Paired up against the second Presidential debate, it was easy to get distracted away from football to see the immediate fallout off the now infamous Donald Trump video, that amongst other things, had him describing how he likes grabbing women’s bathing suit areas as a mating ritual of some sort. (Let’s approach this anatomically really quick… can you actually “grab” someone by the hoo-ha? I mean, wouldn’t that be like picking up a bowling ball with just your thumb? It doesn’t even make any sense…) While I want to acknowledge that there was a very important moment in history that occurred last night in terms of how much you enjoy the consumption of popcorn while watching an 167-car pileup, I would only say this one thing before I move on: I wish someone had asked a fantasy football question. I mean, with all the bye weeks coming up, it IS topical as f*ck, right? So that being said, I’ll continue where the title of our post teases, which is: was that the most Eli game ever? That might have been. I mean, on one hand, Eli Manning somehow led the Giants to two Super Bowl titles. On the other hand, there’s stuff like this: 18-for-35, 199 yards and 1 TD, and the bi-weekly fumble (as opposed to his bi-weekly interception). This sort of relates to him as a fantasy quarterback too (XBox Segue Achievement Unlocked), in that at the base level, he’s a pretty run-of-the-mill option that ends up giving you 3500+ yards and 30+ touchdowns. There’s value to that, sure, and of course the Razzball community knows our policy with quarterbacks in most formats is to delay in the draft as long as you can (like my lovemaking), and this is usually where we end up: a bit below Ben Roethlisberger and a bit above the Andy Dalton line. But what I think separates the quarterbacks in this group are their weapons. Having probably one of the best receiving trios in the NFL is a fantasy boon is something that certainly keeps his value up, even when there are macabre games like this.
Here’s what else I saw during yesterday’s Week 5 Sunday games… (Maybe this will be the first week the Chargers don’t lose a high profile player to injury. MAYBE.)
Odell Beckham Jr. – 5 REC, 56 YDS, 11.2 AVG, 1 TD. So Ben McAdoo has a sense of humor… go figure.
Martellus Bennett – 6 REC, 67 YDS, 11.2 AVG, 3 TD. The reaction when I checked my team and remembered that I dropped Bennett earlier this week… So, there were some doubts as to how Bennett fits in this offense with both Brady and Gronkowski back, and it looks like it works. I would say that the tight end position is a revolving door once you get outside the top-5, so releasing him hurts much less than holding him in some respects, especially when the bye weeks approach, but I’m intrigued rest-of-season and think he should be owned in all formats if he already isn’t.
Legarrette Blount – 18 CAR, 37 YDS, 2.1 AVG, 1 TD. Uh, you do know you were playing the Browns, right? It’s no secret that Blount’s role becomes a bit more volatile with Brady’s return, so putting him out there as an available piece right after he has a good game isn’t the wildest idea I’ve heard, but he’s also in a spot where holding him makes sense too. He’ll have games like this, for sure, but Belichick still invests into the run game a lot, it’s just kinda harder to nail down the when.
Sam Bradford – 22/30, 271 YDS, 9.0 AVG, 2 TD, 123.1 RTG and 2 CAR, – 2 YDS. I had a weird dream last night where the Vikings beat the crap out of some fictional team from Houston (that WASN’T the Oilers). Wake me up? Honestly, if you’d told me before the season that the Vikings, having lost Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson to the IR, and trading for Sam Bradford, and because of this they would be the only undefeated team left after Week 5…
Tom Brady – 28/40, 406 YDS, 10.1 AVG, 127.7 RTG and 2 CAR, 14 YDS. What did the Browns do to deserve the this matchup? I’ll give them this though, it was the thoughtful thing to give the crowd what they want to see: all Brady, all day.
I hate the bumblebee uniforms so much. So, so much.
Sammie Coates – 6 REC, 139 YDS, 23.2 AVG, 2 TD. I think the Jets would have received a more productive use of their money by burning the amount they pay the secondary right on the field and calling it their cover 2 defense.
Tevin Coleman – 6 CAR, 31 YDS, 5.2 AVG and 4 REC, 132 YDS, 33.0 AVG, 1 TD. The template for every good Atlanta sports team are impressive regular seasons before postseason collapses… that’s what I’ve seen at least. Now, legitimizing that view (at least about the regular season) against a very-very good Broncos defense… that’s something.
