Vikings 36 Steelers 28
Dalvin Cook triumphantly returned to run around and through the Pittsburgh Steelers defense, leading the Vikings to a 36-28 victory. Cook totaled 222 yards and two touchdowns on 28 touches. We thought that Cook would take back the full-time duties, and he showed capable immediately. Dalvin Cook is a top-three fantasy back heading into your fantasy playoffs. Justin Jefferson continues to make his case for the top receiver in fantasy football with seven catches on fifteen targets for 79 yards and a touchdown. With Adam Thielen out, K.J. Osborn caught three of nine targets for 83 yards and a touchdown. We have to give Big Ben credit when he produces like this in fantasy. Roethlisberger completed 28 of 40 for 308 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception–Big Ben is on the fantasy radar once again. Najee Harris totaled 104 yards and two touchdowns on 23 touches. Between knuckleheaded plays–Chase Claypool was productive for eight catches and 93 yards. Diontae Johnson is the constant in the passing game with five catches on ten targets for 76 yards.
Browns 24 Ravens 22
Baker Mayfield and the Browns running game held off the Baltimore Ravens for a much-needed 24-22 victory. Mayfield completed 22 of 32 for 190 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. The Browns ran for 100 yards, anchored by Nick Chubb, who ran for 59 yards on 17 touches. Kareem Hunt left this game with an injury and is questionable for Week 15. D’Ernest Johnson is worth a look if Hunt is out. Donovan Peoples-Jones led the Browns in receiving with five catches for 90 yards. Jarvis Landry caught five of eight for 41 yards and a touchdown. We expected Austin Hooper to step up this week, and he did to the tune of five catches for 30 yards and a touchdown. Lamar Jackson sustained an ankle injury and left this game early. We have no word whether Jackson will be suiting up next week as of yet. Tyler Huntley stepped in and almost led the Ravens to an improbable victory. Devonta Freeman is still the top back in the Ravens’ backfield with 64 yards on 13 carries. Mark Andrews caught all eleven targets for 115 yards and a touchdown. Incredible. Rashod Bateman stepped up in a big way with seven catches on eight targets for 103 yards.
Titans 20 Jaguars 0
The Tennessee Titans continue to win ugly as they get some of their offensive pieces back. Geoff Swaim and Anthony Firkser were the leading receivers. Yikes. Trevor Lawrence threw four interceptions and looked brutal. Marvin Jones and Laquon Treadwell are low-ceiling flex options. James Robinson carried the ball six times for four yards. What is going on? The Jaguars get the Texans this week–something has got to give.
Chiefs 48 Raiders 9
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs did whatever they wanted to, en route to a 48-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Mahomes completed 20 of 24 for 258 yards and two touchdowns. The offense still does not look like the explosive Chiefs offense that we have come to expect. Tyreek Hill caught four of four for 76 yards. Travis Kelce caught three of four for 27 yards. These are not the numbers you expected from the top receiver and tight end in one of the best offenses in the league. Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran for 37 yards on ten carries but found the end zone twice, catapulting his fantasy performance. The only fantasy option remaining for the Las Vegas Raiders is Hunter Renfrow, who caught 13 of 14 for 117 yards and a touchdown. Renfrow is a legit high-end WR2 for the fantasy playoffs.
Saints 30 Jets 9
Taysom Hill continues to be a below-average NFL QB but a great fantasy quarterback. Hill completed 15 of 21 for 175 yards, but he ran for 73 yards, and two touchdowns on 11 carries as the Saints rolled 30-9 over the Jets. Alvin Kamara was the only thing the Saints had going on offense as he totaled 145 yards and a touchdown on 31 touches. The Jets are without Corey Davis and Elijah Moore, so their offense was stuck in neutral all afternoon long. Zach Wilson led the team in rushing–not good. The good news is that Michael Carter should return to the Jets lineup next Sunday and is a viable RB2 for your fantasy playoffs.
