The Dynasty Aftermath: The Time We Hid A Friend in the Trunk at the Drive-In
Editor’s Note: With the NFL schedule being so crazy this season, I would have posted three different Dynasty Aftermath articles in an eleven day span based on the NFL scheudle. Rather than bore you to death and be redundant on the gut checks with two days between games, I combined week fourteen and fifteen this week since we finally have a good window of days between games. I’ll do another for week 16 and likely turn to a year-end version since few teams play in week 17. Enjoy!
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 fifteen years and I really do enjoy it. I love combing through the stats of the week, putting together ridiculous lineups, 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. You really never know what you’re going to get. In fact, I’ll reserve the right to change my theme ideas if something cool happens like my friend peeing their pants at the Goodwill. If you missed one this year, click below:
Week One: The time I ordered The Peloton
Week Two: The time I went Vegan
Week Three: The time I went snowboarding without a Sherpa
Week Four: The time I found my Lack of Mystical Kung-Fu Powers
Week Five: The time my Mom thought she was going to prison for Bootlegging
Week Six: The time my Cousin’s friend turned into Lee Harvey Oswald
Week Seven: The Time I turned into Ben Matlock in Juvenile Court
Week Eight: Election Day
Week Nine: A Tribute to Alex Trebek
Week Ten: The time my Cousin got his Head stuck at the Bowling Alley
Week Eleven: A Thanksgiving Tribute
Week Twelve: The Time an F-150 Tried to Play Centerfield
Week Thirteen: The Beer Mile
I always think back to my childhood and try to link things back to fantasy football. One of my favorite memories was going to see The Empire Strikes Back at our local Drive-In Theater when I was a kid. We (like so many other towns) had a two-screen Drive-In and it was a great place to go on a Friday night to watch a Double Feature.
I saw a picture of a Drive-In Theater this week and it reminded me of the time my Sister and I finally realized we weren’t geniuses. I’ve told you all many times that we didn’t grow up rich. We made ends meet and always got whatever we worked for (how my Mom and Dad pulled that off I’ll never know). However, going to the Drive-In wasn’t cheap and there was no way to sneak in.
One night, my Sister, her friend Deadra and I decided we wanted to meet up with friends at the Drive-In. Tickets for movies back then were $5 and between the three of us, we could only scrounge up $12. It was then when we came up with the plan of all plans – we stuck Deadra in the trunk, made the trek to the Drive-In and told her to knock every few minutes as a proof of life. She was a gymnast, so she was able to contort herself into the tiny trunk.
As the three Einsteins reached the payment kiosk, the attendant looked in the car and said, “OK, looks like that will be ten bucks.” My sister and I just laughed. We said, “It’s just ten bucks for two? Cool, thanks.” Her response was classic. “Yes, it’s always $10 for a carload.” *&%$. It hit us. Yep. Deadra hid in the trunk of a 1980 Honda Prelude for 45 minutes for us only to realize she never had to hide in the first place. We then had to get in, park, open the trunk, then do the walk of shame to the Snack Bar, where we spent our final $2 and had all our friends ask us why we had trunk friends. Unbelievable.
So, what does this have to do with football and championship week? Don’t leave anything in the trunk. Don’t overthink things and get cute with your lineups. Play your studs and let the chips fall where they may. After all, you may not be Einstein.
Week Fifteen MVP
For those of you brave enough to start Jalen Hurts, you were likely rewarded with a trip to the fantasy finals. Hurts was even better this week than last as he posted 338 passing yards, 63 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a shootout of former Sooner quarterbacks with Arizona’s Kyler Murray. If he plays this well to end the season, there are going to be some very interesting conversations in Philadelphia.
Week Fourteen MVP
Derrick Henry is a total joke. With 215 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Jacksonville, he posted his second 200-yard and two touchdown performance of the year. You can complain about the lack of pass catching, but every other owner in your league would love to have that “problem.”
Week Fifteen LVP
Keenan Allen has been incredible this season. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury slowed him down during practice last week. However, he told fantasy owners not to sit him right before the game, then ended up being a decoy on TNF with one catch for 17 yards. It just didn’t seem like Allen was in the holiday spirit and that was like coal in my stocking.
Week Fourteen LVP
Deebo Samuel just can’t shake the injury bug. After a nine-yard carry in week fourteen, it looks like his season may be over. Samuel looks like a buy low this off-season, but the injuries are a serious concern.
