For all the Rams’ breezy optimism as they “returned home” to Los Angeles, they faced serious questions. A rookie quarterback. A shaky offensive line and receiver corps. A head coach who hadn’t won eight games since the Eisenhower Administration. Questions, questions, questions.
Todd Gurley wasn’t supposed to be one of them. And yet, here we are with three quarters of the year in the books and Gurley is the league’s No. 16 rusher. He’s averaging 3.21 yards per carry and has produced only one 20-yard rush all season. He’s been a bust, blending into his sub-par surroundings in a way that didn’t seem possible in 2015.
Gurley has rushed for more than 60 yards four times in 12 games. He’s yet to have a 100-yard day. Jordan Howard scored one fewer touchdown Sunday (three) than Gurley has all year (four). Trent Richardson comparisons have been bandied about in mock, melodramatic fashion, but … Gurley’s 3.21 YPC is only 0.22 better than T-Rich’s was as a sophomore (2.99).
Gurley’s problems are not the same as Richardson’s. Richardson struggled in one of the league’s highest-powered offenses. Gurley is getting dragged down by 10 offensive teammates who simply aren’t as good as him. Seemingly used to having nowhere to go, Gurley isn’t running with the fire he displayed as a rookie, far too often getting wrapped up by the first defender. That’s not who he is as a runner. Gurley put more explosive plays on film last October/November than Richardson did in his entire career.
It’s a classic lost year for the would-be RB1, one that will probably keep snowballing until the Rams play out the string of yet another futile season. If Gurley can’t get cooking against Atlanta’s middle-of-the-road run defense in Week 14, he certainly won’t against Seattle’s elite 11 in Week 15. He does get the 49ers’ slump-busting unit in championship week, but what are the odds you’ve made the championship with Gurley as your first-round pick? Low.
2016 can’t be saved for Gurley. That debate has long been settled. Now the hope is that it’s just one year in the Richardson wilderness.
Five Week 13 Negatives
Colin Kaepernick’s reminder that life is fragile and you must hug the ones you love. Kaepernick entered Week 13 as the QB3 over the past five weeks. He exited it … without a starting job? Playing in snowy conditions in Chicago, Kap was entrusted with five pass attempts in three-plus quarters. Coach Chip Kelly apparently took a time machine to 1932 Soldier Field. Not that Kap made a compelling argument to have the reins removed. He took five sacks, losing 25 yards. That was more than his combined passing and rushing output (24). It was a catastrophic step backwards, but it’s unclear if Kap’s benching will carry over into Week 14. Blaine Gabbert was hardly an improvement, and though not exactly dominant, Kap has been markedly better than Gabbert since taking over in Week 6. If Kap does keep his job, let Sunday serve as a reminder of the perils of trusting bad players in fantasy, no matter how good their roto numbers are.
Ryan Tannehill going off the deep end. With the Dolphins literally struggling for their footing in Baltimore, Tannehill figuratively never had a chance. The Ravens exposed Miami’s fragile offensive peace, containing Jay Ajayi and reverting Tannehill into his previous Philbin build. Tannehill was intercepted three times after tossing all of one in his previous six starts. The fifth-year starter had no one to blame but himself, forcing throws into windows that were not open. Tannehill panicked under pressure, undoing the good will he had built up since his early-season meltdowns. A gimpy DeVante Parker (back) didn’t help, but it was the kind of performance Tannehill desperately needs to outgrow. Week 14 will be a telling test against the Cardinals’ elite defense. A big day is out of the question, but an awful one is not a fait accompli if Tanne can look even a little bit more like the player he was in Weeks 7-12.
Paxton Lynch’s spot start. That’s why the Broncos continue to start Trevor Siemian, a quarterback who wasn’t even good at Northwestern. Lynch was positively Goff-ian against the Jaguars, completing 12 passes for 104 yards. He had a long throw of 18. Coach Gary Kubiak had zero faith in Lynch to do anything other than hand it off or attempt short passes. The Broncos were able to eke out a victory because of the dreadfulness of their opponent, but can’t rely on similar luck against the Titans in Week 14. The Titans are not elite. They are good enough to beat a team starting Paxton Lynch, especially with the Broncos’ running game completely in the tank. Get well soon, Trevor.
New Orleans’ backfield. The Lions wanted to play keepaway. The Saints obliged, rushing 12 times for just 50 yards as the passing game struggled. Things might have been better had Mark Ingram not aggravated his toe injury, though the Saints’ lead back missed only a series or two. Ingram and Tim Hightower just couldn’t sustain drives, putting undue pressure on Drew Brees. The dismal afternoon leaves plenty of questions for Week 14. Will Ingram be healthy enough to play against the Bucs? If not, what will Hightower’s role be? Hightower was surprisingly out-snapped and out-touched by Travaris Cadet against the Lions. It was probably just a function of game flow, but a backfield already lacking for answers now has even more questions.
Martellus Bennett’s third straight egg in the absence/limitation of Rob Gronkowski. Bennett was supposed to eat with Gronk on the sidelines, but instead has six catches for 40 scoreless yards over his past three games. There’s no obvious reason why, other than unless you’re Gronk or Julian Edelman, Tom Brady isn’t going to force you the ball. Bennett is battling with Malcolm Mitchell, Chris Hogan, Dion Lewis and James White for targets behind Edelman, but at some point, he should resume being a factor in the red zone. It just might not be in Week 14. The Ravens are allowing the fourth fewest fantasy points to tight ends. The Broncos loom in Week 15. Bennett’s “right place” isn’t coming at the exact “right time.”
