MVP: Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers)
This was the quintessential Ben Roethlisberger performance that fantasy owners have experienced dozens of times over the past 13 years. Roethlisberger flashed poor decisionmaking that resulted in costly mistakes (2 INT's) for his team, but ultimately he made enough big-time plays to put together a masterful fantasy line (351 YDS, 4 TD's, 1 2-PT conversion and a surprising 25 YDS on the ground) to lead the Steelers to a narrow win over the Packers on Sunday night. After a thoroughly underwhelming 1st half of the season where he only cleared 20+ fantasy points twice, Big Ben has been outstanding over the past 3 weeks and will look to keep his hot streak alive against a tough Bengals secondary in Week 13.
Honorable Mentions: Philip Rivers (Chargers), Case Keenum (Vikings), Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
LVP: Marcus Mariota (Titans)
The Titans pulled off an improbable late rally to beat the lowly Colts this week and if you're wondering why they had to battle back in a game that was a presumed easy victory, look no further than their franchise QB. Marcus Mariota threw a pair of INT's and mustered just 184 yards through the air against the league's worst passing defense on an afternoon where bundles of good fortune and even sloppier play from their opponents helped the Titans improve to 7-4 on the year. Mariota hasn't even come close to delivering on his 5th-6th round ADP this season and will likely remain frustratingly erratic despite a very favorable slate of matchups over the next few weeks.
The Titans pulled off an improbable late rally to beat the lowly Colts this week and if you're wondering why they had to battle back in a game that was a presumed easy victory, look no further than their franchise QB. Marcus Mariota threw a pair of INT's and mustered just 184 yards through the air against the league's worst passing defense on an afternoon where bundles of good fortune and even sloppier play from their opponents helped the Titans improve to 7-4 on the year. Mariota hasn't even come close to delivering on his 5th-6th round ADP this season and will likely remain frustratingly erratic despite a very favorable slate of matchups over the next few weeks.
Dishonorable Mentions: Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Eli Manning (Giants), Alex Smith (Chiefs)
Running Back
MVP: Alvin Kamara (Saints)
With Kareem Hunt and Leonard Forunette crashing back down to earth in a major way after their historically strong starts, Alvin Kamara is starting to make a case for himself as the best back in 2017's stacked rookie class. Kamara brought electricity to the field on an afternoon where the Saints high-powered offense were slowed down significantly by the Rams physical, blitz-happy defense, notching 188 total YDS (87 rushing, 101 receiving) and a pair of TD's on just 11 touches. The dual-threat rookie sensation will look to extend his double-digit scoring streak to 7 games against the Panthers elite defense in Wee 13.
With Kareem Hunt and Leonard Forunette crashing back down to earth in a major way after their historically strong starts, Alvin Kamara is starting to make a case for himself as the best back in 2017's stacked rookie class. Kamara brought electricity to the field on an afternoon where the Saints high-powered offense were slowed down significantly by the Rams physical, blitz-happy defense, notching 188 total YDS (87 rushing, 101 receiving) and a pair of TD's on just 11 touches. The dual-threat rookie sensation will look to extend his double-digit scoring streak to 7 games against the Panthers elite defense in Wee 13.
Honorable Mentions: Jamaal Williams (Packers), Joe Mixon (Bengals), Tevin Coleman (Falcons)
LVP: Mark Ingram (Saints)
While his running mate was busy breathing life into the offense, Mark Ingram was getting stuffed seemingly every time he touched the ball. A combination of ineffectiveness and relatively limited opportunities due to the Saints playing from behind for a vast majority of the game led to Ingram posting a rare dud (36 YDS from scrimmage on 13 touches) during his spectacular 2017 campaign. Bouncing back in Week 13 versus Carolina's stout run D that has only surrendered 2 TD's to RB's in their last 6 games will be a very tough task.
While his running mate was busy breathing life into the offense, Mark Ingram was getting stuffed seemingly every time he touched the ball. A combination of ineffectiveness and relatively limited opportunities due to the Saints playing from behind for a vast majority of the game led to Ingram posting a rare dud (36 YDS from scrimmage on 13 touches) during his spectacular 2017 campaign. Bouncing back in Week 13 versus Carolina's stout run D that has only surrendered 2 TD's to RB's in their last 6 games will be a very tough task.
Dishonorable Mentions: Kareem Hunt (Chiefs), Jordan Howard (Bears), Leonard Forunette (Jaguars)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Julio Jones (Falcons)
Julio Jones finally delivered the inhuman performance his fantasy owners had ben waiting for all season in Week 12. The Buccaneers secondary looked like an army of aimless mannequins as Jones eviscerated them for 253 YDS and 2 TD's on 12 receptions. Jones is unlikely to replicate this level of productivity during his hotly-anticipated faceoff with Vikings shutdown corner Xavier Rhodes this week.
