Dynasty Statistical Edges: Week Nine

If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed a series of tweets I share on a weekly basis regarding player and team defensive performances, all from a fantasy lens. I’m going to be sharing some of that same information with you here.

I use this each week as I am making my own lineup and waiver wire decisions and thought you might find this valuable as well.

Note: The scoring system used for this data is always PPR with four points for passing touchdowns.

Quarterbacks

Week 8 QB1s

Commanders quarterback Sam Howell went wild against the Eagles, setting new career-highs including pass attempt (52), passing yards (397) and touchdowns (4) and notching his first ever top-five fantasy performances of his young career. The story of the week at the quarterback position though had to be Titans rookie Will Levis. In his first career start, in place of injured veteran Ryan Tannehill, Levis tossed four touchdowns as he picked apart the Falcons defense all day long. All of the lingering questions about Levis’ game following a rocky final college season and a quiet pre-season suddenly disappeared. Levis will draw another start to kick off Week Nine later tonight.

Season-Long QB1s

There was almost no movement at the quarterback position on the season-long list. Eight weeks in, many of the players currently on this list are likely to finish the season as a QB1. Unfortunately, that won’t be true for Vikings veteran Kirk Cousins, who suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the remainder of the season. Disappointing Trevor Lawrence fell out of the top-twelve, replaced by Josh Dobbs. After being benched by the Cardinals on Monday, Dobbs was dealt to Minnesota to take Cousins’ place the next day.

Most QB1 Games This Season

Most QB1 Games Allowed

The Commanders are alone at the top of this list, allowing seven QB1 games through the first eight weeks of the season. Following the deadline deals Washington made this week, we should expect that defense to continue to struggle against opposing quarterbacks. This week, that’s good news for the Patriots and Mac Jones. The Bears (vs. Derek Carr) and Colts (vs. Bryce Young), along with the bye week Jaguars, are next in line, allowing five QB1 games this season.

It’s actually the Chargers who are giving up the most fantasy points to the position, surrendering over 27 fantasy points per game. This week, that could be enough to get Zach Wilson in fantasy lineups.

The Ravens and Chiefs have each allowed just one QB1 game on the season and are two of the three teams allowing the fewest fantasy points to the position. This week, Baltimore faces off with Geno Smith and the Seahawks while the Chiefs matchup with the Dolphins in the latest version of the game of the year. While Tua Tagovailoa might not meet his season-long averages of 19.2 fantasy points, there’s no way to bench him with the way the Dolphins offense has been playing this season.

The Bills (vs. Joe Burrow), Panthers (vs. Gardner Minshew) and Saints (vs. Tyson Bagent) are the other three teams allowing less than 18 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.

Running Backs

Week 8 RB1s

On the biggest stage of Monday Night Football, Lions rookie Jahmyr Gibbs ran all over the Raiders defense, totaling 189 yards and a touchdown on his way to the overall RB1 rank for the week. From a dynasty standpoint, Gibbs is suddenly the hottest name in the game, although David Montgomery is due back soon to make this situation a bit messier. Gus Edwards set a new career-high in fantasy points for the second week in a row and, with no deal at the deadline, is locked in as the Ravens starter for the remainder of the season. Alvin Kamara is now five for five in RB1 games since returning from his three-game suspension to open to season. Finally, Javonte Williams is steadily regaining the lead role in Denver after a slow start to the year as he continues his comeback from last season’s injury.

Season-Long RB1s

Kamara has played three fewer games than most of the players currently among the top-twelve but that hasn’t stopped his quick ascent. He’s now the RB6 on the year, playing just five games. Still on the injured reserve, Rams breakout back Kyren Williams continues to slide down the season-long ranks, falling from RB4 to RB8. Derrick Henry moved back inside the RB1 group, while Brian Robinson and the injured De’Von Achane dropped off the list.

stephen lew-usa today sports

Most RB1 Games This Season

Most RB1 Games Allowed

The Bears and Colts have each allowed six RB1 games this season, the most in the league. This week, the Bears face off against the red-hot Kamara while Indy should have an easier path, attempting to stop Chuba Hubbard. If you are in a bad bye-week spot, Hubbard is worth a shot as the new Panthers play-caller clearly prefers him to former starter Miles Sanders. The Cardinals (vs. Jerome Ford), Raiders (vs. Saquon Barkley) and Packers (vs. Darrell Henderson) are other teams allowing more than 25 fantasy points per game to opposing backfields.

