MVP: Jared Goff (Rams)
Jared Goff's shockingly excellent sophomore season ended with yet another unexpected huge statline. Outside of a lost fumble that was returned for a TD in the 2nd quarter, Goff put together an impressive performance (301 YDS, 4 TD) in a 27-23 road shootout win over the Titans. Following his breakout campaign this year, Goff should be among the first 10 QB's off the board in 2018.
Honorable Mentions: Blake Bortles (Jaguars), Kirk Cousins (Redskins), Alex Smith (Chiefs)
LVP: Drew Brees (Saints)
Drew Brees' so-so outing (239 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT) in a playoff-esque game against the Falcons undoubtedly disappointed a lot of championship-chasing owners that were expecting big things from the typically lights-out Saints QB. A vastly improved defense and strong running attack resulted in Brees posting his lowest TD (22) and yardage totals (4,089) since he joined the Saints in 2006 and if the 38-year old future Hall-of-Famer decides to re-sign with New Orleans this offseason, the perennial fantasy MVP will likely be downgraded to low-end QB1 status for the 1st time in over a decade.
Drew Brees' so-so outing (239 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT) in a playoff-esque game against the Falcons undoubtedly disappointed a lot of championship-chasing owners that were expecting big things from the typically lights-out Saints QB. A vastly improved defense and strong running attack resulted in Brees posting his lowest TD (22) and yardage totals (4,089) since he joined the Saints in 2006 and if the 38-year old future Hall-of-Famer decides to re-sign with New Orleans this offseason, the perennial fantasy MVP will likely be downgraded to low-end QB1 status for the 1st time in over a decade.
Dishonorable Mentions: Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Matthew Stafford (Lions), Derek Carr (Raiders)
Running Back
MVP: Todd Gurley (Rams)
Todd Gurley's redemption campaign ended on the highest possible note. The 3rd-year bellcow back was the Rams offense's weapon of choice on Sunday as he shredded a visibly overwhelmed Titans defense for 276 YDS (118 rushing, 158 receiving) from scrimmage and 2 receiving TD's on 32 touches. The return of the tackle-shedding prowess he displayed as a rookie paired with his sudden emergence as a viable pass-catcher in 2017 makes Gurley a strong contender to be next year's top overall pick in both standard and PPR leagues.
Todd Gurley's redemption campaign ended on the highest possible note. The 3rd-year bellcow back was the Rams offense's weapon of choice on Sunday as he shredded a visibly overwhelmed Titans defense for 276 YDS (118 rushing, 158 receiving) from scrimmage and 2 receiving TD's on 32 touches. The return of the tackle-shedding prowess he displayed as a rookie paired with his sudden emergence as a viable pass-catcher in 2017 makes Gurley a strong contender to be next year's top overall pick in both standard and PPR leagues.
Honorable Mentions: Dion Lewis (Patriots), C.J Anderson (Broncos), Melvin Gordon (Chargers)
LVP: Devonta Freeman (Falcons)
The man that's been dubbed by some people as "The Saints Killer" was MIA in New Orleans on Sunday afternoon. Devonta Freeman mustered a decent 56 YDS (36 rushing, 20 receiving) on 13 touches, but a crucial goal-line fumble and a large 2nd-half deficit derailed any chance of the league's highest-paid running back having another productive outing against the Saints. Despite getting less volume in new offensive coordinator Steve Skarskian's offense this season, Freeman should remain a mid-tier RB1 option going into 2018.
The man that's been dubbed by some people as "The Saints Killer" was MIA in New Orleans on Sunday afternoon. Devonta Freeman mustered a decent 56 YDS (36 rushing, 20 receiving) on 13 touches, but a crucial goal-line fumble and a large 2nd-half deficit derailed any chance of the league's highest-paid running back having another productive outing against the Saints. Despite getting less volume in new offensive coordinator Steve Skarskian's offense this season, Freeman should remain a mid-tier RB1 option going into 2018.
Dishonorable Mentions: Christian McCaffery (Panthers), Kenyan Drake (Dolphins), Jonathan Stewart (Panthers)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals)
Games like the one he had in Week 16 remind me you of just how special Larry Fitzgerald is. The ageless wonder carved up an aimless, injury-depleted Giants defense for 119 YDS and a TD on 9 receptions. Despite playing with a revolving door of QB's, Fitzgerald managed to post his 3rd straight 100 reception, 1,000-yard season in 2017. If Fitz decides to come back for a 15th NFL season in 2018, there's no reason to believe that the 34-year old gridiron legend couldn't continue to be productive.
