The Top 10: Week 8

The Top 10: The Cliff's Notes

1. Nick Chubb's return from injury lacked box score oomph, but there were reasons for hope.  
2. Tank Bigsby bullied the hapless Patriots--sell him while you got him. 
3. Brian Thomas Jr. continues to prove that the "Big Three" of the 2024 WR Draft class was too small. 
4. Russell Wilson's touch made all the difference for George Pickens and the Steelers' fantasy value. 
5. The Packers cross-blitzed 1.7 points off C.J. Stroud's average fantasy points this weekend. 
6. Robert Flores' blitzes put the perceived nail in Jared Goff's career coffin, but Goff is the NFL's Undertaker. 
7. Dalton Kincaid just might benefit most from the Amari Cooper deal. 
8. Bijan Robinson put on a clinic against the Seahawks' early penetration. 
9. Speaking of bad run defenses, the Rams, Patriots, and Saints run defenses also look as bad as their stats. 
10. Repercussions in Tampa with the Chris Godwin and Mike Evans injuries: Cade Otton, Jalen McMillan, and Sterling Shepard. 

1. Nick Chubb: Reasons for Hope

Once again, this isn't a Cleveland Brown's season, but you're damn straight this is a Nick Chubb department. The best pure runner in football since he entered the league in 2018...

...Please excuse this interruption for a public service announcement: Saquon Barkley? Christian McCaffrey? Derrick Henry? Alvin Kamara? Do you wish to file a claim for another back as the best in the NFL while Nick Chubb was healthy?

Here are your instructions: write it down, print it, ball it up, and toss it into File 13. We will answer you within an eon and never. Or, you can simply stick it. You're welcome. 

Chubb's second three-ligament tear to the same knee seemed like a death knell for his career--at least the end of his reign as the best back in football. While that may prove the case, we'll need to see more than 11 carries in a game where Cleveland lost its troubled starting quarterback and rolled with an out-of-his-depth third-stringer.

By the way, why did the Browns roll with Dorian Thompson-Robinson? The Browns' brass was collectively a bunch of snowflakes who were afraid to keep Jameis Winston active because they didn't want Cleveland fans chanting Winston's name with Deshaun Watson on the field. 

Cleveland's upper management forfeited its best chance to remain competitive in this game due to its fragile ego. It wouldn't be a shock if the team concocted a hand injury to make Winston eligible to come off the bench as the emergency quarterback. 

This sordid Watson chapter is over, for now. That's enough reason for hope in Cleveland because as talented as Watson is on paper, Bob Harris said it best: This circus was nothing but a clown car that was a distraction for the team. 

This is Winston's team now and that will allow the Browns to remove the Watson filter from Kevin Stefanski's true offense. Whether they have enough weapons for Winston to thrive is a different story, but the distraction and morale killer is gone and Chubb showed he's healthy enough to contribute--and potentially better than that.

Not a ton to see result-wise with Nick Chubb's return. The OL play was not strong.

Still, you want to see deceleration and reacceleration with changes of direction. This play is promising in respect to his recovery. #Browns pic.twitter.com/JXINW0ERX5

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 21, 2024

#browns Nick Chubb showing some nice C.O.D. quicks on this nullified play. pic.twitter.com/RMT2xPrVWY

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 21, 2024

Straight-line speed is usually the last thing to return from an injury like Chubb's. The fact that he displayed the change of direction quickness and deceleration is more important anyway. We're hoping for the improbable with Chubb, but the initial signs are more positive than I expected. 

2. Final Call to Sell-High on Tank Bigsby

Utilization data be damned, Tank Bigsby has, at best, four fantasy-worthy games in seven weeks. Of those four games, three were against opponents that are among the 12 most generous units to running backs in fantasy football. 

Bigsby isn't a bad running back, but his team isn't good enough to support fantasy value against defenses of a higher caliber. Bigsby is bullying the professional wrestling equivalent of jobbers. 

Even his high-worthy plays are the product of big holes and flat-footed defensive backs. 

Tank Bigsby gets a flat-footed Jonathan Jones who overextends into the collision and pays for it. #Jaguars pic.twitter.com/i7XXZtcZMY

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 20, 2024

The Jaguars face the Packers, Eagles, Vikings, and Lions before the bye. All four opponents have the offense to force Jacksonville into high-scoring affairs to remain in the game. Bigsby has two targets in the passing game this year and he won't be seeing a rapid increase with or without Travis Etienne Jr. because D'Ernest Johnson is a more proven receiver. 

Doug Pederson also reiterated that Etienne isn't losing his job due to an injury. Like it or not, Jacksonville's backfield is a committee, and Bigsby is only a match-up option for fantasy GMs. 

The Packers will be Bigsby's best matchup until Week 15 against the Raiders. 

3. Brian Thomas Jr.. Is An A.J. Green Starter Kit

And unlike many young players compared to great players, all of the requisite pieces come in the box--and there are redeemable coupons for bonus pieces. 

Brian Thomas Jr. with a nice use of head and eyes to enforce outside leverage and earn separation.

Good concentration at the catch point.#Jaguars pic.twitter.com/FwmeEq1KMV

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 20, 2024

Brian Thomas Jr. with a heady play against tight coverage at the line in a compressed area. #Jaguars pic.twitter.com/6oGNkwkx4F

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 20, 2024

These plays carry significance because I analyzed Thomas earlier this season making technically sound plays--clean plays--whereas these plays above are "dirty" plays where opportunities to utilize strong technique are more difficult. When a young play can win with fundamentals and when fundamentals are thrown out the window, that's a good sign. 

With Jacksonville facing a slew of high-scoring offenses, look for Thomas to be a reason the Jaguars can't potentially stay in games and that's good for his fantasy value. 

4. Russell Wilson's Deft Touch Is the Difference

Last week, I detailed why the Steelers decided to bench Justin Fields and give Wilson playing time. The short explanation: Fields has better physical tools, but his decision-making lacks the nuance that can elevate the offense--something Wilson has proven he had for years before the Denver Debacle. 

Wilson wasn't sharp for most of his debut against the Jets, but his moon balls in the vertical game were good enough for George Pickens and Ben Freiermuth to elevate their potential as big-play factors.

Something DB’s have to do vs Russ… he puts so much air under deep balls/touch throws, DB’s have to be patient & play the WR’s hands later than they usually would. Guys will play WR’s hands early & get flagged or lose the trajectory of the throws. Have to play the WR’s late hands

— ???? ?????? (@CoachRC23) October 21, 2024

George Pickens showing late hands at another level. pic.twitter.com/ASCuVFzuF6

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 21, 2024

George Pickens making the most of his opportunities. pic.twitter.com/sXNzyVHoNs

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 21, 2024

Better throw by Russell Wilson on the two-man route combo. Gave Freiermuth time to work. pic.twitter.com/yHd08Z6WBb

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 21, 2024

Wilson may no longer have the mobility he had in Seattle, but he's a better pocket player than Fields, which makes the passing game more dangerous. He'll utilize more of the Steelers' weapons, keep the playbook open with better down-and-distance situations, and give the defense more opportunities to play with leads.