Graf: Pats could face fewer stacked boxes

Goedert has now returned consecutive games of middling production with Tanner McKee under center, which is a somewhat troubling realization considering DeVonta Smith missed both games and Dontayvion Wicks departed Week 6 with an injury before missing Week 7. Goedert’s fantasy value appears strictly tied to the state of a sinking Philadelphia ball club, now fighting through declining quarterback play in addition to poor offensive structure and shoddy play calling. Fantasy managers are likely forced to endure the middling production for lack of better options.

Lemon showed out with the best game of his career in the absence of both DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, operating as the top option through the air throughout the game against the Cowboys. He started his night off with a 21-yard reception on the team’s first possession before adding a fourth quarter touchdown on a quick slant from four yards out. The uncertainty surrounding Smith’s injury could leave Lemon as the de facto lead receiver for a Week 8 divisional tilt against the Commanders, where his fantasy value will be strictly tied to the availability of the other receivers on the roster.

McKee looked to be comfortable in the pocket to start but things quickly unravelled, with the veteran backup unable to improve upon a 21-yard completion to rookie Makai Lemon in the first quarter as he remained incapable of attacking downfield. Lemon would also be the recipient of McKee’s lone touchdown toss, marking the second consecutive start with just one touchdown pass in relief of Jalen Hurts. The offense looked far more functional while Saquon Barkley was on the field, but the veteran back was in and out of the lineup from the second quarter through the fourth, before ultimately being deemed questionable to return and missing the final frame. The Eagles drop their fifth straight for the first time since 2016 as they fall further behind the Giants for the division lead. McKee is not worth rostering ahead of a Week 8 divisional tilt against the Commanders.

Ferguson has almost entirely fallen out of favor in the Dallas offense. He has yet to catch more than four balls, clear 43 yards, or see more than six targets in a game this season, leaving his fantasy value in the dumps when he’s held out of the end zone. Ferguson will be a difficult start despite a glowing matchup against the Cardinals in Week 8.

Flournoy is not typically going to see elite volume while playing alongside two true alphas in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but he continues to outproduce tight end Jake Ferguson as the preferred third option through the air. His big play potential showed against the Eagles as he caught a 35-yard dime early. Flournoy is, at minimum, worthy of a bench spot and could work his way into viable FLEX territory with another solid outing against the downtrodden Cardinals in Week 8.

It wasn’t a clean game for the alpha wide receiver by any stretch, who committed two drops and caught only five of his team-leading 12 targets. Despite the poor efficiency, Lamb made the plays he needed to when it mattered most, scoring from nine yards out on a fade to the back corner of the end zone and from 16 yards out on a similar play to the opposite sideline. Lamb has now seen 56 targets in his previous four games, with 12 or more in three of his last four. That level of volume keeps him in elite company near the top of rest-of-season wide receiver rankings in fantasy circles, where he will remain ahead of a Week 8 matchup against the Cardinals at home.

Williams churned out consistently positive gains against the injury-riddled Eagles but took off in the fourth quarter, gaining over 60 yards in the final frame. He cashed in for fantasy managers with a touchdown with just over two minutes remaining on the clock to push his line into elite territory, despite failing to notch any receptions. The career high in yardage on the ground comes after the Cowboys averaged the fewest rush attempts per game during the first six weeks of the new season. Williams gets a sparkling matchup against the Cardinals at home in Week 8, where he’ll return to RB1 status in fantasy circles following the eruption against the Eagles.

Prescott made the throws when they counted while connecting on three touchdowns to his two alpha receivers, two to CeeDee Lamb and one to George Pickens. After averaging the fewest rush attempts per game through the first six weeks of the regular season, the Cowboys leaned heavily on Javonte Williams against a battered Eagles team, who set a career high with 155 yards on the ground. Even so, Prescott did not look his best, nor did the pass offense. Lamb committed two drops and the team benefited from multiple first downs due to penalty. Prescott gets another sparkling matchup against the Cardinals at home in Week 8, where he remains a fantasy QB1.

Pierce was injured on a kickoff return in the fourth quarter and was taken to the locker room almost immediately following the ailment. No word on the nature of the injury, but Pierce would appear to be on the wrong side of questionable to return considering there is less than six minutes remaining to play in the fourth quarter. Saquon Barkley was previous deemed questionable to return with a back injury, leaving Elijah Mitchell to fill in for the remainder of the game. Pierce rushed 14 times for 47 yards and a touchdown prior to departing, adding one yard on one reception.

Things seemed to be going well for the veteran back in his first game since injuring his hamstring in Week 4 until the second quarter. Barkley was in and out of the lineup through that second frame before being seen on the sideline getting his hip worked on by the training staff, with it later deemed a back issue. He continued to play through discomfort into the fourth quarter before the team deemed him questionable to return with a new injury than the one that cost him two games. Barkley looked spry during his time on the field, gaining 62 yards and a touchdown on seven carries while adding nine yards on two receptions prior to departing. Fantasy managers will want to monitor his status in the coming days. Dameon Pierce would be in line to once again operate as a borderline workhorse, should Barkley’s injury prove significant, considering the lack of depth in the backfield.