When Andy Dalton galloped onto the scene Sunday to be the hero that saved the Panthers, it felt like a dramatic plot twist. And he displayed a stage of heroism typically reserved for cinematic icons.
In spite of everything, Carolina appeared like not simply the worst group within the league the primary two weeks, it appeared like one of many worst we’ve got seen in years, with no hope of bettering this season, mired in a quagmire of embarrassment.
Enter a sturdy outdated Purple Rifle. Kick off the mud, and let’s see what the famously common QB can do, proper? And he did some issues — 319 passing yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions. He’s the primary QB to hit these marks this season.
Look, these are good numbers, however they aren’t mind-blowing. Their “bigness” is exaggerated by such poor passing recreation numbers throughout the league.
The fantasy query is: How dependable will Dalton and the Panthers offense be within the coming weeks? Is he now Captain Carolina? Did he simply have his Steve Rogers-esque “Panthers Assemble” second?
Or … hear us out right here … is Dalton merely saving as many as he can, like Jake Gyllenhaal in “Day After Tomorrow” — the closest factor to a savior in a state of affairs that has an unavoidably bleak ending?
Spoiler alert: We predict he would be the Panthers model of Ben from “Night time of the Dwelling Lifeless.” Dalton doesn’t have the power alone to finish the broad distress, however maybe he can ease the struggling of some of these round him alongside the best way.
First, principally reset the fantasy outlook you have got for Panthers gamers to the place they had been earlier than the season started. There weren’t excessive aspirations round any Carolina participant, however what little aspirations there have been had fully disappeared with Bryce Younger at QB.
Bear in mind how extensive receiver Diontae Johnson was a strong depth decide within the center rounds, with hope he might be a shock common Flex play? With Younger, Johnson went from that stage of expectation to a participant who was losing a spot in your fantasy roster.
Effectively, we’re again to his unique outlook. We don’t anticipate what he did Sunday — 8-for-122 with a TD — to occur each week. But in addition, that’s now doable. And clearly it was unattainable with Younger.
Dalton’s fantasy impression most likely received’t stretch past that within the passing recreation — in addition to, now Adam Thielen is coping with a hamstring challenge.
Operating again Chuba Hubbard may change into a factor once more. He had 21-for-114 on the bottom and 5-for-55 with a rating receiving in Week 3 for an enormous PPR day. Additionally, the Panthers performed with a lead a lot of the sport (anomaly alert). Hubbard could have some artificially enhanced PPR worth going ahead due to his position within the passing recreation, however don’t anticipate constant speeding quantity, since this group nonetheless goes to be behind quite a bit.
And the way will Dalton’s success impression Dalton’s fantasy worth? In most leagues, QBs aren’t arduous to return by, however Dalton has instantly elevated himself to the tier that features streaming choices — assume: Matthew Stafford stage. However Dalton’s sort of recreation on such a group won’t produce persistently.
Look how Baker Mayfield and Derek Carr bottomed out this previous week. Determine Dalton could have as many video games like that as he does ones as productive as Week 3.
All of those changes will apply till … Younger will get again below heart. Yep, we predict that can occur finally. Carolina goes to fall out of playoff rivalry sooner or later, and it is unnecessary to not play Younger as soon as that occurs— to find out if he has a future with the group, if he has realized whereas on the bench, to attempt to ramp up any potential commerce worth, and so on.
At the very least within the meantime, there are just a few Panthers now worthy of getting in your roster, which is just a few greater than final week.
Like what we noticed
Emanuel Wilson RB, Packers
Received ample work Sunday to spell starter Josh Jacobs. Quantity received’t be this massive usually, however Wilson is a perfect handcuff to Jacobs, no less than till rookie MarShawn Lloyd returns (Week 7 at earliest).
Jauan Jennings WR, 49ers
We instructed you to select him up final week, however judging by roster numbers, not sufficient of you listened. He would be the hottest waiver goal this week. He’ll stay playable till Deebo Samuel returns, and a must-start so long as George Kittle can also be out.
Courtland Sutton WR, Broncos
Bo Nix appeared quite a bit higher in Week 3, and his enchancment ought to carry Sutton again into fantasy relevance.
Tyler Conkin TE, Jets
Going 5-for-93 will thrust you towards the highest of TE scorers. Reality he additionally has a strong QB offers him doable endurance. Good fill-in for these with Sam LaPorta.
That didn’t look good
Tyreek Hill WR, Dolphins
It was dangerous sufficient with Skylar Thompson as a substitute of Tua Tagovailoa at QB. If the Dolphins are dipping to Tim Boyle? If they create in Ryan Tannehill, we’d really feel higher. Think about Hill just for big-play potential.
Davante Adams WR, Raiders
Poor QB play is dragging him down. And quantity of targets going elsewhere is troubling. Upcoming matchups (Browns, Broncos, Steelers) aren’t encouraging.
Betting on the NFL?
DeAndre Hopkins WR, Titans
Surprisingly productive — 6-for-73 with a TD on Sunday. Don’t neglect, he failed to attain two — two — the primary two weeks. Don’t be fooled. Commerce him now.
Mark Andrews TE, Ravens
He scored an enormous fats donut on a measly one goal. It’s doable he regains his most well-liked standing within the Ravens passing recreation — simply final season he was a monster earlier than damage. However he must be benched till he proves in any other case.