Quarterback
MVP: Tom Brady (Patriots)
After back-to-back underwhelming performances against the Jets and Rams, Tom Brady returned to a form with an eye-popping performance against the Ravens. Outside of an ugly redzone interception in the 3rd quarter, Brady was simply unreal as he tore up the league's top scoring defense (406 YDS and 3 TD) in a huge Monday night win that put the Patriots in sole possession of the #1 seed in the AFC. As brilliant as he was against the Ravens, Brady owners should think twice about starting him this week as he goes up against the Broncos top-ranked passing D in Denver.
Honorable Mentions: Matt Ryan (Falcons), Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Joe Flacco (Ravens)
LVP: Derek Carr (Raiders)
Derek Carr did not look anything like an MVP candidate against the Chiefs last Thursday. The combination of cold weather, playing in a hostile environment and bad drops from his receivers led to Carr playing the worst game of his 3-year career (17-41/117 TD/0 TD). The broken pinkie on Carr's throwing hand has had a pretty noticeable effect on the accuracy of his throws over the past couple of weeks and the status of his finger will be worth monitoring leading up to his Week 15 matchup against an underrated Chargers secondary.
Dishonorable Mentions: Drew Brees (Saints), Jameis Winston (Buccaneers), Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers)
Running Back
MVP: Le'Veon Bell (Steelers)
Le'Veon Bell is a cyborg. With Ben Roethlisberger putting up an epic 3 INT stinker, Bell took charge of the Steelers offense in a messy, snow-filled game in Buffalo, torching the Bills D for 298 total YDS (236 rushing, 62 receiving) and 3 TD's on 42 touches. Bell has yet another enticing matchup on the schedule this coming week against a woeful Bengals run D that just allowed 118 yards to Isaiah friggin' Crowell.
Honorable Mentions: Carlos Hyde (49ers), Jeremy Hill (Bengals), Lamar Miller (Texans)
LVP: Devonta Freeman (Falcons)
Devonta Freeman was just about the only Falcons player that didn't go off against the Rams on Sunday afternoon. The 3rd-year back made nothing out of his small workload, picking up just 18 yards on 8 touches. Freeman has been up-and-down all year and will be hard to trust for the rest of the playoffs with a healthy Tevin Coleman-who scored a pair of TD's against the Rams- back in the fold.
Dishonorable Mentions: Spencer Ware (Chiefs), Mark Ingram (Saints), Devonate Booker (Broncos)
Wide Receiver
MVP: T.Y. Hilton (Colts)
T.Y Hilton atoned for his past sins in Week 14. Hilton made up for his underwhelming 49-yard performance in the Colts' initial clash with the Texans this season by almost single-handily keeping them in the game with his impressive 9 REC/115 YD/1 TD line this time around. Hilton's weekly flurry of targets will once again make a solid WR1 option in a brutal tilt against the Vikings elite secondary in Week 15.
Honorable Mentions: Tyreek Hill (Chiefs), Davante Adams (Packers), DeSean Jackson (Redskins)
LVP: Dez Bryant (Cowboys)
I think it's safe to say that no player killed more fantasy playoff dreams this weekend than Dez Bryant. Despite being targeted 9 times, Bryant managed just 1 catch for 10 yards and of course, that reception ended in a fumble that sealed the game for the Giants. Bryant's 2016 season has been a confusing ride full of triumphant highs and disheartening lows, and it's anyone's guess what version of Dez we'll see on Sunday night when the Cowboys face the Buccaneers tough secondary.
Dishonorable Mentions: Amari Cooper (Raiders), Mike Evans (Buccaneers), Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals)
Tight End
MVP: Tyler Eifert (Bengals)
Tyler Eifert's efficient 2016 campaign continued against the Browns on Sunday afternoon. He led the charge for the Bengals banged-up receiving corps, picking up 48 YDS and a pair of back-breaking TD's on 5 receptions in an easy win for Marvin Lewis' struggling squad. Eifert has been great since returning from injury in mid-October and he has a pretty decent chance of having another solid performance against the Steelers mediocre pass defense in Week 15.
Honorable Mentions: Martellus Bennett (Patriots), Kyle Rudolph (Vikings), Zach Ertz (Eagles)
LVP: Jimmy Graham (Seahawks)
It was an ugly afternoon for the Seahawks at Lambeau Field and Jimmy Graham wasn't able to make it out of the fray unscathed. On a day where Russell Wilson got picked off 5 times, Graham mustered just 1 catch for 16 yards. Graham has an excellent bounceback opportunity in a home contest against the emotionally-broken Rams on Thursday night.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jordan Reed (Redskins), Jason Witten (Cowboys), Coby Fleener (Saints)
Defense
MVP: Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons defense looked like the '85 Bears in their 42-14 win over the bumbling trainwreck otherwise known as the Los Angeles Rams. Taking advantage of Jared Goff's inexperience, special team miscues and the general ineptitude of the sadsack Rams, the Falcons forced 5 turnovers (2 INT's, 3 fumble recoveries), got 3 sacks and scored 2 TD's. The Falcons D will once again be worth a look in Week 15 as they head back to Atlanta to take on California's other disgraced football franchise (the 49ers).
Honorable Mentions: Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins
LVP: Seattle Seahawks
I can't remember the last time the Seahawks D look this helpless. Richard Sherman, Bobby Wagner and co. had no answers for the suddenly-awake Packers offense, getting just 1 sack and 0 takeaways in a horrific 38-10 blowout road loss. The Seahawks are a strong bet to rebound on a short week against the Jared Goff-led Rams at home.
Dishonorable Mentions: Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets, San Diego Chargers
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