Quarterback
MVP: Drew Brees (Saints)
Drew Brees recovered from a 2-week touchdown-less, 6 INT slump in the most Drew Brees way possible. The future Hall-of-Famer straight-up eviscerated the Cardinals 5th-ranked pass defense, finishing the afternoon with 389 YDS and 4 TD. Brees will look to build upon this success in Week 16 as the Saints host a hungry Buccaneers squad that is still fighting for a playoff spot.
Honorable Mentions: Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Carson Palmer (Cardinals), Cam Newton (Panthers)
LVP: Marcus Mariota (Titans)
The Titans pulled off a shocking upset of the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 15, but Marcus Mariota didn't do much to aid in the victory. The 2nd-year signal caller was well below average, picking up 241 yards through the air, turning the ball over 2 times (an interception and a lost fumble) and failing to score a TD for the 2nd consecutive week. Mariota has an excellent chance of redeeming himself on Christmas Eve against a Jaguars team that he carved up (281 total yards, 2 TD) back in October.
Dishonorable Mentions: Tom Brady (Patriots), Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Kirk Cousins (Redskins)
Running Back
MVP: Devonta Freeman (Falcons)
Just last week I said that Devonta Freeman would be a risky start for the rest of the season. He responded by having his best game of the season and once again proved why my fantasy football advice isn't worth taking. Outside of a lost fumble, Freeman was flawless against the 49ers, cruising to a 154-yard, 3 TD performance on 22 touches against the league's worst defense. While another day like this is highly unlikely, Freeman should be a decent RB2 for this week's tilt against the Panthers staunch run D.
Honorable Mentions: Ty Montgomery (Packers), LeSean McCoy (Bills), Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys)
LVP: Kenneth Farrow (Chargers)
Melvin Gordon's replacement was by far the most popular waiver pickup of the week and he did absolutely nothing to reward the hundreds of thousands people that blindly put their faith in him. Farrow was simply awful against the Raiders leaky defense, getting held to 53 yards (39 rushing, 14 receiving) and a lost fumble on 17 touches. Even if Gordon can't play again in Week 16 against the lowly Browns defense, Farrow isn't worth starting.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jay Ajayi (Dolphins), Carlos Hyde (49ers), Isaiah Crowell (Browns)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Brandin Cooks (Saints)
Just 3 weeks removed from a game in which he wasn't targeted at all, Brandin Cooks once again showed why he's the hardest player to gauge in all of fantasy football with an absolutely absurd performance in Week 14. Cooks looked like the second coming of Jerry Rice as he torched the vaunted Cardinals secondary for 186 YDS and 2 TD on 7 receptions. The next stop on the Brandin Cooks dice-rolling express is a matchup with a Buccaneers secondary that hasn't allowed a 100-yard receiver since Week 9.
Honorable Mentions: Tyler Lockett (Seahawks), Jarvis Landry (Dolphins), Alshon Jeffrey (Bears)
LVP: Jamison Crowder (Redskins)
Monday night was one to forget for Jamison Crowder. 2016's under-the-radar breakout fantasy star receiver was held in check by the Panthers young secondary for most of the night, getting just 24 yards on 4 receptions and losing the fumble that sealed a victory for the defending NFC champs. Crowder has hit a bit of a wall over the past few weeks after an excellent October and November, but his consistent targets will put him on the high-end WR3 radar for his championship week matchup against the Bears solid albeit beatable secondary.
Dishonorable Mentions: Amari Cooper (Raiders), Randall Cobb (Packers), Sammy Watkins (Bills)
Tight End
MVP: Cameron Brate (Buccaneers)
On an underwhelming night for the Buccaneers key offensive pieces (Jameis Winston, Mike Evans, Doug Martin) promising young tight end Cameron Brate put together one of his finest performances to-date. The Harvard product was rock-solid all game long as he picked up a team-high 73 YDS and a TD on 5 receptions in a sloppy loss against the Cowboys. Brate will be a high-end TE1 in a Week 16 showdown with the Saints that could very well decide the Bucs playoff fate.
Honorable Mentions: Kyle Rudolph (Vikings), Greg Olsen (Panthers), Zach Ertz (Eagles)
LVP: Jordan Reed (Redskins)
Outside of getting ejected for punching Kurt Coleman, Jordan Reed did nothing of note against the Panthers on Monday Night Football. Reed managed just 1 catch for 6 yards before he was tossed at the end of the 3rd quarter. While his separated shoulder is definitely a concern, Reed will still be a low-end TE1 against the Bears if he isn't suspended for the helmet punch heard 'round the world.
Dishonorable Mentions: Tyler Eifert (Bengals), Antonio Gates (Chargers), Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
Defense
MVP: Miami Dolphins
Christmas came early for the Dolphins D as they absolutely hammered the hapless Jets in a Saturday night showdown at the Meadowlands. Outside of allowing an ugly 40 yard-TD pass from Bryce Petty to Robby Anderson on the opening drive, the Dolphins D was pretty much unstoppable, as they picked up 3 sacks, 3 INT's, a fumble recovery, a blocked punt and a touchdown in a commanding 34-13 win over the NFL's most depressed franchise not located in Cleveland. The Dolphins will be a risky albeit still solid play as they travel to play a Bills squad that doesn't tend to turn the ball over, but has struggled with pass protection (17 sacks allowed) over their past 5 games.
Honorable Mentions: New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
LVP: Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings second-half woes translated to their usually stalwart defense in Week 15. The Vikings D looked helpless as they got blanked in the sack and turnover department in disheartening 34-6 loss to the Colts that all but killed any shot they had left of making playoffs. The Norsemen are taking on a red-hot Packers team in Week 16 that has been averaging 29 points per game during their current winning streak, so I would advise heading to the waiver wire to find a streaming option with a better matchup.
Dishonorable Mentions: Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers
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