The Dynasty Aftermath: Championship Week

Ken Kelly Posted On January 3, 2023

Editor’s note: In light of the on-field incident involving Bills safety Damar Hamlin, we want to be sensitive to this situation. There is no easy way to deal with trauma, so in order to account for all preferences, we going to continue our normal content schedule. Our thoughts are with Hamlin and his family as we all hope for his swift and full recovery. If you would like to contribute to Hamlin’s charity, we strongly encourage donations be made here.

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 the past sixteen years and I love it. I enjoy combing through the stats of the week on Monday night, putting together ridiculous lineups, picking MVPs/LVPs and discussing things to worry about. That’s not all. I also really love sharing observations, little bits of entertainment or some stories with the community of DLF and picking a theme for this column each week. You really never know what you’re going to get.

Well, this is certainly different today. With last night’s events, we’re reminded of the violent nature of the game we all love. In respect to the situation, I’m not going to make this week’s column lighthearted or funny as we all continue to refresh our browsers to get news updates on Damar Hamlin. With that in mind, I’m simply going to give you the information you need as you move forward in your leagues.

I’ve sincerely enjoyed writing this column again this season and hope it’s helped you throughout the year. This is the final installment for our weekly series, though I’ll complete a year-end wrap-up later this off-season. As always, thanks for all the wonderful comments and support throughout the year. This is always a lot of work each week and I sincerely appreciate all the readers who let me know this information has been helpful to them. Best of luck in the off-season!

Let’s get to it!

Fantasy MVP of the Week

In the previous five weeks prior to Sunday, Mike Evans had scored a total of 45.60 PPR fantasy points. Against the Panthers, he had ten catches for 207 receiving yards and three touchdowns for a total of 48.70 fantasy points in one game. Simply put, this was one of the greatest championship week performances of all-time and more than made up for the fact Evans hadn’t scored a touchdown since week four. With an NFL record nine straight seasons with 1,000 receiving yards to start his career, Evans could be headed to the Hall of Fame. With this one performance, he’s already punched his ticket into the Fantasy Football Version of it.

Fantasy LVP of the Week

On the year, Justin Jefferson has posted a miraculous seven different games with at least 30 fantasy points. He’d also posted double figures in all but two contests all year. After scoring 39.40 points against Green Bay in week one (9/184/2), we expected big things. Instead, he caught one pass for 15 yards. Oh, the beauty of fantasy football.

Honorable Mention LVP: There was a lot of concern with DK Metcalf prior to the season. After all, Russell Wilson had been jettisoned to Denver and the Seahawks looked to have the worst quarterback situation in the league. Well, we now know Geno Smith was more than up for the challenge and Metcalf has survived with a 87/1,008/6 season. Unfortunately, Metcalf picked a bad day to have a bad day as his one catch and three receiving yards tanked a lot of dynasty managers when they needed it the most.

The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week

QB Tom Brady TB = 432 passing yards, three touchdowns
RB Austin Ekeler LAC = 122 rushing yards, four catches, 39 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Christian McCaffrey SF = 121 rushing yards, six catches, 72 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB D’Andre Swift DET = 78 rushing yards, four catches, 39 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Mike Evans TB = Ten catches, 207 receiving yards, three touchdowns
WR Davante Adams LV = Seven catches, 153 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Brandon Aiyuk SF = Nine catches, 101 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Dalton Schultz DAL = Seven catches, 56 receiving yards, two touchdowns

2022 members of the list:

(8) = Justin Jefferson

(7) = Austin Ekeler

(6) = Davante Adams

(5) = Tyreek Hill, Christian McCaffrey

(4) = Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry

(3) = Leonard Fournette, Ja’Marr Chase, Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow, Mark Andrews, Jalen Hurts, Miles Sanders

(2) = Justin Fields, Stefon Diggs, Aaron Jones, Jonathan Taylor, Kenneth Walker, Cooper Kupp, Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, Dalvin Cook, CeeDee Lamb, TJ Hockenson, George Kittle, AJ Brown, Tony Pollard, D’Andre Swift, Mike Evans, Dalton Schultz

