Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Week 14 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers: 2024 Edition

Quarterback

MVP: Josh Allen (Bills)

Allen's bonkers, history-making performance (342 passing YDS, 82 rushing YDS, 3 passing AND rushing TD's) in a thrilling shootout loss to the Rams swayed the outcome of many games on this final weekend of the regular season in most 12+ team leagues. The Bills star has emerged as the new MVP favorite after this awe-inspiring outing and if he keeps this level of play up over the next 3 weeks, he'll be the frontrunner for fantasy MVP favorite as well.     

Honorable Mentions: Sam Darnold (Vikings), Joe Burrow (Bengals), Jalen Hurts (Eagles)

LVP: Justin Herbert (Chargers)

Without top WR Ladd McConkey in the lineup, Herbert was mostly held in check against the Chiefs on Sunday night-throwing for 213 YDS and a TD while adding 12 YDS on 4 carries. He should be much more productive this week against a horrid Bucs secondary that has surrendered the most fantasy points to QB's this season.  

Dishonorable Mentions: Caleb Williams (Bears), Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), Jordan Love (Packers)

Running Back

MVP: Zach Charbonnet (Seahawks)

Anybody that was lucky enough to have arguably the most popular RB handcuff in fantasy right now got to really revel in their good fortune this week as Charbonnet flourished in the Seahawks RB1 role, turning his 29 touches (22 carries, 7 receptions) into 193 YDS and a pair of scores. Mike Macdonald said during his press conference yesterday that Kenneth Walker III is set to undergo more testing on his injured calf, which naturally puts his status to suit up on Sunday night against in the Packers in real jeopardy. If Charbonnet does indeed start again, he'll be on the RB1/RB2 borderline against Green Bay's middling run defense.     

Honorable Mentions: Isaac Guerendo (49ers), Josh Jacobs (Packers), Rachaad White (Buccaneers)

LVP: James Cook (Bills)

The deep hole that the Bills dug for themselves in the first half versus the Rams that opened the door for Josh Allen's historic performance turned Cook into an afterthought on the Bills offense, finishing the day with 29 YDS on just 8 touches (6 carries, 2 receptions). Cook could be in for another unusually quiet day in Week 15 when the Bills square off against the Lions stout run D.     

Dishonorable Mentions: D'Andre Swift (Bears), Nick Chubb (Browns), Kareem Hunt (Chiefs)

Wide Receiver 

MVP: Ja'Marr Chase (Bengals)

Chase's quest for an All-Pro appearance amidst a lost season for the Bengals continues to be mighty successful. His latest overmatched foe was the Cowboys corner group, who allowed him to haul in a whopping 14 catches for 177 YDS and 2 TD's. He also added a 14-YD rush to further pump up his absurd statline. The overall fantasy WR1 has a date with the Titans top-ranked pass defense next.   

Honorable Mentions: Puka Nacua (Rams), Jordan Addison (Vikings), Justin Jefferson (Vikings)

LVP: Jayden Reed (Packers)

After remarkably avoiding it through 12 games of his feast-or-famine sophomore campaign, Reed finally put up a goose egg against the Lions. Jordan Love looked his way just once on a night where Christian Watson, Tucker Kraft and Dontayvion Wicks were responsible for all but 2 of the receiving YDS. Reed will look to return to the explosive end of his wildly erratic playing spectrum against the Seahawks on Sunday night.   

Dishonorable Mentions: Tee Higgins (Bengals), Keenan Allen (Bears), Deebo Samuel (49ers)

Tight End

MVP: George Kittle (49ers)

While he was held out of the endzone, Kittle led the 49ers in receiving by a wide margin (6 REC/151 YDS) in their commanding win over the Bears. He should be a strong TE1 play for this week's crucial divisional showdown with the Rams.  

Honorable Mentions: Pat Freiermuth (Steelers), Jonnu Smith (Dolphins), David Njoku (Browns)

LVP: Kyle Pitts (Falcons)

While the perpetually infuriating Falcons TE was on the receiving end of 6 targets against the Vikings, he only ended up with a lone reception for 14 YDS. A Week 15 matchup with an incredibly soft Raiders defense will be a do-or-die spot for his TE1 status the rest of the way.   

Dishonorable Mentions: Cole Kmet (Bears), Jake Ferguson (Cowboys), Evan Engram (Jaguars)

Defense/Special Teams

MVP: 49ers

Unlike their showdown with the Bills in Week 13, the absence of Nick Bosa didn't prevent the 49ers defense from having a great performance. In fact, they had easily one of their finest showings of 2024, stacking up 7 sacks and a fumble recovery on a stagnant Bears offense in a 38-13 victory. They'll be a potentially shaky play for Thursday night's contest with the Rams.  

Honorable Mentions: Buccaneers, Steelers, Saints

LVP: Bills

The Bills defense was shockingly awful against the Rams, getting shredded for 44 points while failing to register a single sack or takeaway. Starting them against the Lions powerhouse offense this week after a performance like this feels like a bad idea.   

Dishonorable Mentions: Dolphins, Eagles, Lions

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