Fun, Failure, Frustration & Fame: Week 4 Edition

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

Part One is where I admit my failures and point out where I was wrong last week.

QB Geno Smith

Major credit to Geno Smith for bouncing back from a rough game.  Las week I said you can’t rely on Geno, and Sunday he was 19 of 29 for 289 passing yards with three touchdowns, and he added two rushes for five yards and a successful two-point conversion.  Geno will continue to have good games and bad games, so it’s hard to count on him.  I wouldn’t trust him as my QB in fantasy unless I was desperate, possibly for a spot start.

QB Jake Browning

Wow!  Was I wrong on this one!  I knew the Bengals offense would take a step back after Jake Browning took over for Joe Burrow.  But, I expected way more from Browning with WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.  Browning put up a pathetic performance: 19 of 27 passing for 140 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions, including a pick-six.  I think he will bounce back and play better than he did Sunday, but the Bengals are in trouble unless he is significantly better.

WR Romeo Doubs

I thought Romeo Doubs would take the opportunity with fellow WR Jayden Reed out.  Doubs managed only two receptions for 25 yards.  The Browns defense is playing great, so it’ll be interesting to see if he bounces back Week 4.

RB Derrick Henry

Derrick Henry not only had another fumble, his 3^rd in three games, but also put up a stat line of 12 rushes for 50 yards (1 TD) and one reception for 7 yards.  I am forced to face reality and take off the purple-shaded glasses.  Henry is not the RB he used to be.  Hopefully he figures out the fumble issue or it is going to make it hard for this team to trust him and open the door for other RBs.  I don’t think we can count on Henry putting up big stat lines consistently.

WR DeAndre Hopkins

This is more of a game-planning failure.  When Hopkins is on the field, he makes plays.  Yet, for some reason he is still seeing very limited snaps.  Monday night he played only 14 snaps and ended up with one catch for 13 yards.

Part Two:  This Week’s Player “Failures”

QB Jake Browning

See stats above.  While I don’t think he will be this bad moving forward, I think it shows he’s not ready to be the guy.  I expect very inconsistent results from him from here on out.

Verdict:  TREND

WR Tee Higgins

One reception for 15 yards? Obviously, I expected a drop-off for Tee Higgins with Browning stepping in for the injured Joe Burrow.  I did not see this big of a drop off.  I had more confidence in Browning coming into this week, but I definitely expect Higgins to struggle as long as Browning is in there.  If any WR puts up numbers for the Bengals on a consistent basis with Browning, it will be Ja’Marr Chase and not Higgins.

Verdict:  TREND

QB Jordan Love

Jordan Love was 18 of 25 for 183 yards with a touchdown and an interception aginast the Cleveland Browns. First off, the Cleveland Browns have a darn good defense.  Second, the numbers weren’t that bad.  I fully expect Love to bounce back.

Verdict:  FLUKE

QB Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson was 18 of 32 for 160 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.  This is the Russell Wilson we all know.  He’ll throw the “moon ball.”  Sometimes it works (like it did last week against the Dallas Cowboys), sometimes it doesn’t, especially against good defenses (like Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs).  Rookie Jaxson Dart has been named the starter for Big Blue.

Verdict:  TREND

QB Michael Penix Jr.

Michael Penix Jr. Was 18 of 36 passing for 172 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions.  He added two rushes for nine yards.  While Penix is a dual-threat QB, he simply is not putting up numbers that make him fantasy-relevant even when Atlanta has done enough to win.  Sunday, he got completely shut down versus a mediocre at best Carolina Panthers team.

Verdict:  TREND

FRUSTRATION

RB Injuries

James Conner and Najee Harris went down Sunday with season-ending injuries.

Washington RB Committee

As of now, no running back on the Washington Commanders can be relied on for fantasy.  It appears to be a three-way timeshare among Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt

FAME

Part One:  What I Got Right Last Week

RB Ashton Jeanty

Another game of very modest numbers for consensus first-round fantasy pick Ashton Jeanty.  This week, he put up 17 rushes for 63 yards.  He is very talented, so I am sure at some point he will have a big game, but he definitely is proving that he was not worth the first-round fantasy draft pick.

WR Elic Ayomanor

Elic Ayomanor did not put up great numbers (four receptions for 38 yards), but he made it a respectable fantasy day by catching a touchdown pass for a second straight game.  The Titans offense is not good, so he’s unlikely to put up huge numbers, but he seems to be a consistent target for QB Cam Ward. He is definitely worth an add if available as a flex play or bench player that can be plugged in if needed.

Part Two:  Who I Like on the Waiver Wire

WR Tre Tucker

Tre Tucker put up huge fantasy numbers this week.  His stat-line included eight catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns!  He added one rush of four yards.  Obviously, he will not put up those stats consistently, but I think he is worth an add as a bench player that can fill in if you are in a pinch.

WR Tyquan Thornton

Tyquan Thornton shined for the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night in New York, with five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown.  Kansas City will spread the ball around so it’s hard to rely on a specific pass-catcher, but Thornton definitely looked like their best play-making wide receiver.  Expect him to get more targets, especially until Rashee Rice and/or Xavier Worthy are back in the lineup.

RB Trey Benson

Cardinals running back Trey Benson is rostered in only 52% of leagues according to Yahoo.  He is expected to move into the starting role with James Conner knocked out for the season with an ankle injury.  If he is available, make a bid for him!

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