(1) = Tua Tagovailoa, Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff, Rhamondre Stevenson, Marquise Brown, Chris Olave, Jaylen Waddle, Gabriel Davis, Taysom Hill, Tyler Boyd, Mecole Hardman , Alvin Kamara , DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Conklin, Joe Mixon, Travis Etienne, Dallas Goedert, Christian Kirk, Jamaal Williams, Amari Cooper, Tee Higgins, Chris Godwin, Samaje Perine, Cade Otton, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Trevor Lawrence, Jerry Jeudy, Evan Engram, Jerick McKinnon, Zay Jones, Dak Prescott, Cam Akers, Lamar Jackson, Nick Chubb, Devin Singletary, Cordarrelle Patterson, Tom Brady, Brandon Aiyuk

The Underdog Lineup of the Week

QB Jarrett Stidham LV = 365 passing yards, three touchdowns, 34 rushing yards, two interceptions
RB Raheem Mostert MIA = 29 rushing yards, eight catches, 62 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Cordarrelle Patterson ATL = 42 rushing yards, six catches, 42 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB JaMycal Hasty JAX = 33 rushing yards, six catches, 23 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR KJ Osborn MIN = Seven catches, 59 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Jalen Nailor MIN = Three catches, 89 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Shi Smith CAR = Four catches, 70 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Trey McBride ARI = Seven catches, 78 receiving yards, one touchdown

2022 members of the list:

(3) = Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Garrett Wilson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, D’Onta Foreman

(2) = Zay Jones, Ezekiel Elliott, Cole Kmet, Parris Campbell, DJ Moore, Geno Smith, Tony Pollard, Jamaal Williams, Rhamondre Stevenson, Jeff Wilson Jr., Russell Gage, AJ Dillon, Kenyan Drake, Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, Mike Williams, Greg Dortch, JK Dobbins, Raheem Mostert , JaMycal Hasty, KJ Osborn

(1) = Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz, Dontrell Hilliard, Deon Jackson, James Robinson, Damien Harris, Khalil Herbert, Tevin Coleman, Mack Hollins, David Njoku, Devin Duvernay, Robbie Anderson, Jahan Dotson, OJ Howard, Dyami Brown, Khalil Shakir, Marvin Jones, Amari Cooper, Brandon Aiyuk, Chase Claypool, Jamal Agnew, Josh Reynolds, Corey Davis, Irv Smith Jr, Mo Alie-Cox, Hayden Hurst, Mike Gesicki, Andy Dalton, Gus Edwards, Marquise Goodwin, Juwan Johnson, Justin Fields, Antonio Gibson, Rondale Moore, Damiere Byrd, Kyle Pitts, Baker Mayfield, Raheem Blackshear, Christian Kirk, Mecole Hardman, James Conner, Alec Ingold, Christian Watson, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Jimmy Garoppolo, Samaje Perine, Najee Harris, David Montgomery, Josh Palmer, Demarcus Robinson, Austin Hooper, Mike White, Brian Robinson, Rachaad White, Isaiah McKenzie, Jelani Woods, Isiah Pacheco, D’Andre Swift, Alec Pierce, Michael Gallup, Greg Dulcich, Russell Wilson, Jerick McKinnon, Chuba Hubbard, Chris Moore, Chigoziem Okonkwo, Kirk Cousins, Tyler Allgeier, Latavius Murray, Noah Brown, CJ Uzomah, Gardner Minshew, Devin Singletary, James Cook, Isaiah Hodgins, Tyler Higbee, Jarrett Stidham, Cordarrelle Patterson, Jalen Nailor, Shi Smith, Trey McBride

The Disappointing Lineup of the Week

QB Trevor Lawrence JAX = 152 passing yards, one interception
RB Gus Edwards BAL = Two rushing yards
RB D’Onta Foreman CAR = 35 rushing yards
RB David Montgomery CHI = 24 rushing yards, two catches, 12 receiving yards
WR DK Metcalf SEA = One catch, three receiving yards
WR Justin Jefferson MIN = One catch, 15 receiving yards
WR Christian Watson GB = One catch, 11 receiving yards, touchdowns
TE Evan Engram JAX = One catch, 16 receiving yards

