Tuesday, October 31, 2017

IX: Week Eight Results

300.

The number is immense. In Larkspur Bowl scoring, 170 is adequate, 180 competitive, 190 above average, and 200 points the standard for winning. In recent years, nearly every week sees a few teams break 200, with scores that hit the 240s qualifying for inclusion in the record books.

Never has a Larkspur Bowl team breached 300. In LBVIII, week four the Saskatoon Sasquatch got very close, their 299.88 more than thirty points higher than the next highest score. In LBIX week eight, they got some more competition.

The Binghamton Snipers lost four hotly contested matchups in their first month of existence despite scoring 186, 176, 202, and 171 respectively. Now they have won four straight, registering bombs of 238, 209, 189, and... 299.

299.41 after this morning's stat corrections. At one point their unofficial score was as high at 308.41, and it looked like the legendary feat had been accomplished. Now, it will take a stat correction to push the Snipers to the top of the record book and move the needle to the threes.

Regardless, the Snipers have evened their keel and are looking like monstrous opposition down the stretch, and they have the potential to create their own history: No team has ever started 0-4 and then made the playoffs. Binghamton has fought their way into position with five weeks left to play despite losing Aaron Rodgers for the season. Wow.

The other big news buried here is that the Deputy Van Halens move to 7-1, and gain two games of breathing room over the competition. With one more win they clinch a playoff spot, but holding on a top seed may be of even more importance: Zeke Elliot's on again off again on again off again suspension is on again, and serving it now would return him to play the week of the semifinals, making that bye all the more precious.

The playoff landscape has shifted, leaving the HCM Lead Farmers in the 2-spot at 5-3, followed closely by the Phoenix Uprising, and somewhat less closely by the Savannah Petes and New York's Finest. The first two teams in the tier have scores of 1644.63 and 1637.94 while the latter are 1391.48 and 1386.53; The vast disparity could prove essential down the road. However any team with five wins in the bank and five weeks to go should only need three more victories to clinch a spot.

Aforementioned Binghamton leads the 4-4 tier at the 6-spot, surpassing Pawnee on total points; The Oakwood Drivers are hanging tough at .500% and still in position to get to six or more wins for the first time in team history. At 3-5 are Toronto LTP, the South Park Cows, Philadelphia Rum Ham, Mar-A-Lago's Grabbers, and the defending Champion Hill Valley McFlys. At 2-6 but still technically alive for playoff consideration as long as they win out, the Manitoba Moosecrew.

SCOREBOARD:


Week 8 Matchups


POWER OUTPUT:

  1. BIN 299: Everyone except Pierre Garcon did their part and then some, and then some more. Even if they don't pass 300, they have announced loud and clear they are here to contend.
  2. LTP 248: Tenth highest score in LB history and third highest in team history, Toronto is always capable of going off big- just lacks consistency. 
  3. DVH 225: If Zeke really is out, the team has the time and space to figure out who to pair with Hyde in the interim and still be ready for playoff showtime. If he's not... look out.
  4. RUM 216: Going Ham and getting the W took every offensive player contributing- except TY Hilton, who has gone dormant once again. 
  5. PHX 211: This makes six weeks in a row over 200, and five straight wins even though only Deshaun Watson and Jimmy Graham came to play on offense this week.
  6. SPC 209: The Cows have now now lost games in which they scored 227 and 209. Ruccell, Jerick, Kwon.. it's not your fault. You did everything you possibly could.
  7. HVM 194: The McFlys have not surpassed 200 once this season. They got close this week on the back of their defense- but to no avail. 
  8. MAL 189: HTough to have a competitive week and a solid showing and no chance of winning, then seeing the two teams below you on the output board score lucky W's anyway.
  9. MMC 177: Will Fuller has been a touchdown machine, pulling down seven in four games- that's seven touchdowns on thirteen catches, that's insane!
  10. SAV 175: New additions Alex Smith and Alshon Jeffery settle in and join a healthy Luke Kuechly in cementing a much needed win over a quality opponent.
  11. HCM 170: Quiet showings at QB, WR, and the defensive secondary waste great efforts from the RBs, LBs, and kicker. Still sitting in the two seed regardless.
  12. PAW 154: After a stint at the top, Pawnee has fallen to earth and hits bottom in week eight. There is just too much talent on the roster for them to not bounce back.
  13. OAK 141: The defense has grown complacent, with five of seven starters doing little to nothing. The offense just isn't good enough to compensate for that, and now Brady is on bye.
  14. NYF 134: The wide receivers... woof. This team desperately needs Sammy Watkins and Evan Engram to make good on their superstar potential regularly down the stretch.
TEAM OF THE WEEK:

