect 49ers team.

Week Seventeen Fantasy LVP

Nick Chubb enjoyed a monster second half, establishing himself as a RB1 moving forward. Unfortunately, he fell short of a 1,000 yard season after posting just 24 rushing yards against a stout Ravens defense. Ouch.

2018 Fantasy MVP

As always, there are several candidates for this award. My vote goes to Patrick Mahomes, who shook off a rough preseason to throw for an amazing 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns, becoming the QB1 in dynasty in the process. There were many who believed in his talent, but nobody could have seen this coming.

2018 Fantasy LVP

As always, there are tons of candidates for this award as well. However, my vote goes to Leonard Fournette, who was injured (again), ineffective (3.3 yards per carry) and apparently disrespectful the final week, making the Jaguars void his guarantees. Fournette is clearly expected back, but he needs a bounce back campaign in the worst way after playing in just 21 career games and averaging less than four yards per carry in his first two seasons.

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Lineup Fun

The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week for Week 16

QB Aaron Rodgers GB = 442 passing yards, 32 rushing yards, four total touchdowns
RB Christian McCaffrey CAR = 101 rushing yards, 12 catches, 77 receiving yards
RB Jamaal Williams GB = 95 rushing yards, six catches, 61 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Alvin Kamara NO = 23 rushing yards, four catches, 82 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Antonio Brown PIT = 14 catches, 185 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Robby Anderson NYJ = Nine catches, 140 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Robert Woods LAR = 15 rushing yards, six catches, 89 receiving yards, two touchdowns
TE Zach Ertz PHI = 12 catches, 110 receiving yards, two touchdowns

The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week for Week 17

QB Josh Allen BUF = 224 passing yards, 95 rushing yards, five touchdowns, one interception
RB Saquon Barkley NYG = 109 rushing yards, four catches, 33 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Jordan Howard CHI = 109 rushing yards, one catch, five receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Chris Carson SEA = 122 rushing yards, one catch, seven receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Tyreek Hill KC = Five catches, 101 receiving yards, 15 rushing yards, two touchdowns
WR Chris Godwin TB = Six catches, 114 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Julio Jones ATL = Nine catches, 138 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE George Kittle SF = Seven catches, 149 receiving yards, one touchdown

The Unbeatable Lineup of the Year

QB Patrick Mahomes KC = 5,097 passing yards, 272 rushing yards, 52 total touchdowns, 12 interceptions
RB Christian McCaffrey CAR = 1,098 rushing yards, 107 catches, 867 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns
RB Saquon Barkley NYG = 1,307 rushing yards, 91 catches, 721 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns
RB Todd Gurley LAR = 1,251 rushing yards, 59 catches, 580 receiving yards, 21 touchdowns
WR Tyreek Hill KC = 87 catches, 1,479 receiving yards, 151 rushing yards, 14 total touchdowns
WR DeAndre Hopkins HOU = 115 catches, 1,572 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns
WR Davante Adams GB = 111 catches, 1,386 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns
TE Travis Kelce KC = 103 catches, 1,336 receiving yards, ten touchdowns

The Underdog Lineup of the Week for Week 16

QB Sam Darnold NYJ = 341 passing yards, three touchdowns
RB CJ Anderson LAR = 167 rushing yards, one catch, -5 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Damien Williams KC = 103 rushing yards, seven catches, 37 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Elijah McGuire NYJ = 35 rushing yards, three catches, 50 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Nelson Agholor PHI = Five catches, 116 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Mohamed Sanu ATL = Five catches, 81 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Chester Rogers IND = Seven catches, 54 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Chris Herndon NYJ = Six catches, 82 receiving yards, one touchdown

The Underdog Lineup of the Week for Week 17

QB Kyle Allen CAR = 228 passing yards, 19 rushing yards, three touchdowns
RB CJ Anderson LAR = 132 rushing yards, three catches, 22 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Zach Zenner DET = 93 rushing yards, one catch, 30 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Alfred Morris SF = 11 rushing yards, one catch, four receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Zay Jones BUF = Six catches, 93 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Antonio Callaway CLE = Four catches, 79 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Cody Latimer NYG = Four catches, 72 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Blake Jarwin DAL = Seven catches, 119 receiving yards, three touchdowns

