The stage is set and the seeds are locked. Ladies and gentlemen: The Fantasy Playoffs are here! Some of you are finishing out your seasons for pride and consolation prizes while the lucky few claw their way through the last matchups that lay between them and eternal glory.
As always, we will be highlighting this past week’s top performers, underperformers, and surprise producers. You know what they say, “defense wins championships.” Well, that old adage lives true in fantasy football as well. Week 14 was filled with dominating defensive performances, unusual top performers, and more than a few disappointing duds as well. Let’s get to it and recap the action.
BYE WEEKS: (IND) (MIA) (NE) (PHI)
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (6-7)
Final Score: MIN 36 - PIT 28
Top Performers:
Najee Harris RB - Pittsburgh Steelers (25.4 PPR PTS)
20 RSH/94 YDS/1 TD - 3 REC/3 TGT/10 YDS/1 TD
Dalvin Cook RB - Minnesota Vikings (35.2 PPR PTS)
27 RSH/205 YDS/2 TD - 1 REC/3 TGT/17 YDS/0 TD
Underperformers:
Diontae Johnson WR - Pittsburgh Steelers (15.3 PPR PTS)
5 REC/10 TGT/76 YDS/0 TD - 1 RSH/7 YDS/0 TD
Tyler Conklin TE - Minnesota Vikings (4.0 PPR PTS)
2 REC/2 TGT/20 YDS/0 TD
Weekly Weigh-In:
The Steelers' offense put up an admirable fight but ultimately could not mount a comeback after allowing Dalvin Cook to run wild in the first half.
Ben Roethlisberger passed for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, making it the only game he has accomplished both statistical feats this season.
Najee Harris recorded his first multi-touchdown performance of his young career. Harris had never scored a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game up until this point.
You may be confused at Diontae Johnson’s placement on the Underperformers list with 15.3 FPTS. Johnson, however, should have had even higher numbers as he led the Steelers with ten targets, catching only five while dropping an important touchdown pass.
Chase Claypool went viral after the contest for an ill-advised first down celebration. Claypool had an outstanding performance otherwise, catching eight of nine targets for 93 yards.
James Washington was on the field for 41% of the offensive snaps but saw a high volume of targets. Washington was targeted six times, catching four for 65 yards and a touchdown. He finished with a season-high 16.5 FPTS.
Ray-Ray McCloud’s 85% snap share marked his highest total of the season. McCloud was targeted eight times but managed just 32 yards on six receptions.
Pat Freiermuth dropped what would have been the game-winning touchdown after being met by the forceful fist of Harrison Smith in the end zone. Freiermuth, however, did catch a touchdown pass earlier in the contest. He finished the game with two receptions for 32 yards and 11.2 FPTS.
Dalvin Cook dislocated his shoulder in Week 13 and was questionable to play up until game day. Cook received his regular workload despite the injury. Cook’s 28 total touches equated to a season-high in rushing yards (205) and FPTS (35.2). This was Cook’s first multi-touchdown game of 2021.
Alexander Mattison was a non-factor with Cook leading the backfield.
Justin Jefferson received a season-high 15 targets with Adam Thielen out of the lineup. Jefferson managed 20.5 FPTS with seven receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. He should have had much more but was marred but Kirk Cousins’ overthrows.
Cousins completed just 14 of 31 passes for 216 yards. He matched his two touchdown passes with two interceptions.
K.J. Osborn matched his season-high in targets with nine against the Steelers. Osborn caught three passes, salvaging his fantasy production with a 62-yard touchdown.
Ty Conklin received two targets after a nine target, seven-reception performance in Week 13. Conklin’s fantasy season has been a wave of inconsistent and unpredictable production. Conklin has not recorded a single back-to-back performance of 10.0+ FPTS this season.
Baltimore Ravens (8-5) at Cleveland Browns (7-6)
Final Score: CLE 24 - BAL 22
Top Performers:
Mark Andrews TE - Baltimore Ravens (28.5 PPR PTS)
11 REC/11 TGT/115 YDS/1 TD
Cleveland Browns D/ST (16.0 PPR PTS)
22 PA/389 YDS AGST/5 TFL/4 SACK/2 FF/2 FR/0 INT/1 TD
Underperformers:
Marquise Brown WR - Baltimore Ravens (9.1 PPR PTS)
5 REC/9 TGT/41 YDS/0 TD
Nick Chubb RB - Cleveland Browns (9.5 PPR PTS)
17 RSH/59 YDS/0 TD - 3 REC/4 TGT/2 YDS/0 TD
Weekly Weigh-In:
Lamar Jackson left the game with an ankle sprain after playing only 14% of the offensive snaps.
Tyler Huntley did his best to fill in for the versatile Jackson. Huntley completed 27 of 28 passes for 270 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. The Ravens backup quarterback rushed six times for 45 yards and lost two fumbles.