The Unbeatable Lineup of Week 15
QB Jalen Hurts PHI = 338 passing yards, 63 rushing yards, four touchdowns
RB David Montgomery CHIÂ = 146 rushing yards, one catch, 16 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Dalvin Cook MIN = 132 rushing yards, five catches, 27 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Derrick Henry TEN = 147 rushing yards, two catches, five receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Calvin Ridley ATL = Ten catches, 163 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR DeAndre Hopkins ARI = Nine catches, 169 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Marvin Jones DET = Ten catches, 112 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Darren Waller LV = Nine catches, 150 receiving yards, one touchdown
The Unbeatable Lineup of Week 14
QB Aaron Rodgers GB = 290 passing yards, four touchdowns
RB Derrick Henry TEN = 215 rushing yards, two catches, seven receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Jonathan Taylor IND = 150 rushing yards, two catches, 15 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Miles Sanders PHI = 115 rushing yards, four catches, 21 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Stefon Diggs BUF = Ten catches, 130 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Allen Robinson CHI = Nine catches, 123 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Calvin Ridley ATL = Eight catches, 124 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Travis Kelce KC = Eight catches, 136 receiving yards, one touchdown
The Underdog Lineup of Week 15
QB Matt Ryan ATL = 356 passing yards, threee touchdowns
RB Tony Pollard DAL = 69 rushing yards, six catches, 63 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB JD McKissic WAS = 51 rushing yards, nine catches, 56 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB David Johnson HOU = 27 rushing yards, eleven catches, 106 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Zach Pascal IND = Five catches, 79 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Antonio Brown TB = Five catches, 93 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Kendrick Bourne SF = Four catches, 86 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Logan Thomas WASÂ = 13 catches, 101 receiving yards
The Underdog Lineup of Week 14
QB Lamar Jackson BAL = 163 passing yards, 124 rushing yards, three touchdowns
RB Mike Davis CAR = 51 rushing yards, five catches, 42 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Gus Edwards BAL = 49 rushing yards, two touchdowns
RB Lynn Bowden MIA = Seven catches, 82 receiving yards
WR TY Hilton IND = Five catches, 86 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR KJ Hamler DEN = Two catches, 86 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Russell Gage ATL = Five catches, 82 receiving yards, one passing touchdown
TE Mike Gesicki MIA = Five catches, 65 receiving yards, two touchdowns
The Disappointing Lineup of Week 15
QB Ben Roethlisberger PIT = 170 passing yards, one touchdown, two turnovers
RB Devontae Booker LV = 12 rushing yards
RB Wayne Gallman NYG = 29 rushing yards
RB Todd Gurley ATL = -1 rushing yards, two catches, 15 receiving yards
WR Keenan Allen LAC = One catch, 17 receiving yards
WR Tyler Boyd CIN = No catches
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling GB = No catches
TE TJ Hockenson DET = Two catches, 18 receiving yards, one fumble
The Disappointing Lineup of Week 14
QB Matt Ryan ATL = 224 passing yards, one touchdown, three interceptions
RB Latavius Murray NO = 13 rushing yards, one catch, -6 receiving yards
RB James Conner PIT = 18 rushing yards
RB Devin Singletary BUF = 32 rushing yards, one catch, two receiving yards
WR DeVante Parker MIA = No catches
WR Deebo Samuel SF = Nine rushing yards
WR Jamison Crowder NYJ = Two catches, seven receiving yards
TE Hayden Hurst ATL = One catch, seven receiving yards
Gut Checks
I’d be worried if I was ignoring the play of Jalen Hurts.
I’d be worried if I owned James Robinson. Don’t get hurt NOW.
I’d be worried if I thought Mike Evans only needed to catch touchdowns to be valuable.
I’d be worried if I thought Julio Jones was still the best receiver in Atlanta.
I’d be worried if I gave up on those highly regarded rookie running backs.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t looking to buy low on Laviska Shenault or other Jags if they continue to lose.
I’d be worried if I owned Cam Newton. It looks over.
I’d be worried if I owned Todd Gurley. Ditto.
I’d be worried if I was relying on any Rams receivers. Jared Goff just isn’t great.
I’d be worried if I was ignoring the progress of Jakobi Meyers.
I’d be worried if I was ignoring the amazing resurgence of David Montgomery.
I’d be worried if I thought Tre’Quan Smith was any kind of replacement for Michael Thomas.
I’d be worried if I was ignoring the play of Salvon Ahmed.
I’d be worried if I was starting any Steelers receiver.
I’d be worried if I was expecting consistency from Kareem Hunt.
I’d be worried if I was undervaluing Brandon Aiyuk.
I’d be worried if I though Kenyan Drake was a long-term answer.
I’d be worried if I thought it was a given that Aaron Jones would be back in Green Bay next season.
I’d be worried if I was playing against Justin Jefferson.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t really looking at Kyle Pitts if I didn’t have Darren Waller or Travis Kelce.
