What do you do to a girlfriend or boyfriend who doesn’t pay you enough attention? You go out on a date, and they barely speak. Or maybe they forget all about it and stand you up.
What do you do? You dump them, of course. That’s what we’ve done with Panthers wide receiver Robby Anderson on numerous rosters over the past couple of weeks. He simply hasn’t shown up this season — save for a long touchdown catch that saved his Week 1 from being a dud. That was the fantasy equivalent of a flirty hair-flip that had many of us going back for a second date in Week 2.
Now? Now we’re done. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice … Well, wait a minute. Let’s think about this. Is Robby worth giving a second chance? Should we take him out one more time? Maybe there’s a reason he has given us the cold shoulder so far.
Let’s play enabler to this fractured relationship for a moment. I mean, it’s not as if Carolina has had to rely on its passing game. The Panthers have yet to trail this season. Anderson is a big-play threat. You aren’t as desperate for big plays if you’re ahead.
The offense is being led by a new quarterback. With each week, Sam Darnold is getting more comfortable in the offense, and the coaches presumably will get more comfortable taking some chances and being less conservative in their play-calling.
Maybe it’s the devil on our shoulder, but we’re starting to be convinced to get back together, at least for one week. Though, now the angel on the other should chimes in: But the Panthers’ defense has been stout. They could keep the game low-scoring, limiting the amount of risks Carolina want to take on offense.
Ah, but we know better. The Panthers’ defense has been bolstered by some remarkably favorable matchups — the first career start by the Jets’ Zach Wilson, the first career start by Houston’s Davis Mills. A Jameis Winston-led Saints team has been the most impressive shut-down effort yet by Carolina, which is like beating the Pro level instead of the Rookie level in “Madden,” and yet to face anything resembling All-Madden.
Hence, we expect the Cowboys to be able to score, thus the Panthers will have to score to keep up. This will lead to them leaning more on the passing game, especially with no Christian McCaffrey.
Against all objective advice, against our better judgment, against everything we have learned about our relationship with Robby so far, we are going to give him one last try.
Granted, if we dropped him already, we’re going to have to have a wasted roster spot to get him back off waivers. We’re not dropping a player of any substantive value. But if we still have him, and we have reservations about our third WR or Flex spot, we’ll have one more cup of coffee.
Don’t disappoint us Robby. This is your last, last chance.
Big Weeks
Kirk Cousins QB, Vikings, vs. Browns (FanDuel $7,500/DraftKings $6,400)
Cleveland turned in an historic performance on defense last week, yet it only brought the Browns back to average. Recall, Tyrod Taylor and the Texans moved the ball well in Week 2.
Tyler Heinicke QB, Washington, at Falcons (FD $7,400/DK $5,900)
We attribute last week’s step up by the Falcons’ D more to Giants WR injuries than Atlanta competence. Heinicke should make a good option in two-QB leagues or as contrarian DFS play.
Antonio Brown WR, Buccaneers, at Patriots (FD $6,000/DK $5,000)
Revenge game narratives are dull, and Brown wasn’t in New England long, but we get the feeling AB holds grudges. A TD pass or two from Tom Brady feels like an I-told-you-so they both would enjoy.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine WR, Titans, at Jets (FD $5,300/DK $3,200)
Got some looks after A.J. Brown went down last week. With Brown and Julio Jones both out, should get some more this week. Careful, though: Concern over potential negative game script against the awful Jets.
Small Weaks
Derek Carr QB, Raiders, at Chargers (FD $7,400/DK $5,900)
Thus far, Patrick Mahomes is the only QB to post strong numbers against the Chargers. Feel like Carr and company are playing a bit over the heads, and this could be a back-to-earth game.
Daniel Jones QB, Giants, at Saints (FD $7,000/DK $5,800)
This isn’t because we’re down on Dan after last week, but that last week’s injury woes have followed the Giants into this week. With WRs Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton banged up, and Kenny Golladay and Evan Engram yet to jell, Jones is back to the bench this week.
Ty’Son Williams RB, Ravens, at Broncos (FD $5,700/DK $5,200)
Broncos are stiff vs. the run, Williams hasn’t distinguished himself from backfield mate Latavius Murray, and Lamar Jackson could vulture TDs. Just can’t play Williams until he gets a larger workload.
Brandin Cooks WR, Texans, at Bills ($FD $6,900/DK $6,400)
It’s pretty clear at this point Cooks is essentially the entire Houston offense. The Bills have been tough on better passing games, and expect the same this week.
Fantasy Insanity Daily Duel
Site: DraftKings
Slate: Sun. main (13 games)
Type: $12 tourney
Top prize: $30K
Pot: $300K
Drew’s Crew
QB: Kirk Cusins (Min, vs. Cle) $6,400
RB: Nick Cbubb (Cle, at Min) $7,000
RB: Derrick Henry (Ten, at NYJ) $8,800
WR: Robby Anderson (Car, at Dal) $5,100
WR: Rashard Higgins (Cle, at Min) $4,300
WR: Adam Thielen (Min, vs. Cle) $6,800
TE: Tyler Conklin (Min, vs. Cle) $3,500
Flex: Courtland Sutton (Den, vs. Bal) $5,700
DST: Lions (Det, at Chi) $2,200
Wilk’s Warriors
QB: Taylor Heinicke (Was, at Atl) $5,900
RB: Derrick Henry (Ten, at NYJ) $8,800
RB: Zack Moss (Buf, vs. Hou) $5,300
WR: Odell Beckham Jr. (Cle, at Min) $5,800
WR: Darnell Mooney (Chi, vs. Det) $3,900
WR: Jalen Reagor (Phi, vs. KC) $4,700
TE: Logan Thomas (Was, at Atl) $4,900
Flex: Terry McLaurin (Was, at Atl) $6,900
DST: Saints (NO, vs. NYG) $3,800
Season risked: $25
Season winnings: Jarad $10, Drew $5