Julio Jones finally delivered the inhuman performance his fantasy owners had ben waiting for all season in Week 12. The Buccaneers secondary looked like an army of aimless mannequins as Jones eviscerated them for 253 YDS and 2 TD's on 12 receptions. Jones is unlikely to replicate this level of productivity during his hotly-anticipated faceoff with Vikings shutdown corner Xavier Rhodes this week.
Honorable Mentions: Antonio Brown (Steelers), Robby Anderson (Jets), Keenan Allen (Chargers)
LVP: Doug Baldwin (Seahawks)
Even the ever-consistent Doug Baldwin will stumble in terrific matchups from time-to-time. Baldwin made very little impact on his 3 touches (2 receptions for 25 YDS and a carry for -5 YDS) against an inexperienced 49ers secondary that has gotten routinely torched by their opponents throughout 2017. Angry Doug will look to redeem himself against a tough but beatable Eagles secondary in Week 13.
Even the ever-consistent Doug Baldwin will stumble in terrific matchups from time-to-time. Baldwin made very little impact on his 3 touches (2 receptions for 25 YDS and a carry for -5 YDS) against an inexperienced 49ers secondary that has gotten routinely torched by their opponents throughout 2017. Angry Doug will look to redeem himself against a tough but beatable Eagles secondary in Week 13.
Dishonorable Mentions: T.Y. Hilton (Colts), Golden Tate (Lions), Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos)
Tight End
MVP: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)
Rob Gronkowski was due for a monster game after a respectable yet not overly productive 4-game stretch following his last multi-TD eruption against the Jets in Week 6 and he delivered just that against the Dolphins suddenly horrific defense on Sunday afternoon. Gronkowski picked up 82 YDS and a pair of effortless-looking scores on 5 receptions in yet another easy victory for the defending Super Bowl Champs. I'd be stunned if he didn't match or exceed these numbers against a lackluster Bills defense in Week 13.
Rob Gronkowski was due for a monster game after a respectable yet not overly productive 4-game stretch following his last multi-TD eruption against the Jets in Week 6 and he delivered just that against the Dolphins suddenly horrific defense on Sunday afternoon. Gronkowski picked up 82 YDS and a pair of effortless-looking scores on 5 receptions in yet another easy victory for the defending Super Bowl Champs. I'd be stunned if he didn't match or exceed these numbers against a lackluster Bills defense in Week 13.
Honorable Mentions: Kyle Rudolph (Vikings), Zach Ertz (Eagles), Hunter Henry (Chargers)
LVP: Vernon Davis (Redskins)
Outside of the a-holes that had the gall and lack of awareness to bring up the politics at the dinner table, no one ruined more Thanksgiving's than Redskins tight end Vernon Davis. Davis failed to haul in his only target against the Giants coverage-challenged defense on a sorry-ass evening of football where every 'Skins pass-catcher not named Jamison Crowder struggled mightily. Even after back-to-back duds, Davis will be a low-end TE1 option as long as Jordan Reed remains on the shelf.
Outside of the a-holes that had the gall and lack of awareness to bring up the politics at the dinner table, no one ruined more Thanksgiving's than Redskins tight end Vernon Davis. Davis failed to haul in his only target against the Giants coverage-challenged defense on a sorry-ass evening of football where every 'Skins pass-catcher not named Jamison Crowder struggled mightily. Even after back-to-back duds, Davis will be a low-end TE1 option as long as Jordan Reed remains on the shelf.
Dishonorable Mentions: Evan Engram (Giants), Jared Cook (Raiders), Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
Defense
MVP: Los Angeles Chargers
While the return of Tyron Smith slightly improved things, the Chargers still managed to manhandle the Zeke-less Cowboys offense on Thanksgiving Day. 2 sacks and a pair of INT's including a game-clinching pick-6 by rookie corner Desmond King helped the Bolts roll to a lopsided 28-6 victory. This unit has been very impressive over the past month and with the winless Browns rolling into the StubHub Center this week, that streak is unlikely to come to a halt.
While the return of Tyron Smith slightly improved things, the Chargers still managed to manhandle the Zeke-less Cowboys offense on Thanksgiving Day. 2 sacks and a pair of INT's including a game-clinching pick-6 by rookie corner Desmond King helped the Bolts roll to a lopsided 28-6 victory. This unit has been very impressive over the past month and with the winless Browns rolling into the StubHub Center this week, that streak is unlikely to come to a halt.
Honorable Mentions: New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles
LVP: Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite a healthy sack total (4), the Steelers defense failed to take advantage of an excellent matchup against a Brett Hundley-led Packers offense that was coming off an ugly 5-turnover performance in their narrow 31-28 victory on Sunday Night Football. 2017's most improved defense will be a decent play against the Bengals below-average offense in Week 13.
Despite a healthy sack total (4), the Steelers defense failed to take advantage of an excellent matchup against a Brett Hundley-led Packers offense that was coming off an ugly 5-turnover performance in their narrow 31-28 victory on Sunday Night Football. 2017's most improved defense will be a decent play against the Bengals below-average offense in Week 13.
Dishonorable Mentions: Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons
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