Did anything exciting happen this weekend? If multiple last-second comebacks, upsets, one-handed catches, and brutal hit sticks of the NFL fit in that bucket, then, indubitably. After each week, fans react. The key is finding the right moments or plays to point out, which either make blood boil or bring fist pumps in the air. Sharing those moments can help in setting lineups, hitting the waivers, and building trades. Each team gets a rant; let’s see if your team’s is positive and negative.
IF you want to go straight to your teams rant just navigate below.
Jalen Carter, man, that was brutal, a defensive lineman at Florida did it in the Gators vs. Bulls game on Saturday. Millions watch your actions; show them to be better than that.
Joking aside, the Eagles ran 63 plays on Thursday night, and Jalen Hurts attempted 23 passes, which is a 36.5% pass rate, which is terrible for all the pass catchers in fantasy and betting (unless it’s the Under, but that’s no fun). In most scenarios, this number varies and will return to the league average of 55%.
Philly was last in pass rate the previous year, going to the air only 42% of the time. They run the ball so damn well, they don’t really need the three elite pass catchers they have, which is bulls**t, cause the rest of us would use them properly, well, maybe not the Titans. Jalen Hurts is the answer for fantasy and gambling alike.
The Cowboys have three elite weapons to catch passes from Dak Prescott: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson. Lamb led the game with 13 targets, and even with four tough drops, he still produced 110 yards. Speculation that the Parsons trade could give him WR1 overall upside is alive and well.
Lamb had more targets than Pickens and Ferguson combined (10) and more than the whole rest of the team combined outside of the top three (12). Add two of those drops in there that are over 150, and maybe a touchdown. Elite role, great production, couldve been way better.
The Chargers’ passing metrics look awfully similar to old versions of the Chiefs, with 10.2 yards per average depth of target, 12.7 yards per completion, eight explosive pass plays, and 194 air yards vs an excellent KC defense. Justin Herbert was cooking with the heat on high, using his legs when he had to and racking up those fantasy numbers. Keenan Allen, QJ, and Ladd were all relevant in this game; Hampton suffers the most due to the philosophy change if Herbert really has ascended.
Patrick Mahomes gave managers a solid performance, but some of the shine is starting to fade with this team. Mahomes’ yards per target, catch, and air yards have all declined over the course of the last two seasons. This trend continued in this prime time affair, with KC averaging only 5.9 yards per completion and 7.1 average depth of target.
Add the fact that Rashee Rice is suspended, Xavier Worthy dislocated his shoulder, and Travis Kelce looks his age, all of which equals the 4.9 yards after catch result we witnessed. Mahomes’s legs are the only reason he is startable at the moment
First drive of the day, Bijan Robinson gets a massive 50-yard receiving touchdown along with another seven targets and 12 carries. Drake London gobbled up 13 targets for a satisfying 31% target share, even though the NFL robbed him of a touchdown to walk the game off, and most of the targets were on the shorter end.
Penix has shown he isn’t afraid of the moment or of throwing it to his guys. Kyle Pitts showed up as well (that could be a Bucs match-up thing). Funny enough, all four of these players have the chance to be the top player at their position by the end of the season.
One of the best calls in the industry this offseason, the former Buckeye displayed just why he was worthy of a first-round selection. He showcased his fluid route running and ability to separate at the top of his routes. Baker Mayfield is a perfect complement to Egbuka’s skill set.
He didn’t get double-digit targets, but both touchdowns were not only explosive plays (20+ yards) but also timing throws that could not have been more in sync. Tampa Bay’s wide receiver averaged 16.7 yards per reception and led the team in everything but targets. Don’t fear Chris Godwin’s return; the cat is out of the bag. This kid is legit. They can’t take him off the field.
Joe Burrow had a bad game, and as a result, the rest of the offense outside of Chase Brown suffered for fantasy. This is nothing new for this team, where slow starts are built into their DNA, and they have been playing down to divisional opponents. The mixture of these things is the reason the result was so poor.
