It’s becoming increasingly challenging to extend the benefit of the doubt for certain offenses. As I reflect on Week 8, I’m sorting through which situations warrant my continued patience and where it might be prudent to take action before conditions deteriorate further.
Baltimore Ravens offense: Coping Corner
We find ourselves in the early phases of Coping Corner with the Baltimore Ravens offense. Lamar Jackson injured his thumb during Baltimore’s initial offensive play in Week 8 and has subsequently been placed on injured reserve. This situation alone would have made for a disappointing afternoon for the Ravens and fantasy managers relying on this offense. Tyler Huntley then exited the game as well, leaving undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano to finish. Everyone has high hopes for the backup until that backup finds themselves thrust into the starting role. We’re now looking at the backup’s backup.
This escalated quickly.
You might still be starting Derrick Henry, but my expectations are tempered. His 53 rushing yards and a touchdown provided something of value, although that touchdown occurred following a turnover, putting Baltimore at Buffalo’s 17-yard line. Without Lamar, the ability to sustain drives and generate scoring opportunities becomes a significant issue. Henry can still deliver a productive game, but it no longer feels like he possesses that same high-upside appeal as a running back.
The passing game? It’s disheartening. Zay Flowers ran 30 routes and received five targets without securing a catch. Mark Andrews caught three passes for 14 yards, and to me, he appears to be past his prime. I was skeptical of him even before Lamar’s injury. With Jackson sidelined, it’s increasingly difficult to identify where the production might arise. Any aspirations for a breakout from Ja’Kobi Lane have also taken a downturn. He ran 21 routes and earned just one target.
Baltimore ended the game with a mere 144 total yards. Fagnano completed 10-of-21 passes for 91 yards, along with an interception. This is the challenging environment we are currently asking our fantasy players to navigate.
Yes, you’re likely still starting Flowers. I’m not suggesting he should be benched under any circumstances. However, I would definitely be open to trading him if someone is still valuing him as if he were receiving passes from a healthy Lamar. I want a reliable starter in return, and I’m prepared to have that discussion before we further witness how challenging this passing game might become. Losing Lamar has sapped the energy from this offense, and it’s hard to envision quick improvements on the horizon. With Andrews and Lane, I’m reevaluating my alternatives.
Minnesota Vikings offense: Some Panic
There was enough from Kyler Murray to prevent Minnesota from entering Total Panic territory. However, there wasn’t sufficient evidence to inspire confidence in the entire offense.
Murray passed for 210 yards and two touchdowns while also contributing 35 rushing yards. T.J. Hockenson caught four of his five targets for 58 yards and a touchdown, which continues to reinforce the trust in this connection. Over the course of seven games, Hockenson has secured a 20.4% target share and is averaging 2.03 yards per route run. I feel comfortable regarding him as a weekly top-12 tight end.
Justin Jefferson did get into the end zone, but five receptions for 33 yards isn’t what you hoped for when you drafted him. His frustration was visible on the sidelines, and he opted not to talk to reporters afterward. He received nine targets, capturing a 32.1% target share, but it still didn’t translate into the kind of production one expects from Jefferson. I empathize with his frustration, and I’m sure his fantasy managers do as well.
The secondary contributors are the areas where my confidence begins to wane. Jordan Addison’s season has left much to be desired, although this game deserves some acknowledgment: eight targets, three receptions, and 66 yards while matching Jefferson’s 33 routes. I won’t label it a vanishing act just yet, but I do require more consistency before I can trust him regularly.
The running game provided minimal upside. Jordan Mason had eight carries for just 20 yards. Aaron Jones Sr. managed only 22 yards on five attempts. That amounts to a combined 42 rushing yards, with Murray individually outpacing either running back.
Hockenson and Jefferson should remain in your lineup. Beyond them, my concerns about the potential for reliable fantasy production from this offense are growing.
Carolina Panthers offense: Some Panic
Having stepped away from Tetairoa McMillan’s standout performance, we find ourselves once again questioning when Carolina will manage to pull it all together.
McMillan concluded the game against Green Bay with six catches for 58 yards. The aggravating factor is that the workload was substantial. He received 11 targets, which translated to a 31.4% target share and accounted for more than half of Carolina’s targeted air yards. That sets the stage for a potentially much more impactful game.
Bryce Young completed 23-of-41 passes for 209 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He was taken down six times. Carolina was also missing offensive linemen Damien Lewis and Torricelli Simpkins III, which certainly didn’t aid an offense already grappling with turning chances into production.
I have Some Panic toward McMillan, but those 11 targets prevent me from recommending any drastic changes. His seasonal target share is currently at 26.4%. He’s still seeing the level of involvement that I believe in, even if dealing with the results has been a challenge.
Jalen Coker also finds himself in Some Panic. While his touchdown bolstered his numbers, it accounted for 26 of his 36 receiving yards. He caught two passes on five targets. While I’m pleased about the score, I’m not suddenly confident in his consistent weekly output.
Chuba Hubbard garners No Panic from me. He amassed 22 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown, alongside seven receptions for 38 yards. That’s a total of 29 touches and 119 scrimmage yards in a game where the passing offense struggled. He consistently found ways to produce.
I’m still starting both McMillan and Hubbard. For Coker, I’m prepared to accept a broader range of outcomes. It seems you’ll need to tolerate some volatility here rather than overhaul your entire lineup.
Parker Washington: No Panic
I’m not stressed about P-Wash. I remain committed to reminding everyone that Jacksonville does not genuinely seem like an offense with a distinct No. 1 option each week. I discussed this with Matt Harmon on the Data Dump Tuesday show. When everything aligns for Washington, the usage can be exceptional. However, Lawrence utilizes whoever is open, which isn’t guaranteed to include Washington every week.
In the game against Indianapolis, he caught one pass for 16 yards on two targets and added another 10 yards on the ground. Jacksonville triumphed 42-7 after taking a lead of 28-0 at halftime. Trevor Lawrence threw only 14 passes before being done early in the fourth quarter. Bhayshul Tuten rushed for 104 yards and scored both on the ground and in the air. This offense had ample options without needing a significant performance from Washington.
In his last game before the bye, Washington caught four passes for 64 yards against Houston and still drew 11 targets. Although the fantasy outcomes in both games didn’t meet expectations, the opportunity levels were markedly different.
Throughout seven games, Washington has achieved a 24.5% target share and has received targets on 25.3% of his routes. We also witnessed him converting six catches into 124 yards and two touchdowns in a game against Philadelphia. That’s the potential I’m betting on.
To me, Washington still embodies the highest receiving ceiling in this offense. I’m willing to embrace the variability that comes with it. An off game in a blowout against a feeble Colts team isn’t sufficient reason for me to pull back.
