Week 9 - MOTW

So apparently my thing this year is that I'll be posting once every 3 weeks.

Just kidding (well, hopefully. Life has been crazy so I may accidentally post on this tri-weekly schedule without actually attempting to).

Anyways, it's been an interesting year. Other than Jon's dominant run to the top of the tables, everyone else is still in the playoff race. Even the 2-6 teams are only 2 games out with 6 games to go, which is plenty of time to catch up. Rich's team performance has been quite fascinating and although I do want to write about how he fares against Jon's undefeated team, let's focus on two teams trying to keep their playoff hopes alive.

MOTW

9. Buoyed by Jr(s) (David K) vs. 10. Jacked Up (Cho)

The last time Cho and David were written about in this forum, Cho was looked at as a favorite and I was left scratching my head on David's draft. Well, 8 weeks have flown by and they're neck and neck in the standings. So who can come out victorious to jump a few places in the standings? Let's go position by position.

QB: David ◯ 🟢 ◯ ◯ ◯ Cho

While Darnold has cooled off after a scorching start, he's still been a serviceable QB and should be even more so against a weakened Indy D that may turn things into a shootout with Joe Flacco in the picture. Normally, I would rank Stroud ahead but no Nico, no Diggs, and an o-line that is struggling to protect him against a Jets defense that's been underperforming but still has the talent to rattle him makes me predict a sub-20 point outing for Stroud.

WR/TE: David ◯ 🟢 ◯ ◯ ◯ Cho

Probably the one strength of David's lineup is his pass catchers. CD is CD, MHJ is finding a groove with K1, and Tank should be the focal point of the Texans passing offense (and offset most of Stroud's yardage points). Chase and Waddle have solid matchups that should help them stay competitive but Jeudy has yet to break out, even with Amari leaving. Stack that with the fact that he's also starting Njoku (cap on the points available in the Browns offense in what should be a shortened game against the Chargers that like to run a lot), David should win this positional matchup.

RB: David ◯ ◯ ◯ 🟢 ◯  Cho

Kyren is on an absolutely heater and better than any other RB in this matchup. That alone gives Cho a bump on his side. Achane is bouncing back since Tua came back and he dominated the Bills the last time they played, so maybe he can keep things close. B-Rob has been struggling with some injuries lately and if he can't go on Sunday, I see major issues for David's team. Cho's team's RB2 has questions too (Chubb struggling since return, Javonte in a negative game script, Hubbard in an overall low performing Panthers offense) but not as big as David's.

K/DST: David ◯ ◯ 🟢 ◯ ◯ Cho

I don't see any gamechangers here. Both defenses have solid matchups against depleted offenses and both kickers should get some opportunities to score points. The only interesting factor is that every kick McLaughlin makes could also be a double whammy by decreasing the KC D's score.

Winner: David K

If Kyren and Chase don't have a monster games, I can actually see this one being a bit lopsided. If Cho loses this, his destiny of fulfilling my prediction at the start of the year might be too far out of reach.

Good luck to all!

MOTW Record: 1-1

Week 6 - First MOTW (and my never published MOTW)

Wow, I'm so annoyed with myself. I actually wrote a MOTW last week on Wednesday... and I never published it. So I guess you guys will get two MOTWs this week. And you'll get to see last week's MOTW and how close (or more realistically, how far) I was from being correct.

MOTW

1. To infinity and bijans (Jon) vs. 3. Ra-dogging it (Paul)

Like I said before, it only makes sense in this ridiculously messed up season, The Kim/Lee family would have 2 of the top 3 teams in the league (step your game up David!). While both teams have been swift and agile in avoiding the injury bug other than one major player (Kupp for Jon, Pacheco for Paul.. although Nico's injury looks like it might be more severe than it was at initial glance), their draft day gambles have paid off and both are already thinking about byes for the playoffs. Who will win to have bragging rights the next time the family meets?

QB: Jon ◯ ◯ ◯ 🟢 ◯ Paul

Lamar has been superhuman recently and he gets to go against a Commanders defense that is anything but spectacular. This should be a shootout with Daniels on the other side tearing up the league so expect Lamar to get a full workload and 30+ points in this one. Goff is a bit more hot or cold. He's either scored under 20 or over 30 in every game so far. It will really come down to whether or not this game is competitive and with how banged up the Cowboys are, I feel like this is a classic Dan Campbell "run it down their throats" kind of game. I think Goff isn't asked to do much and scores a modest 15-20 points. Advantage Paul.

