Fantasy Index

Andy Richardson

A Day of Football

Just one week? Or signs of what's to come

I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of Just one week talk going on for the next couple of days. The Eagles looking good, the Packers and Bills looking bad, etc. I think a lot of that talk will be valid. And a lot of it will be overly optimistic. When a team puts up a real stinker, it can be an outlier, but also indicative of significant problems.

Jaguars at Texans: This is what I get for betting on a rookie quarterback. Virtually all of Trevor Lawrence's production came after the outcome was no longer in doubt. Some ugly interceptions and near interceptions. Not pretty. If you started Lawrence, as I did in our Blackout competition, no complaints, but the skills guys around him were less inspiring. But he'll be involved in lots of shootouts because Jacksonville's defense is still godawful. Houston just played its best game of the year. I suspect. I guess I need to give them some credit since I ripped them all offseason. Eh, they don't care.

Chargers at Football Team: The Ryan Fitzpatrick era came and went quickly. An offseason story about Mike Williams playing the Michael Thomas role in the offense seems relevant today. Good games for Williams, Keenan Allen, Justin Herbert, and the early Ekeler TD was nice for those who risked the hamstring injury. Nice stats and usage but a costly lost fumble (among 2 total) but Antonio Gibson. Fitzpatrick apparently out multiple weeks, what can you say, us older guys hurt our hips sometimes. Larry Rountree seems to be the No. 2 (although Justin Jackson not 100 percent, might have been a factor).

Seahawks at Colts: Tyler Lockett fans will say See? Skeptics will say he'll now have a few 3 for 30 games before blowing up again in Week 5. Whatever, nice week for Wilson and Lockett. You gotta like the way Seattle concentrates its offensive production with a few key players. For the Colts, well, the running backs were both productive. I can't imagine anyone actually benefited from Zach Pascal catching 2 TDs. Gonna be a tough passing game to invest in.

Jets at Panthers: You have to love when guys do what you hoped they would do, like Corey Davis. Not a great offensive outing for the Jets, but I've been thinking Carolina's defense might be better than expected, and it was. Big game for Christian McCaffrey, natch. 30 touches. Geez. Nothing else to point out except for the anticipated Jets running back committee.

Vikings at Bengals: Point 1 for the preseason doesn't matter argument. JaMarr Chase couldn't catch a cold in August but debuted with a nice game, as did Tee Higgins and Joe Burrow. Big game for Joe Mixon, Adam Thielen made us look good, K.J. Osborn came out of nowhere to hint Minnesota might have three good receivers (though Kirk Cousins won't throw for 350 every week). Reader talked me out of picking Minnesota in a Survivor Pool. Good call.

Cardinals at Titans: This was all Cardinals from the get-go, as the Titans left their intensity and drive back in 2020 I guess. Huge games for Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk, decent one for Chase Edmonds. I'm gonna put this in the just one week file for Tennessee -- they're better than this. I know there's a whole They miss Arthur Smith angle here, but I think it's too soon to start shipping off key Titans.

49ers at Lions: People who love the NFL and dislike fantasy football can presumably point to this game, where the casual observer might think Jared Goff lit it up with his new team. This one was in fact over early and Goff did it all in garbage time. Which might happen a lot this year because Detroit's defense isn't any good. Raheem Mostert got hurt early, shocker, but what was more surprising was Elijah Mitchell being the No. 2 who took over and ran for 100-plus, while preseason darling Trey Sermon was a healthy scratch. Huge game for Deebo Samuel, painful for those of us who ranked him way higher than anybody else a year ago, but came off that to prop up Brandon Aiyuk this season. In one league I drafted Aiyuk early and then let Samuel keep falling past my mid-round picks strictly because I didn't want to have both guys. Ah well, hope some had Deebo, who's looking like a No. 1 (for now).

Steelers at Bills: Reports of the demise of the Steelers Defense might have been premature. And the Bills might be finding out that it's a little tougher not to sneak up on people. Or maybe it's just one week. Anyhoo, the fact that Najee Harris didn't come off the field but did very little is mildly disappointing, although the Bills have a very good defense, too. So chill. Buffalo will bounce back, although Miami last week (who the Bills destroyed in the last meeting late last year, knocking them out of the playoffs) won't be easy.

Eagles at Falcons: First thought was the Falcons would be a train wreck this year. Second thought was, Oh, everyone's writing off Matt Ryan and company too soon! Third thought was the first thought was better. Eagles defense a little better than anticipated, I'd say, while those of us who gambled on Jalen Hurts are feeling a-OK today. Falcons have problems, and they face the Bucs next week.