I’d be worried if I owned Carson Wentz. Yikes.
I’d be worried if I thought Jarvis Landry wasn’t better than OBJ.
I’d be worried if I thought the 49ers quarterback next season was 100% on the roster right now.
I’d be worried if I was relying on Trey Burton.
I’d be worried if I didn’t think fantasy leagues this year are going to be decided by players like Le’Veon Bell, David Montgomery, Tony Pollard, Cole Beasley, Jalen Hurts and JD McKissic. This is why you pay attention all year.
The top scoring rookies through week Fifteen
The scoring averages are now just changing by a fraction of a point each week. I’m not including them because they’re not that relevant at this point.
1.) Jalen Hurts QB PHI = 32.08 (only counting his two starts)
2,) Justin Herbert QB LAC = 25.63
3.) Tua Tagovailoa QB MIA = 21.98 (again, only counting starts)
4.) Joe Burrow QB CIN = 21.37
5.) James Robinson RB JAX = 18.03
6.) Justin Jefferson WR MIN = 16.96
7.) Brandon Aiyuk WR SF = 16.47
8.) Antonio Gibson RB WAS = 15.63
9.) D’Andre Swift RB DET = 15.16
10.) Jonathan Taylor RB IND = 15.15
11.) Clyde Edwards-Helaire RB KC = 13.59
12.) Jake Luton QB JAX = 13.50
13.) Salvon Ahmed RB MIA = 13.48
14.) Chase Claypool WR PIT = 13.44
15.) CeeDee Lamb WR DAL = 13.34
16.) Tee Higgins WR CIN = 12.48
17.) JK Dobbins  RB BAL = 9.75
18.) Laviska ShenaultWR JAX = 9.73
19.) Darnell Mooney WR CHI = 8.86
20.) Jalen Reagor WR PHI = 8.86
Notable players not in the top 20 of rookie scorers: Jerry Jeudy (8.46), Denzel Mims (8.31), Gabriel Davis (7.99), Michael Pittman (7.92), Zack Moss (7.83), Cam Akers (7.60), KJ Hamler (7.57), Henry Ruggs (7.35), Joshua Kelley (6.62).
The Rookie Top 20
Always check our latest rankings to see the updates through the week. I take these from the rankers who input their information the quickest after the end of the week.Â
1.) Jonathan Taylor, RB IND (Previous Ranking: 6)
He has finally emerged and looks like the player we all thought he’d be. Whew…
2.) Justin Jefferson, WR MIN (4)
His final statistics this year will be up there with the greatest rookie seasons of all-time.
3.) D’Andre Swift, RB DET (5)
He just needs to stay healthy and get a coach who will stop making this a committee next season.
4.) CeeDee Lamb, WR DALÂ (1)
He’s faded a little even with Dalton playing well. Still, he’s got major upside.
5.) JK Dobbins, RB BAL (3)
We’re finally seeing what we thought we would early in the year.
6.) Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB KC (2)
His injury doesn’t help, but doesn’t it almost seem like the Chiefs reached for him now?
7.) Cam Akers, RB LAR (13)
A huge blow-up game followed by a high ankle sprain. Still, we’ve seen enough now.
8.) Tee Higgins, WR CIN (9)
Would be lower if Burrow wasn’t in tow. We saw enough to know what he can do.
9) James Robinson, RB JAX (7)
There’s really not much left to be said here. He’s the steal of the draft or the waiver wire this season.
10.) Brandon Aiyuk, WR SF (13)
Having shares of Aiyuk was like buying Netflix before you could stream anything.
11.) Jerry Jeudy, WR DEN (8)
We frankly expected to see a little more this year.
12.) Antonio Gibson, RB WAS (12)
Tough injury stops his momentum.
13.) Chase Claypool WR PIT (11)
His production continues to fade as the Steelers offense goes off the rails.
14.) Jalen Reagor, WR PHI (14)
Is Hurts the answer to unlock his ceiling?
15.) Henry Ruggs, WR LV (15)
More of the same for Ruggs, who looks more like DeSean Jackson than Randy Moss.
16.) Justin Herbert, QB LAC (17)
Had a nice bounceback and looks like a top 12 asset at the position.
17.) Laviska Shenault, WR JAX (16)
He may soon get to catch passes from Trevor Lawrence.
18.) Joe Burrow, QB CIN (18)
The Bengals still need to address that offensive line.
19.) Michael Pittman, WR IND (19)
Still quiet.
20.) Denzel Mims WR NYJ (20)
He looks the part, but the Jets need more weapons.
…but watch out for Jalen Hurts over the next two weeks!
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
