The Dynasty Aftermath: The Boss turns 75

This week, we celebrate the birthday of “The Boss,” Bruce Springsteen. Amazingly, he turned 75 yesterday. My daughter is a bit of an old soul, so we’ve gone to both Elton John and Billy Joel in concert the last two summers. When you grow up listening to icons, you just don’t think they age, so it’s a shock when you hear one of them turns 75 years old.

All of this also reminds me of dynasty fantasy football (as everything does). After three weeks, dynasty managers need to make some evaluations. If you’re 0-3, you have decisions to make. As much as you hate to admit it, everything ages, including your players. It may be time to start selling and looking to the future.

Let’s honor Springsteen today!

Fantasy MVP of the Week, “The Boss”

Over the first two weeks, Jauan Jennings was starting to establish himself as a roster-worthy player. While his first 45 games in the league had only yielded just under 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns, his first two games this year featured seven catches for 101 yards, making him again a moderately intriguing roster addition and desperation play. Well, if you needed him to do something this week, that prayer was answered in a way nobody could have expected as Jennings had 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns in a surprising loss against the Rams. Even better, he led the team with a whopping 12 targets. While this will likely end up being the best game of his career, it clearly puts him on the map as yet another weapon for the 49ers. If you played him, you likely won. And after watching that game, it’s clear the 49ers have three really good options in Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jennings, which may not be great for any of them moving forward. We shall see.

Fantasy LVP of the Week, “A Brilliant Disguise”

Over the first two weeks, Rashid Shaheed had seven catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns for a New Orleans offense that looked unstoppable. Well, that hit the skids in a big way this week as Shaheed failed to pull in either target he had in the end zone and ended the game with no catches. Yuck.

Bonus: Courteney Cox Discovery Award

As you may or may not know, Friends star Courteney Cox was discovered after being featured in the music video “Dancing in the Dark” from Bruce Springsteen. This week, we found our own superstar on Monday Night, and his name is Jayden Daniels. It’s just one game, but when you go on the road against a good team desperate for a win and throw for 254 yards, run for 39, score three times and complete over 90% of your passes (a rookie record), you’ve arrived. To me, I believe already Daniels is a player to start building around a looks the part of a QB1 for a long, long time.

The “Tougher than the Rest” Unbeatable Lineup of the Week 

QB Josh Allen BUF = 263 passing yards, 44 rushing yards, four touchdowns
RB Saquon Barkley PHI = 147 rushing yards, four catches, nine receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Kyren Williams LAR = 89 rushing yards, two catches, 27 receiving yards, three touchdowns
RB Derrick Henry BAL = 151 rushing yards, one catch, 23 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Malik Nabers NYG = Eight catches, 78 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Amari Cooper CLE = Seven catches, 86 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Ja’Marr Chase CIN = Six catches, 118 receiving yards, two touchdowns
TE Dallas Goedert PHI = Ten catches, 170 receiving yards

The “I’m on Fire” Underdog Lineup of the Week

QB Sam Darnold MIN = 181 passing yards, four touchdowns
RB Chuba Hubbard CAR = 114 rushing yards, five catches, 51 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Emanuel Wilson GB = 50 rushing yards, two catches, 35 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Zach Charbonnet SEA = 91 rushing yards, three catches, 16 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Jauan Jennings SF = 11 catches, 175 receiving yards, three touchdowns
WR Diontae Johnson CAR = Eight catches, 122 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Tre Tucker LV = Seven catches, 96 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Cole Kmet CHI = Ten catches, 97 receiving yards, one touchdown

The “Hungry Heart” Disappointing Lineup of the Week

QB Anthony Richardson IND = 167 passing yards, 24 rushing yards, two interceptions
RB Gus Edwards LAC = Nine rushing yards
RB Ezekiel Elliott DAL = Six rushing yards, one catch, six receiving yards
RB Zamir White LV = 34 rushing yards
WR Adonai Mitchell IND = No catches
WR Rashid Shaheed NO = No catches
WR Dontayvion Wicks GB = No catches
TE Mark Andrews BAL = No catches

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I had Mark Andrews. Last season, he had three games with at least eight targets. He now has eight on the season.

I’d be worried if I was needing Blake Corum this season. Turns out, Kyren Williams was the guy all along.

I’d be worried if I needed consistency from Zay Flowers.

I’d be worried if I needed anything from Gus Edwards.

I’d be worried if I didn’t think that week one from Amon-Ra St. Brown might be his worst game all year.

I’d be worried if I thought Courtland Sutton couldn’t still have value this year.

I’d be worried if I was starting Rachaad White.

I’d be worried if I thought Braelon Allen was going to just go away.+

I’d be worried if I needed Tyreek Hill to be Tyreek Hill right now.

I’d be worried if I was playing against Josh Allen.

Ditto for Jaylen Waddle.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t noticing the season being put together by DK Metcalf.

I’d be worried if I thought Rashee Rice was going to cool off.

I’d be worried if I didn’t move Zamir White in the off-season

I’d be worried if I needed Keenan Allen this season. Rome Odunze isn’t going away.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t trying to move Chuba Hubbard this week.

I’d be worried if I needed consistency from Rashid Shaheed.

I’d be worried if I was like 2/3 of my students today who didn’t know who Bruce Springsteen was.

I’d be worried if I was surprised Amari Cooper did that. It’s what he does.

I’d be worried if I had given up on Diontae Johnson.

I’d be worried if I needed Bryce Young any time soon.

I’d be worried if I needed vintage Travis Kelce.

I’d be worried if I thought Derrick Henry couldn’t do this all season.

I’d be worried if I was starting Anthony Richardson. I’m just not seeing it with him.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t looking hard at Aaron Jones if I was a contending team.

I’d be worried if I thought Kenneth Walker wasn’t going to at least lose a little work to Zach Charbonnet.

I’d be worried if I was afraid to start Sam Darnold.

I’d be worried if I bought too highly on Isaiah Likely.

I’d be worried if I needed consistency from Jameson Williams. He’ll get there, just not quite yet.

I’d be worried if I thought Russell Wilson was getting that job back any time soon.

I’d be worried if I needed vintage Jalen Hurts, either.

I’d be worried if I thought Stefon Diggs was going to disappear.

I’d be worried if I was just cutting Malik Willis when Jordan Love comes back.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring major progress from Jalen Tolbert.

I’d be worried if I built my team around Trevor Lawrence.

Fun with Numbers