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Thursday, October 26, 2017

TRADE 13: The Prodigal Son

Most teams, most years end up drafting someone and giving up on them, then regretting it. The back half of every draft is made up of fungible commodities, and the demand for production is immediate. Having patience can pay off, but it can also can bite back in the form of missed opportunities, and poorly optimized lineups.. leading to permanent defeats. Losing a player you like and then coveting him when he joins another team can also lead to extortion- unless you're able and willing to buy low.

PAWNEE ACQUIRES WR COREY COLEMAN
PHOENIX ACQUIRES CB MARCUS PETERS

The Pawnee Pride selected Coleman in the 11th round, but dropped him after he broke his hand in week two and the team suffered a deluge of injuries: Notably, Greg Olsen, who was also slated for injured reserve in the same week, each required to sit out a minimum of two months. As the team got out to a 4-3 start, the prognosis on Coleman improved and he spent a couple of weeks on Savannah's IR before making it to Phoenix. With the Uprising's moves loading them with receivers (including a temporarily hobbled DaVante Parker) Coleman became excessive and was marketed for cornerback help. With Pawnee and Hill Valley interested, it was just a matter of time before someone pulled the trigger; The Pride blocked the first ever trade between old rivals (and LBVIII participants) the McFlys and the Uprising. 
When Coleman returns, he will likely have target volume, playmaking skills, and garbage time in abundance. Drawing comparisons to Percy Harvin and John Brown, a clean bill of health could make him an every week flex option down the stretch- something Pawnee has been clamoring for. With Olsen potentially on the shelf for longer, look for another domino to fall.

Marcus Peters burst onto the scene in 2015 as the top cornerback in the Larkspur Bowl, picking off eight passes, defending 26 more, and scoring two touchdowns. Last year's numbers weren't quite as gamebreaking (as quarterbacks afforded him due respect) but at 6 INTs and 20 PDs, he still rated as one of the top cornermen in the game. This year Peters only has two grabs and four PDs, but with an inviting slate of mediocre quarterbacks coming up, his numbers could tick up to the same level very quickly. With Jalen Ramsey on a bye Peters filled an immediate need- and could prove to be a game clincher down the road as well. 
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Wednesday, October 25, 2017

TRADE 12: Bye, bye, bye

Two 4-3 teams made a swap late last night, with Phoenix and Savannah going three for three on assets. It's a big deal that overhauls both team's starting lineups right away.

SAVANNAH ACQUIRES: 

  • WR ALSHON JEFFERY
  • RB FRANK GORE
  • TE AUSTIN SEFARIAN JENKINS

PHOENIX ACQUIRES: 

  • RB AMEER ABDULLAH
  • WR DAVANTE PARKER
  • WR TERRELLE PRYOR
With Julio Jones only being very good (rather than great) to start the season, Savannah has needed its receiving corps to pick up the slack. Unfortunately Terrelle Pryor has been a major disappointment, while DaVante Parker has been injured. Throw in another hole at TE where the team has cycled through black holes (under two points in four of the past five weeks, with the one 4.3 the highwater mark) and the team has been looking to find someone they can count on.

Alshon Jeffery has been mildly disappointing in the early going, but should form a dynamic duo with Julio Jones on the opposite flanker. Austin Sefarian-Jenkins has been nothing but solid since returning from suspension, showcasing a propensity for volume as well as red zone ability, scoring in three straight. Each projects to be an every week starter for the Petes.

The Uprising, winners of four straight jettison 3rd round pick Alshon; and with him, their certainty at the flex position. Bringing on Pryor and Parker theoretically should cover the absence, especially if Parker can return to full health. The prize of the deal for Phoenix is Ameer Abdullah, lost in the Savannah backfield mix. With a sturdy floor, he's got more zip in his legs than the veteran steward he replaces, Frank Gore. Meanwhile, buying low on two preseason darlings (Pryor was a second round pick, Parker a fifth round pick) gives the team some roster malleability to play with. The three players they sent out still have bye weeks coming up; The three players coming in have already passed their scheduled break. 