Five teams have given up just one RB1 performance through eight weeks this year. Clearly, these are matchups to avoid, when possible and reasonable. The Browns should be able to stop the Cardinals running attack, expected to be led by undrafted free agent Emari Demercado while the Chiefs will have their hands full against Raheem Mostert. The others are the Saints (vs. D’Onta Foreman), Eagles (vs. Tony Pollard) and Buccaneers (vs. Dameon Pierce/Devin Singletary.) The Falcons (vs. Alexander Mattison) and Rams (vs. Aaron Jones) have also allowed less than 17 fantasy points per game to backfield foes.

Wide Receivers

Week 8 WR1s

We finally got the ceiling game from Cowboys CeeDee Lamb, who caught 12 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns. The Dallas passing offense is starting to heat up and Lamb will be the key component of that moving forward. This was Lamb’s fourth career overall WR1 game. Who knew that all DeAndre Hopkins needed was a change at quarterback to succeed. The veterans went off paired with his rookie quarterback, catching three touchdowns on the day. Those were Hopkins’ first scores in a Titans’ uniform. Jahan Dotson, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith have each been relatively quiet in recent weeks as they are each the clear second option on their respective teams. Week Eight was a boom spot for all three second fiddles though as they notch another WR1 performance.

© tim heitman-usa today sports

Season-Long WR1s

The season started slowly for Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals but two months in, the star receiver is back among the top-five scorers on the season, just as we expected. Chase moved from WR8 to WR5 with his strong Week Eight performance. Lamb and rookie Jordan Addison moved onto the WR1 list for the first time this season, replacing Raiders fallers Jakobi Meyers and Davante Adams. Perhaps a new coaching staff and a quarterback change will get the Raiders back among the elite scorers soon.

Most WR1 Games This Season

Most WR1 Games Allowed

As good as the Eagles have been on offense and against the run, they just haven’t been able to stop opposing receivers. Philadelphia has now allowed nine WR1 games on the year, four more than any other team. Lamb and the Cowboys must be salivating at the idea of facing this squad, though the addition of Kevin Byard should make a big difference. This matchup is enough to get Brandin Cooks into fantasy lineups, as well.

Other matchups to target based on WR1 games and fantasy points allowed includes the Commanders (vs. Demario Douglas), Chargers (vs. Garrett Wilson), Titans (vs. Diontae Johnson/George Pickens), Steelers (vs. Hopkins) and Vikings (vs. Drake London.)

The Bengals have still not allowed a WR1 game, though their time is coming. Cincinnati has given up the second-most WR2 performances in the league and is just middle of the pack against wide receivers, based on fantasy points allowed. Don’t be afraid to start Bills’ wideouts this weekend.

Some matchups that should concern you include the Jets (vs. Keenan Allen), Cowboys (vs. AJ Brown/Smith), Browns (vs. Marquise Brown), Texans (vs. Mike Evans/Chris Godwin), Raiders (vs. Wan’Dale Robinson) and Panthers (vs. Michael Pittman/Josh Downs). Each of these squads are allowing less than 30 fantasy points to enemy wide receivers.

Tight Ends

Week 8 TE1s

With Zach Ertz now on the injured reserve, expectations for second-year tight end Trey McBride were very high and he delivered. McBride saw 14 targets, catching ten for 95 yards and a score. Based on this usage and the injury to Ertz, McBride is already a weekly starter at the position and a fast riser in dynasty rankings. The impending return of Kyler Murray should only benefit McBride’s case as a dynasty TE1.

Season-Long TE1s

While the top-four tight end scorers seem to be locked in, there is a ton of movement in the back half of the TE1 group. 49ers star George Kittle is back where he belongs among the top-five scorers, while injured Darren Waller slid from TE5 to TE9. With Waller set to miss some time, he will soon be falling out of the TE1 group. Logan Thomas joined the top-twelve this week while the Falcons duo of Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith are barely hanging on to their TE1 status.

Most TE1 Games This Season

Most TE1 Games Allowed

Five teams have allowed a handful of TE1 games this year though the Bengals have become the true team to target when searching for a weekly starting tight end. This week, that means Dalton Kincaid should be locked into fantasy lineups. Other matchups to target include the Falcons (vs. TJ Hockenson) Bears (vs. Taysom Hill/Juwan Johnson), Colts (vs. Tommy Tremble) and Commanders (vs. Mike Gesicki/Hunter Henry.)

The Bills have yet to surrender a TE1 performance but you weren’t starting Irv Smith anyway. The Panthers (vs. Mo Alie-Cox), Browns (vs. McBride) and Titans (vs. Connor Heyward) are some matchups to consider, though I’ll be sticking with McBride regardless of his matchup.

Finally, here is the chart summarizing how teams have fared against each position. I’ve also included the schedule for this week for reference.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.

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