Quarterback
MVP: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
After an ugly start with 2 turnovers, Mahomes turned on the magic in a big way in the 2nd half /overtime and ended up with a monster statline (410 YDS/3 TD's/1 2-PT) that was reminiscent of his 2018 MVP season to sink the Chargers in a key AFC West contest last Thursday night. Barring some good news on the COVID front, Mahomes and the Chiefs offense will be severely shorthanded for their Week 16 game against the Steelers-making him a much shakier than usual play for a pivotal fantasy playoffs matchup.
Honorable Mentions: Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Jalen Hurts (Eagles), Justin Herbert (Chargers)
LVP: Tom Brady (Buccaneers)
Few things have made less sense in the NFL over the past 2 seasons than the Saints ability to completely shut down Brady in the regular season. Dennis Allen's group pulled off another masterclass in reducing Brady to a bumbling, expletive-hurling mess on Sunday night-holding him to 214 YDS and 0 TD's while forcing a pair of turnovers in an impressive 9-0 victory for New Orleans. On top of that poor performance, the Bucs also lost Chris Godwin, Leonard Fournette and Mike Evans to injury during the game-which makes Brady's fantasy outlook for this Sunday's contest against the Panthers a bit murky.
Dishonorable Mentions: Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Kirk Cousins (Vikings)
Running Back
MVP: Jonathan Taylor (Colts)
Did Taylor do the bulk of his damage against the Patriots on a game-sealing 67-YD TD run? Yes. Does that minimize the joy felt by his fantasy owners as he put together another massive statline (170 YDS and the aforementioned score on 29 carries)? Not in the slightest. What Taylor has been able to do in a wonky year where excellence on both a team and individual level has been pretty hard to come by is simply astonishing. While his NFL MVP status is up for debate, that honor is his by a longshot in the fantasy realm.
Honorable Mentions: Jeff Wilson Jr. (49ers), Nick Chubb (Browns), James Robinson (Jaguars)
LVP: Alvin Kamara (Saints)
The Saints best offensive player didn't really contribute to the outcome on Sunday. Tampa's stellar rush defense ensured that Kamara was a non-factor in the gameplan by stacking the hell out of the box and it led to Kamara only managing 13 touches for 31 YDS on the night. Things aren't going to get much easier in Week 16 as the Saints have to go up against a tough Dolphins front that has allowed the 6th least fantasy points to running backs.
Dishonorable Mentions: Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots), Darrell Henderson Jr. (Rams), Rashaad Penny (Seahawks)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Cooper Kupp (Rams)
Kupp continued his dominant 2021 campaign against the Seahawks last night, lighting up his team's archrival for 136 YDS and 2 TD's on 9 receptions. A wretched Vikings secondary that has allowed the most fantasy points to WR's this season should prove to be another easy smash spot for Kupp in a season where pretty much no one has had an answer for him.
Honorable Mentions: Brandin Cooks (Texans), Tyreek Hill (Chiefs), Christian Kirk (Cardinals)
LVP: Ja'Marr Chase (Bengals)
Chase's recent struggles reached a new apex on Sunday against the Broncos-as he hauled in just 1 pass for 3 YDS. To be fair to Chase, Joe Burrow attempted just 22 passes (his 2nd lowest total of the season) and Tyler Boyd (5 REC/96 YDS/1 TD) was the only Bengals receiver who could get anything going against one of the league's stoutest pass defenses. If Chase is going to destroy the rookie wall he hit in early November, it's going to be against a helpless Ravens secondary that is even more banged-up now than they were when he torched them for 201 YDS back in October.
Dishonorable Mentions: Michael Pittman Jr. (Colts), Odell Beckham Jr. (Rams), Amari Cooper (Cowboys)
Tight End
MVP: Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
When Patrick Mahomes needed somebody to help him break the game open late against the Chargers last Thursday, he turned to Kelce-who responded by turning his 10 catches into 191 YDS and 2 TD's including the walk-off game-winner in overtime. Kelce's owners got some bad news after this historic showing when he tested positive for COVID over the weekend. Fortunately, the star TE is vaccinated and will have a chance to clear protocols before Sunday's game with the Steelers.
Honorable Mentions: Mark Andrews (Ravens), Hunter Henry (Patriots), Dallas Goedert (Eagles)
LVP: Rob Gronkowski (Buccaneers)
While the aforementioned injuries to Godwin, Evans and Fournette in the early stages of Sunday's game against the Saints paired with the continued absence of Antonio Brown gave Gronkowski a ridiculous target share (11), he only turned that into 2 catches for 29 YDS. Even with Brown set to return from injury/suspension for Sunday's showdown with the Panthers, Gronk should continue to get peppered with targets (and will likely do a lot more with them).
Dishonorable Mentions: Tyler Conklin (Vikings), Jared Cook (Chargers), David Njoku (Browns)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Saints
Give the Saints defense their flowers for once again embarrassing Tom Brady on national television. The final body count for this GOAT castration was 4 sacks, an INT and a fumble recovery. A surging Dolphins team that has ripped off 6 straight wins are up next for the NFC's current top bubble team.
Honorable Mentions: Cowboys, Steelers, Vikings
LVP: Packers
The Lamar Jackson-less Ravens seemed like it was going to be an easy assignment at for the Packers D. Spoiler alert: it wasn't. A sharp Tyler Huntley led the Ravens to score 30 points while only getting sacked once and committing zero turnovers as the Pack were fortunate enough to skate away with a 1-point win after nearly blowing a 14-point lead in the 4th quarter. This marks 2 straight slip-ups for a Packers that has been pretty great in 2021 and these letdowns should give people some pause before they fire them up for their Christmas Day showdown with the Browns.
Dishonorable Mentions: Patriots, Cardinals, Eagles
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