Browns at Kansas City: Special teams factored heavily into this up, with the Browns dominating early but being unable to hold Patrick Mahomes and company down for four quarters, then serving up the game-losing touchdown after screwing up a punt deep in their own end. Typical great games from Hill, Kelce, Mahomes, Chubb, and Hunt scored too. A moment about Clyde Edwards-Helaire. If you like him you're glad about his feature-back usage. If you don't, you're pointing at his meager numbers despite great usage in an elite offense. Opportunity counts for a lot but I'm wondering if he's going to get those opportunities all year if he doesn't look a little better.

Packers at Saints: I do not know what to say about this one. Let's see: Green Bay missed its departed/injured offensive line starters, that's one thing. Maybe not playing any starters in the preseason hurt them here. New Orleans' defensive front still really good. Packers have a get-well game against the Lions defense next week, and I think they will. What's the 2nd-best thing about facing Aaron Rodgers yesterday? Knowing you won't have to face him in that league in Week 2. I have Juwan Johnson on benches everywhere. He will likely be starting in Week 2. I don't know what the story is with Marquez Callaway (in my lineups, not benches, everywhere) beyond he was facing a really good cornerback, and the Saints didn't throw to any wide receivers much. Will be better next week.

Broncos at Giants: I was at this game, so I have lots of thoughts. First, I've been a harsh critic of Teddy Bridgewater. There's good and bad for him here. The good: He stood tall in the pocket and made some really nice, clutch throws before getting hit. Impressed me. Was a winner yesterday. Threw what should have been a 50-yard touchdown that KJ Hamler flat-out dropped. Had a nice rapport with Jerry Jeudy, a real shame that Jeudy will be out for a while with a high-ankle sprain. The bad with Bridgewater was a couple of throws that could have been big plays but he didn't get them there. Receiver open, Bridgewater underthrew him. But better than I expected and good enough that Denver will win some games. Melvin Gordon a late breakaway TD that I didn't think he was capable of. But (and I haven't seen the snap counts) it felt like Javonte Williams played more. Not much running room for either team all game, just that one big play. Nice game for Sterling Shepard, unsurprising. Daniel Jones...I'm ready to call it on him. Can't make the throws. Giants will be looking for a new quarterback in the offseason. New York's line not helping him, but it was clear in the red zone all Jones wanted to do was run, not put a ball into a tight window. Not good enough. My Broncos fan son had a blast.

Dolphins at Patriots: Patriots fumble four times and lose by 1 point. You know that kills Bill Belichick. I don't think there were a ton of surprises here. Nice running game for Damien Harris (except for the game-losing fumble; Rhamondre Stevenson also lost one), Jakobi Meyers the best receiver, Tua Tagovailoa about as expected, running back committee for Miami. Oh: Mike Freaking Gesicki. I was higher on him than many so his zero hurt me in a couple of leagues. Seems like the Dolphins will be using a committee at the position with guys like Durham Smythe getting snaps. Just one game but a brutal one for Gesicki. Will be tough to start against Buffalo in Week 2.

Bears at Rams: Who needs the preseason. Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and the rest of his receivers sure looked good. Stafford making throws all game that Jared Goff not capable of. Kupp getting extra yards after every catch (had a 2nd TD reversed by replay). Great TD for Robert Woods, 1-yard TD for Darrell Henderson (worth pointing out, feature-back usage for Henderson, including that goal-line tote). Bears will apparently be using Justin Fields for some plays, probably for more as things move forward. Rams have a really good secondary and defense so too soon to write off the Bears offense.

Monday, Monday: Josh Jacobs showed up as "questionable" due to illness yesterday. It's a Week 1 reminder that if you're starting a player on Monday night, might be best to make sure you have an alternative to switch to. I don't, and will win anyway, but you hate to take a zero (especially if you already started Gesicki). Regardless, tough matchup for whoever the Raiders are able to put on the field. It's in Vegas and the Raiders should be fired up and all in front of a home crowd in their new stadium, but I'm thinking it will be Ravens 27, Raiders 17.

32 Reader Comments:

Dennis Salisbury

Cranston, RI
2021-09-13T13:48:06Z
I love the "Shenanigans" going on with the RB/WR? situation in the city by the bay! So now, we have a hurt RB, (Mostert) a 6th rounder (Mitchell) who jumped the 3rd rounder INACTIVE (Sermon) rounder for a great game...and I still and always want pieces of this running game...I guess we are stubborn? Who could have predicted that wild day in the SF backfield? Lets hope Brandon Aiyuk was milking an injury for week #1, perhaps?

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-09-13T13:57:20Z
The only good thing about San Francisco is at least you knew coming in that Aiyuk wasn't 100 percent and that Sermon was inactive. Mitchell will be a top add this week, and should be, though I'm not sure what Mostert's status is.

