Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Week 10 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers: 2023 Edition

Quarterback:

MVP: Dak Prescott (Cowboys)

In the Cowboys Week 1 blowout win over the Giants, the defense and special teams ensured that Dak's services as quarterback weren't needed much. In the Cowboys Week 10 blowout win over the Giants, he got his time to shine. His Madden-esque performance (404 YDS, 4 TD's, INT, 17 Rushing YDS, TD) was so good that he got to finish the day on the bench while backup Cooper Rush guided one final TD drive against their helpless division rivals. Dak could be in line for another effortlessly brilliant performance this week when they take on the helpless Panthers.     

Honorable Mentions: Justin Herbert (Chargers), Josh Dobbs (Vikings), Sam Howell (Commanders)

LVP: Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars)

The 49ers defense' recent struggles came to an end on Sunday and nobody on the planet is more aware of that fact than Lawrence. He got absolutely pummeled by their pass rush and was completely out of sync all afternoon-which shows in his horrendous, turnover-riddled line (185 YDS, 0 TD, 2 INT, 7 Rushing YDS, FUM Lost). Lawrence has a good chance of quickly getting back on track when he faces the Titans in Week 11. 

Dishonorable Mentions: Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Josh Allen (Bills), Will Levis (Titans)

Running Back:

MVP: Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions)

There were several stars on the Lions offense during their tremendous performance in a full-blown shootout with the Chargers but only one of those guys found the endzone twice. In addition to the 2 scores, Gibbs put up an impressive 112 scrimmage YDS (77 rushing, 35 receiving) on just 17 touches. Since being freed from the bench a few weeks back, Gibbs has been electric and it would be downright negligent if Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson didn't continue to prominently feature him in the offense. 

Honorable Mentions: Brian Robinson Jr. (Commanders), Devin Singletary (Texans), Austin Ekeler (Chargers)

LVP: Derrick Henry (Titans)

Another game with Will Levis under center, another disheartening dud from Henry. The workhorse back only earned 12 touches (11 carries and 1 reception) on Sunday and did very little with them (20 YDS) as the Titans got smacked around by the Bucs on the road. Henry could be in line for his 3rd straight dud as the Titans have to go up against the Jags and their stout rush D in Week 11.

Dishonorable Mentions: Travis Etienne Jr. (Jaguars), Alexander Mattison (Vikings), Tony Pollard (Cowboys)

Wide Receiver:

MVP: Keenan Allen (Chargers)

Unlike the Lions who got contributions from numerous backs and receivers during the shootout, Allen and Austin Ekeler were basically the only ones helping Justin Herbert tear apart the opposing  defense. Allen put forth one of the best games of his career- registering a whopping 11 receptions for 175 YD and 2 TD's in yet another Bolts loss where the offense isn't to blame. With the nagging finger injury on Herbert's non-throwing hand now seemingly healed, Allen could be in line for a hell of a fantasy stretch run- which would only further solidify his status as one of the best value picks of 2023 at any position.

Honorable Mentions: CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys), Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions), Mike Evans (Buccaneers) 

LVP: Jahan Dotson (Commanders)

Just when everybody thought Dotson had finally turned a corner this season, he regressed right back to his slumping ways. Not only did Dotson finish the contest against the Seahawks with a big goose egg on the stat sheet, Sam Howell only targeted him twice on a day where attempted 44 passes and threw for 312 YDS and 3 TD's. Where Dotson actually stands in the passing hierarchy in Washington is a complete and total mystery right now and his trick-or-treat nature is something fantasy owners are just going to have to live with if they elect to put him into their lineups. This debate should be particularly heated this week as the Commanders are set to take on a Giants secondary that just got torched by CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks.  

Dishonorable Mentions: Diontae Johnson (Steelers), Calvin Ridley (Jaguars), Marquise Brown (Cardinals)

Tight End:

MVP: T.J. Hockenson (Vikings)

Josh Dobbs might not know much about his new playing environment in Minnesota right now, but he made fast friends with Hockenson in Week 11. The star tight end put on a major show against a dumbfounded Saints defense-securing 11 catches for 134 YDS and a TD as the Vikings improved to 2-0 with Dobbs under center. While Justin Jefferson's imminent return from a hamstring injury is going to reduce Hockenson's target share, the valuable reps he's picked up with Dobbs over the past couple weeks could give him a leg up over Jefferson for the rest of the season.

Honorable Mentions: George Kittle (49ers), Trey McBride (Cardinals), Dalton Kincaid (Bills)

LVP: Evan Engram (Jaguars)

Engram had no chance to shine on Sunday with Lawrence playing so poorly against the 49ers and it relegated him to a glamourless checkdown role as he finished the game with 4 catches for 12 YDS. He'll be back in the TE1 picture for this week's showdown with the Titans. 

Dishonorable Mentions: Taysom Hill (Saints), Kyle Pitts (Falcons), Hunter Henry (Patriots)


Defense/Special Teams:

MVP: 49ers

This was a pretty easy one to assume based on all of the Jaguars offense bashing I've done in this piece. The damage this defense did to Jacksonville on their home field was astounding (5 sacks, 2 INT, 2 FUM REC) as they played a significant role in the 34-3 win. A Bucs offense that has struggled against teams with winning records all season long awaits the 49ers next.

Honorable Mentions: Browns, Ravens, Buccaneers 

LVP: Saints 

Based on this past Sunday's performance alone, it would be impossible to buy that the Saints are one of the best defenses in the league. They were listless and supremely ineffective-logging 0 takeaways and just 1 sack-as Josh Dobbs and T.J. Hockenson diced them up all game long in a 27-19 loss. They're on bye this week, but expect them to be a waiver-wire favorite once they return to action in Week 12 as they have dates with the Falcons, Panthers and Giants lined up for this pivotal portion of the fantasy calendar.  

Dishonorable Mentions: Falcons, Seahawks, Bills

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