Amari Cooper – 6 REC, 138 YDS, 23.0 AVG, 1 TD. God, the Chargers are melancholy-inducing.
Kirk Cousins – 29/41, 260 YDS, 6.3 AVG, 1 TD, 1 INT, 85.4 RTG and 1 CAR, -1 YDS. Kirk Cousins has switched from underthrowing to overthrowing. This is an improvement, as at least this strategy probably won’t get his receivers killed. Baby steps everyone.
Jamison Crowder – 3 REC, 35 YDS, 11.7 AVG. Jameson > Jamison. I’m just stating the facts folks. I would have also accepted “drinking Jameson > watching the Washington offense”.
Andy Dalton – 29/41 269 YDS, 6.6 AVG, 2 TD, 104.6 RTG and 6 CAR, 34 YDS, 5.7 AVG. Pretty sure the Bengals were the fastest team in history to ragequit an NFL game with a 28-0 deficit at the fourth quarter. Random question though: If Dalton breaks an arm or leg, would that be… *puts on sunglasses* a Ginger Snap?
Isaiah Crowell – 13 CAR, 22 YDS, 1.7 AVG and 1 REC, 18 YDS. The only O-line in Cleveland that I can say exists is: “OHHHH MY GOD THE QUARTERBACK IS DOWN AGAIN!” Not sure if it’s the reason the running game didn’t take off, but I feel like it’s somewhat related.
Ezekiel Elliott – 15 CAR, 134 YDS, 8.9 AVG, 2 TD and 3 REC, 37 YDS, 12.3 AVG. I just wanted to let you all know that I found my keys this morning. Pretty hard to find, took a lot of time, but I’m happy everything worked out. Now, time to start looking for the Bengals run defense…
Will Fuller V – 1 REC, 4 YDS. So what the ef was going on with Houston yesterday? Why did the return specialist outscore Fuller? I just don’t understand this team. I don’t understand life.
Todd Gurley – 23 CAR, 72 YDS, 3.1 AVG, 1 TD and 3 REC, 36 YDS. LADIES AND GENTS, TODD GURLEY DID SOMETHING! WOOOOOOOOOOO. Keep holding, this’ll right itself. I think. Probably. Maybe. I’m certain. Sorta.
Hunter Henry – 3 REC, 74 YDS, 24.7 AVG, 1 TD. Hunter Henry could also be Hunter, Henry! Or Hunter: Henry! Yes, these are the things I think about when watching Chargers games. Seems more productive than eating a whole bottle of antidepressants.
Jeremy Hill – 4 CAR, 12 YDS, 3.0 AVG. THIS JEREMY HILL, I CALL HIM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, BECAUSE HE’S IN COMPLETE DISARRAY, THE NATION THINKS HE’S A JOKE, AND HE’S DRIVING PEOPLE TO DRINK INTO EXCESS!
T.Y. Hilton – 10 REC, 171 YDS, 17.1 AVG, 1 TD. I forgot Hilton existed. You know who didn’t? Rudy’s Pigskinator, ranking him in the top-5 of all receivers this week. In terms of this game, maybe the Luck-Hilton thing is coming back, or maybe in honor of breast cancer awareness month, the Bears secondary decided to go tits-up.
DeAndre Hopkins – 5 REC, 56 YDS, 11.2 AVG, 1 TD. Hey, some points! I don’t care, I’m committed for the long term here. (Probably the famous last words of Edward Smith.) Don’t caaaaaaaaare.
Brian Hoyer – 33/43, 397 YDS, 9.2 AVG, 2 TD, 120.0 RTG and 1 CAR, -1 YDS. Hoyers ranked: 1) Steny Hoyer 2) Brian Hoyer 3) Uh, I don’t think there are any other Hoyer’s to be honest.
Andre Johnson – 2 REC, 13 YDS, 6.5 AVG, 1 TD. Heaven forbid Tajae Sharpe (2 REC, 17 YDS, 8.5 AVG) gets some targets…
Case Keenum – 21/31, 271 YDS, 8.7 AVG, 2 INT. Case Keenum: Not a good quarterback.