Cowboys 27 Franchise Team 20
The Cowboys held on for a 27-20 victory over the Washington Franchise Team. Dak Prescott has been slumping as of late as he completed 22 of 39 for 211 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. Ezekiel Elliott still could not get anything going on the ground as he ran for 45 yards on 12 carries. CeeDee Lamb was the most targeted pass-catcher with seven catches on ten targets for 61 yards. It was great to see Amari Cooper return to form with five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown. Michael Gallup has performed well since returning from injury. Gallups’ return hurts Dalton Schultz, who only caught one pass for four yards. Washington could not get anything going on offense as Taylor Heinicke struggled all afternoon long as he completed 11 of 25 for 122 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Heinicke was injured and left this game to be replaced by Kyle Allen. Early reports are that Heinicke should be available for next weeks’ game against Philadelphia. Antonio Gibson ran for 36 yards on ten carries and is the only fantasy option for Washington.
Falcons 29 Panthers 21
The Atlanta Falcons remain in the playoff hunt with a 29-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Cordarrelle Patterson and Mike Davis continued to share the workload as Patterson rushed for 58 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries as Davis ran for 44 yards on eleven carries. The two top pass-catchers for the Atlanta Falcons both contributed. Russell Gage caught four of six for 64 yards, and Kyle Pitts caught five for 61 yards. The Carolina Panthers continue their quarterback roulette as Cam Newton and P.J. Walker alternate possessions. Cam completed 15 of 23 for 178 yards while running for 47 yards and a score. The upside is tempting, the story is fun, but you cannot trust Cam Newton in your fantasy playoffs. Robby Anderson and DJ Moore continue to be the only playable pass-catchers in the Panthers’ offense. Robby caught seven of twelve for 84 yards and a touchdown. Moore caught six of ten for 84 yards. Chuba Hubbard out-carried Ameer Abdullah ten to four, but you cannot start either in the fantasy playoffs.
Seahawks 33 Texans 13
Rashaad Penny exploded for 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries as the Seattle Seahawks pulled away from the Houston Texans 33-13. The Seahawks seem committed to getting Penny more work moving forward, so Penny is a legit RB2 heading into your fantasy playoffs. Russell Wilson continues to ramp it up late as he completed 17 of 28 for 260 yards and two touchdowns. With defenses paying more attention to DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett has emerged as the top fantasy receiving option for the Seahawks. Lockett caught five of nine for 142 yards and a touchdown. Metcalf caught four of eight for 43 yards. I don’t imagine you have many other options, but both players are a bit boom or bust moving forward. Davis Mills looked great in this game. Mills completed 33 of 49 for 331 yards and a touchdown. I can’t imagine recommending that you should start him next week, but it is something to file away in dynasty leagues. Brandin Cooks continues to produce when there is competent quarterback play. Cooks caught eight of eleven for 101 yards. It was refreshing to see Nico Collins step up as a complementary piece to Cooks with five catches for 69 yards.
Broncos 38 Lions 10
The Denver Broncos keep running all over defenses as Melvin Gordon III and Javonte Williams were spectacular as the Broncos defeated the Lions 38-10. Gordon ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. Javonte totaled 83 yards on 16 touches and two touchdowns. Noah Fant and Jerry Jeudy were mediocre as the Broncos don’t throw the ball enough to boost fantasy receiving production. Craig Reynolds ran for 83 yards on 11 carries for the Detroit Lions. I don’t know what to make of this, but D’Andre Swift could be a candidate for the IR, so adjust accordingly. Amon-Ra St. Brown has emerged as the Lions’ top pass-catcher in this offense. St. Brown caught eight of twelve for 73 yards and is a viable flex option.
Chargers 37 Giants 21
Justin Herbert continues shinning as the Los Angeles Chargers to a 37-21 victory over the New York Giants. Herbert completed 23 of 31 for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Austin Ekeler‘s injury status will be one of the fantasy storylines this week. Ekeler has an ankle injury that makes him questionable for their divisional game Thursday Night against the Chiefs. Keep an eye on Keenan Allen‘s availability as he missed Sunday’s game in the Covid protocol. Mike Williams caught all six of his targets for 61 yards and is still a solid WR2. When Mike Glennon is your quarterback, and Kyle Rudolph your leading receiver, it’s not a great day at the office. Saquon Barkley looked as healthy as he has all season long as he totaled 95 yards and a touchdown on 19 touches. I have a hunch that Saquon Barkley will have an impact on your fantasy playoffs.
