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The NFL landscape is starting to take on it's true form for the remainder of the season. Teams are losing their stars at a rapid rate, some afterthought players are breaking out, and teams that struggled early on are putting on dominant performances. We're getting into the meat of the season, and some more players and teams should be making a name for themselves.
Week 8 Power Rankings
Teams to Note
Cleveland Browns (Rose 3 spots)
This move is solely because of the Deshaun Watson injury. Karma found The Predator, and he's out for the remainder of the year with a torn Achilles. Deshaun has genuinely been one of the worst QBs since the 2000s so far this season, and Jameis will provide and immediate and much needed spark to this offense.
New Orleans Saints (Dropped 9 spots)
This drop may be a week or two late, but New Orleans has proven to be exactly who I thought they were. Between injuries and poor play, I doubt they'll crack back into the top 20 for the remainder of this season.
Deadline Headline: Updates
Last week, I highlighted six players who could potentially be traded before the deadline on November 5th. One of those players, Haason Reddick, has locked up a short-term deal with the Jets and seems to be staying put. Just yesterday morning, the Chiefs acquired DeAndre Hopkins in exchange for a conditional 5th round pick - which could become a 4th rounder, which got me thinking; has trading for a 30+ year old receiver midseason ever made a difference? With Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, and now D-Hop traded within the past nine days, I figured I'd do some research. Dating back to 2010, here are notable 30+ year old WRs that were traded mid-season, and their stats were with the team they were traded to:
Player | Games | Receptions | Yards | TDs | Traded For |
Randy Moss | 4 | 13 | 174 | 2 | 3rd round pick |
Deion Branch | 36 | 115 | 1,553 | 10 | 4th round pick |
Brandon Lloyd | 11 | 51 | 683 | 5 | 5th round pick |
Demaryius Thomas | 7 | 23 | 275 | 2 | 4th & 7th round picks |
Golden Tate | 8 | 30 | 278 | 1 | 3rd round pick |
Mohamed Sanu | 8 | 26 | 207 | 1 | 2nd round pick |
Emmanuel Sanders | 10 | 36 | 502 | 3 | 3rd & 4th round picks |
Of the six receivers who played just the remainder of the season they were traded during, they averaged 3.73 receptions, 44.15 yards, and 0.292 TDs per game. When including Deion Branch, who played the rest of his career with the Patriots after being traded, those stats actually fall to 3.50 receptions, 43.71 yards, and 0.286 TDs per game. Personally, getting about 63 receptions, 751 yards, and 5 TDs of season-long adjusted production at best is not worth giving up draft capital - especially when about 40 WRs per year are hitting those marks. The Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, and DHop trades didn't really move me to begin with, and seeing the stats behind it all but confirm my priors.
Week 7 Awards
Awards | AFC | NFC |
Offensive MVP | Lamar Jackson | Jared Goff |
Defensive MVP | Cody Barton | Jonathan Greenard |
Special Teams MVP | Parker Washington | Austin Seibert |
Trench Tyrant | Garrett Bolles | Frank Ragnow |
Relentless Rookie | Brian Thomas Jr | Cooper DeJean |
Winners to Note
Jared Goff
Goff has been surgical from the pocket the past two games, and last week's performance may have been his best of the season. He dissected a complex Vikings defense, and delivered the ball to all levels of the field. His 95.7 adjusted completion rate was the best mark among all starting QBs last week, and he handed Minnesota their first loss on the season.
Cooper DeJean
Cooper thrived in the slot during his second game with significant action. He was a fiend in coverage, allowing 3 catches for just 7 yards, making most of his plays right when the ball got to his guy - resulting in 3 stops + TFLs. He also posted an 86.3 overall defensive grade, which was 5th highest among all DBs.
Cody Barton
Barton was a beast in all phases of defense. He had a coverage grade of 88.5, a pass rush grade of 94.1, run defense grade of 75.6, and an overall defensive grade of 93.2 - which was the 4th highest across the entire NFL. He allowed 1 catch on 3 targets for just 5 yards along with a pass breakup, he recorded 5 total stops + TFLs, got a strip sack, and recovered a fumble - which he took all the way to the house. He was a monster, and is quickly becoming the heart of Denver's stonewall defense.
Photo: Butch Dill/Associated Press
Fantasy Football
Week 7 Recap
Points | QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex |
Player | Drake Maye | Kimani Vidal | Noah Brown | Cade Otton | Devaughn Vele |
Projected | 11.5 | 4.6 | 8.3 | 8.6 | 7.2 |
Actual | 20.84 | 2.9 | 2.6 | 18.0 | 3.0 |
Difference | 9.34 | -1.7 | -5.7 | 9.4 | -4.2 |
Result | Boom | Bust | Bust | Boom | Bust |
Season Totals: 9 Booms / 13 Pushes / 13 Busts
Week 8 Prediction
QB: Jameis Winston vs Baltimore Ravens (proj. 11.8 points)
Only an absolute sicko would start Jameis this week, and you know that sicko would be me if I didn't draft Kyler in every league this year. Baltimore is currently allowing 21.7 FPPG to opposing QBs, and Jameis is a major upgrade from Deshaun Watson.
RB: Jaylen Warren vs New York Giants (proj. 9.1 points)
I'm ready to be hurt again. Jaylen has dealt with injuries all year, but finally looked like he's getting back to his former self last week on the most snaps he's gotten this season. I like him in a breakout game before the Steelers bye week.
WR: DeMario Douglas vs New York Jets (proj. 9.4 points)
The Jets have heavily struggled since Saleh was fired, and I expect DeMario to have a big game. I liked his matchup last week, but he became violently ill on their trip to London. He should be fully recovered by the time they take on the Jets and put up a fantasy worthy performance.
TE: Mark Andrews vs (proj. 8.0 points)
Mark has consistently earned 4+ targets over the past three games, and Todd Monken is making it a point to scheme him open. I expect him to stick with this plan, as it's completely opened up the Ravens offense.
Flex: Jakobi Meyers vs (proj. 9.3 points)
Jakobi has missed the past few games with an ankle injury, but with a positive return to practice on Wednesday, I expect him to be full go against KC. He commanded 9+ targets in his past three games, and the Raiders are gonna force feed him the ball in a must-win game.
Week 8 Game Predictions
AFC Games
Jets vs Patriots
Ravens vs Browns
Colts vs Texans
Chiefs vs Raiders
NFC Games
Vikings vs Rams (TNF)
Falcons vs Buccaneers
Bears vs Commanders
Cowboys vs 49ers (SNF)
Cross Over Games
Eagles vs Bengals
Cardinals vs Dolphins
Packers vs Jaguars
Titans vs Lions
Saints vs Chargers
Bills vs Seahawks
Panthers vs Broncos
Giants vs Steelers (MNF)
Record from Week 7: 9-6
Season Record: 60-47
Photo: Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles
Final Notes
In a couple of weeks, I'll be dropping my mid-season review which will showcase the best players, teams, and moments from the first half of the 2024 season. Stay tuned for that and for my remaining weekly recaps!
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