The Underdog Lineup of the Year

QB Baker Mayfield CLE = 3,725 passing yards, 131 rushing yards, 27 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, immeasurable hope
RB James Conner PIT = 973 rushing yards, 55 catches, 497 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns
RB Phillip Lindsay DEN = 1,037 rushing yards, 35 catches, 241 receiving yards, ten touchdowns
RB Chris Carson SEA = 1,151 rushing yards, 20 catches, 163 receiving yards, nine touchdowns
WR Tyler Boyd CIN = 76 catches, 1,028 receiving yards, seven touchdowns
WR Kenny Golladay DET = 70 catches, 1,063 receiving yards, five touchdowns
WR Calvin Ridley ATL = 64 catches, 821 receiving yards, ten touchdowns
TE Eric Ebron IND = 66 catches, 750 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns

The Disappointing Lineup of the Week for Week 16

QB Philip Rivers LAC = 181 passing yards, two interceptions
RB Tarik Cohen CHI = 12 rushing yards, one catch, seven receiving yards
RB Matt Breida SF = 20 rushing yards, one catch, six receiving yards
RB LeSean McCoy BUF = Nine rushing yards, three catches, ten receiving yards
WR Mike Williams LAC = One catch, seven receiving yards, four rushing yards
WR Amari Cooper DAL = Four catches, 20 receiving yards
WR Chris Godwin TB = Three catches, 39 receiving yards
TE Cameron Brate TB = Two catches, eight receiving yards

The Disappointing Lineup of the Week for Week 17

QB Aaron Rodgers GB = 26 passing yards
RB Nick Chubb CLE = 24 rushing yards, two catches, -4 receiving yards
RB Sony Michel NE = 50 rushing yards
RB Gus Edwards BAL = 76 rushing yards
WR John Ross CIN = One catch, one receiving yard
WR Courtland Sutton DEN = One catch, 25 receiving yards
WR Robert Woods LAR = Two catches, 24 receiving yards, one rushing yard
TE Rob Gronkowski NE = Two catches, 24 receiving yards

The Disappointing Lineup of the Year

QB Marcus Mariota TEN = 2,528 passing yards, 357 rushing yards, 13 total touchdowns, 11 turnovers
RB Leonard Fournette JAX = 439 rushing yards, 26 catches, 185 receiving yards, six touchdowns
RB Ronald Jones TB = 44 rushing yards, seven catches, 33 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Kareem Hunt KC = 824 rushing yards, 26 catches, 378 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns, one lost career
WR Josh Gordon NE = 40 catches, 720 receiving yards, three touchdowns, another lost career
WR Kelvin Benjamin KC = 25 catches, 380 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Allen Hurns DAL = 20 catches, 295 receiving yards, two touchdowns
TE Rob Gronkowski NE = 47 catches, 682 receiving yards, three touchdowns

Off-Season Gut Checks

Quarterbacks

I’d be worried if I failed to acquire Patrick Mahomes before the season. Well, that bargain window closed.

I’d be worried if I owned Ben Roethlisberger. You feel like every season could really be his last.

I’d be worried if I sold low on Andrew Luck this off-season.

I’d be worried if I thought the injury to Deshaun Watson was going to regress post-injury.

I’d be worried if I owned Tom Brady. I think the regression is a little overblown but that wasn’t a great year and he’s aging.

I’d be worried if I had Kirk Cousins as my QB1. Not really what the Vikings envisioned.

I’d be worried if I owned Cam Newton. I feel like we’re going to hear more surgery is needed.

I’d be worried if I had Case Keenum. I can’t imagine he’s starting next year.

I’d be worried if I owned Jameis Winston. He’ll get one more year but I have yet to see a difference making fantasy player in him.

I’d be worried if I owned Andy Dalton. A new regime leaves his future in doubt.

I’d be worried if I owned Marcus Mariota. That season was abysmal.

I’d be worried if I owned Ryan Tannehill. I can’t imagine a scenario where the Dolphins don’t move on.

I’d be worried if I owned Joe Flacco. This is Lamar Jackson‘s team now.

I’d be worried if I owned Jimmy Garappolo. Lost in the fact he was injured is the fact he hadn’t exactly been tremendous.

I’d be worried if I didn’t think Teddy Bridgewater was going to get one more shot.

