Wrap that with COVID-19 and madness has reared its head across most leagues. Those who are quick to pivot have kept their footing. Others have become much more proactive.
Jets: Joe Flacco is back on the bench as Sam Darnold returns from his shoulder injury. Flacco was a decent Superflex/Tripleflex replacement. Darnold returns to an offense that has its full complement of talented receivers. Arrow may be pointing up for Darnold, who has six games left to show the front office that he is still their QB of the future.
After the Dolphins, he faces the Raiders, Seahawks, Rams, Browns and Pats. The ‘Hawks are getting healthier, which makes most of this schedule tough. If Darnold doesn’t step up in these next two games, the Jets might go into tank mode, though some may say they already have been for weeks. At 0-10, their closest competition for Trevor Lawrence are Jacksonville (1-9), Cincinnati (2-7-1) and Dallas (3-8).
If Darnold plays well and win two, three games down the stretch, the Jets could still secure OL Penei Sewell, projected in the Top 6. He’s my favorite OL in the 2021 Draft.
Darnold is only 8% rostered in Yahoo leagues.
49ers: Nick Mullens has held a surprisingly firm grip on the job since Jimmy Garoppolo was sent to the IR. He is 4% rostered and averaging 14 points in his two starts. No sign of a CJ Beathard relief appearance, but it could happen sooner rather than later. Niners are at the Rams, who they dominated in Week 6. Regardless of who starts, the return of RB Raheem Mostert makes the Niners offense a lock to ground and pound.
Cardinals: Kyler Murray’s squished right (throwing) shoulder is getting better, Coach Kliff Kingsbury says. He is on track to play against a quick Patriots unit. An ugly win is in the making, along with a 28-47-2-274, 2 TD line for Murray. And 9-52, TD on the ground. If he can’t play or reinjures the AC joint, Chris Streveler is in the pen for deep leaguers and Superflexers with three QB slots (Tripleflexers).
Broncos: Drew Lock saved his starting gig with a home win over Miami. After averaging 43 pass attempts since Week 7, he had just 30 in Week 11 - and his second-lowest fantasy total. Is Brett Rypien worth the stash? Probably no, not with Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay healthy in a run-first offense.
Bears: Mitch Trubisky loyalists (3% rostered) get their long awaited moment of truth on Sunday. The Packers’ pass D has been generous, which is why Trubisky was scooped up quickly in Superflex leagues.
Colts: Phillip Rivers has been hot of late, but that nagging toe injury is a concern. His penchant for getting the ball out quickly should negate most of the issues with his injury. Jacoby Brissett awaits his opportunity.
Ravens: Talk about craziness. The game with the Steelers has been pushed back to Tuesday. Lamar Jackson has no shot to return after testing positive on Thursday. Robert Griffin III is an interesting spot starter, but neither QB would have a high ceiling against the Steel Curtain defense. Griffin might provide a different skill set, the kind that a stagnant offense needs.
Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa was in store for a productive day against the Jets, but dinged the thumb on his throwing hand at practice on Wednesday. Ryan Fitzpatrick was 0% rostered last week and is at 4%. SI.com reports that Tua is questionable and Coach Brian Flores will evaluate practice film before making a decision. Gamesmanship? Partly. Also, RB Miles Gaskin is questionable for his return and backup Salvon Ahmed is out (shoulder).
Jaguars: Third-stringer Mike Glennon gets his first start, but WR DJ Chark (ribs) is out. So is WR Chris Conley (hip). Gardner Minshew is questionable. If the Jags are going to tank, it won’t be hard with a truckload of players out or questionable.
Saints: Taysom Hill was eagerly added to fantasy rosters last week by truthers, and those who corralled shares of Jameis Winston were left in the dust after Hill’s performance against Atlanta. Can Hill keep this going? Seems the Saints will ride or die on this Hill. Drew Brees, especially. Hill was 15% rostered last week, and is now at 58%. I’m surprised it isn’t at 85%. Winston is at 6%.
Panthers: PJ Walker held his own in a 24-9 win over the Lions. Two interceptions, yes, but he managed the offense with efficiency most of the way. Teddy Bridgewater returns for the Minnesota game, but if his knee doesn’t hold up, Walker will be a solid pickup in Superflex/Tripleflex leagues.
Bengals: Brandon Allen is off the practice squad and into the starting lineup against a stingy Giants defense. Allen was in Denver last year with mediocre numbers, but I like his mobility. Not the most accurate spiralist, but with Cincy’s talented WR crew, he could put up decent numbers in a negative game script. I’m guessing 22-39-2-210 and one TD pass with 7-39, TD on the ground. In my leagues, that’s good for 20 points. A decent Tripleflex fill-in.
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