With all the chaos that surrounded Week 15 and how games were moved to later in the week than usual, we wanted to focus on actionable items for your fantasy playoffs and for dynasty league owners, player evaluations.
Without further adieu, we bring you our Hangover Week 15: Winners and Losers Edition:
Chiefs 34 Chargers 28
Winners:
Patrick Mahomes, QB Chiefs: Admittedly, it has been an up-and-down season for Patrick Mahomes. It is important to recognize the upside when it’s on display. Mahomes completed 31 of 47 for 410 yards and three touchdowns and led the Chiefs to the victory in a come-from-behind fashion. Mahomes is the QB1 in fantasy football now and moving forward.
Travis Kelce, TE and Tyreek Hill, WR Chiefs: Combining for 22 receptions, 339 yards receiving, and three touchdowns–Kelce and Hill reminded us that they are the top 1-2 punch in the NFL.
Colts 27 Patriots 17
Winners:
Jonathan Taylor, RB Colts: Jonathan Taylor is the top back in fantasy football. I made the case that JT is the #1 dynasty asset in the game. Against the staunch Patriots defense, JT ran for 170 yards and a score.
Hunter Henry, TE, Patriots: Mac Jones and Hunter Henry have developed strong chemistry during the season. Henry hauled in six of eight targets for 77 yards and two touchdowns. The dynasty arrow on Henry is pointing way up.
Losers:
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB Patriots: Given the starters’ reps in the absence of Damien Harris, Stevenson did little. Ten carries for 36 yards will not get it done. Perhaps Stevenson is best viewed as a complementary piece moving forward.
Bills 31 Panthers 14
Winners:
Devin Singletary, RB Bills: Devin Singletary has moved past Zack Moss and Matt Breida. The Buffalo Bills backfield now belongs to Singletary. The Bills could address the running back position in the off-season, but Singletary is ascending in dynasty rankings.
Gabriel Davis, WR Bills: Gabriel Davis caught five of seven for 85 yards and two touchdowns. As Emmanuel Sanders has slowed down as the season has gone on, Gabriel Davis is red-hot to end the season and is making a case to be the long-term sidekick for Stefon Diggs.
Losers:
Cam Newton, QB Panthers: Cam Newton did help you in fantasy this past week. Newton is still a strong runner. Cam Newton’s days of being a successful passer or over. What was a fun story is now a situation where Carolina will look to turn the page at the quarterback position again in 2022.
Lions 30 Cardinals 12
Winners:
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR Lions: Amon-Ra St. Brown has emerged as the Lions’ best wide receiver on the roster. St. Brown should be a flex option for the foreseeable future.
Craig Reynolds, RB Lions: Craig Reynolds has played well the last two weeks and deserves a look even when D’Ande Swift and Jamaal Williams return. Swift’s role on this team is secure. I don’t see why Reynolds can’t be the next back off the bench.
Losers:
James Conner, RB Cardinals: With the return of Chase Edmonds, James Conners’ value is diminished in the Cardinals’ running back by committee approach.
Dolphins 31 Jets 24
Winners:
Duke Johnson Jr, RB Dolphins: Duke Johnson Jr. may have earned himself a role for the Phins moving forward. The Dolphins backfield has been a cluster all season long, so the opportunity is there for DJJ.
Cowboys 21 Franchise Team 6
Winners:
Dalton Schultz, TE Cowboys: Dalton Schultz caught all eight targets for 67 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys’ offense has been more conservative lately, and Schultz displayed that he can thrive with all three receivers in action.
Losers:
Ezekiel Elliott, RB Cowboys: Zeke looks broken down. Tony Pollard averaged 6.2 yards per carry versus Zeke’s 3.3–it is fair to say the Cowboys’ offense is better with Pollard in the lineup.
Steelers 19 Titans 13
Losers:
Najee Harris, RB Steelers: We have known for quite some time that with a suspect offensive line, Najee Harris is a volume-based fantasy back. We saw on Sunday what the downside looks like as the Steelers’ offensive line was pummeled all afternoon long, and Harris totaled 26 yards on 14 touches.
