Field Goals Galore

We had quite the run of exciting games this Sunday. In fact, a historic type of excitement. I’ll let Schefty explain:

I posted a thread on Twitter about some of my observations from Sunday’s games, some of which I’ll discuss here. But don’t worry, I have some content just for you guys!

News and Notes

• 🐆 First off, Trevor Lawrence struggled big time against the 49ers, who ended their three-game losing streak in dominating fashion. A lot of people have questioned if Lawrence really is “good” and was last year was just a mirage. Well first off, on the surface, his touchdown rate is down for sure. He’s below league average in touchdown rate. But, his 1.5% interception rate is 7th best in the league. Success rate? Top-10. His passer rating, QBR, adjusted yards/attempt, and several other more advanced metrics are all at or above average in the NFL. Maybe we had our hopes a little too high to begin the season, but Lawrence is not a “bad QB”. He might not be having an elite season, but I wouldn’t call it quits on Lawrence long-term. Let’s not forget that the Jags are 6-3. It’s not like he alone is losing them games.

• 🤠 One person I am panicking on? Tony Pollard. I’m regretting any shares I have of the Dallas running back. He hasn’t scored since week 1, even with the Cowboys stomping the Giants 49-10 on Sunday, he couldn’t manage to find the endzone. He had 15 carries for 55 yards and failed to receive a target. Which is wild because I saw him open multiple times without Dak even looking in his direction. Why does it feel we’re watching the Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard situation play out except it’s Pollard and Rico Dowdle with Dowdle as the new Pollard?

• 🐄 CJ Stroud had another superb performance against the Bengals, creating a touchdown through the air and on the ground. I can’t say enough about how well his season is going. Of the 19 quarterbacks who have passed for more than 2000 yards in their first nine starts of their career, Stroud and Dak Prescott are the only ones to have two or fewer interceptions. But, Stroud has nearly 40 more attempts and 300 pass yards than Dak did at this point of his rookie year. If Stroud keeps this up, he’s a shoo-in for rookie of the year.

• Hey, Bijan Robinson got 22 carries! He wasn’t involved in the passing game, however, with only a single catch against Arizona.

• Kyler Murray came back from injury and played well. His rushing production isn’t peak Kyler, but 35 yards and a score is nothing to complain about.

• 🏜️ Trey McBride had a huge game against Atlanta, leading the Cardinals in receiving yards, receptions, and targets. He’s a locked-in start at your TE spot until Zach Ertz comes back, and even then he could still be the dude. I don’t know how they put the genie back in the bottle now.

• 🐄 Devin Singletary just put together a career performance against the Bengals, having 30 carriers for 150 yards. I liked Singletary last week with Pierce out and that went, um, not well. Guess I was just a week early.

• 🐆 Christian Kirk was the lone bright spot in the Jaguars offense in a game dominated by the 49ers. I don’t doubt that the absence of Zay Jones has helped his performance this season since that week 1 disappearing act where many tried to bury him, but Kirk has been the Jaguars WR1 this season.

• 🪓 I am not worried about Justin Jefferson when he returns from injury. The Vikings receiving options have been just fine with Joshua Dobbs under center through two games and they get the Broncos on Sunday.

• ♦️ The Steelers ran all over the Packers on Sunday, with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren combining for 183 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries. They each caught at least two passes, with Harris edging out Warren in the receiving department.

• It’s hard to have any faith in Christian Watson at this point. Luke Musgrave and Jayden Reed look like the better options at this point. Even Romeo Doubs is struggling, with his fantasy day saved by a touchdown. The Packers offense is struggling mightily right now, and the addition of Dontayvion Wicks only muddies the water.

• 🔥 I thought Will Levis was in for a bounce-back week. That was a big old no. I’ll take the L.

• 🟠 If you can somehow buy Jerome Ford, do it. Yes, Kareem Hunt had a sizeable workload but Ford has been good. His end of year schedule includes the Broncos, Steelers, Bears, Texans, and Jets, who are all bottom half in points allowed to running backs. Bottom half as in, target the matchup.

•  🎖️ It took a while, but Brian Robinson finally had a big game, right when I wasn’t expecting it and sat him in most of the leagues I had him. So yay me. What’s interesting is it didn’t come on the ground but through the air. His six catches and 119 receiving yards were by far career highs.

Waiver Wire and Trade Targets

• QB: Joshua Dobbs vs. DEN, Jordan Love vs. LAC, Matthew Stafford vs. SEA

• RB: Devin Singletary vs. ARI (if starting/Pierce out), Ty Chandler vs. DEN, Rico Dowdle vs. CAR, Zach Charbonnet vs. LAR

• WR: Jayden Reed vs. LAC, Michael Wilson vs. HOU, Brandon Cooks vs. CAR, Noah Brown vs. ARI

• TE: Tyler Conklin vs. BUF, Luke Musgrave vs. LAC

• DST: Minnesota vs. DEN, Jacksonville vs. TEN, Washington vs NYG

One note, Dowdle is not a guaranteed play. Unless reports come out that he has earned a larger role, he’s reliant on the Cowboys getting up a massive lead to get work, which I believe they won’t have a problem doing against Carolina.

Thursday Night Preview

Both of these teams were on the wrong side of history, as each was one of the five teams to lose to game-winning field goals on Sunday. Finally, Thursday Night Football is gonna be fun 😎 We’ve got an AFC North matchup on tap.

Cincinnati Bengals

Tee Higgins is not expected to play in this game, so Trenton Irwin is in play once again. As is Tyler Boyd, who led the Bengals in targets with 12 against the Texans. Ja’Marr Chase is a given in your lineup, having 10 or more targets in all but one of five career games against the Ravens. Joe Burrow can get it done, even against the Ravens defense. Heck, the Browns kept pace with them, right?

Baltimore Ravens

It has been a frustrating year to be a Lamar Jackson fantasy owner. Week 1 was rough, the next month was fun, and then since we’ve all been wanting more from him. Contributing to the frustration is that the Ravens have run for 19 touchdowns compared to just 11 passing touchdowns. Lamar himself has run well and has the second-most rushing yards and touchdowns on the team, but his passing game just hasn’t been there. His rushing gives him a floor, but it’s the passing numbers that give him a ceiling. 

Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, and Keaton Mitchell are in a three-way committee. My favorite of the three is still Edwards, but Mitchell is showing explosiveness. I just want to see more of a workload for him than 3-5 touches a game before I trust him enough to start him. Unless he becomes the next De’Von Achane, who apparently scores every 3 times he looks at the ball, much less touches it.

It’s Mark Andrews or bust for me for the Ravens’ passing offense. Zay Flowers is okay as a floor play, but he’s just not lived up to the potential we all saw back in week 1.

Final Thoughts

That’s all I have for today, make sure to swing by on Friday for even more fantasy news and analysis!