October 6th 2017
Friday Late Night Edition
What
I Learned from Week 4
(Quick Takes)
Cutler
and Dolphins offense in trouble.
After watching their awful performance in
Week 4 against the Saints, you get the sense the Dolphins offense is in really
trouble if things don't start clicking quick. Cutler was pulled out of
retirement because he knew the offense and had familiarity with the system.
With receivers like Jarvis Landry and Devante Parker and running back Jay
Ajayi, this team wasn't necessarily expected to be better, but should have been
just as good. So far this has not been the case and this week they are home
with Tennessee rolling into town. Last week the Titans were wiped out by the
Texans surrendering 57 points. If the Dolphins are going to get things right,
if fantasy owners are going to be able to trust players like Ajayi, Landry, and
Parker, this is the week to make it all happen.
Texans
have something special brewing.
I've been talking this up all week and if
you haven't heard me, you just haven't been listening. Yes, it's a little early
to making such bold statements about Texans rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson,
but the kid is playing special. Through 4 games he's been special. Watson is
the No.7 fantasy QB, ahead of names like Kirk Cousins, Matthew Stafford, Cam
Newton, Matt Ryan, and Marcus Mariota. He's 2-1 as a starter, making plays,
throwing for 7 touchdowns, while running for 2 more. He's a rookie, so mistakes
will come, but the resiliency this kid has already shown, he's making me a
believer every Sunday.
Vikings
receivers need Sam Bradford
When the season opened, back in week one
the Vikings offense and passing game burst onto the scene with Bradford and his
talented pass catchers leading the way. Diggs (No.1 in PPR) and Thielen (No.13
in PPR) are still among the top pass receiving fantasy options this season, but
their numbers tailed off a bit last week and fantasy owners have to be getting
the sense they really need Bradford back. If these two and tight end Kyle
Rudolph are going to run with the fantasy big dogs, they need their starting
quarterback. Bradford knows the system well, he's efficient with the ball, and
deadly accurate; their numbers get a bump when Sam plays.
Are
the Falcons Smoke and Mirrors?
To put it simply, the Falcons are 3-1, but
could easily be 1-3 after surviving week 1 & 3 scares against the Bears and
Lions. Last season the Falcons were a dominate team, lighting up the
scoreboard. This season seems different. The team is still averaging 26 points
per game (ranks 6th in the league), but they are definitely doing it in
different ways. Matt Ryan had elevated his play a year ago to elite status, but
this season he's just the 22nd fantasy QB and as would be expected wide
receiver Julio Jones is the No.25 fantasy WR (in PPR). These are fall below
fantasy owner expectations. Are the Falcons as good as advertised and will
Ryan's numbers eventually reflect or are they telling now and the worse is to
come? We'll see.
Is
something wrong with Big Ben?
Big Ben has never really been a Top-5
fantasy QB. Since 2011 he has only finished inside the Top-10 once, in 2013
when he was the No.5 fantasy QB. Despite the lack of top finishes, fantasy
owners have to be frustrated with Roethlisberger's current No.21 ranking. In
four games he's only topped 250 yards passing once, and has just two multiple
touchdowns games; two games of two. These are not quite the fantasy numbers
owners are looking for. Historically Big Ben has always played well at home
versus the road, so even though it's Jacksonville up next owners are hoping
playing at home this Sunday will help him to get things going.
The
Giants run game stuck in reverse.
After four games, it's pretty apparent the
Giants running is non-existent. The Giants are the 30th ranked run offense this
season and their 3.2 yards per carry average ranks near the bottom of the
league. The prime culprit for these poor numbers is running back Paul Perkins.
He's averaging less than 2 yards per carry this season and has just 61 rushing
yards through 4 games. A starter to begin the year, Perkins (ribs) who is
likely sidelined this week has fallen off the fantasy map and running backs
Wayne Gallman and Orleans Darkwa will now try to resuscitate the Giants
lifeless run game.
Cousins
and offense starting to show something.
There's no doubt, had Terrelle Pryor hung
onto that touchdown throw late in the game and the Redskins came out on top,
the talk on Monday would have been look out for Washington. This was the second
straight game for Cousins where he played very well. In a tough road matchup
Cousins was 14 of 24 for 220 yards passing and two scores (which could have
easily been three). He also added 38 yards on 7 scrambles/runs. If the Redskins
can get some of their pieces like Jordan Reed and Robert Kelley, healthy and
back soon, then lookout because these guys could start to heat up real fast.
That’s My Take
~David Ortega
