Normally, we would solicit your suggestions for the Panic Meter in an effort to remain focused on the situations of greatest concern to the fantasy football community. This week, however, we are eschewing social engagement, because I have run out of new ways to tell you Lamar Jackson is actually good certain players simply demand our attention.
Here are the five players you need to panic about, if for some reason you were not already actively freaked out…
Saquon Barkley
Panic level: Petrified. Let’s just try to enjoy the week ahead. 😳
At some point, Barkley should probably identify an injured body part that requires him to sit for the remainder of this lost Giants season. It’s possible he’d like to reach some statistical milestone before he taps out — he’s 303 rushing yards away from 1,000 — but it seems wild for a running back headed into another offseason of contract negotiations to handle significant December workloads for this particular franchise. New York hasn’t given us any indication that they will be aggressively tanking, but, well … we’re talking about a 4-win team. Things could be going better.
Monday night’s home matchup with Green Bay is great for Barkley, but things take a rough turn in Weeks 15-17, facing three defenses that have been among the stingiest to opposing backs: New Orleans, Philly and Los Angeles Rams. When we reach the stage of the season in which he has no obvious incentive to put himself at risk and the matchups are terrible, Saquon-related fantasy panic will hit hard.
Tua Tagovailoa
Panic level: Dread of the inevitable 11-point fantasy week is rising. 🥵
Like Barkley, Tua has a terrific matchup ahead (Tennessee), so there’s no great concern about his output in Week 14. We’re good.
But then, one week later, we are very much not good — not at all. Tagovailoa closes his fantasy season with as difficult a 3-game stretch as can be imagined. Just look at these games (and please note the way-too-rosy forecasts):
Tua Tagovailoa’s…
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