Bye week presents solvable problems
Lost in all the angst over the rash of injuries that dominated the Week 4 headlines is the approach of the perennial bane of fantasy owners: the Bye Week Blues.
So while we scramble to find replacements for Derek Carr, Dalvin Cook, Ty Montgomery, Chris Carson, Jordan Matthews and others, we also have to factor in the inconvenient absences of Atlanta, Denver, New Orleans and Washington this week.
The rough double whammy will strain the bench depth and waiver-wire savvy of fantasy owners in virtually every league.
Cook’s loss appears to be the most balance-shifting, as the rookie is gone for the season and there’s no quick fix. Latavius Murray will be pressed into the starting role, but nobody expects him to equal Cook’s production.
The Falcons lost both Julio Jones (hip) and Mohamed Sanu (hamstring), but at least they’ll have an extra week to recover. The bye couldn’t come at a better time for the Falcons, because without their top two receivers, all bets are off for Matt Ryan, and the running game would face a stiffer challenge as well.
And, of course, Raider Nation is preparing to play at least two games without Carr.
It’s going to be a busy week on the waiver wire. Fortunately, intriguing options abound. Catch ’em while you can Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans: Yeah, he’s got “it.” Watson impressed Sept. 24 in Foxborough, then silenced any remaining skeptics with a five touch down performance against Tennessee on Sunday. Latavius Murray, RB, Vikings: Following the seasonending injury to Cook, Murray will assume the lead backfield duties in Minnesota. The former Raiders running back has been a competent workhorse in the past, so he’s a worthy add for Cook’s owners. Just don’t expect RB1 production. J.D. McKissic, RB, Seahawks: If you watched the Sunday nighter, you not only witnessed Carson suffer a broken leg, but you saw McKissic dazzle on just a handful of touches, scoring TDs both rushing and receiving. McKissic reminded me of Kareem Hunt, and for that reason alone, I’m rushing to my waiver wire. Aaron Jones, RB, Packers: The rookie entered the Thursday nighter as the third-stringer, but he’s expected to get the starting nod Sunday against the Cowboys. Montgomery’s injured ribs and Jamaal Williams’ sprained knee open the window for Jones to build on his unexpectedly early, yet solid, NFL debut. Will Fuller, WR, Texans: Fuller benefits from all the attention paid to DeAndre Hopkins, and now that he has an accurate passer under center, the second-year receiver has a chance to soar consistently. John Brown, WR, Cardinals: The speedy wideout made his 2017 debut Sunday and flashed signs of his explosiveness and value to the Arizona passing game. Don’t be fooled EJ Manuel, QB, Raiders: Oakland’s offense has been sputtering even with Carr at the controls. Don’t expect the underachieving backup to succeed where Carr hasn’t. Devin Funchess, WR, Panthers: It was good to see Cam Newton break out of his miserable slump Sunday, even if it came against the NFL’s most pathetic pass defense (New England’s). Funchess prospered as well, but he has been the embodiment of mediocrity since he entered the league in 2015.