Cody Kessler – 5/8, 62 YDS, 7.8 AVG, 1 TD, 126.0 RTG and 1 CAR, 0 YDS. Kessler went to the locker room early in the second quarter yesterday with injuries to his ribs and chest and did not return. Is playing quarterback for the Browns indicative of a death wish or something? I feel like at this point, it’s definitely a cry for help.
Eddie Lacy – 11 CAR, 81 YDS, 7.4 AVG and 1 REC, 3 YDS. During Pinktober, does Lacy give a demonstration on how to check for lumps on his own boobs?
Jarvis Landry – 3 REC, 28 YDS, 9.3 AVG. I think nihilism is a prerequisite any time you own a Miami Dolphins player. More specifically, their players on offense. All of them.
Jesse James – 6 REC, 43 YDS, 7.2 AVG, 1 TD. If you took a drink every time the Jets messed up an assignment during one game, you’d be dead by now.
Jerick McKinnon – 20 CAR, 36 YDS, 1.8 AVG and 1 REC, 10 YDS. Don’t give into peer pressure, fail like you’ve never failed before maaaaaan.
Cameron Meredeth – 9 REC, 130 YDS, 1 TD. I don’t know what the heck a Cameron Meredeth is or what it does, but I’m happy it exists!
Dak Prescott – 18/24, 227 YDS, 9.5 AVG, 1 TD, 117.9 RTG and 7 CAR, 4 YDS, 1 TD. God, my Dak is so hard right now. I hope Tony Romo is subscribed to LinkedIn.
Theo Riddick – 11 CAR, 49 YDS, 4.5 AVG and 6 REC, 33 YDS, 5.5 AVG, 2 TD. Might have been worth it for the Eagles to cover the Chronicles of Riddick at some point. I’m no “thinking man”, but that’s the humble conclusion I came to.
Philip Rivers – 20/29, 359 YDS, 12.4 AVG, 4 TD, 2 INT, 122.0 RTG. Is Philip Rivers’s wife not pregnant? The Chargers did SOMETHING to upset the universe.
Ben Roethlisberger – 34/47, 380 YDS, 8.1 AVG, 4 TD, 124.4 RTG. “I usually try to get them drunk first, but yeah…” – Ben Roethlisberger on watching the Donald Trump video this weekend.
Ryan Tannehill – 12/18, 191 YDS, 10.6 AVG, 2 INT, 62.3 RTG. Shocking news: Tannehill is not a good quarterback.
Tyrod Taylor – 12/23, 124 YDS, 5.4 AVG, 2 TD, 97.0 RTG and 5 CAR, 28 YDS, 5.6 AVG. The real question here is: will Tony Romo do a reverse Drew Bledsoe and go to Buffalo when he’s run out of town? Though, I hear the Broncos could use another old quarterback who is coming off a major injury who has maybe 1500-2000 pass attempts left in him before turning to dust…
Carson Wentz – 25/33, 238 YDS, 7.2 AVG, 2 TD, 1 INT, 102.8 RTG and 2 CAR, 14 YDS. Almost time for Eagles fans to shift gears from “cautiously optimistic” to “completely insufferable”. That transition should be excruciatingly soon…
Charlie Whitehurst – 14/24, 182 YDS, 7.6 AVG, 1 TD, 1 INT, 78.8 RTG and 2 CAR, 1 YDS. Did I just hear the name Clipboard Jesus mentioned? Browns are down to their third quarterback, and that’s like the 78th quarterback to a real franchise.
Final Thought
I was offered Lamar Miller for Howard, Lockett. and Royal. Take it?
It’s 0.5ppr and pp15 return yards (Lockett finished as WR-12 last year with his 1200 return yards).
@Butterfield: Yeah, I think you do. Howard is getting hype, but Lamar is the one thing that’s working 100% in Miami.
@Jay: Miller dont play in Miami anymore Jay you still asleep LOL..
@Brian: Houston is the Miami of Texas
@William Hung: The Houston Texans of Miami.
@Brian: Oh yeah, haha, that was before coffee. I feel the same is true of the Texans, which might explain that flub.
