Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Week 11 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers: 2020 Edition

Quarterback
MVP: Deshaun Watson (Texans)

A Patriots team that was just starting to build confidence ran into a buzzsaw this week in the form of peak Watson. The Texans QB put together an absolute gem of a performance against a defense that had looked pretty good in recent weeks-throwing for 344 YDS and 2 TD's while adding another 36 YDS and TD on the ground. Watson has overcome a slow start and poor supporting cast on both sides of the ball to put forth another incredible season and will look to keep rolling against a soft Lions defense on Thanksgiving.

Honorable Mentions: Justin Herbert (Chargers), Jared Goff (Rams), Taysom Hill (Saints)

LVP: Matt Ryan (Falcons)

Julio Jones' absence for most of the game along with the Saints resurgent defense teeing off on him was a very bad formula for Ryan-who finished with 232 YDS, 0 TD's and 2 INT's in another rough loss for the Falcons. Even if Jones' hamstring issue holds him out, Ryan should be able to rebound in Week 12 against a putrid Raiders secondary. 

Dishonorable Mentions: Tom Brady (Buccaneers), Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Matthew Stafford (Lions)

Running Back

MVP: Dalvin Cook (Vikings) 

While it was a modest performance (160 scrimmage YDS, TD and a lost fumble on 32 touches) in comparison to the complete eviscerations of the Lions and Packers he put together earlier this month, Cook's strong showing against the Cowboys allowed him to return to the top of the RB leaderboards a week after being effectively shut down by the Bears. 2020's Fantasy Football MVP has a date with the Panthers improving, but still not very good rush D next.   

Honorable Mentions: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Chiefs), Derrick Henry (Titans), Melvin Gordon (Broncos)

LVP: Duke Johnson (Texans)

On a day where everyone from starters in Brandin Cooks and Will Fuller down to scarcely-used backups like Jordan Akins and Keke Coutee were contributing for the Texans offense, Johnson was seemingly the only one left out of the fun. The interim starting running back got stuffed on every handoff (10 CAR/15 YDS) and only added 3 catches for 20 YDS in his traditional checkdown role in the passing game. Johnson will once again be a volatile RB3/FLEX play against the Lions terrible defense. 
Dishonorable Mentions: Ronald Jones (Buccaneers), Todd Gurley (Falcons), Adrian Peterson (Lions)

Wide Receiver 

MVP: Adam Thielen (Vikings) 

A week after getting outshined by Justin Jefferson in Chicago, Thielen reminded the promising rookie that he's still the top wideout on the team by dominating the Cowboys poor secondary for 123 YDS and 2 TD's on 8 catches. Unfortunately, Thielen was added to the COVID list yesterday (seemingly as a close contact, not a positive test), so his status for Week 12 is up in the air for now.  

Honorable Mentions: Keenan Allen (Chargers), Robert Woods (Rams), Tyreek Hill (Chiefs)

LVP: Marquise Brown (Ravens)

Brown's brutal 2020 campaign arguably hit a new low on Sunday when he no-showed in a prime matchup against a banged-up Titans secondary- failing to secure any of his 3 targets in a tough OT loss for the struggling Ravens. While Lamar Jackson's poor passing season certainly hasn't helped his development in year 2, Brown's habit of dropping passes and struggling to get open has made him a difficult guy to trust in an offense that is starving for reliable pass-catchers outside of Mark Andrews. For now, he shouldn't be started and deserves to be viewed as a prospective drop candidate in 10-team leagues. 

Dishonorable Mentions: Jarvis Landry (Browns), Tee Higgins (Bengals), Travis Fulgham (Eagles) 

Tight End

MVP: Travis Kelce (Chiefs) 

I honestly should just start penciling Kelce's name into this spot before the games are even played. The Raiders were the latest team to be victimized by the All-Pro-who posted 8 catches for 127 YDS and a way too easy game-winning TD. Anybody who took Kelce early in the draft has been treated to even better than usual production from the future HOF'er and is probably at the very least in the title hunt because of it.  

Honorable Mentions: Mark Andrews (Ravens), Darren Waller (Raiders), Dallas Goedert (Eagles)

LVP: Hayden Hurst (Falcons) 

Hurst has needed Matt Ryan to be really cooking to produce this season, so it's not particularly shocking that he put up a goose egg in what was arguably the worst game of the year for his quarterback so far. A bad Raiders defense will give Hurst a great chance to get back in the good graces of his fantasy owners. 

Dishonorable Mentions: Rob Gronkowski (Buccaneers), Logan Thomas (Washington Football Team), Jared Cook (Saints)

Defense/Special Teams

MVP: Browns 

A streaming option that actually delivered in 2020? Say it ain't so! The Browns generally average-to-below-average defense was treated to all of the joys of playing against the sloppy, often bonehead Eagles offense as they secured 5 sacks, 2 INT's (including a crucial pick 6 early in the game), FUM REC and a safety in their 24-17 victory on Sunday. They'll be on the streaming radar again in Week 12 when they take on the stumbling Jaguars  

Honorable Mentions: Steelers, Saints, Washington Football Team

LVP: Patriots

It's not like a Bill Belichick-coached team to fail to exploit an opponent's weakness, but that's exactly what happened on Sunday. The Pats failed to secure a sack or a takeaway in their 27-20 loss to the Texans, despite Houston being without left tackle (and only reliable offensive lineman) Laremy Tunsil. This surprisingly up-and-down group won't be a viable starting option against a dynamic Cardinals offense in Week 12.

Dishonorable Mentions: Buccaneers, Vikings, Ravens

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