Fantasy Dreams and Nightmares: The Ashton Jeanty Game

It finally happened. The version of Ashton Jeanty we hoped we were investing a first-round pick in showed up. There's a chance that sentence is just a microcosm of how impatient we've all become. Regardless, his Week 4 performance was all we could've asked for and then some.

There will be plenty of Jeanty talk on today's installment of Dreams and Nightmares. First things first, though. Welcome. If you're new here, the description says it all. This is where I unpack all our fantasy dreams and nightmares from the past week's action. With the number of fantasy teams out there, your dreams may be someone else's nightmares. It's all a matter of perspective. In either case, these situations likely shaped wins and losses.

It's also worth noting that I won't get to everything. This column is as jam-packed as I can make it. If I miss your dream or your nightmare, let me know. I'm around. I want to hear about it.

As I went to narrow down this week's entries, I felt that I had to give some credit to storylines that have almost become underappreciated. They might not get an entry this week, but that doesn't mean they're exempt in perpetuity. How about Christian McCaffrey? The injury fear has subsided -- knock on wood -- from the hysteria of the offseason. He's third in receptions with 31. That's more than Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He's the RB3 without a rushing touchdown through four games. His 112 opportunities are by far the most. That can scare you, sure. Or, you can choose to enjoy the ride. He might break down. What if he doesn't, though? You sure you want to be the one who missed out on another all-world McCaffrey season? Sometimes, the risk is well worth the reward. McCaffrey is a prime example.

It also looks like another set-and-forget D/ST was just hanging around on waivers through the first couple weeks. Jacksonville's defense continues to reward the managers who had a little faith. They're averaging 11.5 points per game through four games and are only rostered in 4.9 percent of leagues. They've stuffed the stat sheet. Nine interceptions, five forced fumbles, seven sacks, and a special teams touchdown against San Francisco for good measure. With production that balanced, only a select few matchups would scare me off. The Chiefs aren't necessarily one. If you're looking for a defense, Jacksonville has earned consideration on this week's waiver cycle. It might be the last week they're there.

That's it for the honorable mentions. I couldn't write this without acknowledging McCaffrey and Jacksonville, even if they won't have their own entry this week.

Let's get to the main event.

Fantasy Dream: Ashton Jeanty Looked Lethal and the Turf Wasn't Blue

There was a point in the offseason when Chip Kelly discussed Jeanty changing his stance in the backfield. You can probably picture it. He's standing straight up. No bend. It was typically the precursor to something jaw-dropping. At Boise State, it happened more often than not. His new employer wanted to see a change.

Yesterday, I noticed the stance again. It was the first time this season I remember spotting it. There's a reason it stood out. That stance is associated with an unassuming dominance. Inevitability might be the right word.

Jeanty was inevitable against Chicago.

His efficiency metrics ticked up despite six more opportunities than he saw in Week 3. It's worth noting that the Bears only stacked the box on 4.8 percent of his attempts. There was also much made about Chicago's inability to limit yards before contact leading up to the game. His 4.3 expected yards per rush would seem to indicate the Raiders got more push than we've seen all season.

It's important to acknowledge the circumstances of the breakout when appraising Jeanty's staying power. The offensive line needs to string together performances before we can stop viewing them as a variable Jeanty needs to overcome. There are also tougher tests than Chicago on the schedule.

The talent was on full display. He made the most of his opportunities and, at the very least, seemed to announce he's the type of player who should warrant consideration as an offensive focal point.

Maybe there's something to letting a player be who they are. Sure, a stance probably isn't the reason he broke out in Week 4. It felt like there was something natural about the performance, though. Fantasy managers are hoping days like Sunday become ordinary for Jeanty.

Fantasy Nightmare: Tush Push Trick Plays

They can't keep getting away with it.

I'm sure that's how Green Bay's next shareholders' meeting will start. I guess that's just a bunch of fans meeting up at a midwest dive bar. Dean Blandino was probably feeling it, too. His mic wasn't hot this time, though. So I can't prove that.

Maybe this is more of a real-world nightmare for everyone who doesn't greet their family with a Go Birds every Sunday. The fantasy nightmare is this offense. More specifically, the Eagles' inability to find anything resembling consistency. It's affecting everyone. A.J. Brown will get plenty of attention. He took to social media to seemingly express his frustration after the game, so that makes sense.

Saquon Barkley, though, has struggled to get it going.

The most jarring discrepancy is in the rushing yards before contact per attempt figures—Barkley's space before contact has dropped by a yard. The Eagles are facing a stacked box on 32.8 percent of their rushing attempts, which is up from 25.8 percent in 2024.

The Eagles are running the ball between the tackles 6.5 percent less than they did in 2024. Outside attempts are up 6.4 percent.

Is the offensive staff adapting to the transition from Mekhi Becton to Tyler Steen? Has Lane Johnson's injury struggle over the past two weeks stalled cohesion? What about Landon Dickerson's offseason knee injury? All could certainly be variables in the regression we've seen along the offensive line. I don't think it's unfair to call it regression, either. Maybe that's the nature of setting the bar as high as the Eagles have.

If you can bet on any group turning it around, it's one anchored by All-Pros, with Jeff Stoutland coaching. The inside run game, built around concepts in which the offensive line is pulling, trapping, and sealing, is largely predicated on being on the same page. For whatever reason, they don't seem to be.

For now, it might take a fake tush push here and there for Barkley to find pay dirt.

Fantasy Dream: The Falcons Showed Signs of Life

Nothing like the shock of being shut out by Carolina to scare you straight.

After that game, if you had told me Washington would hang 27 on Atlanta, I would've told you there's no chance they lose that game.

One week can change much of what we think we know. Such is life in the NFL.

As great as Bijan Robinson is -- please don't get it twisted, he's great -- this offense seemingly goes as Michael Penix Jr. goes. We saw a completely different version of Penix in Week 4 than in Week 3. A 34-point encore of a shutout was the result.

How do we explain this level of a leap? Penix is navigating his first full year as a starter, and the variance that comes with that might be the simplest explanation. The Commanders also haven't been world-beaters against opposing quarterbacks. They shut down the Giants in Week 1. Since then, they've ranked in the bottom 10 teams in EPA/pass allowed. The plummet hit a new low in Week 4. Their +0.69 EPA/pass allowed was the second-worst of the week. Ironically, only Carolina was worse.

It also helps when Atlanta leans on its playmakers.

Robinson was a two-way problem. He finished with 191 total yards on 22 opportunities. Drake London was the guy we saw with Penix at the end of last season. He logged 10 targets on 26 routes. His 11.9 air yards per target were enough to offset the single red zone target, which he did catch for a touchdown. Darnell Mooney's abbreviated day helped the usage. Still, he handled a 38.5 percent target share. He was the guy again.

The bigger story, though, might be the long-awaited emergence of Kyle Pitts Sr. as a second option. His 19.2 percent target share in Week 4 was ninth among tight ends. His 2.9 yards per route run was first among tight ends with at least five targets. He accounted for 15.2 percent of Atlanta's air yardage and caught a touchdown in the red zone.

Good things happen when you lean on your stars. It appears as though it might even make your young quarterback's life a little easier. Who would've thought? The Bills are up next. They're a little banged up. The onus falls on Zac Robinson to keep building momentum.

Fantasy Nightmare: The Bryce Young Experience