Quarterback
MVP: Josh Allen (Bills)
Outside of some poor ball security that led to a strip sack in the 3rd quarter, Allen was tremendous against the Dolphins on Saturday night-picking up 304 YDS and 4 TD's through the air and 77 YDS on the ground in a key divisional win for the Bills. As long as the freezing temperatures/snow remnants at Solider Field don't affect his ability to throw downfield, Allen owners will likely be treated to another big game this week as the Bills get the Christmas gift of playing the putrid, tanking Bears.
Honorable Mentions: Jalen Hurts (Eagles), Kirk Cousins (Vikings), Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
LVP: Justin Herbert (Chargers)
A couple of bad throws that turned into picks, reliably terrible play from his offensive line and some good old fashioned bad luck caused Herbert to put up a dud (313 YDS/0 TD's/2 INT) in a terrific matchup against the Titans bottom 3 pass defense. Herbert will get a chance to redeem himself against a reeling Colts group on Monday night.
Dishonorable Mentions: Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Tom Brady (Buccaneers), Jared Goff (Lions)
Running Back
MVP: Jerick McKinnon (Chiefs)
For the 2nd straight week, Jerick McKinnon was the most productive player on the Chiefs offense outside of Patrick Mahomes. The 1B back in the Chiefs backfield committee stepped up in a major way in a shockingly tight contest with the Texans-exploding for 132 scrimmage YDS on 18 touches (10 carries, 8 receptions) and making 2 trips to the endzone including the game-winner in overtime. Whis his erratic volume makes him a riskier play than his backfield running mate Isaiah Pacheco, McKinnon will be tough to sit for the final 2 weeks of the fantasy season.
Honorable Mentions: Dalvin Cook (Vikings), Derrick Henry (Titans), Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots)
LVP: Miles Sanders (Eagles)
Fantasy managers were greeted with a very unpleasant surprise on Sunday as Sanders received 0 touches in the 1st half against the Bears. Things didn't improve much in the second half when he actually got the ball. His 11 CAR/42 YDS, 1 REC/-13 YDS, FUM LOST day is one of the uglier stat lines you'll ever see in fantasy football. If you have the luxury of sitting Sanders in Week 16, don't hesitate to do it.
Dishonorable Mentions: Rachaad White (Buccaneers), Jamaal Williams (Lions), D'onta Foreman (Panthers)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Justin Jefferson (Vikings)
K.J. Osborn-who is barely owned in fantasy at the moment-was actually the leading receiver for the Vikings in Week 15, but mounting that crazy 33-point comeback in the 2nd half/OT against the Colts forced Cousins to throw so much that Jefferson was able to have himself a great day as well. The NFL's current leading receiver added to his hold on the pole position with 123 YDS on 12 catches. He also secured his 7th TD catch of the season. Jefferson gets a below average matchup with the Giants next.
Honorable Mentions: A.J. Brown (Eagles), Zay Jones (Jaguars), Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins)
LVP: Davante Adams (Raiders)
The surreal, boneheaded final play of the game will overshadow a lot of the good the Patriots did before that instantly infamous moment. Chief among those positives was how their corners led by rookie Marcus Jones were able to pretty much take Adams completely out of the game. The Raiders star was limited to just 4 catches for 28 YDS on the day, although to be fair Darren Waller took away an excellent chance to escape this doomed distinction on the final Raiders offensive drive when he prematurely stuck his hands out and redirected a ball that looked like it was headed straight into Adams' breadbasket. A date with the Steelers poor corner group in Week 16 provides Adams with a great opportunity to reverse his fortunes and end up on the other side of the fantasy impact coin.
Dishonorable Mentions: Marquise Brown (Cardinals), Allen Lazard (Packers), Brandon Aiyuk (49ers)
Tight End
MVP: George Kittle (49ers)
Kittle was overdue for a receiving explosion, and he finally got it last Thursday night against the Seahawks. He only needed 4 receptions to pick up 93 YDS and 2 TD's, which were pivotal in helping power the 49ers to an NFC West-clinching victory. Kittle will remain a boom-or-bust TE1 for the 49ers Week 16 showdown with the Commanders.
Honorable Mentions: Dawson Knox (Bills), Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Darren Waller (Raiders)
LVP: Pat Freiermuth (Steelers)
A week after Mitch Trubisky found Freiermuth for a TD against the Ravens, he didn't look his way at all against the Panthers. That's right: Freiermuth received 0 targets despite running the most pass route on the team outside of Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. Kenny Pickett cleared concussion protocol today and is expected to start on Saturday night versus the Raiders, so expect a busier day for Muth in that one.
Dishonorable Mentions: Dalton Schultz (Cowboys), David Njoku (Browns), Mark Andrews (Ravens)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Patriots
A weird week that saw a handful of defenses that basically nobody owned top the D/ST leaderboards (Giants, Jaguars, Colts, Browns, Lions) led to the Pats being the kings of the fantasy relevant groups. Kyle Dugger's pick 6 and a few sacks were the fantasy highlights for the Pats defense as they allowed 24 points in the aforementioned inexplicable clown show of a loss to the Raiders.
Honorable Mentions: Packers, Broncos, Eagles
LVP: Bills
Josh Allen's late game heroics bailed out the Bills D-who put together arguably their worst performance against the Dolphins speedy offense. While surrendering some plays to Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill is to be expected, letting Raheem Mostert-who was only averaging about 55 YDS per game prior to this-run wild for 136 YDS on 17 carries (a whopping 8.0 YDS per rush) and securing 0 takeaways and only 2 sacks against their banged-up offensive line is extremely disconcerting. Any possible concerns with the Bills D viability moving forward can be sidelined for this week as they should have no problem keeping the Bears low rent offense at bay.
Dishonorable Mentions: Chiefs, Buccaneers, Vikings
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