As I do every Monday morning, here's the most notable fantasy impact of each Sunday game. But first, I fell just short in my DFS 50/50 lineup of the week. Needed Dak Prescott to put up about five points last night. We know how that turned out. On the flip side, if you listened to my weekend bargains/busts podcast, you heard 11 out of 14 predictions hitting, pushing up my accuracy rate to 62% on the season.
Lions -- Ameer Abdullah now has three straight games with a score. I warned against starting him, and his very low-end RB2 production was entirely due to his TD. Running poorly, and with a limited passing-game role, he'll remain a TD-dependent option the rest of the way. In other words, he'll be unstartable more often than not.
Bears -- Another tough loss for a team that deserves to be better than 3-7. Adam Shaheen caught all four targets and found the end zone. I hyped him a few days ago on this blog and again in my weekend podcast. Although the injured Dion Sims could reclaim the starting role next week, Shaheen has a shot at being a TE1 during the fantasy playoffs.
Jaguars -- Leonard Fournette entered Week 11 as a very risky start. 30 touches and 118 yards later, he's back to being the Jags' offensive focal point--at least until/unless he gets hurt again.
Browns -- Corey Coleman proved me wrong with six catches for a team-high 80 yards. With Josh Gordon expected to start practicing today in advance of a potential Week 13 return, Coleman's spiked stock could be short-lived. Of course, who knows what we'll see out of Gordon this time around.
Buccaneers -- I don't remember the last time I recommended starting Doug Martin. He hit rock-bottom yesterday, picking up 44 total yards on 21 touches. Do not start him next week in Atlanta.
Dolphins -- I'm bewildered by Kenyan Drake's steadily declining touches given what he accomplished in weeks 9 and 10. Maybe he's in Adam Gase's doghouse. But I missed badly on Drake this weekend, as Damien Williams earned the start and ripped off a 69-yard run. Of course, Williams picked up only nine more yards on nine carries. But my take on this clearly is irrelevant; as good as I think Drake is compared to Williams, Williams isn't going anywhere for now. And of course, I have to mention Jay Cutler, who too many people thought too much of entering Sunday's game. Before suffering a concussion, Cutler had completed six passes and thrown three picks. Matt Moore came in an played turnover-free football while throwing for 282 and a score. Moore deserves to start Week 12, and for the 10th time, he should have been starting all year.
Ravens -- I was asked about Danny Woodhead about 20 times over the weekend. All but once I recommended benching him (the other time I recommended Woodhead over Abdullah). I didn't--and still don't--understand the excitement surrounding a frequently injured 32-year-old RB scrounging for 6-8 touches per game in a sub-par offense.
Packers -- While Green Bay's offense has largely ground to a halt since Aaron Rodgers went down, in the past three games Davante Adams has 20 catches for 269 yards and a score. It's fair to wonder whether Adams will overtake the 33-year-old Jordy Nelson next season.
Rams -- As expected, Minnesota bottled up Jared Goff and the Rams. Several weeks ago I urged readers to sell high on Todd Gurley, and the same could be said about Goff, as the Rams' late-season schedule is tougher than it's early-season schedule.
Vikings -- While Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon split touches, Murray was far more effective for the third time in four weeks.
Redskins -- On a day that likely ended Washington's postseason hopes, Chris Thompson broke his leg and Samaje Perine enjoyed a breakout performance. With Rob Kelley sidelined, Perine is now a must-start RB for the foreseeable future.
Saints -- With New Orleans down 15 late, Drew Brees turned to Coby Fleener. Coby who? Someday I'll learn why Fleener has been irrelevant for most of the year. But yesterday we were reminded of what he can do.
Chiefs -- Alex Smith has three TDs and four turnovers in his past three games. While his remaining schedule is favorable, the notion that Smith is an elite fantasy QB should not cross anyone's minds.
Giants -- Orleans Darkwa now has 69+ rushing yards in five of his past six games. Given how bad the Giants' offense is, that's incredibly impressive.
Cardinals -- How did Blaine Gabbert throw for three scores? I never saw that coming. Going up against Jacksonville next week, don't expect anywhere close to a repeat performance.
Texans -- With D'Onta Foreman now done for the season with a torn Achilles', Lamar Miller's RB1/2 status is secure.
Bills -- An embarrassment. I made this clear last week when Tyrod Taylor was inexplicably benched for unproven rookie Nathan Peterman. I wrote that if Nathan Peterman faltered, Sean McDermott should be fired. Not sure I've ever publicly called out a coaching decision so forcefully. Peterman was awful, and rather than getting mercifully pulled in the first quarter when it was obvious he wasn't NFL ready, he was forced to keep trotting out there and embarrassing himself and the franchise. McDermott should be fired and should issue a public apology to Bills fans, who have waited nearly two decades for a postseason berth. OK, I'm done with that. In the meantime, start Tyrod Taylor as a top 14 QB with upside.
Chargers -- I pushed Keenan Allen on a lot of people this past weekend, and he came through. As with so many great receivers, Allen's numbers always balance out . . . when healthy.
Bengals -- No running back and no receiver exceeded 50 yards yesterday, and the team as a whole collected only 49 yards on 26 carries, but Andy Dalton managed to throw for three TDs. He's got one more shot--next week against Cleveland--to be fantasy relevant.
Broncos -- Devontae Booker out-touched C.J. Anderson, further rendering Anderson as a TD-dependent RB3/4.
Patriots -- Brandin Cooks has 8+ targets in five of his last six games. He could be the league's least heralded WR1 (yes, he's a top 12 fantasy scorer).
