The Dynasty Aftermath: Mascot Tournament Finals

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.

What can Brown(ing) do for you?

There were precious few dynasty managers who thought Jake Browning would be able to keep the Bengals afloat with Joe Burrow out for the season. However, he was  great again this week and led the Bengals to another win.

Prediction: Browning completes 25-of-35 passes with two touchdowns and one interception.
Reality: Browning completes 18-of-24 passes with two touchdowns and one interception.

Eveything’s bigger in Texas?

With Tank Dell out for the season, this was supposed to open up a serious avenue for Nico Collins to make a run at WR1 status the rest of the way. Unfortunately, Collins got hurt and we didn’t get a chance to see what he could do.

Prediction: Collins catches eight passes for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Reality: Collins left the game early with an injury.

Justin Time

The Vikings got Justin Jefferson back this week and it was supposed to be a perfect time for fantasy managers as many are angling for the playoffs. Little did we know it was going to be short-lived as he ended up in the hospital with a chest injury.

Prediction: Jefferson makes his presence known with seven catches for 125 yards and a touchdown.
Reality: Jefferson leaves the game early after just a couple of catches,

Justin Chaos

The Chargers are a mess and the crew of Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen and others just haven’t looked right all season. Things got worse for the Chargers as Herbert was lost for the season with an injury.

Prediction: Herbert throws for 300 yards and the Chargers find a way to eek out a win.
Reality: My streak continues with yet another player going down with an injury with Herbert breaking his finger.

Just Pres Play

There have been some moments where Dak Prescott has looked ordinary and others where he’s looked elite. With 3,234 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and just six interceptions on the season, it was hard to find too many weaknesses in his game this year. This was a big game this week for him and he delivered.

Prediction: Prescott throws for 350 yards and three touchdowns, solidifying himself as a truly elite QB1.
Reality: Prescott throws for 271 yards and two touchdowns.

When we last left off with the mascot competition, we had out final two. The Bear from the NFC and the Bengals from the AFC.  So, a classic matchup ensues between a tiger and a bear. I found out quickly this is a hot topic on the Internet!

So in the end, Chicago wins.  The Bear is the ultimate mascot and ruler of all the NFL. This should be of great comfort to fans of Da Bears and I can only end this tournament one way. All these years later, Ditka found a way!

On to week fourteen!

Fantasy MVP of the Week

Evan Engram was having a pretty quiet year in the scoring department and didn’t have a single touchdown until last week. However, fantasy managers who thought that was the start of something big were rewarded with a monster game this week. With a whopping 20 catches over the past two weeks, Engram is clearly climbing the ladder of must-start tight ends. This week’s 11/95/2 came just in time for fantasy managers who needed a big performance to get into the playoffs.

Fantasy LVP of the Week

Jalen Hurts has been fantastic again this year. Unfortunately, he had his worst game of the year (by far) against Dallas with 197 passing yards, 30 rushing yards, no scores and a lost fumble. It was a tragic game for any fantasy manager trying to either win their initial playoff game or secure a playoff berth. There will be brighter days ahead but that was unexpected. And awful.

The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week

QB Lamar Jackson BAL = 316 passing yards, three total touchdowns, one interception
RB Ezekiel Elliott NE = 68 rushing yards, seven catches, 72 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Breece Hall NYG = 40 rushing yards, eight catches, 86 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB James Cook BUF = 58 rushing yards, five catches, 83 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Deebo Samuel SF = Seven catches, 149 receiving yards,  two touchdowns
WR Drake London ATL  = Ten catches, 172 receiving yards
WR DJ Moore CHI = Six catches, 68 receiving yards, 20 rushing yards, two touchdowns
TE Evan Engram JAX = 11 catches, 95 receiving yards, two touchdowns

The Underdog Lineup of the Week

QB Jake Browning CIN = 275 passing yards, three total touchdowns
RB Chase Brown CIN = 25 rushing yards, three catches, 80 receiving yards, one touchdown
RB Tyjae Spears TEN = 29 rushing yards, six catches, 89 receiving yards
RB Rico Dowdle DAL = 46 rushing yards, one catch, six receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Odell Beckham Jr = Four catches, 97 receiving yards, one touchdowns
WR Wan’Dale Robinson NYG = 36 rushing yards, six catches, 79 receiving yards
WR Demarcus Robinson LAR = Three catches, 46 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Isaiah Likely BAL = Five catches, 83 receiving yards, one touchdown

The Disappointing Lineup of the Week

QB Justin Herbert LAC = 96 passing yards, one interception, one ended season
RB Gus Edwards BAL = 15 rushing yards
RB D’Andre Swift PHI = 39 rushing yards
RB Josh Jacobs LV = 34 rushing yards, two catches, 16 receiving yards
WR Mike Evans TB = One catch, eight receiving yards
WR Nico Collins HOU = One catch, 13 receiving yards
WR Jerry Jeudy DEN = Two catches, 16 receiving yards
TE Michael Mayer LV = One catch, 14 receiving yards

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if I thought Ezekiel Elliott couldn’t help me down the stretch.

