The Dynasty Aftermath: NFC 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.
Are you Joshing me?
The Raiders fired Josh McDaniels and it has directly helped another Josh – Josh Jacobs. With a couple of solid performances over the past couple weeks, there was a lot of hope for Jacobs this week. Unfortunately, Miami jumped on the Raiders and he only had 14 carries for 39 yards on the day. Still, there should be brighter days ahead.
Lamb chopping records
The Cowboys are cruising as Dak Prescott is playing the best football of his life. Meanwhile, CeeDee Lamb is running down players like Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase in a quest to become dynasty’s WR1. He attempted to keep his string of games with at least ten catches and 150 yards alive but Dallas simply didn’t need him this week as he posted just six catches for 38 yards and a touchdown. Expect bigger things on Thanksgiving.
Ram Tough
The Rams haven’t been good without Matthew Stafford but got him back this week. This immediately resulted in a win over Seattle. We were hoping to see vintage Cooper Kupp but he went down again with an ankle injury. At this point, it’s fair to wonder just where his career is headed.
A little Dobbs will do ya
The Rodney Dangerfield of the NFL (Joshua Dobbs gets no respect) and the Vikings traveled to Denver to take on a suddenly hot Broncos team and lost in a close one. Dobbs was solid again and looks to have wrapped up the job in Minnesota for the rest of the season.
Steel City Switcheroo
The Steelers quietly made a switch at running back last week and announced Jaylen Warren would be the starter over Najee Harris. The question was what does that exactly mean? Over the course of the season, Warren had 71 carries and 31 catches and Harris had 116 carries and 18 catches. Put it all together and it equated to a 43% share for Warren and a 57% share for Harris. Warren indeed got the start and was clearly the better player. However, a new Offensive Coordinator should really shake this up. Stay tuned.
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 last 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 and started with the AFC last week. Let’s hit the NFC!
NFC Bracket
In the NFC West, you have the Seahawks, the 49ers, the Rams and the Cardinals. Again, humans and small birds have to be out. The seahawk is a little bigger than a cardinal but I have a hard time thinking a bird would beat a ram in a fair fight.
WINNER: Los Angeles Rams
In the NFC East, you have the Commanders, the Giants, the Eagles and the Cowboys. If humans are out, this one is easy as well – you have to go with a giant. So far, the NFC is cake.
WINNER: NY Giants
In the NFC South, you have a Buccaneer, a Falcon, a Saint and a Panther. My guess is the saint would have some special abilities to beat a falcon or a pirate but my guess is the buck stops at the panther.
Winner: Carolina Panthers
The final bracket would be the NFC North and give us a Packer, a Bear, a Lion and a Viking. I looked up what the Packer really was and I guess it’s a person who originally worked at a meat packing company. Hmm. Who knew!?! Regardless, I don’t like the chances of a factory worker or a viking against a bear or a lion. So, now it’s tough. Who would win between a bear and a lion? I googled it for advice and it seems this a hot debate!
Winner: Chicago Bears
The NFC final four is set with the Rams, Giants, Panthers and Bears.
On to week eleven!
Fantasy MVP of the Week
This week reminded us that Saquon Barkley, who scored 6.5 more points than any other running back this week, is still good enough to keep in our lineups despite the Giants offensive line resembling a wall of bounty paper towels. The fact he can do anything is pretty amazing at the moment.
Fantasy LVP of the Week
The De’Von Achane hype train was supposed to rev back up this week but was quickly derailed when he went down again with a knee injury. This was a major buzzkill as he was supposed to provide a major boost down the stretch run.
