Info vs. Emotions: Do not be haunted by the ghosts of fantasy weeks previous

What's your favourite ghost story? The one which made your eyes go huge and the tiny hairs on the again of your neck stand straight up? A story so compelling that, whilst you may not recall the entire particulars, you may always remember how its telling captivated your entire self. A yarn spun so fantastically that disbelief wasn't simply suspended, it was gleefully tossed apart.

That might be any story, I suppose. However there's one thing uniquely fascinating about lore. Perhaps as a result of it is a story warped in historic legitimacy. They do not ship large feels with out being based on stable info. The extra particular the image painted, the extra simply we're swept into the mythology.

A little bit of a reveal… my most beloved sightseeing exercise is to enroll in a guided ghost tour anytime I am visiting a brand new metropolis. Posting up at a dive bar filled with locals is shut second. However what if that pub is haunted? Discuss robust spirits! I am right here for the training and the leisure. What higher method to absorb an unfamiliar locale than by way of the individuals and locations of its previous?

And that's the reason, regardless of having lived in Los Angeles for greater than 15 years, I lastly participated in a haunted pub crawl by Hollywood this previous weekend. As an alternative of constructing a reso at some new Italian spot or group bingeing the newest Jason Bateman car, my buddies and I made a decision to traipse down the Stroll of Fame while an aspiring actor named “Bennie” shared tales of our city's heyday and the souls which can be rumored to linger. What higher technique to have fun Spooky Season?!?

Whether or not it was studying about Fritz, the phantom stagehand who allegedly nonetheless rustles the curtains at Grauman's Chinese language Theater or Rudy Valentino, whose lothario spirit has been sighted all through town, every account delighted us. Certain, the suds we sipped alongside the way in which elevated our buy-in, however we had been keen members. There may be, in any case, no higher context for the current than to find the previous.

I do not know if I imagine in ghosts. However I'll admit to being intrigued on the thought of eschewing permanence. Not as a result of there's something interesting about languishing in a liminal house. However as a result of there exists a definite need to turn into un-stuck. I imply we have all been tormented by one thing in some unspecified time in the future. Most likely not a translucent barkeep or headless horseman, however positively by a thought, or an thought, or a sample. As soon as we're capable of cease the repetition, although, then we're free. We will transfer on.

We do that in fantasy frequently. Which Cardinals' RB do I begin this week? How do I bench Cam Skattebo versus Denver when he is been on such a tear? Is Ladd McConkey again? Can Dallas Goedert maintain this up? When will the wheels fall off of Baker Mayfield's wagon? The back-and-forth will be downright haunting.

Finally, although, we make a alternative and we dwell with it. Hopefully, we study from it, too. In order that, not like the apparitions stranded beneath creaky flooring and behind attic doorways, we will proceed on our journey and expertise the subsequent endeavor. Even (and particularly) if it offers us the chills.

Info versus Emotions for gamers in Week 7 (and the past)

Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys: Prescott has been taking part in like a person possessed, rating second on the place in passing yards (269 per recreation) and passing scores (13). The 32-year-old has logged a minimum of 22 fantasy factors in 4 of his previous 5 video games whereas averaging 27 fantasy factors over the previous three weeks. Provided that the Cowboys protection is permitting over 30 factors per recreation, there isn't any purpose to imagine Prescott will not maintain chucking the ball. And with CeeDee Lamb more likely to return, Prescott's conversion fee (71.6 CMP%, QB4) figures to remain sterling.

Moreover working in Prescott's favor is the matchup versus Washington. Admittedly, the Commanders D-line has been capable of generate stress as of late, registering the sixth-most sacks (18) on the season. That stated, the group's secondary has been inclined to large performs, giving up the second-most receptions of 40 or extra yards with six (behind solely the Cowboys' seven) whereas additionally permitting the sixth-most fantasy factors to sign callers. In a recreation with a ramification of simply 2.5 factors and an over/beneath of 55.5 factors, the fantasy fireworks determine to be popping on Sunday. Contemplate Prescott a top-5 fantasy play on the place.

Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars: The electrical rusher that began the season appears to have vanished during the last pair of outings. Etienne's manufacturing and effectivity have plummeted since Week 4, as he is failed to achieve double-digit fantasy totals in back-to-back efforts. Actually, he is managed zero rushes of 10 or extra yards over the previous two weeks. Whereas these outcomes might be defined away by way of recreation script and schedule, they do not determine to vary in Week 7.

The Jags are 2.5-point underdogs versus the Rams in London. Acknowledging that worldwide video games at all times add a component of shock, there isn't any denying the power of L.A.'s run protection. Per Subsequent Gen Stats, the Rams' 37 % run cease win fee is the most effective within the NFL. Moreover, Chris Shula's unit has not solely allowed the fifth-fewest yards per carry (3.7) to RBs, however the protection has but to surrender a single run of 20 or extra yards. Actually, not one again has managed a run of 15 extra yards this season.

Derrick Henry was capable of accumulate 122 dashing yards versus Los Angeles in Week 6 however was impressively held out of the top zone, making the Rams the one group but to permit a dashing rating to the place. For context, Christian McCaffrey has been the one operating again to submit 15 fantasy factors when going through the Rams, and he did that largely by his work as a pass-catcher (solely 2.6 YPC, however 8-82-1 by the air in Week 5). Etienne does provide attraction as receiver (he is drawn a minimum of 4 appears to be like in consecutive outings), which helps to buoy his inventory. But, given his latest struggles and the matchup, the Jags' RB1 initiatives as a low-end RB2 for fantasy functions in London.

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers: Hubbard's absence has created house for the resurrection of Rico Dowdle. After rumbling his technique to an otherworldly 473 scrimmage yards over his previous two begins, the previous Cowboy appears to have seized the Panthers' RB1 gig. Because the saying goes, there isn't any placing the genie again within the bottle. That, nonetheless, has left Hubbard buyers in a precarious place. On the brilliant facet, noting the truth that Dowdle averaged 30 touches per contest, a 50/50 cut up would nonetheless end in 15 touches for Hubbard. (And that idea is about as more likely to materialize as Marilyn's ghost in a haunted mirror on the Roosevelt Lodge.)

Whereas the softness of Carolina's schedule certainty contributed to Dowdle's huge numbers, it isn't as if this week's matchup presents an imposing impediment. The Jets run protection has been a serious legal responsibility, permitting the ninth-most dashing yards on the season and a mean of over 115 whole yards to RBs per week. Nonetheless, it appears unlikely {that a} harder matchup would encourage Dave Canales to prioritize the lesser of his two backs.

That time hits house all of the tougher when noting that Hubbard recorded zero goal-to-goal rushes and 0 rushes contained in the 5-yard line previous to injuring his calf. Conversely, Dowdle registered 5 goal-to-goal alternatives and three makes an attempt contained in the 5. This recreation initiatives to be all types of messy, however the backfield cut up needs to be clear with Dowdle providing digital buyers RB2 attraction and Hubbard present as a last-ditch flex.

Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons: London's manufacturing has taken on a mystical high quality since he was visited by the Commanders in Week 4. The 24-year-old (sure, he is youthful than his QB, regardless of having been within the league for 2 extra seasons) has posted triple-digit yardage totals and located the top zone in two straight efforts (separated by a bye).

Posting 25 fantasy factors in Week 4 (WR5) and 31.8 fantasy factors in Week 6 (WR1), London has been dominant as Michael Penix Jr.'s most relied upon pass-catcher (10.6 appears to be like per contest, WR3). With Darnell Mooney (hamstring) and Ray-Ray McCloud III (coach's resolution) out of the lineup, London drew a monster goal share of 52 % final Sunday. Even with out the famous absences, his 33 % goal share for the season ranks third amongst WRs (behind solely Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Garrett Wilson). Moreover, London's 43 % finish zone goal share is tied for the seventh-most within the NFL.

