We are now over a month into this NFL season! We must focus on the top takeaways now that we have film and statistics to study. No longer can we rest on our offseason takes of who will succeed and who will fail. We now have a reasonably large sample size of NFL football. The fantasy season will move quickly, and in a dynasty, it is essential to acquire players before they break out or unload players before they falter. We can lead our team to a fantasy football title by focusing on weekly top takeaways!
Jets Pass Catchers Worries
The New York Jets are now 4-2 and just put up 27 points on the Green Bay Packers after putting up 40 points on the Miami Dolphins last week. There is one problem with this; not a single receiver has had more than three catches in a single game. The emergence of Breece Hall as a dominant RB1 has also coincided with the downfall of the Jets’ passing attack. Here are the number of completions by Zach Wilson since his return from injury: 18, 14, and 10. To add insult to this, most of the receptions are going to the running backs. Who knew we would wish for Joe Flacco?
This absence of pass attempts affects all receivers. However, it involves some more than others. Corey Davis has easily been Wilson’s favorite target since his return. The fifth-year player has seen 16 targets over that span which he has converted into nine receptions for 164 yards. Conversely, Elijah Moore has suffered the most, with only eight targets over that span, including none this past week. Both players present engaging buying scenarios. Corey Davis can be had for cheap as a depth piece for a contender, while a rebuilder may take advantage of buying the dip on a young player like Elijah Moore.
Hill & Waddle Eat No Matter What
Expectations were low for this Miami Dolphins offense this past Sunday. Due to injuries, Miami was starting seventh-round rookie Skyler Thompson. However, Thompson left the game with a hand injury, and in steps Teddy Bridgewater. The quarterback carousel is running at full speed down in Miami. Hill and Waddle proceeded to have wonderful days, both racking up double-digit targets.
Hill compiled 15 targets that he converted into 12 receptions for 177 yards. Waddle had ten targets which he converted into six receptions and 129 yards. Unfortunately, neither was able to find the endzone. Tight end Mike Gesicki stole all of that thunder, scoring a pair of touchdowns on the day. Tua should be returning next week, and with that, perhaps some stability to this offense.
Quarterback Controversy In New England?
Whispers are starting to rise about a quarterback controversy in New England after Bailey Zappe secured his second straight win as a starting quarterback. This most recent victory came from a dominant 38 to 15 win over the Cleveland Browns. On top of those wins, Zappe also came in relief of Brian Hoyer and took Aaron Rodgers to overtime in Lambeau field. Mac Jones looked subpar before his injury, and now Zappe has the offense humming.
Bailey Zappe is no stranger to scoring. During his senior year at Western Kentucky, he set single-season FBS records for passing yards and touchdowns. Records that were set by Joe Burrow just a few years ago. Zappe was eventually selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft as hopefully the new long-term backup in New England. One overtime game in Green Bay and two victories later, Patriots fans are starting to sing a different tune when it comes to Zappe and the potential starting job.
Singletary Bellcow Role….For Now
Devin Singletary has secured the bell-cow role for the Buffalo Bills. He has always had the lead regarding rush attempts week in and week out, but this week was a dominant share of the work. The Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 24-20, and Singletary commanded 17 attempts compared to just two by James Cook. Despite dominating the backfield touches, Singletary is only RB24 on the year. It is hard to finish as an RB1 when Josh Allen can take so many rush attempts and goal-line work himself. He also might be losing his job.
As the NFL trade deadline fast approaches, rumors are quickly beginning to swirl around the Carolina Panthers and a possible firesale now that they have fired head coach Matt Rhule. One of the first pieces to go in a rebuild would be a 26-year-old running back on a massive contract. That is right; the Carolina Panthers may be looking to trade star running back Christian McCaffrey before the November 1st trade deadline. Buffalo is one of the teams linked to these rumors, but the asking price is high. Carolina reportedly wants at least a first-round pick. A story to keep an eye on as we near the end of October.
Information is the most powerful tool any dynasty fantasy football manager possesses. If you can stay on top of the correct information more than your league-mates, you will come out on top. Be sure to check back with us, as we will be breaking down takeaways from every division this week. And be sure to come back next week, as we will be doing the same for all 18 weeks of the 2022 NFL season!
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