Frank Gore has been a good soldier for Phoenix, but should factor in as a mere depth piece for Savannah; Rookies Joe Mixon and Christian McCaffrey figure to get most of the opportunities going forward, with former goalline specialist LeGarrette Blount and Frank Gore stepping in when needed.
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Tuesday, October 24, 2017

IX: Week Seven Results

Deputy stands alone, 6-1 and over the hump. The specter of an Ezekiel Elliot suspension looms large for the team, but as long as he's active for playoff games, its detriment to the Van Halen's excellent season should be marginalized.

At 5-2 are a very impressive HCM City team that leads the league in overall points despite a close loss in week seven, and a persistent New York squad that calls to mind that 2014 run which ended with the LBVI championship. Each team would need to suffer utter collapse over the next six weeks to miss the playoffs.

Four teams sit at 4-3, but only three can claim playoff positioning. For the moment Pawnee, Phoenix, and Oakwood are in, with Savannah on the outside. Pawnee and Phoenix are two and three in points, respectively- the former still having a chance at claiming their fifth win on stat correction, the latter on a four game win streak and five game 200+ point streak. They are the end of the favorites, while Oakwood currently controls their destiny. The Petes will likely need to go 4-2 in the next six weeks to force their way into the playoffs.

After that is a resurgent Binghamton team with a full head of steam, winners of three straight and leading the charge for 3-4 teams. South Park was on the wrong end of an overturned result last week that dimmed but did not snuff their bid; A win this week got them back on track. Mar-A-Lago could not muster the same fortune, while Hill Valley has for the moment gained a stay of execution with a last second spike on the Pride.

Toronto and Philadelphia have seen once promising seasons hampered by disappointing 2-5 results; Toronto's had the toughest road so far, faltering against fierce competition. The Rum Ham are 1-1 in one point games, and have seen two quality efforts spoiled by monster games. With a Cinderella run either can make the dance, but a couple more setbacks and they're left scrubbing the floor in 2017.

As for Manitoba, their best game of the season had the same result as most of the others, their unique brand of misfortune putting them on the brink of elimination- with another loss, their chances at the playoffs are gone. Still, a second half rally would give them a shot for a top draft pick in 2018.

NOTE: HVM vs PAW is too close to call, the McFlys up by less than four points. The potential for an overturned call will remain until Thursday morning. Wait with bated breath.

SCOREBOARD:




Week 7 Matchups


POWER OUTPUT:

  1. DVH 236: Number one on the week, on the year, and in our hearts. The lineup is all killer, but the bench depth is all filler- will it matter down the stretch? All about Zeke.
  2. NYF 216: No receivers, no problem: jumbo packages and defenses win games. Guess Big Ben is back behind center by default going forward. 
  3. PHX 214: A weak running game is shrouded by an unmatched aerial assault; Amari Cooper finally arrived, and not a moment too soon. 
  4. HCM 214: Make no mistake, this team is a juggernaut that nobody will want to face come playoff time, especially if they can sift their options to find a dependable flex.
  5. OAK 212: Seven of eight offensive players in double digits, and six surpassing their projections readily covers for four holes on defense. 
  6. SPC 207: VII champs are sneaking back into contention and will have a chance to make up ground in the final month with PHX, OAK, HCM, & PAW lined up after BIN & MAL.
  7. BIN 189: A win is a win and the Snipers' third came despite a pedestrian day on offense from everyone not named Mark Ingram. Deep and competent, its time to shine.
  8. MMC 188: Having two grand quarterbacking efforts is a waste, especially when you score the wrong one. One eye has to be on 2018, and securing a valuable pick near the top.
  9. HVM 174: Live to fight another day, champ. A reversal would be heartbreaking, especially considering Zach Ertz' herculean effort to score the winner on the final drive. 
  10. PAW 170: The Pride have only scored below 200 twice, losing both times with 165 & 170 in those showings, 40 and 34 points worse than their next worst (a 205 point loss.)
  11. MAL 170: Their offensive weapons are struggling to be consistent, spoiling a very good defense and Kirk Cousins' underrated brilliance.
  12. SAV 165: Dropping two straight has put a damper on the season, but at 4-3 they are far from lost. Julio Jones dominated week seven... they need more of that.
  13. LTP 160: A spate of injuries diminished a potent lineup, but carrying three quarterbacks and effectively zero tight ends gave the team almost a zero percent chance of victory.
  14. RUM 148: It should be some consolation that even with their optimal lineup employed, the team would have lost the game by five. Getting to be now or never, Matty Ice.

