Quarterback
MVP: Josh Allen (Bills)
Allen's late surge for MVP consideration continued in Week 15 with a flat-out destruction of a depleted Broncos defense (359 YDS/2 TD's through the air, 33 YDS/2 TD's on the ground) that only had 3 healthy corners available. He'll look to complete his breakout 3rd year fantasy campaign on a high note against a Patriots team that has consistently given him problems since he entered the league
Honorable Mentions: Ryan Tannehill (Titans), Kyler Murray (Cardinals), Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
LVP: Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers)
The lack of fans in stands in most places around the league has largely neutralized Roethlisberger's signature road duds, but he chose a hell of a time to break out a vintage away from Heinz Field turd. Big Ben was comically bad against a hapless Bengals team under the bright lights of Monday Night Football, throwing for just 170 YDS and 1 TD while committing 2 brutal turnovers (an INT and a lost fumble) and almost certainly derailing a good percentage of prospective fantasy title runs in the process. Roethlisberger has regressed mightily in recent weeks after a solid start to his 2020 comeback campaign and should probably be benched for his tough Week 16 tilt against a stingy Colts defense that has shut down just about everyone not named Deshaun Watson of late in non-garbage time situations.
Dishonorable Mentions: Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Jared Goff (Rams), Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
Running Back
MVP: David Montgomery (Bears)
Montgomery's surreal second half turnaround hit a new peak in Week 15 as he turned a career-high 32 carries into 146 YDS and 2 TD's in a shootout win over the Vikings. The surging sophomore back will look to maintain his newfound RB1 status against a leaky Jaguars run D this Sunday.
Honorable Mentions: Tony Pollard (Cowboys), Dalvin Cook (Vikings), Derrick Henry (Titans)
LVP: Kareem Hunt (Browns)
Containing the running backs was just about the only thing the Giants did well against the Browns on Sunday night and while Nick Chubb was able to save his night with a late TD run, Hunt wasn't so fortunate as he finished with just 28 YDS (21 rushing, 7 receiving) on 10 touches. With the 1-13 Jets being the opponent in a must-win Week 16 matchup for the Browns-who now have a legit chance to win the AFC North after the Steelers loss to the Bengals, both Hunt and Chubb should be in line for much more productive days.
Dishonorable Mentions: Mike Davis (Panthers), Kenyan Drake (Cardinals), Chris Carson (Seahawks)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Calvin Ridley (Falcons)
Julio Jones' absence and roughly 3 dominant quarters for Matt Ryan allowed Ridley to post one of the best games of his young career (10 REC/163 YDS/1 TD) in a "shocking" loss to the Buccaneers where they blew yet another double digit lead in the final 20 minutes of play. With Julio likely sitting out once again for a meaningless Week 16 contest with the Chiefs, Ridley will once again be a no-brainer WR1.
Honorable Mentions: DeAndre Hopkins (Cardinals), Marvin Jones Jr. (Lions), Stefon Diggs (Bills)
LVP: Keenan Allen (Chargers)
Visibly hampered by a hamstring injury, Allen had no business playing in last Thursday night's game versus the Raiders and it showed in his uncharacteristically empty stat sheet (1 REC, 17 YDS, 1 CAR, -1 YDS). If Anthony Lynn once again doesn't have the good sense to deactivate Allen this week, don't make the mistake of playing him.
Dishonorable Mentions: Amari Cooper (Cowboys), JuJu Smith-Schuster (Steelers), Robby Anderson (Panthers)
Tight End
MVP: Darren Waller (Raiders)
Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota turned to Waller early and often after replacing the injured Derek Carr early on in last Thursday's shootout with the Chargers and the stud TE unsurprisingly turned his heavy targetshare (12 of 30 catchable passes thrown by Carr/Mariota) into solid gold for his fantasy owners (9 REC/150 YDS/1 TD). Fantasy's undisputed overall TE2 will look to deliver one last gem in 2020 against a middling Dolphins pass defense on Saturday night.
Honorable Mentions: Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Noah Fant (Broncos), Logan Thomas (Washington Football Team)
LVP: T.J. Hockenson (Lions)
Hockenson's recent hot streak ended in tragic fashion as he secured just 2 catches for 18 YDS and lost a fumble against a very soft Titans pass defense. A generally solid TE1 option all season long, Hockenson will look to get back on track against an erratic Bucs D that has allowed TD catches to TE's in 5 of their last 8 games.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jared Cook (Saints), Rob Gronkowski (Buccaneers), Dallas Godert (Eagles)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Bills
An electric scoop and score off a strip sack of Drew Lock powered a Bills defense-who registered a total of 3 sacks and surrendered 19 points to a below average Broncos offense-to the top of the positional leaderboards. After a very disappointing start to the season, the Bills defense has re-emerged as a solid fantasy option in the last month and will be a contender for the top spot yet again in Week 16 when they travel to Foxboro to take on an anemic Patriots offense that may be starting INT god Jarrett Stidham at quarterback.
Honorable Mentions: Colts, Ravens, Seahawks
LVP: Steelers
Whether it was fatigue or arrogance, allowing 27 points while managing just 2 sacks and 0 takeaways against the Ryan Finley-led Bengals is an unacceptable performance for an allegedly elite defense. Don't bother playing them in the fantasy finale against a Colts offense that tends to take excellent care of the football and has only allowed 10 sacks since they returned from Bye in Week 8.
Dishonorable Mentions: Rams, 49ers, Vikings
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