Mark Andrews went a perfect 11 for 11 on his targets/receptions. This marks Andrews’ third game with over 100 receiving yards.
Rashod Bateman breakout anybody? Managers have been patiently waiting for the rookie to pop off. Bateman had his first 100-yard receiving game against the Browns. He caught seven of eight targets for 103 yards but has still yet to find the endzone this season.
Marquise Brown matched Bateman’s eight targets but managed just 41 yards on five receptions.
Devonta Freeman led the Ravens’ backfield with 66.0% of the offensive snaps. Freeman had 13 rushes for 64 yards. Freeman also caught all five of his targets but recorded a low total of eight receiving yards.
Justin Tucker scored 15.0 FPTS. GOAT.
Baker Mayfield tied the Browns D/ST with 16.0 FPTS, leading all offensive players. Baker threw for less than 200 yards for the fourth time this season. He completed 22 of 32 pass attempts for 190 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Jarvis Landry led the Browns with eight targets, catching five for 41 yards and a touchdown. Landry finished with 15.1 FPTS.
Donovan Peoples-Jones and Austin Hooper both received seven targets. Each player recorded five receptions and 14.0 FPTS. Hooper reached his total with 30 receiving yards and a touchdown, whereas DPJ outpaced the tight end with 90 receiving yards.
The Ravens defense bottled up Nick Chubb for the second consecutive game. Chubb saw more work than his last contest against the Ravens but provided the same disappointing result.
Kareem Hunt is considered week-to-week after leaving the game with an ankle injury. Hunt recorded four touches for 18 yards before exiting.
Dallas Cowboys (9-4) at Washington Football Team (6-7)
Final Score: DAL 27 - WAS 20
Top Performers:
Dallas Cowboys D/ST (23.0 PPR PTS)
14 PA/224 YDS AGST/4 TFL/5 SACK/3 FF/3 FR/1 INT/1 TD
Cam Sims WR - Washington Football Team (15.9 PPR PTS)
3 REC/4 TGT/69 YDS/1 TD
Underperformers:
Dak Prescott QB - Dallas Cowboys (10.94 PPR PTS)
22 ATT/39 CMP/211 YDS/1 TD/2 INT - 7 RSH/15 YDS/0 TD
Antonio Gibson RB - Washington Football Team (3.1 PPR PTS)
10 RSH/36 YDS/0 TD - 2 REC/2 TGT/5 YDS/0 TD
Weekly Weigh-In:
The Cowboys fell back on a phenomenal defensive performance led by rookie star, and defensive player of the year candidate, Micah Parsons. The Cowboys offense, however, stalled throughout the contest.
Dak Prescott threw his tenth interception of the season in the Cowboys loss.
Amari Cooper found the end zone for the first time since Week 8. Cooper finished with five receptions on seven targets for 51 yards and 16.1 FPTS.
CeeDee Lamb led the Cowboys with 10 ten targets, catching seven for 61 yards.
Michael Gallup was ahead of Lamb with 82% of the offensive snaps. Gallup finished one target behind Lamb’s team-lead with nine, catching five of his targets for 60 yards.
Ezekiel Elliot continues to play through a knee injury. Zeke has played 64% of the offensive snaps in three consecutive games. In Week 14, Zeke rushed 12 times for 45 yards and caught just one of his six targets for 15 yards.
Corey Clement surprisingly received one more carry than Zeke. Clement played the change-of-pace role for the Cowboys, which Tony Pollard usually occupies. Pollard was unable to suit up for the contest, resulting in Clement playing 36% of the offensive snaps and carrying the ball 13 times for 44 yards.
Dalton Schultz had his worst fantasy performance of 2021. Schultz’s four receiving yards mark his lowest total since Week 12 in 2018, where Schultz had one catch for negative yards.
Washington’s offense failed to find its footing after the unfortunate loss of Terry McLaurin due to a brutal slam that left the receiver in the NFL’s concussion protocols.
Taylor Heinicke passed for 122 yards, matching his season's lowest total. Heinicke was replaced by Kyle Allen after suffering a knee injury.
Allen had nine pass attempts in the contest, completing four for 53 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions.
Antonio Gibson was out-produced by two different running backs on his team. Surprisingly, and more disappointing still, neither one was named J.D. McKissic.
Jaret Patterson only played 18% of the offensive snaps but outscored Gibson by 1.7 FPTS.
Jonathan Williams recorded an even lower snap total than Patterson with 15% of the offensive snaps. Williams scored 10.5 FPTS, finding the endzone for the third time in his six-year career.
Cam Sims caught his second touchdown of the season. Sims played a season-high 59% of the offensive snaps with McLaurin out. Sims tallied three catches for 69 yards and a score. Nice.
Adam Humphries led Washington with seven targets. Humphries caught four passes for 34 yards.
