Dak Prescott’s continued climb to the top highlights this week’s NFL Week That Was.

Dak Prescott:  The 4th round accidental starter from 2016 who was supposed to suffer the sophomore slump in 2017 continues to do just the opposite.  Sunday, Dak list up the 49ers throwing for 3 TD and adding a 4th on the ground.  In the 6 games this year, Dak has a total of 17 TD’s (14 passing and 3 rushing) and only once has he failed to complete at least 60% of his passes.  For some reason, Dak is still underrated in fantasy circles.  Do not make that mistake.  First, the added rushing yards and TDs are fantasy gold.  Second, while Dallas’s D played well against a weak SF team today, they are average at best.  That means there will be many high scoring games coming up for big D – high scoring games in which Dak will light up the scoreboard.  I am biased as a lifelong Cowboys fan but I am also all in on the sophomore QB!

Evan Engram:  The Giants may be toast but their terrible season is fantasy opportunity for Evan Engram.  Sunday, the rookie TE was targeted 12 times, hauling in 6 for 60 yards and a TD.  That makes 19 targets in two weeks against top flight defenses – Denver and Seattle.  Engram will seek to extend his TD streak to 3 games when the Giants return from the bye in week 9.  If the Engram owner in your league cuts him because he is on bye, scoop him up immediately.  He is clearly the number one target going forward for a team that cannot run the football effectively.  Bad situation for real football, good situation for fantasy football.

Thomas RawlsThomas Rawls once again failed to take advantage of the opportunity to win the RB1 job in Seattle.  Rawls carried 11 times for 36 yards and registered one catch for 16 yards.  Basically, Eddie Lacey was the same – 11 carries for 34 yards and one catch for 9 yards.  Avoid! Avoid!  Seattle, the team of Super Bowls and Beast Mode, has become a team completely and totally reliant on the passing game.  Indeed, in a game that was largely in hand, Russell Wilson put the ball up 39 times.  Neither Rawls nor Lacey is playable next week even with six teams on bye.  If you stashed these guys, cut them to make room for bye week replacements.  [Full disclosure: I have at least one share of Rawls I will be divesting].

Aaron JonesAaron Jones is for real.  At least he was on Sunday rushing for 131 yards on just 17 carries and adding a rushing TD, 3 receptions and 7 yards receiving.  That makes two monster games in three weeks.  There may still be those that think Ty Montgomery will be the number one back in GB.  He will not.  Indeed, Ty has only 21 touches in the last three games combined.  People’s belief in Ty means opportunity for you to buy low on Jones.  I do not believe Hundley will be able to run a passing offense.  That increases Jones’ value even further as they will have no choice but to rely upon him.  Bottom line:  Jones has played very well, will get even more opportunity and could be the FAAB pickup of the season by years end.  All in. 

Coby FleenerCoby Fleener finished Sunday with just two catches for 22 yards.  I think we can safely say that despite the hype train, Fleener will never come close to replicating the Jimmy Graham production in New Orleans.  On the year, Fleener has caught more than 3 passes only once (and that was week 1).  Sunday, Fleener tied with Brandon Coleman for 5th on the team in number of targets from Drew Brees.  That is hardly as prescription for success.  To make matters worse, Fleener has not been targeted in the red zone since week 2.  Bottom line – except for those in leagues where two TE must start each week (yes, I am in one), move along.  Nothing to see here.

Carson PalmerCarson Palmer reportedly suffered a broken left arm and according to reports will be out 8 weeks.  Most importantly, we all hope he heals as well and as quickly as possible.  As to the fantasy football effect, it is beyond significant for all Cardinals receivers.  Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, Jaron Brown, J.J. Nelson et al all need to be downgraded with Drew Stanton at the helm.  Fitz may retain some value in ppr leagues catching short tosses but there is zero reason to think this will be any different than the fantasy football disaster that was 2014. 

Final Note:  I am tempted to use the skills I have gained over my 28 years practicing law and dive deeply into the Ezekiel Elliott legal drama.  However, I will just dip in a toe to point out what should have been so obvious from the beginning:  All of the issues involved in this drama would be so much clearer (and I mean ALL of the issues involved) if the NFL simply appointed a highly respected inarguably neutral arbitrator to hear the case.  Just because the Commissioner MAY appoint anyone he chooses (including himself) does not mean that he SHOULD.  Hopefully next time (and unfortunately, there will likely be a next time) he will take the high road and appoint an arbitrator whose neutrality and ability is beyond question so that the result can also be beyond question.   Ok, now on to week 8 of the NFL and fantasy football season.