Quarterback:
MVP: Jared Goff (Lions)
Goff made up for being basically unplayable over the past month with an unexpected Week 15 explosion (278 YDS, 5 TD's) versus a Broncos defense that had been playing pretty well of late prior to this horrific dud. His fantasy owners will hope for another prosperous turn of the Wheel of Goff Outcomes in this week's contest against an aggressive Vikings defense that is more than capable of getting sacks and forcing a QB to make some costly errors.
Honorable Mentions: Brock Purdy (49ers), Jalen Hurts (Eagles), Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers)
LVP: Dak Prescott (Cowboys)
And just like that, Prescott's MVP campaign and the championship hopes of a fair number of fantasy players died under the gray, rainy skies of Orchard Park, New York. The relentless aggression of the Bills defense knocked him completely out of rhythm and it led to another one of his signature soul-crushing flops (134 YDS/0 TD's/INT, 27 Rushing YDS) that people like to cite when questioning his ability to perform on the biggest stages of the sport. Prescott will remain away from the friendly confines of AT&T Stadium in Week 16 and is no lock to perform against a Dolphins defense that just put together a dominant performance versus the Jets.
Dishonorable Mentions: Justin Fields (Bears), Sam Howell (Commanders), Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins)
Running Back
MVP: Christian McCaffery (49ers)
Somebody on the 49ers made their case for both the real and fantasy MVP this past Sunday and it wasn't Brock Purdy. CMC carved up the Cardinals talent-lite defense with flare and efficiency, needing only 23 touches (18 carries, 5 receptions) to put up 187 YDS and 3 TD's. McCaffery will get what could prove to be his toughest test of the year on Christmas Day against the Ravens top-ranked defense.
Honorable Mentions: James Cook (Bills), Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions), Ty Chandler (Vikings)
LVP: Bijan Robinson (Falcons)
Arthur Smith continues to be a major thorn in the side of the Falcons skill position players and Robinson was the top victim of his egregious personnel mismanagement this week. After a rough start in which he gained 14 YDS on just 8 touches, Smith sat Robinson down for the rest of the day after he lost a fumble in the 3rd quarter in what ended up being a heinous loss for the Falcons to the lowly Panthers. Per usual, any outcome will be possible for the rookie back when the Falcons take on the Colts and their pretty horrific run D this week.
Dishonorable Mentions: Derrick Henry (Titans), Breece Hall (Jets), Saquon Barkley (Giants)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins)
Without Tyreek Hill in the lineup for the 1st time this season, Waddle rose to the occasion and provided the Dolphins with the big play spark (8 REC/142 YDS/TD) they needed to outlast the Jets tough defense. If Hill can't go again, Waddle will be a top 5 WR1 option versus a Cowboys secondary that has had some poor showings against top pass-catchers including DK Metcalf, George Kittle and Keenan Allen this season.
Honorable Mentions: Jordan Addison (Vikings), Terry McLaurin (Commanders), Cooper Kupp (Rams)
LVP: Zay Flowers (Ravens)
Flowers came crashing back down to Earth in painfully notable fashion after back-to-back strong outings with a very quiet 1 REC/7 YD performance against a banged-up Jaguars secondary in a weird game where the Ravens passing offense almost exclusively operated through Isaiah Likely and Rashod Bateman. The 49ers offer a less-than-ideal get right spot for the promising rookie wideout in Week 16.
Dishonorable Mentions: Tyler Lockett (Seahawks), Garrett Wilson (Jets), Drake London (Falcons)
Tight End
MVP: Sam LaPorta (Lions)
The expected LaPorta bounceback performance after another rough outing against the Bears was even better than anticipated as the rookie TE propped up a merely respectable REC/YD line (5/56) with 3 trips to the endzone in the Lions dominant win over the Broncos. LaPorta will square off against the Vikings very beatable pass D this Sunday.
Honorable Mentions: David Njoku (Browns), Isaiah Likely (Ravens), Trey McBride (Cardinals)
LVP: Dalton Kincaid (Bills)
After dropping a pair of passes in the 1st quarter against the Cowboys, Kincaid didn't even get another target as the Bills rode James Cook and the legs of Josh Allen to a dominant win that kept them firmly in the thick of the wild card race. Kincaid should get plenty more work when the Bills take on the DOA Chargers on Saturday night.
Dishonorable Mentions: Pat Friermuth (Steelers), Logan Thomas (Commanders), Evan Engram (Jaguars)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Dolphins
If the Dolphins played the Jets every week, they'd be the 2023 D/ST MVP's. This latest (and sadly for them, final) dismantling of the Jets offense resulted in 6 sacks, 2 picks, 2 fumble recoveries and 0 points allowed. If the Cowboys look like they did in Buffalo last week when they take the field late Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium, the 'Fins could be in line for another monster performance.
Honorable Mentions: Raiders, Saints, Browns
LVP: Cowboys
There's been plenty of talk above about how shitty the Cowboys offense was against the Bills and while they were definitely the weakest unit to take the field, the defense also did their share of sucking. Dan Quinn's group surrendered 31 points, mustered just 1 sack and forced 0 takeaways as the Bills absolutely manhandled them in the run game for 4 straight quarters. A date with the Dolphins in Week 16 could turn similarly ugly if they come out of the gates playing uninspired football again.
Dishonorable Mentions: Broncos, Jets, Eagles
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