DeAndre Carter received five targets but recorded just 12 yards on two catches.
Ricky Seals-Jones was targeted four times but could only corral one pass for eight yards.
Las Vegas Raiders (6-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (9-4)
Final Score: KC 48 - LV 9
Top Performers:
Hunter Renfrow WR - Las Vegas Raiders (27.7 PPR PTS)
13 REC/14 TGT/117 YDS/1 TD
Kansas City Chiefs D/ST (28 PPR PTS)
9 PA/290 YDS AGST/0 TFL/4 SACK/4 FF/4 FR/1 INT/1 TD
Underperformers:
Derek Carr QB - Las Vegas Raiders (10.52 PPR PTS)
33 CMP/45 ATT/263 YDS/1 TD/1 INT - 0 RSH/0 YDS/0 TD
Travis Kelce TE - Kansas City Chiefs (5.7 PPR PTS)
3 REC/4 TGT/27 YDS/0 TD
Weekly Weigh-In:
The Raiders entered Arrowhead Stadium looking to make a statement on the road. With five total turnovers, a statement was undoubtedly made. The Raiders were dismantled before the second half began, further asserting the Chiefs' dominance over the AFC West.
Derek Carr turned the ball over twice in the loss, throwing one interception and losing a fumble. Carr has not thrown more than one touchdown since he played the Chiefs in Week 10.
Hunter Renfrow carried the offensive production for the Raiders in Week 14. Renfrow’s 13 receptions and 14 targets marked career-highs. Renfrow has three consecutive games of 100 receiving yards or more. He lost one fumble.
Josh Jacobs rushed nine times for a lowly 24 yards. Jacobs does, however, continue to see increased work in the passing game. Jacobs caught five of six targets for 46 yards. Jacobs also lost one fumble.
Foster Moreau struggled to fill the Darren Waller role again. Moreau was targeted six times but could only catch half of his opportunities. Moreau finished with three receptions for 13 yards.
Bryan Edwards earned three targets in the Raiders loss. Edwards recorded two receptions for 24 yards. Edwards has zero games in 2021 with more than four receptions, a tally he recorded in the season's opening game.
Zay Jones recorded 4.5 FPTS on five catches for 25 yards and a lost fumble.
The Chiefs D/ST has made an incredible turnaround after early-season dysfunction. They led both teams in FPTS, recording five total turnovers and one touchdown.
Whenever Patrick Mahomes needs a “get-right” game, he should play the Raiders. Mahomes completed 20 of 24 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers.
Travis Kelce matched his disappointing performance from Week 13 with 5.7 FPTS in Week 14. Kelce had identical receiving lines from the week prior, recording three catches for 27 yards in both contests.
Tyreek Hill matched his season-low in targets with four. Hill caught all four passes for 76 yards and 11.6 FPTS.
All three Chiefs running backs found the end zone in Week 14.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire led the Chiefs backfield with 19.2 FPTS despite having fewer rushing yards than Derrick Gore and fewer receiving yards than Darrel Williams. CEH scored two rushing touchdowns and tied Williams with 35% of the offensive snaps.
Derrick Gore recorded 16.9 FPTS with 66 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
Darrel Williams recorded his touchdown on an impressive catch and run. Williams had only five touches for 39 scrimmage yards otherwise.
Seattle Seahawks (5-8) at Houston Texans (2-11)
Final Score: SEA 33 - HOU 13
Top Performers:
Tyler Lockett WR - Seattle Seahawks (27.2 PPR PTS)
5 REC/9 TGT/142 YDS/1 TD
Brandin Cooks WR - Houston Texans (18.1 PPR PTS)
8 REC/11 TGT/101 YDS/0 TD
Underperformers:
D.K. Metcalf WR - Seattle Seahawks (8.3 PPR PTS)
4 REC/8 TGT/43 YDS/0 TD
Rex Burkhead RB - Houston Texans (10.6 PPR PTS)
11 RSH/40 YDS/0 TD - 4 REC/4 TGT/26 YDS/0 TD
Weekly Weigh-In:
Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
The Seahawks offense got a much-needed confidence boost against a struggling Texans squad. Russell Wilson capitalized on the weak defensive opponent, throwing for two touchdowns and 260 yards in the win. Wilson recorded his first game over 20.0 FPTS since Week 4.
Tyler Lockett accounted for more than half of Wilson’s passing yards. Lockett accumulated 142 receiving yards on only five catches.
D.K. Metcalf is stuck in a downward spiral with no immediate signs of escape. Metcalf has not caught a touchdown in five games and is averaging 6.8 PPG during that stretch.
Rashaad Penny exploded with 26.8 FPTS in Week 14. Penny averaged 8.56 YPC, recording 137 yards on 16 carries with two rushing touchdowns.