Jay would you trade Melvin Gordon and Kelce for D. Hopkins ? Or I could possibly trade Bennett and Gordon for Hopkins would you do either ? My other backs are Lamar Miller, CMike , Demarco Murray and Henry. My other WR are AJ Green, Hurns and Snead. Thanks
@Brian: Yeah, I like that deal for you. I like the first option better I think.
Hey, Jay! Rashad Jennings or Dion Lewis ros? I’m in a full point, PPR league? Thanks!
@Jerry: PPR? Have to take the lottery ticket on Lewis in that format, could be a post-season boon in fantasy if his time table looks good.
Ok, thanks! Also, Kerley or Michael Floyd ros, in a full point, PPR league?
@Jerry: tough one, I still think it’s Floyd, but I’d rather have Kerley week to week if that makes sense.
Yep; Kerley is more consistent, while Floyd is the better talent. Thanks!
@Jerry: Totally, np!
Great recap, Jay.
I had the exact thoughts on Eli last night. Can’t stand him. Why did I even draft him? Oh, because he was the tenth QB taken in a ten-team league…
Ryan has now beaten Carolina and Denver (in Denver!) the past couple of weeks. Do you start him in Seattle over Eli (v Wash I think)? How about over Rivers (@ Den on Thursday night)? After benching Ryan the past couple of weeks, I’m thinking about rolling him, but Seattle, coming off a bye, that’s gonna be rough…
Oh, and one more. Don’t think. Just answer. Does Benjamin go over or under 11 fantasy points (standard scoring) on MNF?
Thanks for your help!
@JakeTPE: Thanks man! I still think Eli is the better play right now. Seattle isn’t as imposing, but they still have the ability to shut down qbs. I wouldn’t start Rivers against Denver out of those names, could get ugly. I think Benjamin does!
@Jay: Thanks for the advice, Jay! Yeah, gonna have a long think about Eli after SNF. Hopefully going home will help and Washington’s pass defense doesn’t seem as formidable as GB’s. Hard to ignore what Ryan has done the past couple of weeks and throughout the season. Maybe it’s time to start believing! I agree Ryan > Rivers, but PR has been doing the business this season, at least when it comes to fantasy. Still, those TNF games are rough. Hope your MUs go your way on MNF! Cheers.
@JakeTPE: I totally agree on Rivers, but that team is teetering on disaster at the moment. He is still a top-10 QB for me ROS, but these matchups against the Broncos are going to be his hiccups I think.
Dynasty league trade. 2qb league. 1PPR league. No round values attached.
Should I trade my Tyrod Taylor/Mike Evans for DeAndre Hopkins/ Tyler Eifert?
My starting QBs are Luck and Dak/Romo so I should be good without Tyrod I’m thinking. How do you like the trade for me? I think it really comes down to who do you like more long term Evans or DeAndre? Since Evans has Winston I’m thinking I like Evans more long term so I’m not sure if I should make this deal. What do you think? Thanks!
I’d hold there. I like both names on your side, both because of the dynasty aspect, and I think Tyrod’s value is upticked a lot in 2QB leagues.
@Jay: thanks bro!
@Mike: any time!
Alshon Jeffery, Isiaah crowell, John Brown for Ezekeial elliot and Jeremy maclin..
also, what about
jeffery, crowell, john brown for elliot and edelman?
thanks
@whattodo: Elliott side, but it’s close. I think the same for both.
@whattodo: Elliot side(s). He’s the best player of them all.
Is it time to start getting concerned about CJ Anderson? Where do you see his value ROS (PPR)
Thanks!
@Dave: not yet, I just think that was a bad day for the entire team. The Chargers run defense is pretty bad.
Hey Jay! Who is the better WR picker for ROS in 1 pt ppr in ur opinion…Meredith or Coates ?
@JohnnyBeGood: Coates.
Rivers is my only QB and I’m looking to pick up someone since he plays DEN twice in the next 3 weeks. Who do you like between Alex Smith, Hoyer, and Dalton? Also, I’m having a tough time figuring out who to drop out of this bunch:
Moncrief
Booker (I have CJA)
Washington (DET and OAK)
Wallace
Is Wallace the dead weight here? Other WRs are Dez, Marvin Jones and Pryor.
