Dave Kluge and I had the opportunity to do something cool last Thursday Night. Tom Kessenich, the regular host of SiriusXM's High Stakes Fantasy Football, was out. Dave handled the hosting duties while I rode shotgun.
A fun moment for a friendship that started at a small website over five years ago.
Dave was there for my first podcasting moment: a live-streamed reaction to the Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff trade with Fantasy Intervention.
It was embarrassing. I was on my couch, with poor lighting, working off an iPad and AirPods. Clueless.
I'm still clueless. Now I have equipment.
Dave and I had a call shortly after that show. Dave mentioned my Twitter handle (@4WhomJBellTolls) and asked if I was a big Metallica fan as an icebreaker. True to myself, I replied, "Not really; I liked the wordplay." True to Dave's self, he rebounded after I gave him little to work off.
Our interplay has improved, slightly.
Shortly after I joined Fantasy Intervention, Dave began his journey with Footballguys, a brand we had quickly discovered we both loved. That summer, I had the opportunity to contribute as a guest. I did ok. I still needed to be patient. I trusted Dave and passed on opportunities to grow with other sites, hoping a larger role with Footballguys would materialize.
Five years later, that seems to have worked.
This content journey can be lonely. We are not working in person. We hear when we have done something wrong. When we are right, the response usually feels like a quiet "I'm with you this week; be right next week."
Finding your people is priceless.
Number Watch
Josh Allen, Buffalo
2 Rushing Touchdowns - 90 Rushing Touchdowns - Eric Dickerson & Curtis Martin, 14th All Time
Allen was held out of the end zone against the strong Minnesota defense in Week 9. Week 10 will be a great opportunity to get back on track; his 8 career rushing touchdowns against the Jets are the most against any team. He can quickly climb the career rushing touchdown leaderboard, as two would tie for 14th. Jerome Bettis and Franco Harris are tied for 12th at 91.
Keenan Allen, San Francisco
7 Receptions - Cris Carter, 1,101 Receptions / Marvin Harrison Jr., 1,102 Receptions
Allen moves into a much higher-upside offensive environment, though expect an acclimation period. The 49ers now roster WR1, WR4, and WR5, plus RB1 and TE3 in active career receptions.
Brandin Cooks is 5th in career receptions for active wide receivers. He needs 4 receptions to move into the Top 50 all-time.
George Kittle, San Francisco
81 Receiving Yards - Terrell Owens, 8,572 Receiving Yards, 2nd in San Francisco History
Kittle has a great opportunity to pass this mark against Dallas. After his quiet Week 1, he's averaging 67 yards per game and has topped 80 yards in 3 of 7 games. Passing Owens against Dallas would be a fun narrative, given Owens' involvement with both franchises.
Kittle needs 2 touchdowns to tie Gene Washington for 3rd in franchise history.
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota
127 Receiving Yards - 9,000 Career Yards
The Vikings made some news this week. Kirk Cousins was the quarterback for the most productive stretch of Jefferson's career. We should be excited following this week's trade.
Jefferson is playing his 102nd career game; if he hits 9,000 yards in this game, he'll tie Calvin Johnson for the third-fastest to do so. Julio Jones did it in 95 career games. Torry Holt is 4th at 105 games, giving Jefferson plenty of runway to hit that mark.
Trey McBride, Arizona
7 Receptions - 11 Consecutive Games (Tied With Cooper Kupp)
McBride can break a tie with Kupp and record his 12th game with 7+ receptions. Antonio Brown has a 14-game streak, the longest mark.
Revenge!
Do revenge games matter? For some players, absolutely. For others, it's a fun side story. Each week, we look at players who have something extra.
Enjoy this type of trivia? Try Immaculate Grid from Pro Football Reference. Use code "JBell" when you sign up for a Stathead subscription for awesome stuff. Make sure to check out Footballguys Trivia Night Live with Joey Wright and Jake Bryant every Tuesday!
- QB Deshaun Watson, Cleveland vs. Houston
- RB Aaron Jones Sr., Minnesota vs. Green Bay
- RB Ty Johnson, Buffalo vs. NY Jets
- TE Charlie Kolar, LA Chargers vs. Baltimore
- RB Keaton Mitchell, LA Chargers vs. Baltimore
- WR Calvin Ridley, Tennessee vs. Jacksonville
- WR Brandin Cooks, San Francisco vs. Dallas
- WR Dareke Young, Las Vegas vs. Seattle
- WR Cody White, Las Vegas vs. Seattle
- TE Hunter Long, Arizona vs. LA Rams
Last Week
- RB Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia vs. NY Giants - Lost 19-11, 13-22-1
- RB Audric Estimé, New Orleans vs. Cleveland - Won 23-22, 15-72-1 /1-5-0
- RB Tyler Goodson, Dallas vs. Indianapolis - Won 27-23, 12-77-0
- WR Van Jefferson, Washington vs. LA Rams - Lost 20-13, 5-58-1
- RB Pierre Strong Jr., Green Bay vs. New England - Won 45-27, 8-22-0 / 2-11-0
- TE Jonnu Smith, Green Bay vs. New England - Won 45-27
- RB Khalil Herbert, Atlanta vs. Cincinnati - Lost 34-17, 1-7-0 / 2-2-0
- FB Michael Burton, Cleveland vs. New Orleans - Lost 23-22
- WR Trent Sherfield, Buffalo vs. Minnesota - Won 23-6
- WR Romeo Doubs, New England vs. Green Bay - Lost 45-27
Revenge Touchdown Tally
- Saquon Barkley vs. NY Giants, Week 9
- Audric Estimé vs. Cleveland, Week 9
- Van Jefferson vs. LA Rams, Week 9
- T.J. Hockenson vs. Detroit, Week 8
- Devin Singletary vs. Houston, Week 7
- J.K. Dobbins vs. LA Chargers, Week 5
- Samaje Perine vs. Miami, Week 5
- Mike Gesicki vs. Miami, Week 5
- Derrick Henry vs. Tennessee, Week 4
- Wan'Dale Robinson vs. NY Giants, Week 3
- Jakobi Meyers vs. New England, Week 3
- Demarcus Robinson vs. LA Rams, Week 1
- Aaron Jones Sr. vs. Green Bay, Week 1