Gerald Everett recorded his third receiving touchdown of the season. Everett’s production is as unpredictable as it gets. The Seahawks' tight end has five games above 10.0 FPTS and five games below that threshold in 2021.
Alex Collins recorded his lowest snap total since Chris Carson landed on injured reserve. Collins had just 2.7 FPTS.
Davis Mills was named the Texans’ starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. Mills attempted a season-high 49 passes, completing 33 attempts for 331 yards and a touchdown.
Brandin Cooks looked vintage against the Seahawks. Cook finished with eight receptions, 11 targets, and 101 receiving yards, topping the team in all categories.
Rookie tight end Brevin Jordan was the recipient of Mills' lone touchdown pass. Jordan earned a season-high seven targets in the loss.
Fellow rookie Nico Collins recorded personal bests in receptions (5), targets (10), and receiving yards (69).
Rex Burkhead had a decent performance with 10.6 FPTS but remains the Texans Underperformer of the week for being outperformed by Royce Freeman.
Freeman led the Texans with 54% of the offensive snaps, plodding forward 11 times for a short 15 rushing yards. Freeman surprised with his use in the passing game, catching six of eight targets for 51 yards.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11) at Tennessee Titans (9-4)
Final Score: TEN 20 - JAX 0
Top Performers:
Tennessee D/ST (21.0 PPR PTS)
0 PA/192 YDS AGST/5 TFL/3 SACK/0 FF/0 FR/4 INT/0 TD
Marvin Jones WR - Jacksonville Jaguars (13.0 PPR PTS)
6 REC/7 TGT/70 YDS/0 TD
Underperformers:
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine WR - Tennessee Titans (6.1 PPR PTS)
3 REC/3 TGT/31 YDS/0 TD
Trevor Lawrence QB - Jacksonville Jaguars (5.04 PPR PTS)
24 CMP/40 ATT/221 YDS/0 TD/4 INT - 1 RSH/2 YDS/0 TD
Weekly Weigh-In:
The Titans skunked the Jaguars in Week 14, giving up zero points and forcing four interceptions.
Not much offensive output was needed to secure the win for the Titans. Ryan Tannehill led the offense with 16.5 FPTS, throwing for 191 yards and no passing touchdowns. Tannehill secured his only score on the ground and had four rushing attempts for 29 yards.
D’Onta Foreman scored his first touchdown of the season. Foreman recorded 47 yards on 13 carries en route to a season-high 14.2 FPTS.
Julio Jones returned after missing three games. Jones led the Titans with six targets despite playing only 45% of the offensive snaps. Jones scored 7.3 FPTS with four receptions for 33 yards.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was a victim of a low-volume game script. Westbrook-Ikhine led the Titans receiving corps with 73% of the offensive snaps but only three targets.
If I could list Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer as an Underperformer, he would top the list every week.
James Robinson recorded a season-low 0.4 FPTS. Robinson was given just six carries even though he was on the field for 64% of the offensive snaps. Robinson was not targeted in the passing game. He avoids the underperformer list due to Meyer’s incessant need to (mis)micromanage his most talented players.
The true underperformer is rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence tossed four interceptions to the Titans' defense, setting a new low in turnovers and FPTS.
Marvin Jones was a surprising bright spot in the Jaguars' disastrous day. Jones had his best performance since Week 6 with his highest scoring totals in seven games.
Laviska Shenault tied Jones with seven targets. Shenault out-snapped Laquon Treadwell for the first time in four games. Still, Shenault was outscored by his veteran counterparts.
Treadwell scored 10.8 FPTS with four receptions and 68 yards. Shenault also had four receptions but recorded only 34 yards with his touches.
New Orleans Saints (6-7) at New York Jets (3-10)
Final Score: NO 30 - NYJ 9
Top Performers:
Alvin Kamara RB - New Orleans Saints (24.5 PPR PTS)
27 RSH/120 YDS/1 TD - 4 REC/25 YDS/0 TD
Zach Wilson QB - New York Jets (11.38 PPR PTS)
19 CMP/42 ATT/202 YDS/0 TD/0 INT - 4 RSH/33 YDS/0 TD
Underperformers:
Marquez Callaway WR - New Orleans Saints (5.4 PPR PTS)
2 REC/4 TGT/34 YDS/0 TD
Jamison Crowder WR - New York Jets (4.9 PPR PTS)
3 REC/6 TGT/19 YDS/0 TD
Weekly Weigh-In:
The Saints were elated to have Alvin Kamara healthy and back in the lineup. Kamara carried the Saints to victory, setting a season-high in rushing attempts.
Taysom Hill rushed 11 times for 73 yards and two touchdowns. Oh yeah, right, he’s a quarterback. Hill also had 15 completions for 175 yards.
Nick Vannett led the Saints with six targets. Vannett caught three passes for 44 yards.
