Quarterback
MVP: Josh Allen (Bills)
Allen's fantasy owners have to be elated with his surprisingly dominant performance (375 YDS/4 TD/0 INT) against a tough 49ers defense on Monday. He'll look to exceed expectations in a tough spot once again in Week 14 against a Steelers defense that could be extra motivated to avenge their 1st loss of the year.
Honorable Mentions: Ryan Tannehill (Titans), Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Jared Goff (Rams)
LVP: Justin Herbert (Chargers)
While Herbert's impressive rookie year hasn't been completely smooth, his Week 13 performance against the Patriots was the first time he looked like he was completely overwhelmed. The dizzying array of different looks Bill Belichick threw at him paired with some inexcusable drops from his receivers prevented Herbert from ever getting into a rhythm and earned him his worst statline of the year (209 YDS/0 TD's/2 INT) in a game where the Chargers turned in the worst collective effort we've seen in 2020. A Week 14 showdown with a Falcons defense that has surrendered the most fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2020 represents the perfect bounceback spot for the current Offensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner
Dishonorable Mentions: Matt Ryan (Falcons), Carson Wentz (Eagles), Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
Running Back
MVP: David Montgomery (Bears)
Back-to-back strong fantasy performances by Montgomery feels nothing short of miraculous after he went on the missing person's list after his Week 2 explosion against the Giants. The seemingly cursed 2nd year running back picked up 123 scrimmage YDS (75 rushing, 39 receiving) and 2 rushing TD's on 21 touches against a Lions defense that continues to get burnt on a weekly basis. He'll look to take advantage of another plus matchup against the lowly Texans defense in Week 14.
Honorable Mentions: Aaron Jones (Packers), Jonathan Taylor (Colts), Dalvin Cook (Vikings)
LVP: Miles Sanders (Eagles)
Does Doug Pederson even remember that he has running backs on his team? Sanders somehow only mustered 10 carries for 31 YDS in a far closer than expected game against a Packers team that is pretty good at defending the pass and laughably bad against the run. That type of egregious strategical oversight is exactly why Pederson is on the hot seat right now despite enjoying quite bit of a success with the Eagles prior to this meltdown in 2020. Hopefully the insertion of Jalen Hurts into the lineup for this week's contest with the Saints will force Pederson to re-commit to calling more than 4 run plays per game.
Dishonorable Mentions: Derrick Henry (Titans), Raheem Mostert (49ers), Devonate Booker (Raiders)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Corey Davis (Titans)
In a bit of an upset, the plethora of garbage time targets for the Titans in their shocking blowout loss to the Browns went to Davis-who turned them into 11 catches for 182 YDS and a TD- over A.J Brown. Being in a contract year has brought the best out of Davis, who has significantly toned down the absurd erraticism that had defined his NFL career up to this point. He'll be a strong WR3 with a WR2 ceiling for a favorable playoff run that includes matchups with the Jaguars and Lions in the next 2 weeks.
Honorable Mentions: Davante Adams (Packers), Justin Jefferson (Vikings), Marvin Jones Jr. (Lions)
LVP: Terry McLaurin (Washington Football Team)
McLaurin's streak of 6 straight games with 70+ YDS was snapped with an uncharacteristically quiet performance (2 REC/14 YDS) in an upset win over the Steelers on Monday. Even with Logan Thomas starting to cut into his target share in recent weeks and a strong 49ers secondary up next on the schedule, McLaurin should be able to return to his consistent form.
Dishonorable Mentions: Chase Claypool (Steelers), JuJu Smith-Schuster (Steelers), DeVante Parker (Dolphins)
Tight End
MVP: Darren Waller (Raiders)
Even before an inexplicable cover-0 blitz on a last ditch Hail Mary cost them the game, it was an ugly afternoon for the Jets defense against the Raiders. Most of their headaches before Henry Ruggs dusted rookie Lamar Jackson on said Hail Mary, came from Waller-who took advantage of their lax coverage to not only put together the best game of his short career thus far, but one of the best games a tight end has ever had in league history (13 REC/200 YDS/2 TD). This historic performance is the ultimate cherry on top of a magical season for the people who were fortunate enough to secure a unicorn stud TE in the middle rounds of the draft while their unlucky peers selected the likes of George Kittle, Mark Andrews and Zach Ertz in the earlier stages.
Honorable Mentions: Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Logan Thomas (Washington Football Team), Mike Gesicki (Dolphins)
LVP: Hunter Henry (Chargers)
Herbert's struggles paired with the Patriots' continued dominance against tight ends effectively took Henry out of the game, as he finished with just a single catch for 5 YDS. The solid 5th year pro has been a pretty big flop this season (49 REC/507 YDS/3 TD's)-especially considering that he's remained healthy for the 1st time in his career, but unsurprisingly, he's still done enough to remain on the TE1 radar during this particularly tumultuous time at the position.
Dishonorable Mentions: Trey Burton (Colts), Austin Hooper (Browns), Hayden Hurst (Falcons)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Patriots
For the first time in 2020, the Patriots defense and special teams looked as dominant as they did in the early stages of 2019. They absolutely eviscerated a bumbling, poorly-coached Chargers team-securing 3 sacks, 2 INT's, a blocked field goal and 2 TD's (1 punt return and a scoop-and-score by Devin McCourty on the FG block) in a commanding 45-0 victory. While a regression is practically guaranteed after this monstrous performance, this surging group could give a Rams offense that has had noted struggles with turnovers at times this season some problems tomorrow night.
Honorable Mentions: Dolphins, Vikings, Colts
LVP: Steelers
Fatigue stemming from their latest quick COVID-induced turnaround finally got to the Steelers' elite D, as they were pretty pedestrian (3 sacks, 0 takeaways) in a 23-17 loss to the Washington Football Team on Monday night. A Bills offense coming off a very strong showing against the 49ers and is currently ranked 25th in fantasy points allowed to defenses makes their Week 14 rebound chances middling at best.
Dishonorable Mentions: Bears, 49ers, Bills
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