WR/TE: Jon ◯ 🟢 ◯ ◯ ◯ Paul

If Kupp was healthy, Jon may have the most complete wide receiver + TE group in the league. Godwin has body-swapped with Evans from last year and is vacuuming in targets like he's never done before. DK has been hot and cold but he's the clear alpha on that team going against a banged up 9ers defense on a short week. Brian Thomas is trying to lay claim to the fact that he is indeed the best rookie in this class for a rebounding Jags team, although his matchup with Jaylon is less than favorable. And McBride could still sneakily end up being the TE1 this year in a terrible year for TEs. Can Paul match that? I think Terry and Amon-Ra can come to play but Doubs, even with his fantastic matchup, doesn't seem like he's in the right headspace to compete and Kmet is more of an afterthought the more the Bears start clicking on offense.

RB: Jon ◯ ◯ 🟢 ◯ ◯ Paul

This was actually the hardest part about this matchup. Initially I wanted to give the edge to Paul. Conner has been his usual self with 20ish opportunities a game and churning out high teens scoring. And although he's cooled a bit, Mason has been a revelation, generating 70-80% of CMC's rushing abilities, although his ceiling is capped by his inability to be a huge part of the pass game. But Jon's backfield is nothing to scoff at. Bijan has been underperforming but if there's anything to fix a player, it's a matchup against a soft Panther's defense and the positive game script should help his bottom line. And Kamara, assuming he plays, shouldn't be that worried that he is facing a Bucs team he usually struggles against (no TDs in the last 4 games and hasn't combined for 100 yards against them since 2019) as Rattler should be checking it down to him over and over again.

K/DST: Jon ◯ 🟢 ◯ ◯ ◯ Paul

Paul still needs to pick up a DST and whoever it is won't be as good as Chicago. They get to go after Lawrence who has had one of the sloppier lines this season. The kicker battle is as good as it gets as normally I would say Aubrey has the edge on any player but with the Falcons offense resurging and playing a Panthers team that gives up plenty of points, to teams and kickers, it should be a close matchup.

Winner: Jon

Jon stays undefeated and thanks the football gods for not having to face Nico. Paul doesn't have to go back to the drawing board but if he wants to fight for a bye, may have to get busy on the trade or waiver market to raise his team's ceiling.

Good luck to all!

MOTW Record: 0-1

BONUS: LAST WEEK'S POST THAT I FORGOT TO PUBLISH

After all that anticipation and buildup for a MOTW... I forgot to post last week. I guess, I shouldn't say I forgot. I had been meaning to all week but time just slipped away. 

So without further ado, here's the very first MOTW of the year for 2 very deserving teams:

MOTW

3. Rajanigandha (Dan) vs. 4. In Time (Eric)

The matchup of 2 "The Office" references (although honestly, Eric is slacking and his reference doesn't even fit his team this year. Get on it, Eric) boasts 2 heavyweights that are looking for another title. While their records show that they're two games apart, they're only separated by 32 points (8 points / week). Let's see if Eric can close the gap on Dan.

QB: Dan ◯ ◯ 🟢 ◯ ◯ Eric

Wow, an interesting matchup off the bat. Mahomes hasn't quite been Mahomes this year and now without Rice, I expect him to struggle. HOWEVER, Mahomes in primetime feels like a perfect time for KC to show why they're the 2-time defending Super Bowl champs and I feel a monster MVP-resume game coming. On the other side, Caleb Williams started off the year terribly but he's been improving week by week. With the improved performance and a win last week, I think they take that momentum into a DJ Moore revenge game versus Carolina. Expect a wash here.

WR/TE: Dan ◯ 🟢 ◯ ◯ ◯ Eric

First off, let's just say that TE is a wash. I don't feel comfortable recommending any TE over any other TE at this point. As for the receivers, Eric's young receivers (all under 25) takes on a two vets and possibly the youngest and best receiver of the bunch (for fantasy purposes). Eric's team seems more boom/bust, with the matchups looking more boom than bust, but Dan's team has 2 revenge games in store, the aforementioned DJ Moore and Diggs against his former Bills team. I gotta give this one to Dan mostly because his guys are hotter right now and I value the revenge factor highly.

RB: Dan ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ 🟢 Eric

I would have given this to Dan but I don't think Jonathan Taylor is playing. And if he doesn't play he's starting... Herbert?? Wilson or Bigsby from FA? Meanwhile, Eric is rolling out Derrick Henry, who along with Saquon, might be the most dominant RB in fantasy right now if you consider talent, opportunity, and opponent. Eric should build a big lead in this matchup.

K/DST: Eric ◯ ◯ 🟢 ◯ ◯ Eric

Both teams need to pick up and make changes at these positions but I don't think either are going to find an option that really changes the outcomes of this matchup. It's easier to just call it a wash.

Winner: Eric

This one looks like it'll be pretty close but I have to give the nod to Eric. The strength of Dan's backfield negates any advantage Dan gets in the pass catcher department. If everything else is even, give me King Henry!

Good luck to all!