Quarterback:
Biggest Winner: Bo Nix (Broncos)
Prior to the fourth quarter, Nix was set to log another underwhelming outing that made his fantasy owners once again question why they rolled him out as a QB1 during a season where he's looked like complete shit about 80% of the time. Then one of the most absurd comebacks in NFL history happened as the young, stupid Giants imploded in spectacular fashion during the final 15 minutes of the game and Nix suddenly became a fantasy hero. At the end of this madness, Nix ended up posting 279 YDS and 2 TD's through the air, 48 YDS and 2 TD's on the ground and 2 2-point conversions. The most erratic fantasy QB of 2025 should end up having another good day in Week 8 when the Broncos square off against the Cowboys porous defense.
Honorable Mentions: Justin Herbert (Chargers), Matthew Stafford (Rams), Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
Biggest Loser: Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers)
In the first real misstep of his excellent 2025 campaign thus far, Mayfield failed to take advantage of the Lions injury-depleted secondary and had a generally pretty poor showing (228 YDS, TD, INT) in a game where the Bucs were completely outclassed by the home team for 60 minutes. Despite losing Mike Evans for the foreseeable future not even one half into his return from a hamstring injury that had kept him sidelined for the previous 3 games, it would be silly to doubt Mayfield's ability to return to elite form after this clunker.
Dishonorable Mentions: Caleb Williams (Bears), Jared Goff (Lions), Jordan Love (Packers)
Running Back
Biggest Winner: Christian McCaffery (49ers)
Uh-oh, CMC has found his mojo as a rusher again. The 49ers back erupted for 129 YDS and 2 TD's on 24 carries while also staying busy in the passing game (7 receptions for 72 YDS) thanks to the team's continued lack of bodies at WR in a big win over the Falcons on Sunday night. It's probably not a coincidence that this run game explosion coincided with the return of George Kittle to the lineup-who had been out for the previous 5 games with a hamstring injury and it's safe to assume that CMC will continue to be a real problem for opposing defenses on the ground as long as the star tight end is out there.
Honorable Mentions: Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions), Jonathan Taylor (Colts), Quinshon Judkins (Browns)
Biggest Loser: Ashton Jeanty (Raiders)
The Raiders mustered just 3 first downs and possessed the ball for only 17:52 in a lopsided 31-0 loss to the Chiefs, which rendered Jeanty effectively useless (34 YDS on 7 touches) in fantasy. To say that Jeanty hasn't lived up to the hype would be an understatement of massive proportions as the Raiders horrendous run-blocking and generally anemic offense has rendered this consensus top 15 fantasy pick to volatile RB2 status. Fingers crossed that Pete Caroll and Chip Kelly will be able to figure some things out during their bye this week that allows Jeanty to make more positive contributions during the final 10 games of their season.
Dishonorable Mentions: Saquon Barkley (Eagles), Alvin Kamara (Saints), Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Commanders)
Wide Receiver
Biggest Winner: Ja'Marr Chase (Bengals)
Bengals/Steelers was one of the most thrilling shootouts the league has seen in recent years, and the biggest fantasy winner of the evening ended up being Chase. Joe Flacco relied heavily on Chase to make plays, and it paid off as he put up an insane 16/161/1 statline that helped power the Bengals to a much-needed win. Chase will look to make it two dominant showings in a row this week against the flailing Jets.
Honorable Mentions: DeVonta Smith (Eagles), A.J. Brown (Eagles), Chris Olave (Saints)
Biggest Loser: Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins)
Tua Tagovailoa got abused by the Browns feisty defense on Sunday and his poor play trickled down to his top WR-who caught just 1-of-4 targets for 15 YDS before he hit the bench early with the rest of the first team offense in the 4th quarter to pave the way for the whippersnappers to get some run late in this blowout loss. Waddle has been pretty great on the whole since Tyreek Hill went down for the year, so don't let this dud deter you from starting him for this week's contest with the hot-and-cold Falcons.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jameson Williams (Lions), Rome Odunze (Bears), Tetairoa McMillan (Panthers)
Tight End
Biggest Winner: Trey McBride (Cardinals)
Another Jacoby Brissett start led to another gem from McBride as he hauled in 10 catches for 74 YDS and 2 TD's in a loss to the Packers. While he hasn't quite lived up to his ADP so far, McBride's high target share in a pass-heavy offense gives him a floor that few other TE's have. He'll get the Cowboys when the struggling Cards return to action in Week 9.
Honorable Mentions: Jake Ferguson (Cowboys), Tyler Warren (Colts), Tucker Kraft (Packers)
Biggest Loser: George Kittle (49ers)
While it was a glorious night for Kittle as a run blocker against the Falcons, he didn't do a damn thing as a pass-catcher-failing to secure either of his two targets. He'll look to regain his fantasy relevance in Week 8 against the Texans.
Dishonorable Mentions: Sam LaPorta (Lions), Dallas Goedert (Eagles), Mason Taylor (Jets)
Defense/Special Teams
Biggest Winner: Patriots
Defense led the way for the Patriots in a 31-13 win over the Titans, logging 5 sacks, an INT and a fumble recovery by K'Lavon Chaisson that was returned for TD. The Patriots D/ST should remain a top-tier fantasy option this week when they go against the Browns low wattage offense at home.
Honorable Mentions: Browns, Texans, Chiefs
Biggest Loser: Steelers
The hopes that a date with the struggling Bengals would help fix the Steelers defensive struggles of late died a harsh death as they netted 2 sacks and 0 takeaways in a 33-31 loss. Perhaps a revenge game for their QB Aaron Rodgers against the Packers on SNF can be the catalyst for Teryl Austin's group to finally get back on track after a largely poor start to the 2025 campaign.
Dishonorable Mentions: Chargers, Vikings, Broncos
No comments:
Post a Comment