49ers 26 Bengals 23
The San Francisco 49ers upended the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime 26-23. Jimmy Garoppolo completed 27 of 41 for 296 yards and two touchdowns, as Trey Lance is nothing but a speculative future at this juncture. George Kittle could become the Fantasy MVP as he ripped apart the Bengals’ defense with 13 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown. Deebo Samuel triumphantly returned with 59 yards and a touchdown on nine touches. I would expect more receptions if Elijah Mitchell can return to action this week. Brandon Aiyuk is a weekly WR2 with six catches for 62 yards and a touchdown on eleven targets. Joe Burrow faced a ton of pressure all afternoon long and still made play after play down the field. Burrow completed 25 of 34 for 348 yards and two touchdowns. Ja’Marr Chase caught two long touchdown strikes as he caught five passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Tee Higgins continues his second-half outburst with five catches for 114 yards as he emerges as a legitimate WR2. Joe Mixon totaled 68 yards on 20 touches in a down performance from him.
Buccaneers 33 Bills 27
In the best game of the day, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers outlasted Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills 33-27 in overtime. Brady completed 31 of 46 for 363 yards and three touchdowns. Josh Allen completed 36 of 54 for 308 yards, ran for over 100 yards, and had three touchdowns. Epic performances all around. Leonard Fournette exceeds expectations weekly for the Tampa Bay backfield with 132 total yards and a touchdown on 23 touches. Chris Godwin is dominating the targets as of late as he converted ten of fifteen targets for 105 yards. Mike Evans was ol’ reliable all afternoon as he caught all six of his targets for 91 yards and a touchdown. Rob Gronkowski caught five of nine for 62 yards, providing solid TE numbers again. Stefon Diggs played through an injury but still caught seven of thirteen for 74 yards. Cole Beasley was a PPR machine with nine catches for 64 yards on eleven targets. We thought Dawson Knox would have to step up in this match-up, with seven catches for 60 yards and a touchdown, he certainly did. Emmanuel Sanders could miss this weeks’ game, opening up an opportunity for Gabriel Davis who caught five of eight for 43 yards and a touchdown on Sunday.
Packers 45 Bears 30
Aaron Rodgers continues to own the Chicago Bears as the Packers were victorious 45-30. Rodgers completed 29 of 37 for four touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers could very well win back-to-back NFL MVPs. Davante Adams is an unstoppable fantasy force as he caught ten of thirteen for 121 yards and two touchdowns. AJ Dillon led the backfield in carries with 15 for 71 yards. Aaron Jones is producing, but he’s not getting as much involvement, which is a little concerning. Jones had 65 total yards and two touchdowns on eight touches. You will want to see an uptick in Jones’ usage moving forward. Justin Fields shows us a glimmer of fantasy upside as he completed 18 of 33 for 224 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Fields also led the Bears in rushing with 74 yards. David Montgomery was the Bears’ backfield with 81 total yards on 16 touches. Darnell Mooney only had one catch for 19 yards, and Allen Robinson only had two catches for 14 yards. Weird game all the way around.
Rams 30 Cardinals 23
Matthew Stafford played his best when the Los Angeles Rams needed him as they upset the Arizona Cardinals 30-23. Stafford completed 23 of 30 for 287 yards and three touchdowns. Cooper Kupp is a phenomenal wide receiver–Kupp caught 13 of 15 for 123 yards and a touchdown. Odell Beckham Jr. caught six of seven for 77 yards and a touchdown and is an integral part of the offense now. Unfortunately, ODB is in the Covid protocol and may miss this weeks’ game. Van Jefferson caught two for 58 yards and a touchdown and would be in line for a role if ODB is out. Sony Michel ran for 79 yards on 20 yards as the every-down running back for the Rams. Kyler Murray had an off game for his standards. Murray completed 32 of 49 for 383 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 61 yards. James Conner was amazing this week totaling 125 yards and two touchdowns on 22 touches. DeAndre Hopkins was also off as he corraled five of twelve for 54 yards. A.J. Green shinned with seven catches for 102 yards. Christian Kirk is playing like a weekly flex option as he caught three of six for 86 yards.
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