The Dynasty Aftermath: AFC Mascot Tournament Bracket
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 seventeen 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. This year, I’m doing a “Five in Five” article each week and that previews this article on Saturdays. Let’s recap the storylines from last week before we get into it.
How high is the Stroudosphere?
I had mentioned on Saturday that CJ Stroud was clearly in the top twelve of dynasty quarterbacks, at least in my mind. After throwing for 356 more yards in a comeback win against Cincinnati, I think I was right. While his fantasy numbers weren’t dominant this week, Stroud is the real deal.
Mac and Jeez
The Patriots are a mess and 2-8. My guess was this was Mac Jones‘ last shot at keeping the job and after being benched in the last two minutes after throwing one of the worst interceptions in the history of mankind, I think I was right here as well.
Cheat Code Initiated
After four straight double-digit fantasy performances, Taysom Hill was inserted into most lineups this week. Unfortunately, the ultimate “boom or bust” fantasy player busted this week as the Saints lost to the Vikings. He’s great at times but this week reminded us there’s some volatility. I was clearly not right on this one.
Where there’s a Will, there’s a way?
The Will Levis experiment is having some ups and downs. His four-touchdown debut was awesome but the past two weeks have been average at best. If the Titans continue to sink, they’re going to be in position to draft a quarterback next Spring. Levis needs to get it together quickly.
Heinicke to Success?
We were hoping Taylor Heinicke could inject some value into the likes of Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts but he was injured this week and the Falcons had to turn back to Desmond Ridder. At this point, Atlanta needs to hit the reset button and it’s clear we’re not going to see some late season resurgence of fantasy value from this team. #buzzkill.
So, on to my random thought of the week. I’ve been doing The Deep Dive Newsletter in partnership with our Sister site, 4for4.com. When I wrote the Monday Night Preview this week, I said a Buffalo should surely beat a horse when referring to the Broncos and Bills. It got me thinking and that’s typically dangerous. I immediately started to wonder who would win a fight if the NFL mascots were real. I’ve decided to make a tournament between them all so let’s start with the AFC.
AFC Bracket
In the AFC West, you have the Kansas City Chiefs, the Las Vegas Raiders, the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos. So, you have a horse, a human, a pirate (who is also human) and a lightning bolt. To me, the humans have to be out. Unless you’re Thor, lightning does not bode well for you. I would think a horse would also fall victim to a lightning bolt but what if it somehow magically turned it into Pegasus? I’m going horse here just in case that can happen. My friend Reggie once ran over a horse with a Volkswagen bus and I can tell you that didn’t work out for the horse but lightning could be different.
WINNER: Denver
In the AFC East, you have the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and New England Patriots. Again, I think humans are out in a fair fight but I also eliminate the Jet because planes are just not maneuverable enough to counter-attack – that leaves me a dolphin against a buffalo. Give me the dolphin because I watched the SeaWorld documentary and think they’d be sneaky good and find a way to trick a buffalo into a body of water.
WINNER: Miami
In the AFC South, you have the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Houston Texans, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Tennessee Titans. Again, more horses, a bull, a jaguar and a giant. I’m going to go with the giant here in a close race with a jaguar, who is a natural predator. The bull is too slow and I think the colt would get too cocky seeing the bronco already win. Arrogance never pays off and horses clearly need to learn that lesson.
Winner: Tennessee
The final bracket would be the AFC North and give us the Baltimore Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cleveland Browns, and the Cincinnati Bengals. To me, this is the easiest one. A bird against a tiger would not bode well. And as much as I like bulldogs (and humans), neither would do well against a tiger. Ask Siegfried and Roy. Bengal tigers all the way in a laugher.
Winner: Cincinnati
The AFC final four is set with the Broncos, Dolphins, Titans and Bengals. We’ll look at the NFC next week.
On to week ten!
Fantasy MVP of the Week
At this point, Keenan Allen will need to be inducted into the Hall of Fame before some people recognize just how good he’s been. This week, he hung 11 catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns on the Lions. Allen is having a career year and is on pace for a whopping 138 catches. That’ll do.
Fantasy LVP of the Week
The Jakobi Meyers ride has been a fun one for dynasty owners as he’s been arguably the most consistent fantasy play on the Raiders. Unfortunately, this week saw him hit a low point as he caught only two passes for 21 yards. He’s still having a great year but this one stung a little.
