Unexpected Disappointments
Each week there are a number of disappointing performances that we all suffer from, but this week was especially difficult to deal with. Case in point:
- David Johnson starts the game off for the Cardinals for 1 carry for 2 yards and then exits the game. In his place Chase Edmonds (who you should be bidding a good chunk of your FAAB or waiver priority on) took over and carried the ball 27 times for 126 yards and 3 TDs. Who the hell saw that coming?!
- Tyler Boyd was targeted 14 times in the passing game yet only mustered 6 fpts.
- In a choice matchup against a struggling Eagles defense, Michael Gallup was second on the team in targets at WR yet only scored a total of 4.9 fpts.
- Carson Wentz scored you a total of 6.8 fpts on Sunday Night Football
It happens, folks. That being said it rarely happens that so many misfires happen all in one week. That’s fantasy football for ya! You just have to take your lumps and move on. There’s plenty of fantasy football left to play!
As I do every week my job is to bring to your attention players that were of tremendous value or lack thereof from the following week and how inserting them into your starting rosters can potentially help or hurt you going forward this season.
**DISCLAIMER**
As always when discussing fantasy point production we’re referring to 0.5 PPR scoring. IDP fantasy point scoring is solely based on our very own IDP scoring rubric which will be presented to you when we discuss IDPs later on in the article.
Here are my 4-EYED OBSERVATIONS from Week 7!
Quarterback: Ryan Tannehill is the “music city miracle” the Titans have been looking for!
- QB14 with 19.9 fpts
- QB4 in completion % (79.3)
- QB5 in TDs (2)
- QB7 in passer rating (120.11)
Not bad, Mr. Tannehill. Not bad at all.
Next week he gets a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that ranks 22nd in pass-rushing & 27th in pass-coverage. While Ryan Tannehill hasn’t reached “viable streaming status” yet he does have receiving weapons on this team to make a go of it in week 8 and potentially beyond. For now, just leave him on your waiver wire.
Running Back: Melvin Gordon picked the wrong year to make a scene.
In his 3 games since returning from a contract holdout, Melvin Gordon has put together quite the “inspiring” stat line:
- He’s averaging 6.7 fppg
- During this stretch he’s averaged 2.2 yards per carry
- He’s, on 36 rushing attempts, totaled just 86 rushing yards
After Sunday’s game in Tennessee, the offensive line for the Chargers is now down three starting offensive lineman and Gordon’s inability to covert on goal-to-go situations behind a bad offensive line doesn’t bode well for his future success both in real football and fantasy. Imagine making a scene about how you should be the top paid starting running back in the NFL only to come back to your team after a 3-month holdout down, now, 3 starting offensive linemen and NOW you have to prove your worth as a top running back. Not exactly ideal circumstances now for Mr. Gordon.
Speaking of not ideal circumstances, in week 8 he’ll face the 9th overall defense and 11th run defense of the Chicago Bears. Honestly, you probably started the season with better options on your roster when you drafted Melvin Gordon. Keep him on your bench and play those instead.
Wide Receiver: Don’t look now but Corey Davis could become a thing!
I remember someone mentioned on our AFC South Preview podcast that Corey Davis‘ fantasy value could dramatically increase with Ryan Tannehill at the helm of this Titans offense yet that person was met with laughter and ridicule. Who was…that person? 🤔
Oh, that’s right…it was ME.
- 6 receptions for 80 yards and 1 TD
- 11.1 yards per target/13.3 yards per reception
- 17 fantasy points
That was his stat line from this past Sunday. He’s rostered in only 43.9% of fantasy leagues on ESPN. Given his matchup against the Bucs this week which ranks 27th in pass coverage you should probably go pick him up and insert him into your lineup this week!
Tight End: Eric Ebron did WHAT?!
On the season Eric Ebron leads tight ends on his team with 206 receiving yards, yards per reception (15.8), fantasy points (7.5), and TDs (3). Within the red zone Ebron has scored more fantasy points than any other tight end on that team with 15.9. The next is Jack Doyle with 7.
On Sunday, Ebron bested his fellow tight ends by posting the following stat line:
- 4 receptions for 80 yards and 1 TD
- 15 fantasy points
Ebron is the tight end his quarterback targets when the team is in scoring position. He’s the tight end you want from the Colts. For those of you who weren’t scared off by his eventual TD regressions from last season during draft season this year…kudos to you!
Defensive Back: Ronnie Harrison continues to be an underrated strong safety in terms of IDP!
In week 7 Ronnie Harrison posted:
- 3 passes defensed
- 1 Interception
- 1 Fumble Return
- 15.3 fantasy points using our IDP scoring rubric
On the season he’s averaging 10.8 fantasy points per game, he leads his TEAM in solo tackles, and in week 8 gets a chance to pad his stats against the hapless New York Jets. Fantasy managers who drafted him must be feeling pretty, pretty, pretty happy with themselves.
Defensive Lineman: Nick Bosa is emerging as a dominant pass rusher in this league.
- 7 total tackles
- 4 tackles for a loss
- 1 sack with 11 sack yards
- 19 fantasy points
Yeah, Nick Bosa did all that against my beloved Washington Redskins. The past three weeks he’s averaged 13.3 fantasy points per game, has 12 total tackles, and 3 sacks. He’s only rostered in 20.9% of ESPN IDP leagues. Go grab him and put him into your starting lineups….NOW
Linebacker: L.J. Fort is making quite a name for himself in a backup capacity.
L.J. Fort subbed in for injured Ravens linebacker Patrick Onuwasor in week 7 and was by far the best IDP fantasy option on that team at linebacker.
- 5 solo tackles (team-leading)
- 2 tackles for a loss (team-leading)
- 1 sack (team-leading)
- 16.3 fantasy points
As long as Patrick Onuwasor is out of action Fort is someone you can feel safe inserting into your lineup each week.
That wraps up my 4-EYED OBSERVATIONS from WEEK 7!
Be sure to read our 4-EYED PREVIEW for WEEK 8 on Wednesday, our 4-EYED ASSESSMENT on Thursday, and our HEROES & VILLAINS from the previous week’s action on Friday!
ALSO, our Week 8 Fantasy Preview podcast will be dropping this Friday morning as well!
Make sure to follow us Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram as well as reach out to us to get your personalized fantasy football questions answered!
Thanks for visiting Fantasy In Frames!
*Stats provided by FantasyData.com and ProFootballFocus.com