Saints receivers are synonymous with the Underperformers list. This week, Marquez Callaway tops the list. Callaway led the Saints receiving corps with 71% of the offensive snaps but recorded only two catches for 34 yards.
Tre’Quan Smith caught all three of his targets for 33 yards, finishing slightly ahead of Callaway in PPR formats.
The Jets were without several of their leading offensive weapons. Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, and Michael Carter are all on injured reserve.
Zach Wilson was the Jets’ Top Performer for the second consecutive week. However, this week was no feat to celebrate. Wilson, at the very least, didn’t throw four interceptions like an aforementioned rookie.
Braxton Berrios led a banged-up Jets offense with ten targets. Berrios recorded six receptions for 52 yards.
Ty Johnson had a season-high 73% of the offensive snaps. Johnson had six carries for 17 yards but was a focal point of the Jets' passing attack. Johnson finished with four catches for 40 yards on seven targets.
Jamison Crowder also received a season-high in offensive snaps (91%). Crowder caught three of his six targets for a laughable 19 yards.
Atlanta Falcons (6-7) at Carolina Panthers (5-8)
Final Score: ATL 29 - CAR 21
Top Performers:
Cordarrelle Patterson RB/WR - Atlanta Falcons (13.9 PPR PTS)
16 RSH/58 YDS/1 TD - 2 REC/5 TGT/1 YDS/0 TD
Robby Anderson WR - Carolina Panthers (21.4 PPR PTS)
7 REC/12 TGT/84 YDS/1 TD
Underperformers:
Matt Ryan QB - Atlanta Falcons (11.9 PPR PTS)
19 CMP/28 ATT/190 YDS/1 TD/0 INT - 4 RSH/3 YDS/0 TD
Chuba Hubbard RB - Carolina Panthers (9.3 PPR PTS)
10 RSH/33 YDS/0 TD - 0 REC/0 TGT/0 YDS/0 TD
Weekly Weigh-In:
Matt Ryan is a shell of his former self, standing on the last legs of a dying career, hoping for one more shot at glory. Try as he may, Ryan cannot muster up the high-level fantasy performances managers once sought after.
Cordarrelle Patterson may go down as the greatest waiver wire pick-up in fantasy football history. Patterson matched his season-high in carries with 16, adding his fifth rushing touchdown against the Panthers.
Mike Davis recorded 11 carries in the contest, his highest total since Week 5. Davis scored 13.6 FPTS with 86 scrimmage yards and five receptions.
Kyle Pitts caught five of his six targets for 61 yards. Pitts saw 54% of the offensive snaps, his season's lowest total.
Hayden Hurst was the beneficiary of the vacated snaps. Hurst played 62% and caught his lone target for three yards and a touchdown.
Russel Gage led the Falcons with six targets, catching four for 64 yards.
The Panthers implemented a peculiar quarterback-by-committee approach in the loss. Cam Newton played 75% of the offensive snaps, with P.J. Walker taking 25%.
Newton recorded his fourth rushing touchdown in as many games. He scored 12.82 FPTS, completing 15 of 23 passes for 178 yards and an interception.
Robby Anderson led the Panthers with a season-high in targets (12).
D.J. Moore is playing through a right leg injury. Nevertheless, Moore received ten targets, catching six for 84 yards and 14.4 FPTS.
Chuba Hubbard was not targeted in the passing game and salvaged an inefficient rushing performance with a late touchdown run.
Detroit Lions (1-11-1) at Denver Broncos (7-6)
Final Score: DEN 38 - DET 10
Top Performers:
Amon-Ra St.Brown WR - Detroit Lions (15.3 PPR PTS)
8 REC/12 TGT/73 YDS/0 TD
Melvin Gordon RB/Javonte Williams RB - Denver Broncos (23.1/21.3 PPR PTS)
Gordon: 24 RSH/111 YDS/2 TD - 0 REC/0 TGT/0 YDS/0 TD
Williams: 15 RSH/73 YDS/1 TD - 1 REC/2 TGT/1 YDS/1 TD
Underperformers:
Godwin Igwebuike RB - Detroit Lions (-0.5 PPR PTS)
8 RSH/25 YDS/0 TD - 0 REC/0 TGT/0 YDS/0 TD
Courtland Sutton WR - Denver Broncos (1.9 PPR PTS)
1 REC/2 TGT/9 YDS/0 TD
Weekly Weigh-In:
The Broncos began the game with a beautiful tribute to the late legend, Demaryius Thomas. The Broncos fielded ten men rather than 11 on the first play of the game and allowed the clock to run out in a moment of recognition.
The writing was on the wall for the Lions before the contest even started. Already one of the league’s worst teams, the Lions entered the match with 18 players on the injury report, seven of them being Covid-19 related.
Jared Goff threw one touchdown and one interception, completing 24 of 39 passes for 215 yards.