The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week
QB Dak Prescott DAL = 404 passing yards, four touchdowns
RB Austin Ekeler LAC = 67 rushing yards, four catches, 48 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Jahmyr Gibbs DET = 77 rushing yards, four catches, 42 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Javonte Williams DEN = 79 rushing yards, four catches, 31 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Keenan Allen LAC = 11 catches, 175 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR CeeDee Lamb DAL = 11 catches, 151 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown DET = Eight catches, 156 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE TJ Hockenson MIN = 11 catches, 134 receiving yards, one touchdown
The Underdog Lineup of the Week
QB Joshua Dobbs MIN = 268 passing yards, 44 rushing yards, two touchdowns
RB Antonio Gibson WAS = 13 rushing yards, five catches, 42 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Brian Robinson WAS = 38 rushing yards, six catches, 119 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Devin Singletary HOU = 150 rushing yards, one touchdown
WR Brandin Cooks DAL = Nine catches, 173 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Noah Brown HOU = Seven catches, 172 receiving yards
WR Tyler Boyd CIN = Eight catches, 117 receiving yards
TE Tyler Conklin NYJ = Seven catches, 70 receiving yards
The Disappointing Lineup of the Week
QB Trevor Lawrence JAX = 185 passing yards, two interceptions
RB Zack Moss IND = Two rushing yards
RB Derrick Henry TEN = 24rushing yards, one catch, -4 receiving yards
RB Tony Pollard DAL = 55 rushing yards
WR Jahan Dotson WASÂ = No catches
WR Marvin Mims DEN = One catch, -3 receiving yards
WR Michael Thomas NO = One catch, nine receiving yards
TE Juwan Johnson NO = One catch, two receiving yards
Gut Checks
I’d be worried if I thought Atlanta was going to turn this around.
I’d be worried if I thought Alvin Kamara was safe with Taysom Hill around.
I’d be worried if I missed out on CJ Stroud.
I’d be worried if I was ignoring the workload of Javonte Williams.
I’d be worried if I thought Stefon Diggs was happy.
I’d be worried if I needed consistency from Derrick Henry.
I’d be worried if I needed DeAndre Hopkins.
I’d be worried if I thought Saquon Barkley was going to rebound this year.
I’d be worried if I thought Tony Pollard was still an elite option,
I’d be worried if I was playing against CeeDee Lamb.
I’d be worried if I thought Zack Moss was more than a handcuff at this point.
I’d be worried if I forgot about Deebo Samuel.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t concerned about Terry McLaurin.
I’d be worried if I was ignoring Sam Howell.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t still impressed with Garrett Wilson.
I’d be worried if I missed out on Trey McBride.
I’d be worried if I had given up on Josh Jacobs.
I’d be worried if I had Calvin Ridley. What happened?
I’d be worried if I was ignoring Noah Brown.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t paying attention to Demario Douglas.
I’d be worried if I had Josh Allen. Still great but I’m concerned.
I’d be worried if I had DK Metcalf as my WR1.
I’d be worried if I needed consistency from DJ Moore.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t a little disappointed with Chris Godwin.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t a lot impressed with Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Top Rookie Scoring Averages
1.) De’Von Achane RB MIA = 25.93
2.) CJ Stroud, QB HOU = 23.66
3.) Anthony Richardson, QB IND = 20.36
4.) Puka Nacua, WR LAR = 17.68
5.) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB DET = 17.51
6.) Will Levis, QB TEN = 16.76
7.) Tank Dell, WR HOU = 14.91
8.) Bryce Young, QB CAR = 14.81
9.) Jordan Addison, WR MIN = 14.75
10.) Tyson Bagent QB CHI = 14.39
11.) Bijan Robinson, RB ATL = 13.50
12.) Sam LaPorta, TE DET = 13.16
13. Aidan O’Connell, QB LV = 11.33
14.) Zay Flowers, WR BAL = 11.23
15.) Jayden Reed, WR GB = 10.87
Just missed: Josh Downs, Rashee Rice, Jayden Reed. Michael Wilson, Dalton Kincaid, Luke Musgrave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jaleel McLaughlin, Marvin Mims
The Rookie Top 10
Always check our latest rankings to see the updates throughout the week. These rankings are simply my own.
1.) De’Von Achane, RB MIA
Just a smidge over Nacua and Robinson now.
2.) Bijan Robinson, RB ATL
His grasp on #1 for me is gone and #2 is getting slippery.
3.) Puka Nacua, WR LAR
Stafford’s return will do wonders.
4.) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB DET
Looking good now. Another couple of weeks of this and I’ll have him over Robinson.
5.)Â Jordan Addison, WR MIN
What happens when Jefferson comes back?
6.) Tank Dell, WR HOU
No change in ranking, but he’s solidified my opinion of him.
7.) Sam LaPorta, TE DET
Yep. He’s been that good.
8.) Â CJ Stroud,QB HOU
Everyone should take him over Richardson with no hesitation now.
9.) Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR SEA
Starting to string together some good games now.
10) Zay Flowers, WR BAL
Not spectacular but he’s been good.
Anthony Richardson, Josh Downs
See you on Saturday for the “Five in Five!” and next week for the Dynasty Aftermath.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
- Dynasty Fantasy Football 2024 NFL Draft: Veteran Winners and Losers from Day One - April 26, 2024
- Dynasty Running Back Danger Rankings: 8-1 - April 25, 2024
- 2024 Rookie Bust Mock Draft (Pre-Draft Edition): Round Three - April 24, 2024