Merely put, he is getting the appears to be like and doing essentially the most together with his alternatives. That is a development that ought to proceed at San Francisco in Week 7. The 49ers protection is down badly, having misplaced its two most revered stars (DE Nick Bosa and LB Fred Warner). Whereas that is good news for Bijan Robinson supporters, a projected level whole of 44.5 suggests loads of aerial motion for the Falcons receivers. Actually, the 49ers gave up 256 receiving yards and two receiving scores to an embattled Bucs squad final Sunday. That bodes properly for London, who figures to flirt with six grabs and 80 yards this weekend.

Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: The time is nigh! Rice is ready to make his 2025 debut this Sunday versus the Raiders. There exists an comprehensible quantity of hypothesis concerning the 25-year-old's potential quantity. Nonetheless, managers did not choose the SMU standout earlier than the double-digit rounds of fantasy drafts to let him languish, significantly in every week with two groups on bye and a slew of star gamers set to overlook time. Keep in mind, Rice is not working his method again from an damage. He is been wholesome, serving a suspension. Meaning he ought to have the power to choose up the place he left off.

Rice final suited up in September 2024, drawing 29 targets over three video games whereas averaging 96 yards per contest. He could not match these numbers this Sunday, however there are many locations from which to attract alternatives. JuJu Smith-Schuster (who has but to clear 60 yards in a recreation) figures to maneuver down the depth chart. Tyquan Thornton will seemingly additionally see his function diminished, drawing one or two deep appears to be like per outing. Lastly, Andy Reid has remained candid concerning his need to protect Travis Kelce for the postseason. Actually, Kelce averaged simply 4 targets per recreation when sharing the sphere with Rice final yr.

All of that being stated, with the Chiefs being 10.5-point favorites, Rice's alternatives might not be strong. Nonetheless, he figures to be concerned. Plus, going through a beneficiant Raiders secondary that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy factors to WRs, Rice will not want a boatload of balls to place up factors. He figures to behave as a balm to struggling squads, presenting with prime 15 to twenty place fantasy attraction in Week 7.

Matthew Golden, WR, Inexperienced Bay Packers: Maybe that is extra of a premonition than a prognostication, however the Golden second feels quick approaching. The Texas standout has exceeded 50 receiving yards in three straight efforts, after managing simply 16 receiving yards over his first two outings mixed. Curiously, he is additionally logged a minimum of one dashing try in every of his previous 4 video games, registering a complete of eight since Week 2 (tied for essentially the most by any WR or TE within the NFL throughout that span). That signifies a need to get the versatile rookie acutely concerned within the offense.

Whereas Golden figures to play second fiddle to Romeo Doubs, his matchup units him up for flex-worthy success in Week 7. The Cardinals have been uber beneficiant to the slot, permitting essentially the most grabs and receiving yards to gamers manning the within. Curiously, Golden leads the Packers in fantasy factors from the slot this season. The arrow is pointing up.

Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Cleveland Browns: Fannin is the long run and the long run seems to be now. With Dillon Gabriel on the helm, Fannin has posted double-digit fantasy factors in two straight efforts. Actually, Fannin leads the Browns in grabs and receiving yards (and is tied for the group lead in crimson zone appears to be like). Admittedly, David Njoku's early exit afforded the rookie extra alternatives in Week 6. Nonetheless, the Bowling Inexperienced product rose to the event, changing seven of a season-high 10 balls for a team-high 81 receiving yards.

Fannin figures to be concerned once more this Sunday, particularly provided that Cleveland leads the NFL in tight finish targets, catches and yards. Moreover, over half of Fannin's snaps (74%) have come whereas lined up as both a WR or a RB, some extent made by ESPN's personal Kimberley A. Martin throughout final week's version of “Fantasy Soccer Now.” He is everywhere in the discipline and demonstrating wonderful rapport with the group's present stop-gap beneath heart.

Bettering Fannin's odds of changing is a plus matchup versus Miami. The Dolphins are permitting the sixth-most fantasy factors to tight ends, having gifted the Chargers' Oronde Gadsden II (additionally a rookie) with a 7-68-0 stat line in Week 6. If Njoku is absent (and even restricted), Fannin may submit top-eight fantasy numbers on the place. He affords low-end TE1 attraction no matter Njoku's standing. Let the conjuring start.