The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week
QB Trevor Lawrence JAXÂ = 262 passing yards, four total touchdowns
RB Saquon Barkley NYG = 83 rushing yards, four catches, 57 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Jaylen Warren PIT = 129 rushing yards, three catches, 16 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Jahmyr Gibbs DETÂ = 36 rushing yards, six catches, 59 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Calvin Ridley JAX = Seven catches, 103 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Tyreek Hill MIA = Ten catches, 146 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Tank Dell HOU = Eight catches, 149 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE George Kittle SF = Eight catches, 89 receiving yards, one touchdown
The Underdog Lineup of the Week
QB Tommy DeVito NYG = 246 passing yards, three touchdowns
RB Brian Robinson WASÂ = 73 rushing yards, seven catches, 58 receiving yards,
RB Joe Mixon CINÂ = 69 rushing yards, five catches, 39 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB James Cook BUF = 73 rushing yards, three catches, 29 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Khalil Shakir BUF Â = Three catches, 115 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Darius Slayton NYG = Four catches, 82 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Justin Watson KC = Five catches, 53 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Josh Oliver MIN = Four catches, 47 receiving yards, one touchdown
The Disappointing Lineup of the Week
QB Bryce Young CAR = 123 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception
RB De’Von Achane MIA = One rushing yard, one catch, four receiving yards
RB Kenneth Walker SEA = 18 rushing yards, one catch, -2 receiving yards
RB Aaron Jones GB = 14 rushing yards, one catch, three receiving yards
WR Garrett Wilson NYJ = Two catches, nine receiving yards, one fumble
WR Curtis Samuel WAS = One catch, five receiving yards
WR Cooper Kupp LAR = One catch, 11 receiving yards
TE Irv Smith CIN = No catches
Gut Checks
I’d be worried if I was counting on anyone from the Jets.
I’d be worried if I hadn’t already dropped Zach Wilson.
I’d be worried if I was ignoring how good Amon-Ra St. Brown is.
I’d be worried if I was somehow down on Travis Etienne again.
I’d be worried if I needed any Washington receiver.
I’d be worried if I was still starting Amari Cooper.
I’d be worried if I missed out on Tank Dell.
I’d be worried if I needed Kenneth Walker soon.
I’d be worried if I forgot about Devonta Smith.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t noticing the three monster games in a row from George Kittle.
I’d be worried if I still wasn’t sold on Brock Purdy.
I’d be worried if I was scared to put Gus Edwards in my lineup.
I’d be worried if I was counting on Aaron Rodgers coming back.
I’d be worried if I thought the Chiefs offense was going to be fixed soon.
I’d be worried if I took Bryce Young over CJ Stroud.
I’d be worried if I was ignoring the monster year from Keenan Allen.
I’d be worried if I thought any Bengal was safe at the moment.
I’d be worried if I thought David Montgomery was going to disappear.
I’d be worried if I thought DeAndre Hopkins was going to bounce back. It was there for a second, too!
I’d be worried if I was ignoring a pretty solid year from Brian Robinson.
I’d be worried if I thought Calvin Ridley was off the worrymeter.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t attempting to buy on Breece Hall everywhere right now.
I’d be worried if I needed consistency from George Pickens.
I’d be worried if I needed any Patriot this week. The bye won’t help.
I’d be worried if I was counting on Mark Andrews.
I’d be worried if I needed vintage Cooper Kupp this year.
The Top Rookie Scoring Averages
1.) CJ Stroud, QB HOU = 23.47
2.) De’Von Achane RB MIA = 21.04
3.) Anthony Richardson, QB IND = 20.36
4.) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB DET = 18.01
5.) Puka Nacua, WR LAR = 17.78
6.) Will Levis, QB TEN = 16.759
7.) Tank Dell, WR HOU = 16.47
8.) Tyson Bagent QB CHI = 14.39
9.) Bryce Young, QB CAR = 14.21
10.) Jordan Addison, WR MIN = 14.08
11.) Bijan Robinson, RB ATL = 13.50
12.) Sam LaPorta, TE DET = 12.52
13. Aidan O’Connell, QB LV = 12.04
14.) Tommy DeVito QB NYG = 12.01
15.) Jayden Reed, WR GB = 11.70
Just missed: Zay Flowers, 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
The injury is a concern but he’s been otherworldly.
2.) Bijan Robinson, RB ATL
His grasp on #1 for me is gone and #2 is getting slippery.
3.) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB DET
Putting together a nice string of performances. Thanksgiving could be the real breakout.
4.) Puka Nacua, WR LAR
Solid this week with Stafford back and Kupp seems broken.
5.)Â Jordan Addison, WR MIN
Hmm.
6.) Tank Dell, WR HOU
Another gem this week and he’ll be in the top five for me.
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) Josh Downs, WR IND
Not spectacular but he’s been good.
Anthony Richardson, Josh Downs, Zay Flowers
See you on Saturday for the “Five in Five!” and next week for the Dynasty Aftermath.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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