Week 5

20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? - Romans 9:20-21

I am currently doing a Bible Study with the Executive Vice Commish called “Defined: Who God Says You are”. It’s very good and I strongly recommend it. Once of the key themes is that God created us and therefore has the authority over us and who we are. It makes sense from a basic standpoint: the creator has authority. I share this mental model to remind you that I am the creator of The Notes. I have authority over what they say and what they are defined as. That is my right. And of course, if I want to wow you with “facts” then that is my prerogative. If I want to “manipulate” you then let’s get to “manipulating”. If you don’t like it, create your own weekly Fantasy Football column. In the meantime, we will continue to create because well, that’s what we do. Prepare to be wowed with Facts.

Let’s talk about a few things across the league and the NFL.

• Well hello JaMaar Chase. He said he was always open. And I guess he meant it.

He scored 37 Fantasy Points and had 3 receiving Touchdowns. Now granted my boy Tee Higgins didn’t play, but still. That is domination. After an extremely slow start (6 combined points over the first two games) Chase is now the overall the 8 WR in Fantasy. And something tells me he will finish higher on the year.

• A wide receiver who apparently is not open 7/11 is CeeDee Lamb. And I guess its because his owner likes throwing to TEs? Maybe the Cowboys could sign Taysom Hill!

• So, Jonathan Taylor is back with the Colts. And signed a new contract. Is anyone else as confused as I am? I mean Jim Irsay is nuts. And you want to know what is so ironic about this? Zack Moss is apparently good? Do they honestly split the carries now? Just bizarre. And check out this from Dan Graziano

  • But let's say they don't cut him and he plays through 2025, earning all of his per-game roster bonuses for that season. From 2023-25 on this deal, Taylor will earn $33.306 million. If he had done nothing, and the Colts had franchise-tagged him in 2024 and 2025, he would have earned (checks notes) about $33.3 million. I'm glad he's back and I'm glad he's happy, but this deal isn't any kind of market-mover.

• The Kayak Pirates have lost two in a row. Maybe the whole “pick the entire Dolphins roster” wasn’t going to work out as well as I thought it was. I think it was just Week 1 recency bias.

• The injuries have just been absolutely brutal this season. Justin Jefferson and 2023 Breakout Star De’Von Achane have now gone on IR. Losing Jefferson basically probably is the beginning of the end for KRABS. Overbay losing Achane just has him move onto starting… Austin Ekeler. James Conner and Anthony Richardson were put on IR too so Week 5 was just … bad.

• I was extremely pleased to see that 100% of voters in last weeks poll agreed with me that you felt sorry for The Commish. We felt your empathy and it means a lot to us. It will fuel us for the rest of the year and we have each of you to thank for it. No facts required.

• And finally how about three cheers for my guy Travis!

• I am sad. The Braves just lost. Very sad. So Sad. Sigh.

Before we get to the awards let’s check this week’s episode of Gridiron Heights:

Manager of the Weak

This felt appropriate.

After a Week 5 low 71 points and a loss to black is for Sunday KRABS is probably bummed. Then finding out that Justin Jefferson is going on the IR and is out for at least 4 weeks. Well that is no bueno. Where does KRABS go from here and how does he rebound? Something tells me that Alvin Kamara is not the answer.

And you thought I was going to pick The Institute. Shame on you. SHAME ON YOU!

Move of the Week

I mean if you make 3 trades in the span of 60 minutes you are working hard to win Move the Week. And then when you get your first victory of the season in the week after you make said trades? Oh you are definitely getting Move of the Week. With the revival of Dallas Goedert (sigh) you have to think that Aaron definitely made his team better. The only issue is that he is basically starting the entire Eagles offense now so it just feels a little risky. But it worked out great in Week 5!

MVP

Travis Etienne Jr, Puka Nacua, JaMarr Chase, Sam Howell, DJ Moore

Sam Howell – 388 Passing Yards, 2 Passing Touchdowns, 1 Int, 19 rushing yards

Look when you score 41 Fantasy Points you have to at least get a shoutout and DJ Moore was well, awesome on Thursday night. He was open constantly. But I am going to be a homer and give this week’s award to none other than our boy Sam Howell. In an 11 point Jerry’s Belt Buckle victory Sam Howell had 25 Fantasy Points with 2 Passing Touchdowns. In fact it was Sam Howell’s first 300 Passing Yard game in his NFL career. With Justin Herbert on bye this was a huge performance for Howell at a time Umphlett needed him. Congrats to Sam Howell for winning the Week 5 MVP!

Manager Of The Week

As we have discussed in the past, 2023 hasn’t been kind to black is for sunday. But I mean … well… Jeff Wilson Jr. But in Week 5 somehow, someway, Brent Woodcox got his first win. Now it was over KRABS. But it was a win. Puka Nacua has been a revelation and is easily the FA pickup of the year so far (I mean seriously which person above is Cooper and which one is Puka?) I can't get over the irony of Brent trading Kupp and still basically picking up Kupp 2.0 off of the FA wire. But the story of this team is Lamar Jackson. The Ravens were the offseason story of the year with their new offense and Lamar’s contract, but it hasn’t exactly worked out that way. Jackson hasn’t thrown for more than 237 yards although he does have 3 24+ point outings. If Lamar Jackson can unlock the true potential of the Ravens offense you need to watch out because this roster is way better than 1-4. Mostert has been a revelation, he has 4 top 20 WRs, and Bijan Robinson has been a solid performer. Let’s see how the rest of the season goes, but congrats to Brent Woodcox for winning the Week 5 Manager of the Week!

Until Week 6…

-The Commish