2022 members of the list:

(4) = Cam Akers, D’Onta Foreman

(3) = Robbie Anderson, Chase Claypool, Justin Herbert, Jonathan Taylor

(2) = Elijah Mitchell, James Robinson, Darrell Henderson, Curtis Samuel, Travis Etienne, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Isiah Pacheco, Chase Edmonds, Carson Wentz, DeVante Parker, Darnell Mooney, Elijah Moore, Taysom Hill, Tee Higgins, Rhamondre Stevenson, DJ Moore, Trevor Lawrence, David Montgomery, DK Metcalf

(1) = Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff, Damien Williams, Rashaad Penny, Tyler Allgeier, Kenneth Walker, Tony Pollard, Raheem Mostert, Damien Harris, DeVonta Smith, Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, Alec Pierce, Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman, Christian Kirk, Dawson Knox, OJ Howard, Dalton Schultz, Gerald Everett, Kareem Hunt, JK Dobbins, Garrett Wilson, Tyler Higbee, Lamar Jackson, Kenyan Drake, AJ Dillon, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Keenan Allen, Kyle Pitts, Derek Carr, Brian Robinson, Davante Adams, Hunter Henry. PJ Walker, Robert Woods, Devin Duvernay, Nyheim Hines, Cooper Kupp, AJ Brown, Kirk Cousins, Mike Williams, Jahan Dotson, Kylen Granson, Russell Wilson, Alvin Kamara, Demarcus Robinson, Drake London, Mike Gesicki, Kyler Murray, Jeff Wilson Jr., Jaylen Waddle, Mark Andrews, Miles Sanders, Michael Gallup, Allen Lazard, DJ Chark, Pat Freiermuth, Zonovan Knight, Jamaal Williams, Marquise Goodwin, DeAndre Hopkins, Adam Thielen, Juwan Johnson, Gus Edwards, Justin Jefferson, Christian Watson, Evan Engram

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I was looking to trade for a running back prior to the NFL Draft.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring the recent play of Isaiah Hodgins.

I’d be worried if I needed any Giants players this week.

I’d be worried if I thought James Conner was an automatic starter next year in Arizona.

I’d be worried if I thought Davante Adams wouldn’t flourish without Aaron Rodgers.

I’d be worried if I needed consistency from D’Onta Foreman this season.

I’d be worried if I was selling a top five asset for Bijan Robinson. He should be good, but are you 100% sure of that?

I’d be worried if I wasn’t considering Alvin Kamara‘s legal trouble as you go into next season.

I’d be worried if I thought Jared Goff was still terrible.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring a pretty solid year from Michael Pittman.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t kind of impressed with the recent play of Sam Darnold.

I’d be worried if I was banking on Leonard Fournette being in Tampa Bay next season.

I’d be worried if I thought I knew the future of Cam Akers. So many ways this could go, but he’s looked so much better.

I’d be worried if I thought Russell Wilson was just going to magically return to form next season.

I’d be worried if I thought Desmond Ridder was 100% the quarterback of the future in Atlanta.

I’d be worried if I was discounting a really great season from DeVonta Smith.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring the finish from DJ Moore.

I’d be worried if I thought Jerick McKinnon was going to just go away.

The Top Rookie Scoring Averages

1.) Breece Hall, RB NYJ = 16.73
2.) Bailey Zappe, QB NE = 14.39
3.) Kenny Pickett, QB PIT = 14.09
4.) Kenneth Walker, RB SEA = 13.56
5.) Chris Olave, WR NO = 13.23
6.) Dameon Pierce, RB HOU = 13.11
7.) Brock Purdy QB SF = 12.89
8.) Garrett Wilson, WR NYJ = 12.51
9.) Christian Watson, WR GB = 11.37
10.) Jahan Dotson, WR WAS = 11.04
11.) Drake London, WR ATL = 10.41
12.) Desmond Ridder, QB ATL = 9.90
13.) Tyler Allgeier, RB ATL = 8.98
14.) Zonovan Knight RB NYJ = 9.50
15.) Brian Robinson, RB WAS = 9.44
16.) George Pickens, WR PIT = 9.39
17.) Rachaad White, RB TB = 8.98
18.) Treylon Burks, WR TEN= 8.82
19.) Wan’Dale Robinson, WR NYG = 8.68
20.) Romeo Doubs, WR GB = 8.63

