DeSean Jackson & the Revenge Game Narrative in Fantasy Football
It all started with a Twitter question “Should I start DeSean Jackson this week?” My answer was simple “DeSean Jackson in a revenge game is hard to pass up!” I’m not sure what it is, outside of the obvious chip on their shoulder, but when a guy faces his former team, he always seems to perform to his highest level. To be 100% candid, when researching this article, I found almost as many “meh” games as I did stellar performances, but that isn’t very fun or what we’re here to talk about.
I spent a few hours digging thru game logs on FantasyData.com and picked out a few of the best revenge game performances by DJax and some others, plus highlighted some of 2019’s best upcoming revenge games.
DeSean Jackson
This past week, Jackson lined up against the Washington Redskins for the 2nd time since leaving the team in 2016. His first game against them was last year with Tampa Bay, and was pretty pedestrian, at least by Jackson’s standards. This game would be a different story. Jackson torched Washington for two long TDs, on his way to an 8-catch, 154 yards, two TD performance. It was his best revenge game performance but certainly not the only standout. Over the last six years, Jackson has played in eight revenge games and his performances tend to speak for themselves.
[lptw_table id=”161107″ style=”default”]In those eight games, Jackson has never scored fewer than six fantasy points (0.5 PPR) and averages 15.9 fantasy points-per-game. Jackson is a man on a mission in revenge games and fantasy players should take note because he plays Washington again in Week 15, the fantasy semi-finals.
Other Recent Revenge Games
Jared Cook vs Los Angeles Rams, 2018: 9 catches for 180 yards
Lamar Miller vs Miami, 2018: 133 rushing yards and 1 TD
Brandin Cooks vs New Orleans, 2018: 6 catches for 114 yards and 1 TD
Emmanuel Sanders vs Pittsburgh, 2018: 7 catches for 86 yards and 1 TD
Alshon Jeffrey vs Chicago, 2017: 5 catches for 52 yards and 1 TD
LeGarrette Blount vs Pittsburgh, 2016: 134 total yards and 2 TDs
Emmanuel Sanders vs Pittsburgh, 2015: 10 catches, 205 total yards, and 1 TD
Revenge Games for 2019
Brandin Cooks vs New Orleans, Week 2: Cooks feasted on New Orleans last year and gets them again this week. He feels like a must-play in DFS!
Vance McDonald vs San Francisco, Week 3: While Week 1 did not go well for McDonald and the Steelers, in Week 3 he plays the 49ers for the first time since leaving them in 2016. The 49ers nearly gave up two TDs for Cameron Brate that were both called back in Week 1.
Kirk Cousins vs Washington, Week 8: The Redskins made Cousins a very rich man but would not give him the long-term deal he wanted. This will be his first time facing them since leaving in 2017.
Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Jordan Howard & Alshon Jeffrey vs Chicago, Week 9
Trey Burton vs Philadelphia, Week 9: The Bears and Eagles have swapped a few players over the last couple of years so there are three players to watch here. This will be a first for Trey Burton and Jordan Howard but Alshon had 52 yards and a TD vs the Bears in 2017.
Jarvis Landry vs Miami, Week 12: The Browns looked terrible in Week 1 but the Dolphins looked far, far worse. Landry is likely glad to be out of town and will have a thing or two to prove to his former team in November.
Tevin Coleman vs Atlanta, Week 15: Coleman was injured in Week 1 but should be back in time for this game. After a subpar year as the starter in Atlanta last season, he will be out to show the Falcons that he is better than what they saw in 2018.
Le’Veon Bell vs Pittsburgh: Week 16: In what will be the talk of every town, last year’s soap opera gets rekindled as Bell plays the Steelers for the first time since refusing to suit up for them in 2018. To top all of that off, it will be in fantasy championship week and, after his Week 1 performance, a lot of Bell fantasy owners could be playing for the #FootClanTitle!