Week 6 at Atlanta Falcons
The Dolphins are a dumpster fire. This offense is only averaging 10 points per game, and now this week, the offensive line coach was forced to resign after a video surfaced of him snorting a white powdery substance in his office! Start Jay Cutler in Atlanta? Ha. #Nope.
Week 5 vs. Tennessee Titans
It's Week 5, and the Dolphins will finally play their home opener. However, when you get shut out by the Saints defense (even if it is in London), it's one of the more shocking things we've seen in fantasy circles in recent years. The Titans offer a great matchup for Cutler, but we're officially in "Show Me First" mode with this streaming option.
Week 4 vs. New Orleans Saints (game in London)
Despite Cam Newton's crap fest last week, the Saints defense is allowing 21.8 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks (second-most). Cutler is a viable streaming QB option this week due to that fact alone. The Saints are also a bad 26th in our aFPA vs. QB rankings.
Week 3 at New York Jets
The Dolphins have a top-10 implied team total this week as they play the lowly Jets on the road. They have also allowed the third-most fantasy points to QBs (standard scoring) through the first two weeks of the season, after facing Tyrod Taylor and Derek Carr. That makes Jay Cutler a viable streaming option this week.
Week 2 at Los Angeles Chargers
After an odd Week 1 bye due to a hurricane, Jay Cutler debuts as a Dolphin on the road in sunny Los Angeles against the Chargers in an MLS stadium. Exactly all the factors one would imagine when thinking of a season debut...
Nevertheless, Cutler is not a viable starter in 1QB leagues in Week 2, in an offense that will be run-first and rely heavily on Jay Ajayi. The Dolphins were also near the bottom of the league in plays run per game last season, leaving less volume for Cutler to turn into fantasy points.
Week 1 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This game has been postponed due to Hurricane Irma and will now be played Week 11. Make sure you do not have any Dolphins or Bucs in your Week 1 fantasy lineups.
Fantasy Upside
Reunited and it feels so gooooood. Jay Cutler leaves the broadcast booth before even putting his headset on to play for Adam Gase once again. With Gase as offensive coordinator in Chicago in 2015, Cutler recorded his highest yards-per-attempt average (7.58) of his career (minimum 10 games).
Fantasy Downside
Cutler's 3,659 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions with Gase were only good enough for QB18 in fantasy points per game in weeks where Cutler threw more than ten passes (left one game with an injury, hurt in another). The Dolphins have also made it clear they want to make Jay Ajayi the focal point of the offense.
2017 Bottom Line
Cutler is certainly on the radar in two-QB leagues, but in traditional one-QB leagues, his ceiling is likely that of a bye-week fill-in or streaming option, given his results with Gase in 2015.
Week 11 vs. New York Giants
Jay Cutler had a great matchup last week, and played terribly. He threw two interceptions and fumbled twice while throwing under 200 yards with just one touchdown. It was an ugly performance, and there's a strong chance the stench carries over into this week.
Not only will Cutler be without his star wideout Alshon Jeffery, but he goes up against a tough Giants defense. New York has allowed the third fewest points to opposing quarterbacks, including just two games of multiple touchdown passes against them.
We don't like Cutler this week, and there's no real reason to be optimistic about him.
Week 10 vs. Tampa Bay
Jay Cutler returned last week and looked pretty good against a tough Vikings defense. This week he gets a much easier matchup against the Buccaneers, who have allowed 857 passing yards and eight touchdowns through the air over the last two games.
Cutler is capable of lighting up the scoreboard, and he a chance to against such a bad defense. The Bears' QB won't be an elite option this week, but he has a high ceiling and is starter-worthy if you need someone at the position.
Week 8 vs. Minnesota
Jay Cutler returns after a long absence due to injury, and he now "gets" to face arguably the best defense in the NFL. The Vikings haven't allowed a 300-yard game all season, and have held opponents to less than 200 yards in consecutive weeks.
Cutler may end up being a decent option against certain matchups moving forward, but this is not that week. It's his first game back, he's in a brutal matchup and there's really nothing to like about him as a fantasy option.