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Five Week 13 Positives
Ladarius Green’s long-awaited Steelers breakout. Green was expected to be a weapon when he signed a four-year, $20 million on the opening day of free agency. Nearly nine months and 1-2 mysterious injuries later, it finally happened on Sunday. Green caught six passes for a career-high 110 yards and a touchdown, posting gains of 37, 33 and 20 yards. He was the No. 3 threat the Steelers have glaringly lacked behind Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. Green still played only 35-of-73 snaps, but it was a performance worth getting jazzed about going forward. The Steelers need Green almost as badly as fantasy owners. His usage is not going to decrease. With the back end of the TE1 ranks bottoming out, Green will be worth a TE1 roll of the dice in Week 14 against the Bills
Thomas Rawls’ announcement of his return. After two false starts, Rawls joined the 2016 season. Rawls ran like the back he was as a rookie, inflicting pure violence on the Panthers as he took the rock 15 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns. The highlight was a 45-yard run in the second quarter, as Rawls made two quick cuts before getting outside and galloping to the house. All the hard running did come with a concussion evaluation, but Rawls was quickly cleared, and no worse for the wear upon his return. Just shy of a year since his severe ankle injury, Rawls left no doubt that he was finally all the way back. That’s really bad news for the Packers’ disintegrating run defense, which is on tap for Week 14.
Malcolm Mitchell’s continued ascension. Mitchell caught 8-of-10 targets — both new career highs — for 82 yards, giving him his second 80-yard effort in three games. Although he didn’t find the end zone like he did in Weeks 11 and 12, Mitchell played an impressive 67-of-79 snaps, making himself a fixture in three-receiver sets with Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan. Mitchell’s usage figures to remain game plan specific going forward, but the Week 14 game plan should be heavy on three-receiver sets. The Ravens are impenetrable on the ground, and much more forgiving through the air. Somehow, some way, the Pats seem to have finally drafted a good receiver, one who could be a Dynasty asset for years to come.
Joe Flacco’s resurrection. It was hard to see this one coming. Flacco blew away his previous season highs, completing 36-of-47 passes (76.6 percent) for 381 yards and four touchdowns. This, after Flacco entered Week 13 averaging 262 yards with 11 passing scores. Flacco spread the ball around to perfection, hitting five pass catchers for at least 40 yards. It was seemingly a day Flacco could build on, especially in Week 14 against a Patriots defense growing ever more prone to shootouts (except against Jared Goff). We’d tread lightly, but with Steve Smith Sr. and Mike Wallace, amongst many others, at his disposal, a Flacco hot streak can’t be written off out of hand.
Travis Kelce’s latest 100-yard effort. Kelce blew by the 100-yard mark for the third straight game and fourth time in six weeks, this time for a career-high 140. Kelce was ripping seams open all afternoon, using his 6-foot-5 frame to go up and get the ball. It’s no secret that Kelce’s hot streak has coincided with Jeremy Maclin’s (groin) absence. Reasonable minds could assume Kelce will cool from top-three status back to his usual top-eight once the Chiefs’ No. 1 receiver returns. The good news for Kelce owners is, we still have no idea when Maclin might finally play. He got in a slate of limited practices this week only to sit for the fourth straight game. It’s also quite possible there’s been a changing of the guard in Kansas City’s offense. The Chiefs are 3-1 when Kelce hits the century mark, with wins over the Colts, Broncos and Falcons. Kelce has lived up to the promise that’s always been there.
Questions
1. Was it worth it, Ron Rivera?
2. Did you have enough Paul Turner shares in DFS?
3. Will Carson Wentz at least loan out his MVP to someone else?
Early Waiver Look (Players owned in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues)
QB: Alex Smith (vs. OAK), Joe Flacco (@NE), Matt Barkley (@DET), Ryan Fitzpatrick (@SF)
RB: Ty Montgomery, Ameer Abdullah, Kapri Bibbs
WR: Malcolm Mitchell, Ted Ginn, Brandon LaFell, Quincy Enunwa, Cameron Meredith
TE: Ladarius Green, C.J. Fiedorowicz, Dennis Pitta, Jermaine Gresham, Vance McDonald
DEF: Bengals (@CLE), Jets (@SF), Falcons (@LA), Colts (vs. HOU),
Stats of the Week
Drew Brees was held without a touchdown at home for the first time in 60 starts.
From Big Cat Country: Blake Bortles’ 42 career appearances have produced more pick-sixes (11) than Jaguars victories (10).
Two. That’s how many years Jeff Fisher had added to his contract over the summer. 25: That’s how many total yards the Rams had in the first half Sunday. “Farce” comes to mind.
Drew Brees is on pace for 5,217 yards. It would be his fifth 5,000-yard season. Every other quarterback in NFL history has four.
Per Graham Barfield: Michael Crabtree is out-targeting Amari Cooper 64-44 over the Raiders’ past six games.
Awards Section
Week 13 Fantasy All-Pro Team: QB Joe Flacco, RB Jordan Howard, RB David Johnson, WR Golden Tate, WR Jordy Nelson, WR Odell Beckham, TE Dennis Pitta
Most Absurd Moment of Week 13: The 49ers punting from the Bears’ 31-yard line (seriously).
Tweet of the Week, from @ChrisBurkeSI: Unless Cam Newton wore a t-shirt that said "(Expletive) Ron Rivera,” I’m going to need more information.
Tweet of the Week II, from @MikeTanier: Jared Goff has the pocket presence of a pigeon that just flew into a screen porch.
Google Search of the Week, from Eric Kay: It involves Brock Osweiler.
The There’s a Metaphor In There Somewhere Award: Jeff Fisher being unable to find his challenge flag.
The This is the Life We Lead Award, from @EvanSilva: Just dropped Gronk for Jermaine Kearse. Let’s go.
