For starters, I picked the Chargers -3.5 in my home pool even though the line had since moved to 3. I almost switched when I noticed that, but I was tired of being a nutless monkey getting pushed around by bullshit like that. So I’m 1-0, which is crucially important if you want to win the weekly prize.
I also had Ladd McConkey going for my best team, and even though he had a drop, he came back with a 27-yard TD and a strong line. That’s where the “good” ends. I started Quentin Johnston in two non-NFFC leagues. Watching the 40-minute edited version you miss things, so I kept wondering whether he got hurt or even was scratched before the game. I saw Tre Harris. I saw a lot of Ordonde Gadsden, some Keenan Allen, but zero Johnston. Turns out he was on the field, just never targeted once. I also had picked up the Chargers defense, but decided to use the Falcons instead.
But the most annoying aspect of this game was I started Jordan Addison narrowly over Xavier Worthy after getting it wrong last week, and Addison managed only 11 points. I suppose it could be worse, but I have no doubt now Worthy will have a career game against the Redskins. And I can’t bench my other receivers (Ja’Marr Chase/Rashee Rice) to get him in my lineup.
There is nothing more annoying that zigzag players — those who have good games every other game and keep you making the wrong lineup decisions. Ideally Worthy gets like 15 points, and it’s a minor error. But that’s just not how these things work.
Justin Herbert threw one pick on a tipped ball, but otherwise had a great game with a makeshift offensive line against a good pass rush. He also scrambled for 62 yards. There’s not as much difference between Herbert and Josh Allen as people think.
Kimani Vidal is a quality running back. Even if/when Omarion Hampton gets healthy, I think Vidal still gets at least a 40 percent share. Vidal is very hard to bring down and changes direction well.
McConkey had the drop, but consistently gets open, and Herbert trusts him. The problem is so many mouths to feed on the offense now that Gadsden is a thing.
Gadsden looked like he’d have another huge day, but was quiet in the second half. He looks like a top-five-ish TE though.
Keenan Allen had a quiet day, but keep in mind the Vikings scored only 10 points, and Herbert attempted only 25 passes. He’ll still have his role.
The Chargers offensive and defensive lines played much better this week. Carson Wentz was under constant pressure and took five sacks.
The Vikings running game couldn’t get going at all, and eventually game flow did the rest.
Justin Jefferson (11 targets) got his, but nothing was downfield as Wentz had no time to throw.
Addison saw only four targets, but he’s a touchdown machine, and that salvaged his day somewhat. T.J. Hockenson (three targets) was an afterthought.
I started Gadsden so that was great. However, it occurred to me McCarthy got hurt week 2 against Atlanta which I didn't happen to watch. But I'm assuming it was because vaJ.J. can't handle 12 inch Penix.