Who Dey, Gerbils and Beaters jump out to big leads after Thursday night game
Drake Maye's 26 lead Beaters, who are predicted to lose anyway; D'Andre Swift and Coston Loveland have Matty ahead of the Band Aids; and Luther Burden III's big first half has Chuck ahead of Packers
Thursday night games can sometime portend what's coming for the rest of the weekend. Other times it's just fool's gold. We have both situations happening after the Patriots-Bears debacle on Thursday night.
As far as accurate predictions go, we have these to offer.
Who Dey has improved to a 55% chance of beating Bob Garcia and the Band Aids after D'Andre Swift scored 14 points (80 total yards, one TD) and another Lazarus-like effort from TE Colston Loveland, who scored 12 and had a TD for the second consecutive week. Loveland did not even have 10 total points in his previous five games, so I guess someone is very happy about the return of his QB Caleb Williams, who missed four weeks with a hamstring strain.
The Gerbils have a 69% chance of beating the Packers after Burden went off against the Patriots, catching passes for 130 yards and a TD (19 points). Jeff Lambert and the Pack are hoping their patchwork bye-beating lineup (Kyler Murray at QB, Woody Marks at RB) can surprise with some big point efforts.
On the other end of the spectrum are the Spread Beaters. Matt Pringle had the most players going last night (three) and go a huge game from QB Drake May (26 points). The problem is with the other two: Bears backup RB Rochon Johnson had one point and WR Rome Odunze had 6 (but did make a brilliant catch). That has the Beaters up 33-7 over John Lambert and the Rangers, who got all their points from TE Hunter Henry, but the Beaters have a 29% chance of holding onto that lead for a win. Pringle is also fielding a lineup that has bye week written all over it: Tre Tucker at WR, Kendre Miller and Johnson at RB. He does have Jonathan Taylor at Flex, so there's that. Not having Bhayshul Tuten, Parker Washington and even Omarion Hampton (he's averaging 8 ppg, better than one).
In the only other game that had a player going Thursday, Vern Ahrendes and the Invaiders got a whopping 3 points to take an early "fool's gold" lead over the Recliners. AJ Brown had 4 points in his second game back (but was more like Casper the not-so-friendly ghost for most of the night) and some of that was erased by the Patriots defense, which could not even score a positive number (-1). Chris Zimnoch and the Recliners have a 71% chance at taking this one and moving into a first-place, under .500 tie in the Silent Division despite leaving Rhamondre Stevenson (17) on the bench. Stevenson scored a TD at the end of the first half that was like something you'd see at a Pop Warner game (see video above).
The Tirades could have jumped out to an early 36-point lead over WTNE, but chose to start Brock Purdy at QB vs Atlanta over Williams (21) and the NY Giants rookie K Dominic Zvada over Cairo Santos (who had 15 despite a missed FG). WTNE had TreVeyon Henderson (1) on the bench and has their hopes at RB on two questionables, Saquon Barkley (supposed to play) and Quinshon Judkins (ankle).
Injury update
Puka Nacua (Band Aids) suffered a calf injury Thursday, though it's not feared to be significant. Friday is a key day for him as the Rams get ready for the Raiders.
Lamar Jackson (Recliners, ankle sprain) had limited practices Wednesday and Thursday. He's still in flux as the Ravens prepare for Cincinnati.
Saquon Barkley (WTNE, hamstring) had a limited practice Thursday, his first since the Week 4 injury, and is trending toward a Monday return against Dallas. DeVonta Smith (hamstring) didn't practice, while the Cowboys' George Pickens (shoulder) was limited. Both teams get an extra day to prepare.
Rashee Rice (Spread Beaters, hamstring/knee) did not practice Thursday and is looking iffy for the Sunday night game at Seattle.
Travis Kelce (Spread Beaters, ankle) was limited the last two days but still looks likely to play.
Zach Charbonnet (Invaiders, knee) practiced in full Thursday and is tracking for his season debut.
Emeka Egbuka (Invaiders, concussion/foot) returned to practice Friday, a good sign for him suiting up.
Baker Mayfield (free agent, thumb) continues to trend toward a return against Carolina.
Tyler Warren (WTNE, groin) missed his second straight practice Thursday, leaving his status in doubt as the Colts face the Vikings.
Mike Evans (Gerbils, ribs/Achilles) didn't practice Thursday, his second straight missed day. He's proven in the past he can play without practice time, but continue to monitor for updates.
Jeremiyah Love (Recliners, ankle) didn't practice Thursday and probably won't play in Week 7. Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight are the next options.
Jordan Mason (Band Aids, thumb) had a second straight practice Thursday and is tracking for a Week 7 return.
Quinshon Judkins (WTNE, ankle) had a limited practice Thursday for the second straight day. Dylan Sampson (knee) could also return this week.
I'll be back on Monday morning with another update.
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