I’m writing these in real time while watching the games because I’m traveling tomorrow. Nowhere that interesting, just a house in the north of Portugal for a few days with some friends. I won’t get to the night game, but maybe I’ll sneak it into Monday Night Observations.
I’m starting this post right after the first wave of games ended, meaning I just watched the Giants epic overtime win in Houston. They’re now 4-2-1, two games ahead of the Cowboys who they already beat head to head — have to be the favorite in the NFC East now .
J.J. McCarthy made some great throws under pressure in Houston against an aggressive defense, but more surprisingly he didn’t make the crucial mistake. If he plays like this, there won’t be any controversy when Jaxson Dart returns — McCarthy would be the starter. But that’s a long way away.
Fantasy-wise McCarthy loses out a bit because the Giants like to bring Jameis Winston in for QB sneaks at the goal line. But McCarthy’s not afraid to sling it down the field, and Malik Nabers is a top-five real life wideout.
Cam Skattebo had a monster game, first getting an absurd penalty for running over a DB with his helmet, then taking a fake QB sneak pitch on fourth down for a huge gain, running over more defenders for the go-ahead TD, then breaking free for a 42-yard run in overtime to set up the game-winning score. Tyrone Tracy left the game with an injury, and it was actually Devin Singletary who closed it out. It looked like Skattebo got hurt on his OT run, so keep an eye out, but the fumble-benching is behind him.
The Giants defense played great, holding CJ Stroud to a meager 153 yards on 28 attempts. No idea what’s going on with Nico Collins — he was almost invisible the entire game, while Marvin Harrison caught a TD, but couldn’t make some tough catches in big moments late.
The Steelers are 5-2, tied for first place with the Browns in a division that’s truly up for grabs.
Jaylen Warren is a top-10 real life and fantasy back. But everyone knows that by now.
The Saints looked okay, except that they couldn’t run the ball to save their lives, and it’s hard to maintain drives that way.
The 5-2 Browns specialize in life and death games in the fourth quarter, doesn’t really matter who the opponent is. DeShaun Watson aired it out more this game with KC Concepcion (10-8-129-0) and Harold Fannin (9-6-91-0) getting the bulk of the chances instead of Denzel Boston. Concepcion would have had an even bigger game had he not dropped a perfect deep ball too.
Quinshon Judkins (17-96-2) finally got going. I had left him for dead.
Tony Pollard (25-129-3, 3-3-36-0) had a massive game, and probably in your lineup too, thanks to the byes. I’m not clear on what the Titans’ purpose is though.
I used the Colts +6.5 in Circa, and they did exactly what they needed to and not an inch more. Might as well bring in Anthony Richardson at this point, even if he’s high af.
Good timing for Jordan Mason to return just as Aaron Jones got hurt. If you drafted both, they couldn’t have been more generous to you.
Kyler Murray isn’t the answer, and Justin Jefferson is paying the price. If the favored Seahawks win tonight, the Vikings will be the last undefeated team standing, but pretty sure the 1972 Dolphins aren’t sweating it.
A lot of people had the Jets in Survivor today. As someone who got bounced by the Chargers, I shouldn’t talk, but the Jets are no-go.
Ollie Gordon (25-103-1) was worth every cent of FAAB you spent on him.
Malik Willis always struck me as a player. I know he’s been bad thus far, but I wouldn’t be surprised if today’s game is more indicative of what you get going forward.
Braelon Allen (17-104-0, 7-6-30-0) was the bell cow you wished you drafted in Breece Hall. Omar Cooper was the productive receiver you wished you drafted in Garrett Wilson (3-2-26-0). And Mason Taylor (6-5-62-2) was who you thought Kenyon Sadiq would be after his breakout a few weeks ago.
Baker Mayfield completed seven passes for 64 yards in his return. Sometimes you’re just not needed.
Bucky Irving (24-106-2) is all the way back. He’s a top-10 running back, easily ahead of Saquon Barkley, Chase Brown and other assorted flat tires.
The Panthers never came back from the bye.
The Ravens are in last place after losing the second half to the Bengals 35-0.
Tee Higgins (7-6-148-1) outproduced Ja’Marr Chase’s modest 7-5-62-1. Chase usually goes off against the Ravens and hasn’t really been his dominant self this year.
Zay Flowers is a first half superstar.
Christian McCaffrey would have had an epic day had he not gotten injured. He returned in the second half, but he clearly wasn’t himself. Kaelon Black looked good in his place until he fumbled on consecutive carries.
It’s hilarious owner Jed York, who solicited a prostitute in a trailer this offseason, was finally allowed to attend a game, and it was the first one they lost. Real owner!
I had some prop bets that George Kittle wrecked with that game-ending fumble. The game was basically over anyway, but he killed 25 yards and a potential TD of garbage time. (To be fair, the Niners would probably have kicked the FG anyway.)
That just reminded me, the Saints jumping offsides on the Steelers game-sealing FG also cost me garbage time, and my Steelers kicker an extra three points too.
The Falcons skill players should have had monster games, but the Niners’ three turnovers allowed them to slow down.
The Rams were obviously going to kill the Raiders. But then again they were obviously going to kill the Cardinals last week. (One silver lining I neglected to mention is I would have used them vs AZ in Survivor for sure, so I’ve finally let myself off the hook for taking the Chargers Week 1.)
The Broncos were lucky to get through the tough part of their schedule at 4-2, but this week Bo Nix looked like an NFL quarterback and the team looked like a juggernaut, even without Patrick Surtain.
Everyone’s favorite sleeper Jonah Coleman looked pretty good, but it’s a three-headed monster in the Denver backfield now.
A couple weeks ago, it looked like Brock Bowers was going to lap Trey McBride despite the missed time. And suddenly last two weeks Bowers disappeared and McBride is back with a vengeance. I’ll never understand why some teams are suddenly unable to get the ball to their best players.
Why did the Cardinals sign Tyler Allgeier if Bam Knight would be the fill-in for Jeremiyah Love?
Josh Jacobs looked pretty good to me. Heartening to see because I have him on two of my teams.
Packers-Lions was a coin flip. Lots of random things like turnovers, missed field-goals, roughing the passer nonsense, drops, Lions going for it excessively on fourth down, Packers jumping offsides to seal the game. Save the effort and rock paper scissors for it next time.
Nothing is more irritating than “The Flavor Zone”.