TEAM OF THE WEEK:

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Thursday, October 19, 2017

TRADE 11: 123, 124

Two wide receivers were exchanged the other night, players that were selected back to back in the ninth round of the August player distribution draft.

PAWNEE ACQUIRES: WR MARVIN JONES
PHOENIX ACQUIRES: WR JORDAN MATTHEWS 


Marvin Jones was originally drafted by the Manitoba Moosecrew, but was bundled with fellow disappointing wide out Amari Cooper in a previous deal. In his single appearance for the Uprising the speedy 6'2" wide receiver was a revelation catching 6 balls for 96 yards and a TD before going into his bye week; He'll likely come out the other side a member of the Pawnee Pride, unless the very active trade partner dishes him before that. As presently constructed, (assuming a return to health for top options Jordy Nelson and Stefon Diggs) Jones and Donte Moncrief would figure into the WR3 and flex conversations, with less heralded players Roger Lewis and Taywan Taylor also on the roster, along with tight ends Cameron Brate and Hunter Henry mixing in at the flex.

Jordan Matthews joined a new offense late this offseason, then suffered a sternum injury on his first day of practice. Despite his status as a de facto number one target, he was very mediocre through the first month of the season before injuring his thumb. Already prone to drops, the embattled wide receiver was in need of another change of scenery and segues into a situation where he won't have to be 'the man.' Dez Bryant, Brandin Cooks, Amari Cooper, and Alshon Jeffery top the depth chart in Phoenix, giving Matthews a chance to get healthy and fill in at the flex through bye weeks or injury. 
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Upon Further Review: RUM upends COW

In a stunning (but not unprecedented) change, the Philadelphia Rum Ham have defeated the South Park Cows in their week six showdown on the strength of a last second pass that was ruled incomplete, batted down by cornerback James Bradberry in the end zone to negate the clinching touchdown.


The bottom half of the Larkspur Bowl standings have received an overhaul, as South Park (2-4) plummets from eighth to the twelve spot, while Philadelphia (2-4) climbs up from 13th to 11th. In the vacuum, Mar-A-Lago (3-3), Binghamton (2-4), and Toronto (2-4) bump upward, while defending champion Hill Valley (2-4) drops to an inglorious thirteenth, ahead of only 1-5 Manitoba.
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Tuesday, October 17, 2017

TRADE 10: De Facto

Cam Newton is on the move again, now stepping into the shoes of Binghamton Sniper quarterback Aaron Rodgers. As always, the return on a quarterback trade is what will draw curiosity.

BINGHAMTON ACQUIRES QB CAM NEWTON
PAWNEE ACQUIRES RB AARON JONES & WR ROGER LEWIS

So Cam Newton moves back into an every week role, taking the reins with in Binghamton- his third team in six weeks. All things considered, this is one of the better scenarios following the crushing Aaron Rodgers' injury. Newton has as much upside, though not nearly the floor of the man he is replacing. With the Snipers grinding their way out of an 0-4 start, they'll take the wager on big Superman #1 and hope to extend their modest two game winning streak through the midpoint of their inaugural season.

They give up what amount to spare parts- but useful ones with obvious upside. Aaron Jones went off when given a primary role, and with the slightly built Ty Montgomery ahead of him, odds are he'll get some chances for volume again in the future; With the more typical skill set and a lesser QB linign up, he may get some more play ANYWAY. With Melvin Gordon and Kareem Hunt at the top of the depth chart the Pride will put no onus on the kid making this is a great upside play that could pay dividends with bye weeks still on the docket.

Perhaps the more interesting get is Roger Lewis, who has ascended to de facto Z-status through injury. Likely nothing more than an average talent, opportunity lends him upside- think Kamar Aiken circa 2015. With Stefon Diggs and Jordan Matthews both questionable the team was forced to start Tanner Gentry in week six. Lewis should see a lot more targets over the course of the season and is a viable flex until he proves otherwise.
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IX: Week Six Results

At the top of the league we have two 5-1 squads, HCM City and Deputy, each putting themselves in prime playoff position heading into week seven, the season's official midpoint. With eight wins virtually guaranteeing a playoff spot, each could back into the tournament with a 3-4 record over the season's back half. That should afford Deputy the luxury of enduring the Ezekiel Elliot debacle, while HCM can buy some high end lottery tickets rather than subsist on boring floor depth.