I’d be worried if I thought Bailey Zappe was the long-term answer.

I’d be worried if I was counting on Jaylen Warren or Najee Harris.

I’d be worried if I thought that was anything more than a weird day from Mike Evans.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring some better games from Rachaad White.

I’d be worried if I was all of a sudden feeling good about Drake London this year.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t already prepping for the 2024 rookie draft.

I’d be worried if I thought Atlanta’s starting quarterback for next season was currently on the roster.

I’d be worried if I needed Zack Moss to be my fantasy hero.

I’d be worried if I thought Jake Browning couldn’t keep doing this.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring better play from Joe Mixon.

I’d be worried if I invested too much in Travis Etienne.

I’d be worried if I still had Calvin Ridley as a WR1.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring Joe Flacco.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t intrigued by David Njoku the rest of the way.

I’d be worried if I was suddenly confident in Zach Wilson.

I’d be worried if I thought Aaron Rodgers was going to play again this year.

I’d be worried if I had Dameon Pierce.

I’d be worried if I was still playing Noah Brown.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t still impressed with Breece Hall.

I’d be worried if I was overconfident in Cooper Kupp.

I’d be worried if I was playing against Kyren Williams.

I’d be worried if I wasn’t taking a look at Davis Allen.

I’d be worried if I didn’t notice Keaton Mitchell getting more carries than Gus Edwards.

I’d be worried if I was still holding out much hope for Darnell Mooney.

I’d be worried if I needed any Panthers player other than Chuba Hubbard.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring AT Perry.

I’d be worried if I thought Nick Mullens was going to save Minnesota.

I’d be worried if I thought Brock Purdy wasn’t here to stay.

I’d be worried if I was playing against Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel.

I’d be worried if I was all of a sudden confident in James Cook.

I’d be worried if I had Kadarius Toney, regardless of where he’s lined up.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring Rashee Rice.

I’d be worried if I was ignoring the season of Courtland Sutton.

I’d be worried if I thought Quentin Johnston was out of the woods.

I’d be worried if I needed D’Andre Swift.

I’d be worried if I didn’t think Tommy DeVito could at least breathe some life into this Giants offense.

The Top Rookie Scoring Averages

1.) CJ Stroud, QB HOU = 22.46
2.) De’Von Achane RB MIA = 20.37
3.) Anthony Richardson, QB IND = 20.36
4.) Puka Nacua, WR LAR = 17.10
5.) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB DET = 16.33
6.) Will Levis, QB TEN = 16.30
7.) Tank Dell, WR HOU = 15.04
8.) Bijan Robinson, RB ATL = 14.84
9.) Tyson Bagent QB CHI = 14.39
10.) Sam LaPorta, TE DET = 13.58
11.) Bryce Young, QB CAR = 13.39
12.) Tommy DeVito QB NYG = 13.31
13.) Jordan Addison, WR MIN = 13.04
14.) Zay Flowers WR BAL = 12.58
15.) Rashee Rice WR KC = 12.41
16.) Jayden Reed, WR GB = 12.16
17.) Aidan O’Connell, QB LV = 12.05
18.) Dalton Kincaid TE BUF = 10.21
19.) Josh Downs WR IND = 9.79
20.) Michael Wilson WR ARI = 9.28

The Rookie Top 10

Always check our latest rankings to see the updates throughout the week. These rankings are simply my own.

1.) Bijan Robinson, RB ATL
It’s still a pick ’em for me at 1.01.

1.) De’Von Achane, RB MIA
Love his explosiveness.

3.) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB DET
Would like to see Montgomery out of the picture at some point.

4.) Puka Nacua, WR LAR
Solid again. Clearly no fluke.

5.) Tank Dell, WR HOU
What a bummer. Lost for the season.

6.) Sam LaPorta, TE DET
Again, you can honestly make a case for him to be #1 when you consider positional scarcity and the fact he’s averaging more PPG than Robinson.

7.)  Jordan Addison, WR MIN
Vikings need a long-term quarterback and Mullens isn’t it.

8.)  CJ Stroud,QB HOU
Everyone should take him over Richardson with no hesitation now. The concussion is frustrating.

9.) Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR SEA
Getting more volume now.

10) Jayden Reed, WR GB
I still really like what I’m seeing from him. Another good week.

See you on Saturday for the “Five in Five!” and next week for the Dynasty Aftermath.