Texans 30 Jaguars 16
Winners:
James Robinson, RB Jaguars: James Robinson reminded us that he is a good football player if you give him the ball. Robinson totaled 88 yards and a touchdown on 21 touches.
The City of Jacksonville: Urban Meyer was fired. The End.
Davis Mills III, QB Texans: Davis Mills III has done a great job since being reinserted into the starting lineup. We thought the Texans would pursue a quarterback with their 1st round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, but now we are not so sure.
Bengals 15 Broncos 10
Winners:
Javonte Williams, RB Broncos: Javonte Williams continues as the better back in Denver. I would expect Williams to continue to assert himself moving forward and the dynasty arrow is pointing WAY up!
Losers:
Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins WR Bengals: I didn’t think it would be possible for both receivers to be taken away in the same game. The tandem totaled three catches for 26 yards.
49ers 31 Falcons 13
Winners:
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB 49ers: Whether with the 49ers or someone else in the off-season, Jimmy G has played well enough to be a starter next year, and he may very well lead the San Francisco 49ers to a playoff appearance.
George Kittle, TE 49ers: Since he returned from his injury, George Kittle has been one of the most dominant forces in fantasy football. Kittle may be the top tight end in dynasty leagues.
Packers 31 Ravens 30
Winners:
Aaron Rodgers, QB Packers: Aaron Rodgers may have just clinched his second consecutive MVP award in leading the Packers to the #1 overall seed in the NFC.
Aaron Jones, RB Packers: As Aaron Jones gets healthier, he is be beginning to regain his backfield work from AJ Dillon.
Mark Andrews, TE Ravens: No matter who is at quarterback, Mark Andrews is dominating defenses.
Tyler Huntley, QB Ravens: Tyler Huntley may have just played himself into a starting gig elsewhere.
Saints 9 Buccaneers 0
Winners:
The Saints: They have Tom Brady’s number.
Losers:
Tom Brady, QB Buccaneers: Brady looked lost all game long. The Saints are living rent-free in his head.
Chris Godwin, WR Buccaneers: Chris Godwin took a nasty shot, sustained a torn ACL, and is out for the rest of the season.
Mike Evans, WR Buccaneers: Mike Evans injured his hamstring and was ruled out quickly. I would expect Evans to miss this week’s action.
Leonard Fournette, RB Buccaneers: Leonard Fournette was injured in this one too. This game will be the last we see of Fournette in the regular season. If you were riding the Buccaneers’ skill position players into your fantasy playoffs–you will need to pivot accordingly.
Raiders 16, Browns 14
Winners:
The Raiders: The Raiders kept their playoff chances alive with the victory.
Losers:
The Browns: The Browns playoff chances took a big shot with the loss.
Vikings 17, Bears 9
Winners:
Justin Fields: When the Bears cut it loose and let Justin Fields play freely, he is finding success.
Losers:
Dalvin Cook: Early today Dalvin Cook was placed on the Covid list and will miss Week 16 and POSSIBLY Week 17. If you were expecting Cook to play as your bell cow, you have to pivot to Alexander Mattison or another option.
Rams 20, Seahawks 10
Winners:
Cooper Kupp, WR Rams: Cooper Kupp caught nine of thirteen for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper Kupp is your fantasy MVP through fifteen weeks of the season.
Losers:
Russell Wilson, QB Seahawks: 2021 will go down as a lost season for Russell Wilson.
Eagles 27 Franchise Team 17
Winners:
Miles Sanders, RB Eagles: Miles Sanders totaled 146 yards on 20 touches. Since returning from injury, Sanders has reclaimed the lead role in the Eagles run-first offense.
Philadelphia Eagles Running Game: The Philadelphia Eagles are the first team to run for 175 yards in seven consecutive games since the 1985 Chicago Bears. DAMN!
Jalen Hurts, QB Eagles: The Eagles were brutal in the 1st quarter. For the final three quarters, Jalen Hurts was sensational. Hurts totaled 330 yards of offense and three touchdowns. Hurts has earned the Eagles starting job, at least for one more season.
I like beer. I like football. Sometimes, both at the same time.
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