Fall weather has finally arrived in Storrs this week, and with it comes heavy winds and light rain. The days are shrinking and sleeves are growing. Runny noses are turned on and air conditioners are flipped off. Fantasy football users start to dominate and weaker teams begin to surrender. While there’s not much to do about wardrobe changes, you can stay healthy this season — in terms of your fantasy football team, of course. Advil and nasal spray will only take you so far; this week’s Fantasy Forecast will take you further.
Fever Watch: Players heatin’ up
Flu vaccines and booster shots have been on the rise lately. So are Tetairoa McMilan’s fantasy points. The rookie wide receiver has been turning heads throughout the NFL as his performances with the Carolina Panthers continue to improve. His week 6 display yielded users a pair of touchdowns along with 29 yards on three receptions. This 17.9-point day was enough to make him a top performer throughout the league. As the connection between him and quarterback Bryce Young continues to strengthen, users should be advised to keep McMilan in the lineup. The Panthers will look to claim their fourth victory of the season against the winless New York Jets this Sunday.
Multiple seasons and timeless, 40 years old — no, not The Golden Girls, but quarterback Joe Flacco. Starting for his seventh team, his current residence is with the Cincinnati Bengals. Ever since Joe Burrow exited the field with “turf toe” in week 2, the Bengals have been scrambling to find a suitable replacement. A trade later, and a new Joe was in the backfield repping the tiger stripes. While Flacco couldn’t get the dub this past week, his 18.8-point performance gave the Who-Dey nation hope. The Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers for a division rival brawl this Thursday night. If you’re looking for a QB this week, pick up the old reliable.
Head coach Brian Callahan now falls into the same category as certain vegetables in grocery stores. That is, he’s been canned. The Tennessee Titans parted ways with Callahan after a miserable 1-5 start. As the front office looks to fill this position, fantasy users should give some attention to running back Tony Pollard. It is true that the seventh-year veteran has displayed mediocre performances for fantasy users this season. However, with new personnel directing plays and a home matchup against the New England Patriots in week 7, Pollard will certainly be relied upon, meaning more action and points.
Cold Catchers: Players to rest
In week 4, the New York Giants replaced 14-season quarterback Russell Wilson with rookie Jaxon Dart. The former Ole Miss Rebel has dazzled fans since and continues to spark fantasy interest. However, that average of 19 points in a game might just come to a screeching halt in week 7. The Giants will have to face off against the Denver Broncos in the Mile High City, where the elevation change alone makes it hard for players to even breathe. In addition to wide receiver Darius Slayton potentially sitting out this Sunday, fantasy users should avoid Dart this week.
Since week 2, running back Kenneth Walker III’s fantasy points have been dropping like a thermometer in winter. The fourth-year pro hit a season low of 4.7 points as the Seattle Seahawks leaned on Zach Charbonnet to take on more of the groundwork in their 20-12 victory over the Jaguars. This Sunday night, the Houston Texans will travel to the Emerald City to take on the Seahawks. With the Houston defense’s reputation, fantasy users should look at an alternative to Walker.
Whether it’s the yips for golfers or writer’s block for authors, slumps can ruin anyone’s performance. That is exactly what is happening to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. In his third year with the Las Vegas Raiders, Meyers has failed to record double-digit receptions in a game or even find the end zone. With the Kansas City Chiefs favored in their matchup with the Raiders this Sunday, fantasy users should sit Jakobi Meyers.