Have you seen that commercial where Andrew Luck offers his beard hair to retirees for good luck? If his first three games are any indication, he might be better off keeping it for himself.
Luck, the first- or second-ranked quarterback universally entering the season, ranks 20th at the position with 41 basic fantasy points. He’s behind such fantasy behemoths as Blake Bortles, Derek Carr and Tyrod Taylor.
Through three games last season, Luck had 74 points. He had thrown for at least three touchdowns twice and more than 300 yards twice. This year, he has yet to do either.
But that figures to change soon. Luck finally looked like himself in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Titans, completing 11 of 13 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Before that quarter, Luck had completed 52 percent of his passes for 609 yards with three touchdowns and all seven of his interceptions. Frank Gore provided much-needed balance with a season-high 86 yards on 14 carries.
Plus, the schedule turns in Luck’s favor, with three of the next four games at home. He’ll face the Jaguars’ 25th-ranked pass defense this week and the Saints’ 22nd-ranked unit in Week 7. The other home date is with the Patriots, and those are typically high-scoring games.
The caveat in all this is the offensive line, which continued to struggle despite being reworked. The poor protection has affected Luck more than it used to. Luck hardly is blameless for his slow start, but for him to recapture his form of last season, he needs more help up front.
You’ll recall last season, another highly ranked quarterback, the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, had more than 10 points in one of his first three games. Owners were in a tizzy, and Rodgers made his famous “R-E-L-A-X” plea to fans. Now Luck owners should heed that advice.
Other players worthy of your patience:
Melvin Gordon, Chargers
Yes, Danny Woodhead is very annoying, but since Gordon and Woodhead had nearly identical carries in Week 1, Gordon has had a 30-12 edge the last two weeks. He could break out this week against the Browns’ league-worst run defense.
Jeremy Hill, Bengals
He was sent to the bench in Week 2 after losing two fumbles, but don’t expect it to be a seasonlong problem. Hill lost two fumbles all of last season. The Bengals had the fifth-most rushes last season, too, with Hill leading the way. He will again.
Brandin Cooks, Saints
He had season highs of seven catches for 79 yards Sunday — with Luke McCown at quarterback. Plus, after facing the Cowboys this week, Cooks will face pass defenses ranked 21st or lower in four consecutive weeks.
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Email: jagrest@suntimes.com
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Rising
QB Derek Carr, Raiders
He’s coming off back-to-back games with 300 yards and five total touchdown passes. He’ll face the Bears this week. Tom Brady owners in need of a bye-week fill-in should consider him.
RB Karlos Williams, Bills
He has a rushing touchdown in three consecutive games, and he gained 110 yards Sunday. If LeSean McCoy’s hamstring issue lingers, Williams could carry the load.
Falling
RB C.J. Spiller, Saints
Many thought the Saints were a perfect fit for Spiller, but a knee injury slowed him out of the gate and he appears to have fallen to third on the depth chart behind Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson.
WR Andre Johnson, Colts
Here’s another free agent who isn’t panning out. Johnson didn’t have a catch Sunday and was targeted once. Phillip Dorsett played a bigger role in the fourth-quarter comeback.