Amon-Ra St.Brown continued to impress despite the loss. ARSB has now received 12 targets in back-to-back contests.
Khalif Raymond caught Goff’s only touchdown pass of the day. Raymond finished with 13.1 FPTS.
Josh Reynolds recorded 8.2 FPTS with three receptions for 52 yards.
The Lions were without D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams in Week 14, along with a litany of other players. Godwin Igwebuike was a hot waiver wire add for an assumed increase in production. Instead, Igwebuike recorded negative fantasy points.
Craig Reynolds was the unknown benefactor of vacated usage at running back. In the first game of his career, with more than one touch, Reynolds tallied 83 rushing yards on 11 attempts and caught both of his targets for 18 yards. Reynolds finished with 11.9 FPTS.
An emotional game for the Broncos yielded a duo of Top Performers at the running back positions.
Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams resumed their usual split of the backfield touches, with both running backs scoring multiple touchdowns in the contest.
Teddy Bridgewater has severely capped the upward trajectory of the Broncos pass-catchers. Bridgewater completed only 18 passes for 179 yards.
Jerry Jeudy led the Broncos' receivers with six targets and 9.7 FPTS. Jeudy recorded five receptions for 47 yards. He has not scored a touchdown so far this season.
Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick have fallen flat since signing significant extensions to remain with the Broncos. Sutton and Patrick combined for three receptions and 30 yards in the win.
Albert Okweugbunam caught all five of his targets for 41 yards and a touchdown, finishing with 15.1 FPTS.
Noah Fant received one less target than Okweugbunam. Fant has received exactly four targets in three consecutive games.
New York Giants (4-9) at Los Angeles Chargers (8-5)
Final Score: LAC 37 - NYG 21
Top Performers:
Saquon Barkley RB - New York Giants (18.5 PPR PTS)
16 RSH/64 YDS/0 TD - 3 REC/3 TGT/31 YDS/1 TD
Justin Herbert QB - Los Angeles Chargers (24.90 PPR PTS)
23 CMP/31 ATT/275 YDS/3 TD - 4 RSH/19 YDS/0 TD
Underperformers:
Kenny Golladay WR - New York Giants (3.5 PPR PTS)
2 REC/8 TGT/15 YDS/0 TD
Jared Cook TE - Los Angeles Chargers (8.8 PPR PTS)
2 REC/5 TGT/8 YDS/1 TD
Weekly Weigh-In:
Mike Glennon got his second start for the Giants as Daniel Jones continues to nurse a neck injury. Glennon completed just 17 of 36 passes for 191 yards. He had two touchdowns and one interception in the loss.
Saquon Barkley salvaged his fantasy performance with a meaningless touchdown reception when the game was well out of hand.
Devontae Booker recorded 12.4 FPTS with 84 yards from scrimmage and four receptions.
Elijah Penny kept the family proud with a touchdown of his own in Week 14.
Kyle Rudolph recorded the biggest play of his career with a 60-yard catch and run. Rudolph added one more reception for six yards.
Sterling Shepard was active after missing four games with a quad injury. Shepard scored 4.7 FPTS with two receptions for 27 yards.
Kenny Golladay led the Giants with eight targets. Golladay managed just fifteen yards of total offense with his opportunities.
Evan Engram recorded a season-low one reception for eight yards.
Darius Slayton was targeted three times in the loss but recorded no statistics.
Justin Herbert tossed bombs all over the field in Week 14, including one of the most ridiculously beautiful deep heaves you will ever witness.
Jalen Guyton was the recipient of the deep-shot mentioned above. Guyton led the Chargers receivers with 17.9 FPTS, catching all three of his targets for 87 yards and a touchdown.
Josh Palmer and Guyton both capitalized on their increased roles sans Keenan Allen. Palmer led the Chargers with seven targets, catching five for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Mike Williams caught all six of his targets for 61 yards but took a backseat to Palmer and Guyton in this one.
Austin Ekeler aggravated an ankle injury in Week 14. Ekeler played a season-low 46% of the offensive snaps. Despite his decreased playing time, Ekeler still managed 16.4 FPTS with 84 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.
Jared Cook is so incredibly touchdown-dependent. He needs more than one touchdown to be fantasy-relevant. Cook managed just 8.8 FPTS despite scoring.
San Francisco 49ers (7-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)
Final Score (OT): SF 26 - CIN 23
Top Performers:
George Kittle TE - San Francisco 49ers (34.1 PPR PTS)
13 REC/15 TGT/151 YDS/1 TD
Ja’Marr Chase WR - Cincinnati Bengals (25.3 PPR PTS)
5 REC/8 TGT/77 YDS/2 TD - 1 RSH/6 YDS/0 TD
Underperformers:
Jeff Wilson Jr RB - San Francisco 49ers (5.6 PPR PTS)
13 RSH/56 YDS/0 TD - 0 REC/0 TGT/0 TD
Joe Mixon RB - Cincinnati Bengals (8.8 PPR PTS)
18 RSH/58 YDS/0 TD - 2 REC/2 TGT/10 YDS/0 TD
Weekly Weigh-In:
The 49ers are catching fire to end the season, winning four of their last five contests, and no player is hotter in the NFL right now than George Kittle. Kittle recorded over 150 yards for his second consecutive game. Kittle also set a new high for himself in receptions (13) and targets (15) in 2021.