I’d be worried if I was overreacting to any of the rookie quarterbacks performances, or lack thereof.

Running Backs

I’d be worried if I owned Le’Veon Bell. While it may seem easy to say he’s going to be an elite RB1 when he comes back, it’s no given. Don’t underestimate the Pittsburgh offense.

I’d be worried if I owned James Conner, Kenyan Drake, Devonta Freeman, Marlon Mack, Lamar Miller, Aaron Jones, Matt Breida, Peyton Barber, LeSean McCoy, Doug Martin, Sony Michel, Gus Edwards, Elijah McGuire, Josh Adams, Spencer Ware, Adrian Peterson or Jordan Howard. Just because you have a starting running back at the moment doesn’t mean you will when the season starts next year. The only starters I really feel comfortable with knowing their roles with any degree of real certainty (a dangerous and unrealistic thing in fantasy football) are Nick Chubb (Browns), Joe Mixon (Bengals), Derrick Henry (Titans), Melvin Gordon (Chargers), Phillip Lindsay (Broncos), Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys), Saquon Barkley (Giants), Dalvin Cook (Vikings), Kerryon Johnson (Lions), Alvin Kamara (Saints), Christian McCaffrey (Panthers), Todd Gurley (Rams), Chris Carson (Seahawks) and David Johnson (Cardinals). This position changes more than any other and I’d be really concerned about making any trades before the draft and free agency period is over.

I’d be worried if I owned Leonard Fournette. Note he’s not on the list above. I have serious concerns about his health and the commitment the Jaguars really may have in regards to his future. He has great talent but this was clearly a step back this season.

I’d be worried if I invested a high rookie pick in Royce Freeman, Rashaad Penny, Ronald Jones or Derrius Guice. If there was ever a draft to prove there are no such things as “sure things” when it comes to the running back position, last year looks like the one.

Wide Receiver

I’d be worried if I owned Adam Thielen. Look, it was a great year. However, he had nine 100-yard games and only one of those came after week eight.

I’d be worried if I was overvaluing Amari Cooper. Be careful of the two games where he just exploded.

I’d be worried if I owned Larry Fitzgerald. I hope it’s not the end.

I’d be worried if I owned Corey Davis. He’s clearly talented but that is a terrible offense for him.

I’d be worried if I owned Sterling Shepard. The inconsistency is just maddening.

I’d be worried if I owned Demaryius Thomas or Emmanuel Sanders. That injury is hard to come back from if you’re young.

I’d be worried if I was still holding on to Josh Gordon.

I’d be worried if I owned Devante Parker. A change of scenery is needed but I’m keeping my hopes low.

I’d be worried if I owned Antonio Callaway. The most dangerous thing for him right now? Free time.

I’d be worried if I owned Michael Crabtree. A total of 607 yards and three touchdowns isn’t very inspiring.

I’d be worried if I still held Sammy Watkins in high regard.

I’d be worried if I thought I had the Green Bay receiving corps figured out.

Ditto for the Patriots.

I’d be worried if I owned Josh Doctson.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring the late season surges from Dante Pettis, DaeSean Hamilton and Robert Foster.

I’d be worried if I owned John Ross.

I’d be worried if I owned Laquon Treadwell. It’s just not going to happen.

I’d be worried if I owned Paul Richardson. Not exactly the breakout we had hoped for even before the injury.

I’d be worried if I was still holding on to Terrelle Pryor.

I’d be worried if I was giving up on any rookie receiver.

Tight End

I’d be worried if I didn’t own Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz or George Kittle. Even with the breakout from Eric Ebron, they still gave teams a huge advantage.

I’d be worried if I expected a repeat season next year from Jared Cook.

I’d be worried if I owned Trey Burton. He was fine, but not an incredible difference maker.

I’d be worried if I owned Jimmy Graham. He just looks like a shell of himself.

I’d be worried if I owned Greg Olsen. He says he wants to come back but broadcasting could sound pretty good.

I’d be worried if I owned Rob Gronkowski. Speaking of looking like a shell of themselves.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring how good OJ Howard was before going down.

..and finally

I’d be worried if I wasn’t checking DLF every day until next season starts. This is the time where we really hit our stride.

Thanks for reading, gang! Happy New Year!

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Author
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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