Richard Weber

Fort Myers, FL
2021-09-13T14:28:33Z
I didn't draft Mostert because -- although he is an electrifying runner -- you can't depend on him. And he was going too early for my taste. Shanny doesn't like bell-cow backs, but I'm putting in a bid for Elijah.

Eric Pryne

Vashon, WA
2021-09-13T14:58:06Z
Each of the 12 teams in our league rosters 21 players. That’s 252 altogether. Toward the end we’re drafting waterboys. Elijah Mitchell went undrafted. Where did he come from? He’ll be starting for someone in Week 2.

Scott Behiel

Angels Camp, CA
2021-09-13T15:21:08Z
Seemed like an awful lot of receiving TDs went to fantasy bench players. Curious as to the percentage. Gives credence to the high QB rankings to start the year.

Justin Eleff

Alexandria, VA
2021-09-13T15:33:45Z
There is real danger, when you know someone lies to the media all the time about everything, in deciding BUT NOW is when he’s telling the truth. Mitchell is only going to last as a feature guy until Shanahan likes Sermon again. Could be this week.

Justin Eleff

Alexandria, VA
2021-09-13T15:37:50Z
Re Gesicki, hang in there. I suspect Belichick decided that was the guy to erase after watching Tua lock on repeatedly in the preseason — and the Pats are great against TEs anyway. In my big league (start two TEs, only looking for one behind Waller) I sat Gesicki for Ertz this week. Will definitely be reversing that now that Bill is in the rearview.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-09-13T15:45:29Z
I was thinking that too about Gesicki. I hope you're right.

Robert McKinlay

Belews Creek, NC
2021-09-13T15:49:47Z
I drafted Tampa's Jones as RB 3. He fumbled and got benched. But Elijah's coming out makes me want him as my RB3 over Jones. Did draft Tony Jones. Hines, and Darrell Williams so lots of RB 3 potential. I swing for fences on Mitchell with 17% of FAAB.

Justin Eleff

Alexandria, VA
2021-09-13T15:53:04Z
I think we can even galaxy-brain it with Gesicki and quite possibly not be wrong. Flores knows Belichick very well. Maybe he figures Gesicki isn’t going to be the way to beat the Pats and bases his *plan* partly on that assumption. In any case, Gesicki has gotten too good, and Tua looks for him too often, to panic after one game against anyone, let alone the Pats.

Paul Desimone

Hayward, CA
2021-09-13T16:01:50Z
On the 49ers: I think Shanahan either didn't like something about Sermon (maybe a presumptive attitude, taking for granted his place in the rotation), or they're looking at thinning the RB room and wanted to do a 'live bullets' evaluation of the back end vs. a hapless opponent (49ers were fortunate to escape with a 'W'). As for Mostert, I saw him walking around without any visible discomfort. I'll be surprised if he's any less than 'Q' this week (he's always 'Q').

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-09-13T16:15:39Z
Somebody made the point that between the last exhibition season and the start of the regular season there were like 11 days of practices, closed to the media, during which Mitchell could have impressed the coaching staff relative to Sermon. I think if you invest heavily in Mitchell, and I might, you at least need to do so while acknowledging the reality that Shanahan won't necessarily keep the depth chart in the same order. It was a given that whoever got the most work against the Lions would have a big game running it.

Paul Desimone

Hayward, CA
2021-09-13T16:19:44Z
The 49ers will need to add a CB to replace Verritt (possibly Sherman), and even if on the street, a starting-caliber CB won't come cheap, thus my floating a,roster trim elsewhere.

David Kennedy

Steamburg, NY
2021-09-13T16:29:44Z
Daboll is over rated. The Bill's need to be more balanced. The one drive they decide to run Singletary marched them down the field. Looks like Devin might be the feature guy and a great value. Having Deebo as my fourth WR on multiple teams looks pretty outstanding. GB killed my warm fuzzy feeling about investing in Theilen and Montgomery this year. David Montgomery looks like a Stud.

Yaesha Newman

2021-09-13T17:07:48Z
Houston has some skill guys now who have the veteran, i am not done, chip on the shoulder.

That Locket & Maclaurin catches were insane. I know Metcalf was quiet, but his TD is the kind of play that will make him a monster inside the 10-15 yd line. He is a guy who will lead league in TDS for many years.

Darnold is terrible.

I dont understand the coach of the Rams. He consistently gets plays off that make people more open than in 6th grade backyard football. I used to hate Goff because he hit those. Its continuing with Stafford. Stafford is a real QB but what the hell does he do on offense that gets people so wide open.