Jimmy Garroppolo continues to prove that he deserves the starting role despite my personal biases towards Trey Lance. Jimmy G completed 27 of 41 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns.
Brandon Aiyuk scored the game-winning touchdown for the 49ers. Aiyuk was second behind Kittle with 11 targets. Aiyuk finished with 18.6 FPTS.
Deebo Samuel returned from a one-game absence. Samuel resumed his baffling, yet welcomed, new role as the 49ers lead running back. Samuel rushed eight times for 37 yards and a touchdown. Samuel added one catch for 22 yards.
Jeff Wilson Jr recorded 13 rushing attempts for 56 yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. Wilson’s role should evaporate once Elijah Mitchell is back in the lineup.
The Bengals mounted an impressive comeback but ultimately fell short of the victory.
The connection between Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase was on full display as the former collegiate teammates combined for two fourth-quarter touchdowns.
Burrow threw for 348 yards, matching his second-highest total of 2021. Burrow chucked both his touchdowns to Chase.
Tee Higgins has eclipsed the century mark for the third game in a row. Higgins recorded 114 yards on five receptions.
Tyler Boyd caught four of his five targets for 55 yards. His 9.3 FPTS resulted from a lone eight-yard carry that transpired in a fumble from Boyd.
Joe Mixon’s touchdown streak ends at nine games.
Buffalo Bills (7-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-3)
Final Score (OT): TB 33 - BUF 27
Top Performers:
Tom Brady QB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (30.1 PPR PTS)
31 CMP/46 ATT/363 YDS/2 TD/0 INT - 7 RSH/16 YDS/1 TD
Josh Allen QB - Buffalo Bills (36.22 PPR PTS)
36 CMP/54 ATT/308 YDS/2 TD/1 INT - 12 RSH/109 YDS/1 TD
Underperformers:
Rob Gronkowski TE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11.2 PPR PTS)
5 REC/9 TGT/62 YDS/0 TD
Stefon Diggs WR - Buffalo Bills (14.4 PPR PTS)
7 REC/13 TGT/74 YDS/0 TD
Weekly Weigh-In:
The afternoon slate delivered two incredible overtime finishes with the Buccaneers at the Bills living up to all the hype of a potential Super Bowl showdown.
Tom Brady topped 30.0 FPTS for the second time this season. Brady is playing at an unbelievable MVP level, reminiscent of his prime days as the Patriots’ field general.
Leonard Fournette has been an unbelievable fantasy asset this season. Ranked RB4 overall, Fournette recorded 23.2 FPTS in Week 14. Fournette rushed for 113 yards and one touchdown.
Mike Evans was uber-efficient against the Bills. Evans caught all six of his targets for 91 yards and a touchdown, recording 21.1 FPTS in the process.
Chris Godwin continues to rake in ungodly amounts of targets. Godwin was targeted 15 times in Week 14, catching ten of those targets for 105 yards.
Breshad Perriman caught a 58-yard game-winning touchdown for the Buccaneers, his only reception of the contest.
You know your offense is firing on all cylinders when your Underperformer scores double-digit FPTS from the tight end position. Someone has to make the list, and unfortunately that someone is Rob Gronkowski this week.
Josh Allen went scorched earth on the Buccaneers in the second half in a single-handed heroic effort to bring the Bills back from the dead. Allen set season-highs in pass attempts and rushing attempts in the loss.
Stefon Diggs, much like Gronkowski, had a solid fantasy performance. However, Diggs was outperformed by several members of the Bills offense despite leading the team with 13 targets.
Dawson Knox showed fantasy managers yet again why he should be in your starting lineups every week. Knox caught seven of nine targets for 60 yards and a touchdown.
Cole Beasley was second to Diggs with 11 targets. Beasley was efficient with his opportunities, hauling in nine receptions for 64 yards.
The Bills seem to have been reading my articles because Gabe Davis is finally getting the attention he deserves. Davis had a season-high eight targets and five receptions. Davis recorded 15.3 FPTS with one 43 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Zack Moss was once again inactive for the contest. Devin Singletary pounced on the opportunity, scoring 14.9 FPTS with 52 rushing yards on just four carries. Singletary recorded six receptions for 37 yards.
Emmanuel Sanders was forced out of the game with a knee injury. Sanders caught his only target for 25 yards before exiting.
