50 Shades of Fantasy Football, Vol. VIII: Fightin' for that inch
Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) congratulates wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) after Cooper made a second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The Fantasy Football season arrives at a crossroads in Week 5. An incredible 14 NFL teams are below the .500 mark on the year. This edition of 50 Shades of Fantasy Football takes a close look at those teams that are currently 1-3 or 0-4.
One of my favorite scenes from any sports movie is Al Pacino’s “Inches” speech from Any Given Sunday. His character, Tony D’Amato, addresses his football team in a pregame speech centered around the importance of coming together as a team before their season is destroyed. This week, there are 14 NFL teams that are in need of hearing that speech and heeding it’s warning. History shows us that 97 percent of teams that start 1-4 fail to make the playoffs. The last team to do so? The 2002 Jets who finished 9-7 and won the AFC East.
The Cleveland Browns face an even bigger challenge this week. No team in NFL history has ever started the season 0-5 and made the playoffs. Their obstacle this week is clearly the most daunting, as the Browns face the New England Patriots with Tom Brady returning at quarterback.
Oh yes, things are quite tense in Week 5.
This week in “50 Shades of Fantasy Football,” we take a look at key fantasy players on those teams in desperate need of a win. Specifically, we focus on those flashes of brilliance that will be a preclude of great things to come. To these players, their team’s current sub .500 record doesn’t matter. The players you will read about always continue to “keep fighting for that inch.”
To paraphrase coach D’Amato:
In Fantasy Football, we fight for that inch
We tear ourselves, and everyone around us
to pieces for that inch.
We CLAW with our player research for that inch.
Cause we know
when we add up all those inches
that’s going to make the difference
between WINNING and LOSING
between a FANTASY TITLE and DYING.
Here are your inches for Week 5!
Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) celebrates after he scores a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth quarter at Levi Stadium
Prediction: Hyde will run wild on Arizona, rushing for over 100 yards and at least one touchdown. He will finish as a Top 10 fantasy running back for Week 5. Provided he stays healthy, Hyde is a guaranteed top 10 running back for the remainder of the season.
Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (11) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Even against the vaunted New England Patriots, Pryor’s versatility makes him a Top 12 wide receiver this week. With Corey Coleman out for several weeks, and Josh Gordon out for the season, Pryor shockingly finishes as a Top 15 wide receiver at season’s end.
Sep 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) throws the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Already playing as a QB1, Tannehill breaks out this week against Tennessee as a top six fantasy quarterback. Over this upcoming four game home stretch, Tannehill rates as a top five fantasy quarterback that is available on most waiver wires.
Oct 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) throws a pass during the second half against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Chicago won 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: In the big upset of Week 5, Chicago quarterback Brian Hoyer leads the Bears to a win at Indianapolis. He passes for over 300 yards and two touchdowns again, and still remains the starting quarterback when Jay Cutler is healthy.
Oct 2, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks downfield during the first half of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Despite losing Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead for the season, Rivers continues to defy the odds as a top eight quarterback. He will produce a top-five fantasy quarterback stat line in Oakland on Sunday. Rivers uses that eighth easiest rest of season schedule to rank as a top five fantasy quarterback for the remainder of the season.
Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) talks with head coach Dirk Koetter against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Despite a big game from Winston, the Buccaneers lose at Carolina this week to drop to 1-4 on the season. After their Week Six bye, the Buccaneers offense kicks into high gear thanks to a very favorable schedule. Winston, Martin, and Evans are all top 10 fantasy players at their position for the remainder of the season.
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