Thanks!
@Michael: Haven’t thought about it in detail, but I feel like Smith might have the stability, and Dalton the ceiling here. I think Booker is the safer to drop, I do like Wallace a bit here.
Hey jay!
.5 ppr league
Would you look to deal my Melvin Gordon?
My RBs are David Johnson, Melvin Gordon, Jordan Howard, Andre Ellington
I was thinking of dealing Melvin for either one of Lamar Miller, CJ Anderson. Would you do that ? I could also throw in either Shepard, fuller or Chris hogan
@Bobby’s world: Sure, you seem to have some depth, but trading him to upgrade is always ideal. I’d trade him for both.
@Jay:
Thanks man! If I am not able to trade for either Miller or Anderson would you be happy with Gordon ROS?
To bolster my RB depth I’m dropping will tye to add either Booker, Rainey, Dwayne Washington, or Peyton barber now that sims is on IR
12 team 1pt PPR. Thoughts on trade proposed to me:
Give:
C-Mike
Snead
Get:
Nuk Hopkins
Currently 4-1 (possibly 5-0 after tonight, but unlikely). This would leave me a understaffed at RB for a bit…. Currently have:
QB – Big Ben
WR – A-Rob
WR – Edelman
RB – Forte
RB – C. Michael
Flx – Snead
TE – Gronk
BN – Tyrell Williams
BN – Duke Johnson
BN – K. Dixon
BN – Dion Lewis
BN – Enunwa
BN – Eifert
Forte
C. Michael
Duke Johnson
K. Dixon
Dion Lewis
Really like the idea of having 3 stud WR’s (A-Rob, Nuk, Edelman) to play every week, and still have Tyrell to plug into the flex on WR bye weeks. I should win week 7 easily, and hoping D. Lewis can come back strong by then or shortly thereafter. And there’s always the question of Michael sharing time with Rawls once he returns.
Waiver wire RB’s to hold me over until then.
Jalen Richard
Ajayi
Artis-Payne
Rainey
Thoughts??
Thanks!
@omar: Yeah, I like the idea of it, especially that when Rawls returns, that situation gets a little murky.
I think Ajayi might be worth a shot… I keep saying that, but Miami is still doing it.
@Jay:
Went ahead and pulled the trigger. Should I try to flip Gronk for Jamaal Charles to boost up my RB situation? Or just let well enough alone? I’d be rolling with Eifert the rest of the way. Lot of risks there – Jamaal’s injury history along with Eifert’s current situation (although Gronk has the same).
very random question Jay…in my 12-team work league (our first league at work) it is split in 3 divisions of which in my division I’m 2-2 with another co-worker. That person I’m tied with is facing someone outside our division and there matchup is tight (1 pt difference) with the guy in other division up 1 with TB D left.
Would you advise him to bench that D for the win in case TB gets negative points? This obviously benefits me as I move into a tie for 1st in division and bottom 2 are now 2-3 and 1-4…
Some of these co-workers are not diligent about waivers, some have no clue whats going on (I think), so I feel bad pointing this out but when $700 is on the line, I think twice haha…
The only reason I’m considering all this is because I can see Carolina in primetime (even without Cam) shine & TB left with second game of season netting (-)
@Nick: If he has no one else starting, then yeah, just take the auto win.
aaaannnndddd the hits keep coming – Charles Sims to IR.
I now need to find replacements for 2 RB spots – DeAndre Washington and Charles Sims…
I came out of the draft with the following RBs – Woodhead, Foster, Sims, Jones, Bernard, and D-Lewis
Whatever is ailing Rashad Jennings needs to be fixed ASAP. My team needs him back more than ever.
Who are your lowly owned RBs to target this week? My team currently has 3 Dolphins players (Foster, Parker, and Landry) – do I roll with 4 and pick up Ajayi?
@William Hung: I think Ajayi is the best name out there, but man, if you’re going to sign an entire team, maybe try the Patriots or Packers next time. Haha.