John Sharp

Windsor, CA
2021-09-13T17:23:23Z
I drafted Tony Jones Jr on the strong advice of Fantasy Index cheat sheet ranking. If Mostert is to lose weeks (or if not) would you recommend dropping Jones to get Elijah Mitchell?

Andrew Napoli

Alexandria, VA
2021-09-13T17:32:39Z
I have Darrell Henderson in both of my leagues (and a keeper in one of those). Chicago was tough to run against but I loved the fact that the Rams kept Henderson in the game for pretty much every snap. He got all the goal line work and was in on passing downs. Unless Henderson gets hurt or has a fumbling streak, I think he's a sure bet to be a top 20 RB this season. With Stafford under center, there's no way defenses can stack the box like they used to try to do to Gurley every week. Stafford is a MAJOR upgrade from Goff and Henderson will benefit from that big time.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-09-13T17:48:34Z
John - I think it's a case-by-case situation. With Jones, he's not going to be somebody you can start each week -- but he could be a league-winner *if* Kamara were to miss time due to injury. I'd like to keep him around based on potential.

If Mostert is fine, Mitchell is in a similar boat. If Mostert is hurt and misses time, then Mitchell could potentially be a lead back for however long Mostert is out, so definitely a better starting option than Jones.

I'd like to keep both of them on my roster, but if I had to make a decision tonight or tomorrow, Mitchell is the one with better odds of being a Week 2 starter.

Dave Cohen

Brooklyn, NY
2021-09-13T18:50:43Z
I have no complaints about starting Rodgers yesterday. My opponent started Fitz. A win is a win, even if you have to bathe in tomato juice afterwards.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-09-13T20:25:09Z
Mostert out at least 8 weeks. Shocker.

Todd Weigel

Milwaukee, WI
2021-09-13T20:43:34Z
Sure, it looked like the Detroit game was over early. But those garbage-time yards and TDs got them to the opponent’s 25 down only 8 points with almost a minute left. It was almost an epic 24-point comeback in the last two minutes.

Joseph Lacher

Picayune, MS
2021-09-13T20:49:38Z
Well I was right about Najee "BUST" Harris.
I was right about Burrow be good...top 10...For now...
I was wrong about the Steeler DEF. Sorry if you listened to me on that one. I saw you moved them to 8th in the final update.

Your rankings for drafting (PPR at least) were very good this year. The best you've had in a long time.

Good job. Another $87 coming your way again next year.

Your Cory Davis, Brandin Cooks, and M. Jones rankings allowed me to draft RBs and TEs early knowing I would get solid WRs late. Only one you missed on was Callaway and I was high on him too so not your fault I took him and started him everywhere also.

Paul Desimone

Hayward, CA
2021-09-13T21:08:38Z
Yikes (Mostert). My teams have all left the fantasy realm and become Survivor League teams.

Jim Backstrom

Henderson, NV
2021-09-13T21:59:40Z
Justin.. I love start TWO TE leagues. Throws another wrinkle into the draft just like a two QB (or super flex) leagues

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-09-13T22:00:41Z
I’m not giving up on Callaway ...Winston only completed 14 passes and most were to running backs and tight ends... that won’t happen every week

John Evans

Jacksonville, FL
2021-09-13T23:16:11Z
Alexander followed Callaway the entire game. He literally followed him. Then they’d put safety top over top. The Packers knew he was the threat. I was at the game. Great bye low guy.

John Evans

Jacksonville, FL
2021-09-13T23:17:36Z
Andy...I have Goedert and Gesicki on a dynasty team. Would you be bold enough to get rid of either or drop Ronald Jones for Juwan Johnson?

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-09-13T23:57:50Z
I was feeling better about Juwan until I saw he only played 12 snaps yesterday. TDs are great but he’ll be hit or miss with that usage.

Eric Goetz

Shoreline, WA
2021-09-14T00:08:08Z
Andy, were Juwan's 12 snaps solely as part of their endzone package or was he involved elsewhere on the field?

John Evans

Jacksonville, FL
2021-09-14T00:20:11Z
Trautman looked like complete crap. Easily the worst effort by a Saints player. Dropping passes...penalties...good blocker though

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-09-14T01:47:25Z
One of his catches was near midfield, converting a 4th and 7. He is actually lining up as a tight end, at least on two of those catches; wide receiver on the third. Had another end-zone target that was picked (but erased by a penalty). I definitely like the guy, the low snap count just concerns me a little.

dean stewart

Seagoville, TX
2021-09-14T12:51:07Z
Saints defense for real? They shut down Rodgers worth a pickup waiver wire just to see.
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