Week 5 Game Recaps: Rico Dowdle explodes

And here I thought I’d seen it all. After Kyler Murray lost a fumble and (briefly) left injured (concussed?) after taking a snap to the face, I said “that would be a crazy way to lose a Circa Survivor entry.” And then the following happened: Emari Demercado let go of a sure touchdown inches before the end zone at the end of a 72-yard run that would’ve made the score 28-6 one week after the whole world watched Adonai Mitchell do the same. The Cardinals then somehow turned a game-ending interception into a touchdown for the Titans. But wait, there’s more! Jonathan Gannon straight up conceded a series with three obvious runs while up only two points – when time wasn’t even an issue without the first down! Tennessee could’ve spared its final timeout if needed. Epic stuff during a week with six double-digit comebacks and filled with survivor carnage.

I still have one (shared) Circa entry remaining, but this loss will almost be as memorable as when Murray got blown out as 15.5-point favorites in 2021 when I was in the final 20 (the ticket was worth $250K+). Someone please remind me to avoid Arizona at all costs moving forward. Onto the game recaps. 

Miami Dolphins @ Carolina Panthers

• Rico Dowdle erupted for an NFL-season high 234 yards from scrimmage despite missing time throughout the second half with cramping. It was a favorable matchup, but Dowdle looked like Adrian Peterson mixed with Barry Sanders on Sunday. Some wondered whether rookie Trevor Etienne would end up taking over with Chuba Hubbard out, but now there’s no way Hubbard returns to his previous role with the way Dowdle played Sunday. He was fantasy’s top back this week, and it might go down as the best RB performance all season. 

• Bryce Young lost a fumble on the opening drive and was picked off during the second. There’s a chance we would’ve seen Andy Dalton if Tetairoa McMillan didn’t make a terrific catch to save the third drive on a fourth down. Young also tried to call a timeout when Carolina had none left at one point. Backdoor Bryce pulled off the win and deserves credit for leading a game-winning TD drive, but McMillan’s fantasy managers are still hoping for Dalton. Young entered ranked last in YPA (5.7), completion% (60.3) and Passer Rating (77.3) since entering the league. 

• De’Von Achane pulled down a nice TD catch, but he was held to just 16 rushing yards on 10 carries. Carolina has been extremely stingy against receiving backs this season, so Achane will have more favorable matchups in the future. 

• Darren Baller had five catches on five targets for 78 yards and a touchdown with 10:53 left in the second quarter. He wouldn’t see another target the rest of the game, but Waller is an easy top 12 fantasy TE until injuries strike. He’s playing WR and will continue to be a big part of replacing Tyreek Hill in Miami. 

• Jaylen Waddle briefly left banged up but quickly returned and finished as a top five fantasy WR against a Carolina defense that entered allowing the third fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. Waddle remains a health concern and seemingly gets banged up every game, but he can be a top-12 WR rest of season with Hill out. 

• Miami punted while trailing with 65 seconds left to a team that recorded 238 rushing yards and got 6.4 YPC. I hope you’re sitting down, but the Dolphins never got the ball back. 

Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens 

• C.J. Stroud tossed three TD passes in the first half and finished with his second career four-touchdown game. Stroud has been far less effective on the road throughout his career, but the Ravens look like the league’s worst defense right now. Stroud was terrific and finished as this week’s QB1 despite Detective Davis Mills replacing him over the final 10+ minutes.