If anyone is looking to trade Bengals after this first week be aggressive and take advantage of their shortsightedness. Chase Brown has a chance to be in RB1 consideration. He handled every RB rush and led the backfield in targets. The role in one of the best offenses in the league is solidified.
Harold Fannin Jr and Dylan Sampson have taken over this team already, with 29 total opportunities between the two of them in a tight game with a division rival. These coaches clearly trust them to make an impact, and we should as well. Both these players should be on most waiver wires; don’t let the other managers in the league get free value, that should be yours! As long as Joe Flacco is playing QB, this team will have fantasy-relevant players.
This isn’t a football team; this is a reality show. If you drafted Tyreek Hill, pray to everything you hold dear that he gets traded before the deadline, or it might be better off cutting him for locker room chemistry. Jaylen Waddle was banged up immediately, as per usual. Devon Achane will be the only usable player on this offense all season, and his upside is severely capped with how this looks currently. If Zach Wilson plays snaps in your season opener, something has gone terribly wrong. If the Patriots lose to this team next week, I’ll need a wellness check-in.
Tyler Warren led the Colts with a 31% target share. He had three receptions on the first drive. The Penn State product was clearly a part of Indy’s master plan. Steichen has historically ran an RPO heavy offense. Daniel Jones seems to have a good grasp on the concepts and Tyler Warren is the focal point of it all. The Colts lined Warren up at the slot 22% of the time and even got a carry. The only thing missing from the performance was a touchdown which was put just out of reach before the blow out was established.
Drake Maye never looked settled in, missing throws high and looking slow and indecisive when he scrambled. Stefon Diggs wasn’t featured early, Trevyeon Henderson got the ball in predictable ways which led to little to no yac. Yet Maye supplied almost 17 fantasy points in a bad day, Henderson still earned 6 targets, Kayshon Boutte and Hunter Henry played the best out of the group. To top it all off only Demario Douglas scored a touchdown. The pass protection wasnt an attrocity but the run blocking was non-existant. There is room for optimism, but a bad day is a bad day.
Geno Smith shredded the Patriots zone coverage looks consistently throughout the day delivering 9 explosive passes, each one feeling like a big time momentum swing. This Chip Kelly offense is going to be up tempo and running more plays than league average. Brock Bowers had a 100 yards before leaving the game with an injury, it felt like he was always open. Meyers, Bech, Tucker, and Thornton made impact plays. Ashton Jeanty will have an elite level role, dont panic about the low YPC he was on the field for over 80% of snaps.
Travis Hunter having a 7.4 adot was not on the Bingo card, but neither was him having seven more targets than the one that Brian Thomas Jr had. The top two options having 10 touches between them is such a Jacksonville moveThe Jaguars scored two touchdowns and had most of their production from Travis Etienne (19 total opportunities).
Tank Bigsby was just traded to the Eagles clearing up the room in Jacksonville for the former Clemson Tiger. Brenton Strange should be rostered in all formats going forward, he may be the most consistent option if Liam Coen continues to force Hunter and BTJ in to low success plays.
The last seven games of last season Bryce Young seemed like he had it figured out to some extent, the player who came out sunday looked more like the one we saw in last years opening game. Thats the same type of performances that got him benched for Andy Dalton. Tet McMillan saw 9 targets on 34 pass attempts (26.5% target share) he showed the ability to be an high floor massive upside player if Bryce can be the player he was starting to look like.
Marvin Harrison Jr felt like he was misused during his rookie campaign, at times it felt as if he was more boundary player rather than a elite mismatch. Arizona seems ready to unleash a full route tree for Harrison, he showcased his after the catch ability as well. The former Buckeye has always been known as big play waiting to happen but with Kyler attempting 29 passes only six targets is a bit frustrating, he should be locked in for 10 a week, we just need Kyler to stay healthy for a full season.