Notable players not in the top 20 of rookie scorers: Greg Dulcich, Alec Pierce, Cade Otton, Tyquan Thornton, Samori Toure, Keaontay Ingram, Khalil Shakir, Rachaad White, James Cook, Isiah Pacheco, Jelani Woods, Kyle Philips, Isaiah Likely, Tyrion Davis-Price, Hassan Haskins, Skyy Moore, Jaylen Warren, Malik Willis, David Bell, Zamir White, Jerome Ford, Danny Gray, Jordan Mason, Trey McBride, Pierre Strong, Rashid Shaheed , Teagan Quitoriano, Skylar Thompson

The Rookie Top 25

Always check our latest rankings to see the updates through the week. These rankings are simply my own.

1.) Breece Hall, RB NYJ
I could care less about the ACL tear. He showed enough.

2.) Kenneth Walker, RB SEA
To me, the gap between Hall and Walker is wider than the gap between Walker and everyone else.

3.) Garrett Wilson, WR NYJ
I’m going to move him up because I assume the Jets fix their quarterback issue. Derek Carr seems like a solid fit to me.

4.) Chris Olave, WR NO
Finished rather quietly.

5.) Drake London, WR ATL
Wanted to see a bit more this year, but the Falcons were pretty bad.

6.) Jameson Williams, WR DET
We’re starting to see flashes of brilliance. Buy this off-season.

7.) Christian Watson, WR GB
Proved to be better than Doubs.

8.) Jahan Dotson, WR WAS
Quiet finale, but had a really good year.

9.) Dameon Pierce, RB HOU
I wouldn’t buy until after the draft. I just don’t know what to think about him long-term.

10.) Treylon Burks, WR TEN
I’d take AJ Brown and a giant contract over Burks on a rookie deal. It’s that simple.

11.) Tyler Allgeier, RB ATL
Really establishing himself. Do the Falcons address the position further?

12.) George Pickens, WR PIT
Didn’t have a 100-yard game after week four.

13.) Rachaad White, RB TB
Tampa will be interesting to watch with so many free agent running backs this off-season.

14.) Brian Robinson, RB WAS
The lack of pass catching is a bit of problem.

15.) James Cook, RB BUF
Starting to get more run.

16.) Greg Dulcich, TE DEN
Injury ended a solid rookie campaign.

17.) Wan’Dale Robinson, WR NYG
Lost for the season, but a prime breakout candidate in 2023.

18.) Romeo Doubs, WR GB
Not getting much action at the end of the year.

19.) Isiah Pacheco, RB KC
Jerick McKinnon continues to shine, but Pacheco has been good.

20.) Rashid Shaheed, WR NO
Finishes the fantasy season with a surprising 25/454/2.

21.) Brock Purdy, QB SF
Is he the future in San Francisco? Probably not. Still, his 10:3 touchdown to interception ratio in his five starts has been impressive.

22.) Jaylen Warren, RB PIT
Harris is going to block his path for the time being, but he’d flourish if Harris was to miss time.

23.) John Metchie, WR HOU
Let’s hope he’s back next season.

24.) Trey McBride, TE ARI
Starting to see his upside now.

25.) Jelani Woods, TE IND
Still think he has a long runway to get better.

Notable players not in my current top 20 rookie rankings: Alec Pierce, M alik Willis, Isaiah Likely, Skyy Moore, Kenny Pickett, Calvin Austin, Ronnie Rivers, Zamir White, Isaiah Spiller, Tyrion Davis-Price, Jalen Tolbert, David Bell