Games like the one he had in Week 16 remind me you of just how special Larry Fitzgerald is. The ageless wonder carved up an aimless, injury-depleted Giants defense for 119 YDS and a TD on 9 receptions. Despite playing with a revolving door of QB's, Fitzgerald managed to post his 3rd straight 100 reception, 1,000-yard season in 2017. If Fitz decides to come back for a 15th NFL season in 2018, there's no reason to believe that the 34-year old gridiron legend couldn't continue to be productive.
Honorable Mentions: Ted Ginn Jr. (Saints), Julio Jones (Falcons), JuJu Smith-Schuster (Steelers)
LVP: Alshon Jeffrey (Eagles)
Alshon Jeffrey put together his 1st truly debilitating fantasy dud as a member of the Eagles this week by failing to catch a pass against a well below-average Raiders secondary. While yard total was only slightly above average (781), Jeffrey was a deadly redzone threat this season (9 TD's in 15 games) and his strong chemistry with Carson Wentz will make him a strong double-digit TD candidate for the foreseeable future.
Alshon Jeffrey put together his 1st truly debilitating fantasy dud as a member of the Eagles this week by failing to catch a pass against a well below-average Raiders secondary. While yard total was only slightly above average (781), Jeffrey was a deadly redzone threat this season (9 TD's in 15 games) and his strong chemistry with Carson Wentz will make him a strong double-digit TD candidate for the foreseeable future.
Dishonorable Mentions: Michael Crabtree (Raiders), Devin Funchess (Panthers), Adam Thielen (Vikings)
Tight End
MVP: Eric Ebron (Lions)
Eric Ebron was the only member of the Lions to notch a quality fantasy performance (5 REC/83 YDS/1 TD) in a gut-wrenching upset loss to the Bengals that officially closed the door on their slim playoff hopes. The always erratic Ebron will hit the free agent market in March, making his future fantasy prospects a complete mystery at this point in time.
Eric Ebron was the only member of the Lions to notch a quality fantasy performance (5 REC/83 YDS/1 TD) in a gut-wrenching upset loss to the Bengals that officially closed the door on their slim playoff hopes. The always erratic Ebron will hit the free agent market in March, making his future fantasy prospects a complete mystery at this point in time.
Honorable Mentions: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots), Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Vernon Davis (Redskins)
LVP: Kyle Rudolph (Vikings)
Kyle Rudolph was by far one of championship week's most surprising and aggravating busts. Not only did Rudolph's 4-game TD streak come to a close, he only managed 6 yards against a Packers defense that has gotten destroyed by tight ends all season long. Rudolph's place as a solid, but not overly expectional fantasy TE will remain the same as long as he's in a Vikings uniform.
Kyle Rudolph was by far one of championship week's most surprising and aggravating busts. Not only did Rudolph's 4-game TD streak come to a close, he only managed 6 yards against a Packers defense that has gotten destroyed by tight ends all season long. Rudolph's place as a solid, but not overly expectional fantasy TE will remain the same as long as he's in a Vikings uniform.
Dishonorable Mentions: Cameron Brate (Buccaneers), Greg Olsen (Panthers), Delanie Walker (Titans)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Arizona Cardinals
Arizona's D delivered any fantasy owner that stuck with them a nice championship week surprise with a 2 sack, 3 takeway (including a fumble recovery for a TD) performance in an effortless-looking 23-0 win against an already checked-out Giants squad. This group failed to live up to their elite-level projections for most of this season, but they have enough young talent and pass-rushing prowess to potentially right the ship in 2018.
Arizona's D delivered any fantasy owner that stuck with them a nice championship week surprise with a 2 sack, 3 takeway (including a fumble recovery for a TD) performance in an effortless-looking 23-0 win against an already checked-out Giants squad. This group failed to live up to their elite-level projections for most of this season, but they have enough young talent and pass-rushing prowess to potentially right the ship in 2018.
Honorable Mentions: Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers
LVP: Jacksonville Jaguars
The league leader in takeaways, sacks and passing defense looked like a bottom-5 defense on Sunday afternoon, picking up only 1 sack, an INT, a blocked extra point and worst of all, surrendering 38 points to the Jimmy Garoppolo-led 49ers. This crushing meltdown was a brutal end to a season where the Jags emerged as an elite fantasy defense that was capable of reeling off a 20+ point performance at any given time. They're a near-lock to be the 1st defense selected in next season's drafts.
The league leader in takeaways, sacks and passing defense looked like a bottom-5 defense on Sunday afternoon, picking up only 1 sack, an INT, a blocked extra point and worst of all, surrendering 38 points to the Jimmy Garoppolo-led 49ers. This crushing meltdown was a brutal end to a season where the Jags emerged as an elite fantasy defense that was capable of reeling off a 20+ point performance at any given time. They're a near-lock to be the 1st defense selected in next season's drafts.
Dishonorable Mentions: Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens
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