Chris Olave continued his trend of leading the team in targets when healthy with 13 (28.3% target share), Juwan Johnson surprisingly with 11 targets (23.9% TS), and Rasheed Shaheed with 9 (19.5% TS). Spencer Rattler dropped back 46 times, many experts would put their reputation on the line that Alvin Kamara would be heavily invovled in the passing game he only had two targets. He salavged his day with a nice touchdown run but if the targets dry up he wont be playable on this offense.
The Jets somehow made me think Aaron Rodgers sucked at football, granted I am a Tom Brady guy for life, always respected Rodgers until recently. If he is going to play like he did in his Steelers debut I fully apologize or all the s**t I was talking. Who knows if it holds up but there are decent weapons and he can change the dumb Arthur Smith play calling. Expect DK Metcalf to be much more of a focal point when Sauce Gardner isn’t shadowing him all game. Honestly this was the best the Steelers have looked offense has looked in years.
Justin Fields hung up 32 points on an absolutely loaded Steelers defense. Garrett Wilson was active and effective. Breece Hall looks like the player they drafted before the injury. This is the best offensive line they’ve had in quite some time, Fields mobility makes it even better in most cases. This was a game of the year candidate, three weeks ago there was no universe where I would write those words but that why the NFL is the best sport there is. All that being said, the Jets still Jets it up.
Washington was handing it to the Giants, even though they only scored 21 points they generated 14 explosive plays during the game, Bill Croskey-Merritt had the highest PFF grade on the Commanders (85) Deebo Samuel had 11 touches and felt like a difference maker. Zach Ertz is a viable streaming option each week, he will supress Ben Sinnott like he did Trey McBride. Terry McLaurin will make his presence felt, but the two emerging talent here is Croskey-Merritt congrats if you stashed him this offseason.
Russell Wilson is actually washed, he is what I thought Aaron Rodgers was, this offensive line is not good and he can’t escape, Malik Nabers was visibly frustrated within the first half of the game. This team is tired of retreads and back ups, the Daniel Jones era is over, #HUFFINDARTS agenda starts now. The main goal now is making that a thing other wise knock all Giants pass catchers down a tier or two.
The Broncos four explosive runs gained them a total of 91 yards, seeing as they were facing a stacked box almost half the game being able to rip off 151 rushing yards proves how effective the offensive line can be. Bo Nix on the other hand seemed to struggle during stretches.
JK Dobbins and RJ Harvey are both getting work, if they can stay healthy both can be useful for fantasy. Courtland Sutton is one of the most underrated players in sports, the hype train died after his injuries and it should be chugging again.
The number one overall pick has already proven he has a rocket for an arm and solid accuracy, one of the reasons he wasnt a higher QB prospect of the last couple of years was his ability to escape the pocket and pick up yards with his feet. He didn’t need to run in college so most people thought he wouldn’t be able to at the next level but he had some scrambles that impressed as much as his arm does.
The injury bug is starting for the 49ers, George Kittle is out for the next three to five weeks with a knee problem. Brandon Aiyuk is on the PUP, Juaun Jennings exited the game with a shoulder, Brock Purdy toe doesn’t feel good, and CMC played the whole game.
It feels like the twilight zone but if you survived the addition of a 50 cent clone and a mysterious missed practice the friday of seasons eve Christian McCaffrey can help you win your league. Ricky Pearsall is that dude, another 100 yards receiving and the targets should only increase.
Jaxon Smith Njigba had a 56.5% target share in week one, there is no chance that is sustainable yet even if it dropped 16% he’d still be at 40% one of the best target shares we’ve ever seen (Marvin Harrison 34.6% in 2002, or Michael Thomas 32% in 2019). Fully expect this team to pass the ball more than 23 times in the future, JSN’s ability to win at any level give Sam Darnold comfort and confidence to let it rip.
