Quarterback
MVP: Drew Brees (Saints)
Drew Brees once again set the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on fire in Week 12. Brees embarrassed a Rams pass defense that has been one of the best in the league for most of this season by hanging 310 YDS, 4 TD's and a 1-yard rushing TD on them in a huge statement win for the 5-6 Saints. Brees will be back in the friendly confines of the Superdome in Week 13 to face a leaky Lions pass defense that has allowed the 5th most fantasy points to QB's this season.
Honorable Mentions: Kirk Cousins (Redskins), Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins), Colin Kaepernick (49ers)
LVP: Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
Russell Wilson's otherwise strong November ended on a pretty sour note in Tampa Bay on Sunday afternoon. The Seahawks signal-caller had no answers for the Buccaneers shockingly aggressive defensive game plan, putting up just 231 total yards (151 passing, 80 rushing), 0 TD's and 2 INT's in a rough road loss. Wilson and the Seahawks return home in Week 13 to take on a banged-up Panthers secondary that has allowed multiple passing TD's in 4 of their last 6 games.
Dishonorable Mentions: Andy Dalton (Bengals), Matthew Stafford (Lions), Jameis Winston (Buccaneers)
Running Back
MVP: Mark Ingram (Saints)
Mark Ingram's 2016 campaign continues to deify logic. The up-and down Saints running back was able to gas a Rams rushing attack that has held the likes of David Johnson and Jay Ajayi to under 100 yards this season for 167 total yards (146 rushing, 21 receiving) and a pair of TD's on 15 touches on the afternoon. Ingram has yet to piece together back-to-back impressive performances this season and that benchmark seems like its going to allude him once again as he is set to face a Lions defense that has allowed the 5th least fantasy points to RB's in Week 13.
Honorable Mentions: LeSean McCoy (Bills), Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys), David Johnson (Cardinals)
LVP: Frank Gore (Colts)
Frank Gore was practically doomed to fail in Week 12. With Andrew Luck sidelined by a concussion and an already talent-deprived offensive line missing 4 starters tasked with blocking for him, the Steelers stacked the box and ended up holding the ageless workhorse back to 31 yards (28 rushing, 3 receiving) on 16 touches. Gore has another rough assignment in Week 13 as he faces the Jets 4th-ranked rush D.
Dishonorable Mentions: Lamar Miller (Texans), Rashad Jennings (Giants), Matt Forte (Jets)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Antonio Brown (Steelers)
Antonio Brown reaffirmed his status as a fantasy football legend with a magical performance on Thanksgiving night against the Colts. Brown made the most of a pretty moderate amount of targets (6), hauling in 5 receptions for 91 YDS and 3 TD's. 2016 has been a down year by Brown's absurdly high standards (82 REC, 998 YDS, 10 TD's through 11 games), but he is still a top 5 fantasy receiver and an uncontested weekly matchup-proof starter.
Honorable Mentions: Tyreek Hill (Chiefs), Davante Adams (Packers), Michael Thomas (Saints)
LVP: Amari Cooper (Raiders)
You could make a solid argument for giving the LVP to Julio Jones after his quiet afternoon against Patrick Peterson or Brandin Cooks following his shocking doughnut against the Rams, but given the ease of matchup, I have to give this dreaded distinction to Amari Cooper. Cooper let Michael Crabtree, Seth Roberts and Clive Walford get all the shine against the Panthers depleted secondary, finishing the game with a paltry 22 yards on 4 receptions. Even though he's only found paydirt 3 times in 2016, Cooper has had an excellent sophomore season, and is a strong contender to be a top 10 wideout against the Bills in Week 13.
Dishonorable Mentions: Julio Jones (Falcons), Allen Robinson (Jaguars), Brandin Cooks (Saints)
Tight End
MVP: Jordan Reed (Redskins)
Despite suffering a separated shoulder in the 2nd quarter, Jordan Reed managed to play through the pain and put together his best game of the year so far. Reed served as the catalyst for the Redskins 2nd-half offensive explosion, picking up 95 yards and 2 TD's on 10 receptions in their narrow loss to the Cowboys. Reed's status is up in the air for Week 13, but he'll be a must start against the Cardinals tough pass defense if he's active.
Honorable Mentions: Tyler Eifert (Bengals), Delanie Walker (Titans), Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
LVP: Eric Ebron (Lions)
A week after finally delivering a top-tier performance, Eric Ebron slipped right back into the realm of disappointment. The Lions tight end was invisible on Thanksgiving against the Vikings, putting up a goose egg and only getting targeted 1 time on a day where Matthew Stafford threw the ball 40 times. Despite his erratic play, Ebron should be used as a TE1 for his week 13 tilt against the Saints.
Dishonorable Mentions: Zach Ertz (Eagles), Greg Olsen (Panthers), Jason Witten (Cowboys)
Defense
MVP: New York Giants
The Browns got an early jump on the holiday season by showing off their immense generosity and giving the Giants D a ton of fantasy points. The Giants were able to string together one of the impressive beatdowns of the Browns helpless offense to-date, picking up 7 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and a TD in their 27-13 win in front of the eternally-suffering Dawg Pound. The Giants have turned into a viable fantasy defense over the past month, but their owners should look for other options in Week 13 as they face a Steelers offense that has only allowed 3 sacks and committed 1 turnover since returning from bye in Week 9.
Honorable Mentions: Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers
LVP: Buffalo Bills
The Bills D once again failed to capitalize on a sensational matchup in Week 12. The Bills picked up a mere 2 sacks, forced 0 takeaways and allowed 21 points to a Jaguars offense that has been dysfunctional and turnover-prone for a vast majority of the season. The Bills have fallen from grace after their incredible start to the season and shouldn't be played in any circumstances in Week 13 as they travel across the country to take on the Raiders potent, turnover-averse offense.
Dishonorable Mentions: Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans
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