Quarterback
MVP: Tom Brady (Patriots)
If you set aside the hilarious miracle lateral play that only further confirmed that Hard Rock Stadium is a loopy, inexplicable house of horrors for the Patriots, Brady had himself a nice afternoon in Miami. He made several highlight-worthy throws and was able to get both his long-time safety nets (Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski) to snap out of lengthy cold streaks during a season-best performance (358 YDS/3 TD) that still wasn't enough to sink those pesky Dolphins. While he hasn't been as sharp as usual this season, especially on the road, Brady is still an uncontested QB1 and I expect him to be out for blood this Sunday when the Pats travel to Pittsburgh to take on a reeling Steelers squad.
Honorable Mentions: Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Andrew Luck (Colts), Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
LVP: Jared Goff (Rams)
Goff followed up a shaky performance in Detroit with his worst game since Jeff Fisher left town. The 3rd-year rising star got punched in the face by the Chicago cold and a ferocious Bears defense, throwing for 180 YDS, 0 TD and 4 INT's in a stunning primetime loss. A return to the LA sunshine for a showdown with the Eagles makeshift secondary should be just what the doctor ordered to cure whatever has ailed him over the past couple weeks.
Dishonorable Mentions: Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Kirk Cousins (Vikings), Cam Newton (Panthers)
Running Back
MVP: Derrick Henry (Titans)
We should've known that Week 14 was going to be a wild one after Derrick Effin' Henry put forth one of the most dominant rushing performances in recent memory. The 3rd-year back didn't look like a guy who had failed to clear 500 YDS on the ground in the first 12 games of the year as he barreled through an increasingly lackadaisical Jaguars D for 238 YDS and 4 TD's last Thursday night. Henry will look to recreate this piece of pure rushing magic this week against a Giants defense that has surrendered the 7th most fantasy points to running backs this season, but has looked a lot better in recent weeks.
Honorable Mentions: Saquon Barkley (Giants), Joe Mixon (Bengals), Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys)
LVP: James White (Patriots)
With the aforementioned heavy involvement of Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman, someone was bound to get their workload reduced and White ended up being that poor soul. The Patriots swiss-army knife out of the backfield only logged 6 touches (4 carries, 2 receptions) for 28 YDS in their befuddling 34-33 last-second loss to the Dolphins. Regardless of how he performs over the next couple of weeks, White was arguably the biggest steal at the RB position this season, managing double-digit TD's and over 1,000 scrimmage YDS with an ADP that was in the 80-100 range on every major site. His continued heavy involvement on this reliably strong albeit aging offense should make him an intriguing mid-round pick next year.
Dishonorable Mentions: Todd Gurley (Rams), Leonard Fournette (Jaguars), Adrian Peterson (Redskins)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Amari Cooper (Cowboys)
Cooper's domination in Dallas continued on Sunday against the porous Eagles, hauling in 10 receptions for 217 YDS and 3 TD to help America's Team earn a huge OT victory that all but officially clinched them their 3rd NFC East crown in the last 5 years. The notoriously erratic 4th-year wideout has made the naysayers like myself look like complete jackasses since he joined the Cowboys in mid-October and given his heavy target share in this otherwise underwhelming passing attack, he should be a borderline WR1 for the rest of the fantasy playoffs.
Honorable Mentions: JuJu Smith-Schuster (Steelers), Julio Jones (Falcons), Jarvis Landry (Browns)
LVP: Kenny Golladay (Lions)
Sure Golladay drew a tough assignment from Cardinals lockdown corner Patrick Peterson on Sunday afternoon that was likely to going to limit his production, but his putrid performance (2 REC for 5 YDS) was downright unacceptable for an uncontested top receiver on a team that currently has no other viable offensive options at their disposal. The sophomore breakout isn't a safe bet to get back on track against a tough Bills secondary that has held the likes of DeAndre Hopkins, T.Y. Hilton and Josh Gordon to under 65 YDS this season.
Dishonorable Mentions: Cortland Sutton (Broncos), Chris Godwin (Buccaneers), Brandin Cooks (Rams)
Tight End
MVP: George Kittle (49ers)
While Kittle squandered a chance to make it into the history books by failing to secure a reception after halftime, his monster 1st half against an unsuspecting Broncos team was enough to turn a lot of heads (7 REC, 210 YDS, 1 TD) and clinch a lot of W's for his owners. Kittle has been the only real breakout star to emerge out of this dreadful position group this year and with Jimmy Garoppolo back in the fold next year, he appears to be on track to join Zach Ertz and Travis Kelce as the only TE's to be top 40 overall fantasy picks in 2019.
Honorable Mentions: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots), Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Cameron Brate (Buccaneers)
LVP: Jimmy Graham (Packers)
Mike McCarthy's long overdue dismissal led to an offensive explosion for the Packers in a 34-20 victory over the Falcons. Unfortunately, Graham was left out of the fun, finishing the day with just 2 catches for 13 YDS. With only 549 YDS and 2 TD's on the year so far, Graham hasn't even come close to delivering on his top 60 ADP.
Dishonorable Mentions: Kyle Rudolph (Vikings), Chris Herndon (Jets), Trey Burton (Bears)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Bears
Anyone that had the stones to start the Bears D against the Rams this week was handsomely rewarded for their bravery. Vic Fangio's group absolutely stifled one of the league's most lethal offenses, securing 4 INT's, 3 sacks, a safety and only allowing 6 points in a huge win for the NFC North leaders. The Bears welcome a Packers team that walked all over them back in Week 1 to Solider Field this Sunday.
Honorable Mentions: Giants, Seahawks, Packers
LVP: Chargers
While they were far from disastrous, Chargers D owners definitely expected better than 3 sacks, 0 takeaways and 21 points allowed to the Jeff Driskel-led Bengals. The Chargers have been up-and-down from a fantasy perspective all year long and I highly doubt they'll be able to shed that frustrating label over the final 2 weeks of the season.
Dishonorable Mentions: Bills, Texans, Broncos
No comments:
Post a Comment