(The Fantasy Football Running Diary is an ongoing series by Tim Metzler, in which Tim shares and records what is happening in the NFL every Sunday. It may also include updates on his personal life.)
Welcome to my Running Diary for Week 4. We’re looking at just the games played on Sunday, October 3rd. Paying attention to everything that’s happening in the NFL is a challenge. You’re busy. Don’t sweat it. You keep doing you and let me do the work for you. Here we go!
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1:05 pm (EST) – The games are starting! The games are starting!
1:06 – I normally watch the games at home and report straight to this super zesty running diary, but I’m currently in Maryland for the weekend. Got called in to do a show for the Second City. LET’S SEE IF I CAN DO THIS!
1:15 – Games are off to a booooom! Thank goodness. The last few weeks have been some REAAAL slow starters. A few touchdowns all around. The Chiefs look to be back on track after dropping two straight in September (which is unheard of in the Andy Reid/Patrick Mahomes era). Already up with a touchdown pass to Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Man, I can’t figure out CEH. He just seems to be destined for a life of pass-catching with a side of mediocre running stats.
1:30 – Sam Darnold runs one in against the Cowboys. We’re at 7-7 in that matchup. That’s Darnold’s third rushing score in the last two weeks. Note to parents: it’s okay to want your kids to grow up to be football players, but just not for the New York Jets. My dad and I were talking about how hard it is for rookie quarterbacks to transition to the NFL, but it seems like players from big schools actually have a harder time. Consider Trevor Lawrence. The guy was practically undefeated his whole life. He gets to the NFL and loses his first four games. Life is different when you aren’t the big guy beating up on all the little guys. While USC isn’t the biggest program right now, it’s still a strong one. Darnold is finally doing well in the NFL, but it took four years. Just something to think about.
1:30 – Obviously the Bills are obviously winning against the Texans. Obviously.
1:45 – Bears vs Lions is NOT TOO SHABBY! Now that Fields isn’t getting sacked every play, he has hit Darnell Mooney on every pass attempt for a total of 93 yards. Allen Robinson managers have to be worried. Also, David Montgomery has two rushing scores. Imagine him on a team with a good offensive line. The guy can flat-out play.
2:00 – Cordarrelle Patterson touchdown bomb! Waiver-wire hero of the year.
2:15 – Games are approaching halftime. I’m at a place called Chick & Ruth’s in Annapolis. Getting crab cakes.
2:30 – The games are going as follows: Chiefs and Eagles in a close game 13-14. Colts vs Dolphins are caught in a 7-3 snooze-fest. Justin Fields is on his way to his first win, 14-0 over the Lions. Giants vs. Saints remains a frustrating 7-7. Kamara and Barkley are yester-year stars. Not so much this year. Panthers lead the Cowboys 14-13. Man, the Panthers may actually be good. This is wild. Titans over Jets… obviously. Bills over Texans… very obviously. Survivor leagues should just target matchups against these two teams. Falcons vs. Football Team (they’ve had enough time; pick a name) 17-13. Cordarrelle Patterson just caught a second score. Browns lead the Vikings 8-7. Praise to the football gods.
2:45 – Mahomes has tossed three touchdowns already. Second half to go. The man’s a legend.
2:45 – Davis Mills completed one pass in the first half. The man is not a legend.
2:50 – Bears up 21-0 on Lions. Darnell Mooney has 125 yards receiving. Sheesh.
2:51 – Jonathan Taylor finally proving his first-round value. He has 90 yards and a score. Keep going, JT!
2:55 – Mike Davis Alert! He was called a “steal” by many before the season. Fourth to fifth-round value for a starting running back? What could go wrong! He has eight yards on nine carries today. Falcons can’t run.
3:05 – Cordarrelle “Late Bloomer” Patterson with three scores today. His RB/WR status makes him a must-start until further notice.
3:22 – Crab cakes were delivered and promptly demolished. So good. Living in the Midwest often deprives one of the delights of fresh seafood. Such is life.
3:25 – Calvin Ridley is sitting at six receptions for 59 yards. He isn’t living up to his Round 2 ADP so far this season.
3:40 – Upset alert! The Jets and Titans are tied 17-17. The Jets have the ball. Nine minutes left. In the immortal words of my father: Wowza.
3:45 – Jets up now. I can’t believe this.
3:45 – Panthers vs. Cowboys update. I take it back. The Panthers are still not ready to be good. But they’re getting there. Cowboys up 36-14.
4:00 – My apologies, I have to do a tech rehearsal for the show tonight. We need to make sure none of us look like fools when the curtain lifts. Quick hits worth noting: Buffalo annihilated the Texans 40-0. That’s just rude. Giants and Saints going to overtime. Jets might top Titans. Wowza. FOOTBALLLLLL!!!
5:00 – Stepping away from rehearsal to slam some salad and check the scores. THE JETS UPSET THE TITANS!! I’m not sure if I should be proud of the Jets or sad for the Titans. Maybe both?
5:00 – Giants upset Saints! Is it Taysom Hill time?! It’s not. BUT IS IT?!
5:30 – Some fun games in this afternoon slate. Seahawks are tied with the 49ers 7-7. GIVE US Trey Lance!
5:31 – Cardinals are beating the Rams 24-13. It’s halftime. The NFC West is the best division in football and it’s not close. Kyler Murray for MVP.
5:32 – Ravens lead the Broncos. 17-7. The Ravens feel so sporadic that I can see them winning the Super Bowl as much as I can envision them losing to the Texans, Jets, or Jaguars.
5:33 – The Packers lead the Steelers early. It’s a shame that Big Ben’s career is ending behind such an awful offensive line. The talent on this team is amazing, but they lack the parts that matter. The Packers are too well-rounded.
5:34 – Gotta get ready for the show. I’ll check back with you later. By the way, I had a grilled romaine salad. Really liked it. I had no idea romaine could be grilled. Life. Am I right?
6:45 – Show about to open. Here are some quick afternoon game updates! The Packers lead the Steelers, just like how Big Ben’s arm is leading the Steelers towards the inevitable Dwayne Haskins experiment.
6:45 – Cardinals over Rams. 34-13. We may have a different “team to beat” every week this season.
6:45 – Seahawks over 49ers. 28-13. Alex Collins may be worth picking up. Double-digit carries and best YPC.
6:45 – Ravens over Broncos. 20-7. Lamar Jackson becoming legendary.
7:30 – The show is starting. Talk to you soon!
10:00 – Show went well. Thanks for asking. I’m sweaty.
10:30 – Finally able to enjoy this evening game. The NFL is really crushing their primetime matchups. Also, Tom Brady looks pedestrian today. Maybe he ate a potato or something by accident. I suppose after 20 years that Bill Belichick knows how you operate. I’ve been married for 3 years and my wife knows how I’m feeling before I do.
11:15 – Mac Jones has completed something like 19 passes in a row. I cannot be the only one who’s annoyed that the Patriots have another good quarterback.
11:30 – It’s pouring. This game is boring from an observational standpoint. But it’s going to be iconic due to the matchup. And, again, the rain.
11:37 – Pats trying a 56-yard field goal in the rain. It still leaves Brady with a minute to come back. No way the Buccaneers lose this.
11:39 – KICK BANKS OFF THE UPRIGHT AND BRADY’S GONNA WIN. THE PRODIGAL SON FULFILLS HIS DESTINY.
11:45 – Thanks again for following me through this Sunday. What a joy it is to watch football. We are all lucky. Have a great week and I’ll catch you next Sunday.
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Timothy Metzler is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Timothy, check out his archive or follow him @timmy_the_metz.