Zach Charbonnet is the good lords handcuff, the faithful that believed in him might be rewarded for that trust with him winning the starting running back spot. Charbs out snapped Walker by 9 and led ALL running backs in success rate for week one. The change is happening, and thats not because Walker is bad.
Jordan Love was playing hurt last year, Green Bay knew it whih is why they leaned on newly signed Josh Jacobs playing more conservative and living and dying on the ground. The Packers dropped from a 57% passing team to to a 48% passing team between 2023 and 2024. This win felt different they had Jacobs going and Love was slinging cheese all around Lambeau and to top it off Micah Parson made an impact immediately. This team is a threat, for fantasy Tucker Kraft may be the most consistent option.
That seemed the classic Jared Goff turns into a pumkin game but he wasn’t terrible, Detriot just couldn’t get into a rhythm even though Jahmyr Gibbs caught all 10 of his of his passes he only had 50 total yards. The Lions just couldn’t generate and deep looks, losing Frank Ragnow & Ben Johnson in one offseason is a crap situation for any team to deal with especially one with so many expections tied to it. All of the pass catchers disappointed excepted for Issac Tesla who is an out here catching OBJ style. Dont panic these guys are two good to stay down but lets temper our trust slightly.
Puka Nauca is probably my favorite none paatriot player in the national football league, everything he does on the field is spot on, he grinded his a** off to get to where he is today and he plays like someone is ready to take it away from him. Puka led all receivers witha 92.3 PFF grade against on of the better defenses in football. 11 targets 10 catches and four receptions of over 15 yards, he was worth every penny of the ADP. Let hope he stays unbloodied this coming week.
Not scoring a touchdown in this game is insanity, but what makes even less sense is having a guy like Nico Collins and not scheming him up to be in a better position to produce against a great match up. Christain Kirk didn’t play, Joe Mixon is on the PUP so they don’t have an edge on the ground, the Texans’ wide receiver shouldve been peppered like Puka was. The target share was getting too cute instead of nine targets to the tight ends maybe move your superstar around to get him the ball in space.
Sunday Night Football delivered an absolute banger of a game, Josh Allen single handly won many peoples fantasy week but the biggest development is the emergence of Keon Coleman the big bodied receiver had an expanded role and was looked for often (24% target share) by one of the most talented QBs we’ve ever seen. Khalil Shakir is still going to be a big part of the offense and Josh Palmer has built good chemistry with JA17 but each week it can be someone different. Insane game and crazy upside to any player on in the regular pecking order.
Derrick Henry had 169 rushing yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns in his age 31 season he just doesn’t stop being productive. Its a shame that people will remember the fumble but thats the game, he just needs to get back out there and stiff arm someone again. He rushed for almsot 10 yards a carry, completely insane.
Zay Flowers just had a true breakout in a massive game with no mistakes and a 47.4% target share, if that carries over to more pass heavy games for the Ravens he will be a smash hit, some people may use this time as an opportunity to offload him, if they do see what they would want in return.
Every other play seemed to be a screen, a swing route, or a dump off. Caleb has some success fitting the ball in some tight windows, making off platform throws and running in for two scores but he missed open receivers and easy passes routinely. The few times they did throw down field with accuracy was risky business for receivers, DJ Moore got cracked in between the numbers, definitely got the wind knocked out him. After all that talk the Bears are still 0-1 and the offense didnt look like this creative chess piece although it does look much more organized.
When in doubt don’t doubt Kevin O Connell and Brian Flores (except in the playoffs) to have their whole team prepared and ready to operate, when one isnt working the other picks up the slack till it can get going. JJ McCarthys mobility and arm strength are evident. Jordan Mason led the backfield with 16 opportunities but Aaron Jones got the big receiving touchdown, Jefferson played well but was not as electric as always expect him to show out next week. The rest of the weapons were practically uninvolved.
Hopefully this was enjoyable enough to read that the week 2 edition peaks your interest.
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