@Jay: Didn’t do it on purpose. The two teams I traded with, I swapped out Bernard for Parker and then did that Wentz / Cobb deal for Stafford / Landry
I really thought Foster would be a decent RB…
I might skip on Ajayi just cause he’s not any good – and roll with DeAndre Washington and drop Charles Sims for Dwayne Washington for the upside plays
On second thought – what do you think of Devontae Booker? Is he any good and can he really get 10-12 carries per game with room for more?
@William Hung: I still think that’s on the high end, pretty sure CJA gets a monster game against my Chargers, but if you are going purely for upside, that RB can get weird if Anderson continues to struggle for a little more.
@William Hung: I was high on Foster I think, but I don’t think he alone could do this much. It’s more of the bad luck spreading. And that works too. I’m not a huge fan of Ajayi, but Drake isn’t the answer right now.
Thoughts on Forte vs. Gore going forward?
Forte has really struggled since his first two weeks. Gore is solid every week and never great.
I need to move one of them. Targeting Amare Cooper or Greg Olsen.
@Rice: On a related note: I feel like I can potentially buy low on Deandre Hopkins right now but I’m really not sure how badly I want him with Osweiler at the helm.
How would you compare Amare Cooper vs. Hopkins?
@Rice: I like Forte a little bit more there, just because he offers a bit more ceiling.
My team(PPR)
RB: Miller, DeMarco, Gio, James White – Dion Lewis stashed
WR: Hopkins, Cooper, Diggs, DJaz, Michael Floyd
Deal DeMarco for B Marshall & Blount?
@Don Majikowski: I think I’d hold here, your RB is a bit more precarious and your WR group seems fine.
deep ass 20 team dynasty, now with
QB cousins/goff
RB blount/mckinnon/thompson (start 1, but still losing sims bad)
WR (start 2) agholor/doctson/treadwell (somebody dropped him)/d-jax/k.benjamin
TE reed/brate
IR sims/AP
K parkey (also lutz/myers out there)
who’s best RB stash: blue/hightower/farrow/zenner/c.west/kelley/j.bell/hillman/s.taylor
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: Hmm, I like a couple guys there, West, Farrow a bit, even Taylor. But I think West is the guy here.
@Jay: hmm, even with charles and ware eh.
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: oh yeah, dynasty might play a part there. doubt i have room to keep whoever i grab here (unless of course by next year’s preseason west has a lot of value more than now), more about bye week usage, or short term value gain, like with last year’s hightower (no small part of why i won last year was finding out midweek about ingram suddenly going out for year, it was like a wednesday)
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: Yeah, just because I think if health is an issue, he slots in as a RB2. I’m not sure what the other backs path is at the moment.
holy jebus, yeah spending a 2nd rounder on a kicker sure looks smart. somebody should tell TB kickers are often available FA players, and they are legal to sign and play on their team.
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: Yeah… even if they got Goose or Tucker iwth that pick, it’d be odd.
I fall to 1-4 because the team that barely averages 100 points goes off for 116 and I finish with 114 because Derek Anderson throws an endzone pick targeting Greg Olsen who finishes 2 points shy of helping me win.
Seriously, at some point this shit needs to stop right? Next week I am playing a team that has Tom Brady but also averages in the low 100s… I imagine that Brady will put up 40 points next week.
@William Hung: to be fair, the “guy who averages in low 100’s” had been doing that with a backup QB and all, not starting that guy now.
@William Hung: I can’t believe it was that close. Crazy stuff man. Well, you can ask the Chargers the same questoin, haha… now I’m sad.
12 team 1 pt PPR. Thinking about offering one of the following:
Give:
Forte
Edelman
Tyrell Williams
Get:
Lamar Miller
Stefon Diggs
Or
Get:
Demarco Murray
Brandin Cooks
Would you do either (or both). If so, which deal would you prioritize?
@omar: I would do both, the first one being the Miller one.
What side of:
Matt forte, Isaiah Crowell, Kenneth Dixon, john brown for tevin coleman, Rawls,doug Martin, Jimmy graham are you on?
@Peep: Forte side, but it’s close.
You’re awful.
@Ry Wheeler: Thanks man!
@Jay: weird dialogue here.
@Beware the Shit Rope: it happens.