Five in Five: Championship Week Dynasty Storylines
Over the years, we’ve done several different weekly preview articles and love to give new things a try. This is the time of year when it’s nearly information overload with every nook and cranny of the internet flooded with all kinds of fantasy football opinions and advice. Instead of following the herd and doing the same thing you’re used to, we’re going a little off the wall this year with our “Five in Five.” This is a weekly written preview of the five biggest storylines of the week encompassed in a five-section theme. It will also be a bit of a preview for my weekly Dynasty Aftermath – the longest running dynasty series in the business as we hit year #17 in 2023 as we bring you five possible storylines we could see on Monday Morning. I’m adding another piece to this for the rest of the year and that’s a prediction of what I think could produce that particular headline.
Digging Deep
Well, Stefon Diggs has truly had one weird season. The counting stats are decent so far as he’s posted a 96/1,070/8 line with two games to go. However, he’s had single-digit fantasy performances in five of his last six games after not posting a single one of those through the first nine weeks of the season. In fact, he’s just the WR51 since week ten, a far cry from what we’ve expected over the better part of the past decade. It’s clear he’s frustrated and quite obvious something is going to have to give here in the off-season. However, fantasy managers have a choice to make this week. Honestly, the trend is saying you should sit him if you have a better WR2 option (not to mention a WR1 choice). It’s truly amazing to think about but that’s really where we are at this point. It could be time to face reality.
Prediction: Diggs posts another single-digit performance against New England.
Adam Bomb
Sure, Diggs has been disappointing. However, Davante Adams laid an even bigger egg last week when he had just one catch for four yards. Unlike Diggs, his stats are sub-par this year as he’s recorded just 85 catches for 972 yards and five touchdowns – those are fringe WR2 numbers, not numbers you’d expect from an alpha receiver. The Raiders seem content on running the ball and Adams just doesn’t look happy, Much like Diggs, his long-term future with his current team is a little cloudy. Much like Diggs as well, he also isn’t an auto-start this week. It’s truly unbelievable but it’s also reality if you have a comparable alternative.
Prediction: Adams struggles again with five catches for 45 yards.
That was Purdy Bad
The “Brock Purdy for MVP Train” hit a major roadblock last week as he threw for just 255 yards with four interceptions in a total 49er meltdown against Baltimore. It was Purdy’s worst game by far in both fantasy and reality and threw a bucket of cold water on a lot of the momentum San Francisco had. The 49ers are poised for a major bounce-back performance at Washington this week and Purdy is looking for a much better performance. Fantasy managers with the likes of Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and others are hoping we see something much, much better this week.
Prediction: Purdy comes back to form with three touchowns and no turnovers.
Let Russ Sit
The Broncos shocked most of the world this week when they decided to bench quarterback Russell Wilson. It seems safe to say Wilson is done in Denver and his off-season release now seems imminent. Fantasy managers are very curious to see how this team responds to Jarrett Stidham under center. The suddenly inspired Chargers roll into town for a game important only to family members and fantasy enthusiasts. Despite what Head Coach Sean Payton is saying, it’s very hard to believe the Broncos are truly trying to win. This is a game where it’s going to be tough to trust anyone on either side.
Prediction: Stidham posts modest stats that don’t equate to much for him or anyone else.
Chief Concern
What has happened to the Chiefs? Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes look mortal, the offense is sputtering and they suddenly have a huge game against Jake Browning and the Bengals. If there’s a week to get right, it may have to be this one or Kansas City is going to risk chasing a playoff spot. While patience has been given all year, we’re suddenly at the end of this thing and they just haven’t played very well. Fantasy managers are begging for this team to finally look like their old selves. Will it happen this week?
Prediction: Mahomes throws for two scores and Kelce finally catches another one.
Here we go!
Make sure to get your lineup questions in! We’ll see you next week for the Dynasty Aftermath!
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
- Lineup Advice: Week 15 - December 15, 2024
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- Lineup Advice: Week 14 - December 8, 2024
