Five in Five: Week 18 Weirdness

Ken Kelly Posted On January 6, 2024

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. This week is odd because most leagues are done. However, if something is still out there that matters (high point total of the week or a final week title game), let’s see what’s interesting.

Let James Cook

We’re finally seeing the James Cook we really wanted to all year as the Buffalo running back now has 1,086 rushing yards, 41 catches, 429 receiving yards and six total touchdowns on the season. Unfortunately, he’s only put up a total of 12.8 fantasy points over the past two weeks combined. The Bills play in a monster game this week with the AFC East Division Title on the line. Will Cook put up big numbers against a Miami defense looking to sew up the division as well? This is one of a precious few games where the starters should be showcased so any Miami or Buffalo player performances need to be watched.

San Francisco Treat

We all know the power of Christian McCaffrey who is quite honestly the best player in fantasy football. However, the 49ers are going to rest him this week after clinching the #1 seed and dynasty managers are very interested to see what happens in this backfield behind Sam Darnold. With Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason. While many think this game doesn’t matter, lots of hard core dynasty managers are very curious to see how these running backs do because either of them could be future starters either with the 49ers or somewhere else. Will one really emerge and wow us?

Greener Fields (or pastures)

We know the Bears have the top pick all wrapped up and that gives Justin Fields just one more week to prove he’s the man for the job. At this point, it honestly seems that could go either way as Fields has shown some flashes of greatness this season but also shown some signs of weakness. The Bears passed on Bryce Young (wisely?) and CJ Stroud (unwisely?) and chose to trade back last year. Will they continue to stockpile again and pass on the likes of Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in order to do it? Time will tell but this is big day for Fields, who looks like a top-5 option at the position this week.

Whiteout

Rachaad White has quietly put together a pretty solid season. In fact, White is quietly the RB9 overall this season when you look at his points per game average. With 915 rushing yards, 60 catches, 531 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, White really does look like a pretty solid asset in dynasty leagues. He could be a top-5 option this week as well and he needs just those 85 rushing yards to get to 1,000 on the season. Another solid game would clearly make the Bucs look at filling a lot of other holes. Dynasty managers who have White should hope Tampa Bay makes the playoffs show he can continue to showcase his ability in the post-season.

Silence of the Lamb?

Nobody has been able to silence CeeDee Lamb this year and with the NFC East still in play, the Washington Commanders look to be his next victim. Lamb has been spectacular all season with 122 catches, 1,651 receiving yards and ten touchdowns. Yes, Tyreek Hill has been amazing this year but Lamb has made his case to be the overall WR1 in front of players like Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. Another dominant performance in the final week could honestly put him on that top line in a lot people’s rankings.

Here we go!

Make sure to get your lineup questions in! We’ll see you next week for the Dynasty Aftermath!

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK