Fun, Failure, Frustration, & Fame: Week 5 Edition

FUN

This is my reminder that fantasy football should be fun.  It is also fair warning that I only play (and write about) fantasy football for fun.  I have never done a paid league, and I would not suggest you use my thoughts in a betting situation.  I am NOT an expert, and I play for fun.

FAILURE Part One:  My Failures

QB Michael Penix Jr.

Michael Penix Jr. rebounded in a big way with impressive stats:  20 of 26 passing for 313 yards and 2 TDs, 1 interception + 4 rushes for 2 yards.

QB Russell Wilson

I was only wrong in that I thought it would take a few more bad performances for the New York Giants to bench Russell Wilson for rookie Jaxson Dart!

Tre Tucker (waiver wire suggestion)

I suggested WR Tre Tucker as a waiver wire addition, and he disappointed in Week 4.  He only had two receptions for 13 yards and two rushes for nine yards.

Tyquan Thornton

I suggested WR Tyquan Thornton as a waiver wire addition because he looked explosive in Week 3.  However, with WR Xavier Worthy returning to the lineup, he managed only a single reception for 11 yards (he did have a TD to salvage the day if anyone had them in their lineup). It looks like he can’t be trusted as a fantasy option moving forward, even though he may make the occasional explosive play.

Part Two:  This Week’s Player “Failures”

QB Jake Browning

OK, this is the last time I’m putting Jake Browning on the player failure list as he clearly is not ready to lead this team to be competitive.  Another putrid stat line:  14 of 25 passing for 125 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT + 3 rushes for 4 yards.  Time to cut Browning if he is still on your fantasy team.

Verdict:  TREND

WR Tee Higgins

Rinse and repeat for WR Tee Higgins what I just said about Jake Browning.  He looks like he will not be a reliable fantasy option with Browning at QB.  He managed three receptions for 32 yards.

Verdict:  TREND

WR Ja’Marr Chase

OK, I admit.  I’m having fun piling onto the Cincinnati Bengals’ misery here.  Ja’Marr Chase managed just five receptions for 23 yards.  That’s two straight games at 50 yards or less with Browning starting.  It’s hard to bench Chase and you likely don’t have a better option if he is on your team, but expect very modest numbers from here on out.

Verdict:  TREND

QB Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco not only put up putrid numbers:  16 of 34 for 184 yards and two interceptions, but he was benched for rookie Dillon Gabriel.  I didn’t think the Browns would make the switch to Gabriel this week as they are traveling to London to play the Minnesota Vikings, but they announced this morning that they have.

Verdict:  TREND

QB Lamar Jackson

OK, I can’t trash the AFC North competitors without mentioning the pathetic performance by the Ravens, starting with QB Lamar Jackson.  Lamar was 14 of 20 for 147 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception + 6 rushes for 48 yards before leaving with a hamstring injury.  The big question for Lamar is his health.  Short-term, expect he either misses a game or more or his productivity will decrease as he is limited.  Long-term, if healthy, he is still a top-tier fantasy QB.

Verdict:  TREND (short-term)/FLUKE (Long-term)

RB Derrick Henry

RB Derrick Henry only carried the ball times for 42 yards + he added two receptions for 16 yards.  That usage is completely inexcusable.  Even coach John Harbaugh called out the play-calling here by offensive coordinator Todd Monken which he almost never does.  Let’s hope some sense is knocked into Monken and they give Henry the ball!

Verdict:  FLUKE

FRUSTRATION

Ravens Offensive Coordinato Todd Monken

Someone knock some sense into Monken and tell him to give Derrick Henry the ball!  You have a weapon.  Use it!

Late Scratch RB Jaylen Warren

It was a tough break for some Jaylen Warren fantasy owners if they weren’t paying close attention to the Week 4 inactives.  Warren was surprisingly inactive after most reports were that he was expected to play.  I am sure that cost a few fantasy owners a victory this week.

More serious injuries:

The 2 big injuries this week are WR Malik Nabers and WR Tyreek Hill who suffered season-ending injuries.

FAME Part One:  What I Got Right Last Week

QB Jake Browning

OK, I’m piling on here, but Browning and the Bengals are BAD without QB Joe Burrow.

WR Tee Higgins

OK, I’m piling on here, but Higgins and the Bengals are BAD without QB Joe Burrow.

QB Jordan Love

It was an impressive bounce-back offensive  performance by QB Jordan Love; 31 of 43 passing for 337 yards and 3 TD plus 3 rushes for 28 yards.  Unfortunately for him, the Green Bay Packers had to settle for a 40-40 tie because the defense did not do their part.

Part Two:  Who I Like on the Waiver Wire

TE Darren Waller

Impressive season debut for TE Darren Waller.  He had two touchdowns on the night, albeit only on three receptions for 27 yards.  With Tyreek Hill lost for the season, Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins are going to be desperate for pass catchers.  Waller can help and is a big end-zone target.  While I don’t expect him to put up huge numbers and touchdowns can’t be counted on, he is a respectable TE play in a pinch.

WR Darius Slayton

While he only had three catches for 44 yards this week, I expect him to get more opportunities due to Nabers going down for the season with a torn ACL.

RB Kendre Miller

I think Kendre Miller could be a sneaky stash-and-hope type add.  For the first time this season, Miller was given double-digit carries, carrying 11 times for 65 yards and a touchdown.  As the season goes on, don’t be surprised if the Saints give the 23 year old Miller more opportunities (at the expense of veteran Alvin Kamara).

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