Behind them are three 4-2 squads that appear to be headed in different directions; The Pawnee Pride are surging upward, the league's highest scoring team looking strong and deep. The Savannah Petes, hard luck losers in week six, but still a steady squad with the sheen of a playoff competitor, and New York's Finest, who performed admirably in their first game in the post-Beckham era but lost- their WR needs are well documented as "#1" Sammy Watkins has been a bust outside of week three. All three are in good position, but this midseason stretch will determine if they are contender or pretender.

Four 3-3 squads are jockeying for the six seed that is the line of playoff demarcation. At present Phoenix holds the key, on a run of four straight 200+ scores, but Oakwood is pressing and South Park is coming up strong after reeling off three wins in a row. And don't count out Mar-A-Lago! It's always a bad idea to do that. They've been competitive each and every week, and a foray into the QB market could really establish their second half run.

Then we have the teams for whom the first half of the season has been a poor experience: At 2-4 we again see three teams heading in different directions, Binghamton winning two straight, LTP having their own two game streak snapped, and VIII Champion Hill Valley having lost four weeks in a row. At 1-5 the glutton for punishment South Philly squad, and a moribund Manitoba team that hopes to break the 1,000 point threshold early in week seven.

NOTE: SPC vs RUM was decided by 3 points, and with TFL being the most adjusted stat, the result is up in the air til Thursday AM.

SCOREBOARD:


Week 6 Matchups


POWER OUTPUT:

  1. SPC 228: After spending the first five weeks in the bottom half, the Cows break out: Cam Jordan led the way, but Evans, McKinnon, and Telvin and everyone not named Vic Beasley contributed.
  2. RUM 225: Not fair, but really exciting: Philly drops a fifth game close despite a huge game from linebackers John Simon and Kyle Van Noy, Kicker Ryan Succop, and secret superstar RB Chris Thompson coming SO CLOSE.
  3. DVH 220: The team took a zero at the RB2 slot and it DIDN'T EVEN MATTER. If anyone is built to withstand Zeke, it is this team- though all things considered they'd prefer having Melvin Gordon back now.
  4. HCM 212: The Lead Farmers have put an up and down past behind them and established themselves as legit- Le'Veon, Gronk, and Golden Tate are really clicking. Tate's injury dampens the party a bit.
  5. PHX 212: Evening up their record, substantiating their QB (Watson) and getting an incredible week one out of Adrian Peterson's Rejuvenation tour, the Uprising have to be pleased at this juncture.
  6. BIN 209: Two wins in a row and the Snipers are team nobody wants to see coming up on their schedule- their defense has come together now, and Mark Ingram and Jordan Howard showed themselves to be an elite one-two punch.
  7. PAW 208: In a 'down' week for them, the Pride still eclipsed 200 for the fifth time in six games. Injuries have hit their WRs (Diggs, Matthews) but a strong bench and a willingness to take chances are Pawnee's game.
  8. SAV 192: The win streak snaps, but the team has hung tough since week one, and showcased the best secondary in the league. They could really use help at TE, where they've stopgapped all year with uninspiring results.
  9. OAK 185: HLosing Emmanuel Sanders is a gut punch to a thin group of mostly undersized WRs. Tom Brady, Devonta Freeman, and a willing defense will mask a lot of flaws, but the trade rumblings have begun.
  10. MAL 183: 3-3 is acceptable for a team that could have won four or five. If they can figure out their RB situation in the next few weeks their second half should exceed their first and the nomads should find playoff providence.
  11. NYF 179: No team could withstand the losses at WR in stride, but the Finest showed a lot of fight in a high scoring week: Gurley/Martin is a great RB duo and the heart of the offense, while Engram's upside is huge.
  12. LTP 166: With Fournette and McCoy starting, and big Derrick Henry as a formidable third this team's RB group is set, and Sterling Shepard should return from injury to a much bigger role. All that said, Jesse James is just not a starting TE.
  13. MMC 160: The Moose looked adequate this week, but not ready to reel off the wins they need to make the 2017 anything but a lost season. Most of the blame has to go to the D, where Myles Garrett is the only guy who showed up in week six.
  14. HVM 134: Four weeks, four losses, and the championship hangover reaches bottom. TE Ertz & LB Wagner  notwithstanding, every player has severely underperformed over the past month, and now the team needs to shape up or shake up.
TEAM OF THE WEEK:

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Thursday, October 12, 2017

TRADE 9: The Quarterback Market

As of 6:30pm today, half of the league was carrying at least two quarterbacks. For two teams, it is likely just a temporary situation caused by a bye: HCM (Dak Prescott on bye, Josh McCown starting), SPC (Russell Wilson on bye, Jared Goff starting) while a third had recently made a minor deal born of need: MMC (David Carr injured, Carson Wentz starting). That left four teams with a Quarterback to spare in trade:
  • PAW (Brees, Newton)
  • NYF (Roethlisberger, Palmer)
  • RUM (Ryan, Smith)
  • MAL (Stafford, Cousins, Luck on IR)
Savannah's 4-1 start has come under the direction of Eli Manning, but with the talent around him flagging, a tough matchup with a fearsome Phoenix defense impending, and having recently sent would be replacement Carson Wentz away for meager return, the team felt obligated to go in a new direction. In New York, Big Ben has struggled and retread Carson Palmer was just recently picked off the wire- so neither would represent a distinct upgrade over Manning. In Mar-A-Lago, Stafford has also struggled recently, and Luck is still not ready for action, leaving Cousins an immovable incumbent. So then, the candidates seemed narrowed down to Pawnee or Philadelphia. In the end the deal may not have been as much about the quarterback they acquired as it was about the player they had to give up.

SAVANNAH ACQUIRES: QB ALEX SMITH
PHILADELPHIA ACQUIRES: WR JJ NELSON

Alex Smith is actually the highest scoring quarterback on the season, although the wanton way in which he's been cast aside wouldn't indicate that; just under three weeks were spent with Phoenix, where he played his two 'worst' games of the season before hooking on with South Philly during Matt Ryan's bye, he'll hope to settle in as the answer in the deep South. Able to throw accurately, avoid the interception (11:0 TD:INT ratio on the year) and scramble out of trouble and for progress, he's got the floor of an adept game manager, but shown flashes of being more in his twelfth professional season. If he can deliver 15-20 points more often than not, he should give Savannah a chance to win each week. If he can do better than that, he's a steal at the game's most important position.

For the Rum Ham, the return (JJ Nelson) is hardly earth shaking, but there's plenty of upside to be had if he is healthy. A big play threat, he's a boom or bust home run hitter, best suited for choice matchups and bye week fills. Immediately he has an opportunity to be a difference maker with a prime showdown against a weak defense- and if he can get on a roll, he's the sort of cathedral ceiling player that could help Philly out of their 1-4 hole. The team has similar weapons (Jamison Crowder, Kenny Stills) that should not be counted on as every week starters, but a dose of luck in deploying them effectively could turn this whole thing around in short order.

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Wednesday, October 11, 2017

TRADE 8: Blue Moose Rising

Manitoba and Phoenix were both in LVIII's final four last December, but find themselves under .500% through five weeks in IX's rendition. They're trending in opposite directions, with the Uprising winning two straight after an 0-3 start, and the Moosecrew dropping four in a row after a win to open the season. So they met again, this time on the trading block.

PHOENIX ACQUIRES: WR AMARI COOPER, WR MARVIN JONES
MANITOBA ACQUIRES: RB DUKE JOHNSON, LB SEAN LEE, WR JERMAINE KEARSE

The Moosecrew gain a level of certainty here, as Duke Johnson and Jermaine Kearse have both produced healthy numbers to date, and have eminently startable roles. Duke is not a high volume runner, but his upside and big play ability should make him a great compliment to workhorsemoose Demarco Murray. Sean Lee is an elite linebacker recovering from a minor leg injury. Currently on bye, he is expected to return in week six and should captain a defense that struggled through September. Jermaine Kearse is a possession receiver with the steady volume to be a reasonable (but unexciting) flex option week in and week out.


Phoenix takes on some risk in this deal, but should cement their claim on the best WR corps in the league going forward. Amari Cooper has struggled famously during Manitoba's losing streak, but with elite talent he should not be leaned upon so heavily in Phoenix, where he slots in with Dez Bryant, Brandin Cooks, and Alshon Jeffery. Marvin Jones has been reduced to 'deep threat' this year, but is a quality bye week option at the very least. 


Moving Duke Johnson strips the Uprising of their highest scoring RB weapon, especially with Bilal Powell's status up in the air due to a calf injury. The team will now rely upon an aging group headlined by Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore, and Jamaal Charles, hoping the veterans can recapture their former glory. 
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