Chicago Bears (4-9) at Green Bay Packers (10-3)
Final Score: GB 45 - CHI 30
Top Performers:
Justin Fields QB - Chicago Bears (19.4 PPR PTS)
18 CMP/33 ATT/224 YDS/2 TD/2 INT - 9 RSH/74 YDS/0 TD
Davante Adams WR - Green Bay Packers (34.1 PPR PTS)
10 REC/13 TGT/121 YDS/2 TD
Underperformers:
Darnell Mooney WR - Chicago Bears (2.9 PPR PTS)
1 REC/5 TGT/19 YDS/0 TD
A.J. Dillon RB - Green Bay Packers (7.1 PPR PTS)
15 RSH/71 YDS/0 TD - 0 REC/0 TGT/0 YDS/0 TD
Weekly Weigh-In:
Justin Fields recorded his first multi-touchdown passing performance of his career after returning from his rib injury.
David Montgomery led the Bears in targets for the second straight week. Montgomery scored 14.1 FPTS with 81 scrimmage yards and six receptions on seven targets.
Jakeem Grant recorded 177 all-purpose yards. Grant recorded two touchdowns, catching one of three targets for 46 yards with 131 return yards.
Damiere Byrd burned the Packers for a deep touchdown as well, taking one of his two receptions to the house on a 58-yard catch and run.
Allen Robinson was back in the lineup, but you would never notice. Robinson was targeted six times and recorded a measly 14 yards on two receptions.
Darnell Mooney fell flat once again. Mooney could only manage one reception on his five targets.
Cole Kmet recorded 4.7 FPTS with three receptions for 17 yards. Kmet has still not caught a touchdown this season.
Los Angeles Rams (9-5) at Arizona Cardinals (10-3)
Final Score: LAR 30 - AR 23
Top Performers:
Cooper Kupp WR - Los Angeles Rams (31.3 PPR PTS)
13 REC/15 TGT/123 YDS/1 TD
James Conner RB - Arizona Cardinals (33.5 PPR PTS)
13 RSH/31 YDS/2 TD - 9 REC/9 TGT/94 YDS/0 TD
Underperformers:
Sony Michel RB - Los Angeles Rams (7.9 PPR PTS)
20 RSH/79 YDS/0 TD - 0 REC/1 TGT/0 YDS/0 TD
DeAndre Hopkins WR - Arizona Cardinals (10.4 PPR PTS)
5 REC/12 TGT/54 YDS/0 TD
Weekly Weigh-In:
The Rams split the divisional series with the Cardinals at one apiece with this resounding win over their rivals.
Matthew Stafford threw for three touchdowns in his third consecutive game. Stafford has nine touchdowns and just one interception during those three games.
It’s hard to believe that Cooper Kupp is still setting career-highs after the incredible numbers he has put up this season. Nevertheless, Kupp recorded a career-high 13 receptions in the victory.
Odell Beckham caught six of his seven targets for 77 yards and a touchdown. OBJ is finding the grass to be much greener on the Rams.
Van Jefferson was targeted only three times but managed to find the end zone for the third game in a row. Jefferson finished with 14.8 FPTS.
Sony Michel has taken on lead duties as the starting running back while Darrell Henderson is injured. Michel couldn’t muster a repeat performance from last week as he managed just 79 rushing yards and missed his only target.
Kendall Blanton started at tight end as Tyler Higbee was a last-minute inactive due to Covid-19 protocols. Blanton caught two passes for 29 yards.
Kyler Murray made more than a few ill-advised throws and decisions in the Cardinals loss. Murray failed to score a touchdown and coughed up two interceptions.
James Conner is about to win many people their fantasy football championships. Conner added another two touchdowns to his rising total of 16 on the season. Conner also set career highs in receptions (9), targets (9), and receiving yards (94).
A.J. Green led the Cardinals' wide receivers with 102 receiving yards and 17.2 FPTS.
Christian Kirk earned six targets, catching three for 86 yards.
Zach Ertz recorded 9.2 FPTS, catching seven targets for 42 yards.
DeAndre Hopkins led the Cardinals with 12 targets but managed to catch only five, making him this week’s Underperformer.
RIP DT
Much respect, thank you for reading. If you have any continued thoughts and would like to share, I am always available for an open conversation on Twitter: @PsychWardFF or Instagram: @psychwardff.
Please follow me on LinkTree to stay updated on all of my content: @PsychWardFF. You can also find my other works as the Lead Writer at BRoto Fantasy Football and a Staff Writer at Dynasty Football Factory.
The Fantasy Football by BRoto app is now live on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store! Download it today for a start sit tool, player cards, statistics, usage, rankings, interactive tools, coaching tendencies, and much, much more. FREE for a limited time.
By Matt Ward
For a second straight season, I am betting against Mahomes.