Jake Browning could lose his job soon. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
This week, Drake Maye had a coming out party as the Pats pulled off a huge upset of Buffalo; Jayden Daniels was back in action, coming through as the Commanders had a big bounce back game; and Carolina enjoyed a big comeback Sunday as Rico Dowdle rushed for a career-high 206 yards. Other Fantasy football stories we’re following include…
Jake Browning Getting Better, But…
In May, we talked about how the Cincinnati Bengals had probably done enough last offseason to improve a rush attack that ranked 30th in the NFL in 2024.
Uh, ya… about that…
The Bengals are currently burdened with the league’s worst rushing numbers, but then again, when you’re constantly losing, you don’t tend to put the ball on the ground much.
The thing is, Cincy started quickly (2-0) for once, but then lost Joe Burrow (toe) and have since dropped three straight. The team flashed some moxie and more offensive acumen on Sunday, but still lost handily to the Lions.
Believe it or not, the Bengals had dominated Detroit in recent decades, winning seven straight and last losing to the Lions in 1992.
Cincinnati QB Jake Browning – who has generally struggled in place of Burrow – showed some life Sunday, throwing three TD passes in the fourth quarter, but the damage was already done.
Browning has gotten progressively better in each of his starts, but he still got picked three times against Detroit (some of which were puzzling given the pocket time he had — see video below), and while he’s almost halfway to his career high for completions in a season, he’s already thrown more interceptions than ever before.
Is he about to lose the starting job? Coach Zac Taylor has not ruled out that possibility. And while Browning was a bit better on Sunday (QB23), the fact that he ranked 29th and 32nd among QBs in his first two starts tells you everything you need to know about his Fantasy value.
Assuming he’s starting in Week Six in Green Bay, he’s at best a streaming option in two-QB leagues.
Browning was not considered a good prospect coming out of the University of Washington, so small wonder he was signed as an UDFA by Minnesota, who waived him in 2021 before the Bengals signed him. He just doesn’t have the arm strength to enjoy any sustained success.
Chicago’s Offensive Gains
In mid-June, we wondered how Caleb Williams would fare in his second season with an improved offensive line and ostensibly better offensive schemes. Well, the answer so far is better, but based on his last two games, it’s a work in progress.
Despite dropping their first two games, the Chicago Bears have gotten off to a better start, winning their last two before enjoying a bye in Week Five. It’s good enough that this team is now +370 to make the playoffs as per FanDuel.
And yes, the offense in general looks much, much better, ranking 10th in points so far. It’s the defense – which was solid in 2024 – that’s been a problem early on, ranking near the bottom of the league in points allowed.
Special teams play has been solid, at least in the last game when little used cornerback Josh Blackwell got a piece of a potential game-winning FG to ensure Chicago hung on in Week Four, 25-24 over the Raiders.
The fourth year player only had a 9.55 per cent snap count on defense last year, being mostly used on special teams. This season, he’s only been on the field as a defender twice, and is seeing a lot less action on special teams than the year before.
Blackwell is at best a depth player on defense, seemingly really buried this year, but after that big play perhaps his special teams usage will increase.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
When they began in 1998, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club were called The Elements. Good call changing the name! Here’s “Am I Only,” the final track from their 2007 effort, Baby 81.