Raiders -- One my biggest contrarian predictions this summer--and the one that drew the most consternation on this page--was calling Marshawn Lynch a low-end RB2 / high-end RB3. At the time he was ranked 12th in Standard and 13th in PPR among 100+ experts. If you passed on him in the second, third, fourth, and fifth rounds (not that he made it past the third in most drafts), you saved yourself a lot of frustration. Lynch entered Week 11 as a low-end RB4 and didn't do much to move up. With a tough run D schedule remaining, he'll be a TD-dependent RB4/5 the rest of the way.
Eagles -- Can Jay Ajayi, LeGarrette Blount, and Corey Clement thrive together? Sunday night offered a glimmer of hope. But there's one thing we know for certain: Ajayi is the Philly RB to roster and start. He's the most talented option and should pick up reps and touches as he acclimates to his new team.
Cowboys -- An historically bad day for a QB who entered Week 11 with the fifth most fantasy points at his position. After a blistering start, he's had three bad games in his past four. With Dez Bryant playing small-ball, there's really no other big-play option on this team. It's concerning for a guy most people have been planning to start with confidence during this late-season push.
Lions -- Ameer Abdullah now has three straight games with a score. I warned against starting him, and his very low-end RB2 production was entirely due to his TD. Running poorly, and with a limited passing-game role, he'll remain a TD-dependent option the rest of the way. In other words, he'll be unstartable more often than not.
Bears -- Another tough loss for a team that deserves to be better than 3-7. Adam Shaheen caught all four targets and found the end zone. I hyped him a few days ago on this blog and again in my weekend podcast. Although the injured Dion Sims could reclaim the starting role next week, Shaheen has a shot at being a TE1 during the fantasy playoffs.
Jaguars -- Leonard Fournette entered Week 11 as a very risky start. 30 touches and 118 yards later, he's back to being the Jags' offensive focal point--at least until/unless he gets hurt again.
Browns -- Corey Coleman proved me wrong with six catches for a team-high 80 yards. With Josh Gordon expected to start practicing today in advance of a potential Week 13 return, Coleman's spiked stock could be short-lived. Of course, who knows what we'll see out of Gordon this time around.
Buccaneers -- I don't remember the last time I recommended starting Doug Martin. He hit rock-bottom yesterday, picking up 44 total yards on 21 touches. Do not start him next week in Atlanta.
Dolphins -- I'm bewildered by Kenyan Drake's steadily declining touches given what he accomplished in weeks 9 and 10. Maybe he's in Adam Gase's doghouse. But I missed badly on Drake this weekend, as Damien Williams earned the start and ripped off a 69-yard run. Of course, Williams picked up only nine more yards on nine carries. But my take on this clearly is irrelevant; as good as I think Drake is compared to Williams, Williams isn't going anywhere for now. And of course, I have to mention Jay Cutler, who too many people thought too much of entering Sunday's game. Before suffering a concussion, Cutler had completed six passes and thrown three picks. Matt Moore came in an played turnover-free football while throwing for 282 and a score. Moore deserves to start Week 12, and for the 10th time, he should have been starting all year.
Ravens -- I was asked about Danny Woodhead about 20 times over the weekend. All but once I recommended benching him (the other time I recommended Woodhead over Abdullah). I didn't--and still don't--understand the excitement surrounding a frequently injured 32-year-old RB scrounging for 6-8 touches per game in a sub-par offense.
Packers -- While Green Bay's offense has largely ground to a halt since Aaron Rodgers went down, in the past three games Davante Adams has 20 catches for 269 yards and a score. It's fair to wonder whether Adams will overtake the 33-year-old Jordy Nelson next season.
Rams -- As expected, Minnesota bottled up Jared Goff and the Rams. Several weeks ago I urged readers to sell high on Todd Gurley, and the same could be said about Goff, as the Rams' late-season schedule is tougher than it's early-season schedule.
Vikings -- While Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon split touches, Murray was far more effective for the third time in four weeks.
Redskins -- On a day that likely ended Washington's postseason hopes, Chris Thompson broke his leg and Samaje Perine enjoyed a breakout performance. With Rob Kelley sidelined, Perine is now a must-start RB for the foreseeable future.
Saints -- With New Orleans down 15 late, Drew Brees turned to Coby Fleener. Coby who? Someday I'll learn why Fleener has been irrelevant for most of the year. But yesterday we were reminded of what he can do.
Chiefs -- Alex Smith has three TDs and four turnovers in his past three games. While his remaining schedule is favorable, the notion that Smith is an elite fantasy QB should not cross anyone's minds.
Giants -- Orleans Darkwa now has 69+ rushing yards in five of his past six games. Given how bad the Giants' offense is, that's incredibly impressive.
Cardinals -- How did Blaine Gabbert throw for three scores? I never saw that coming. Going up against Jacksonville next week, don't expect anywhere close to a repeat performance.
Texans -- With D'Onta Foreman now done for the season with a torn Achilles', Lamar Miller's RB1/2 status is secure.
Bills -- An embarrassment. I made this clear last week when Tyrod Taylor was inexplicably benched for unproven rookie Nathan Peterman. I wrote that if Nathan Peterman faltered, Sean McDermott should be fired. Not sure I've ever publicly called out a coaching decision so forcefully. Peterman was awful, and rather than getting mercifully pulled in the first quarter when it was obvious he wasn't NFL ready, he was forced to keep trotting out there and embarrassing himself and the franchise. McDermott should be fired and should issue a public apology to Bills fans, who have waited nearly two decades for a postseason berth. OK, I'm done with that. In the meantime, start Tyrod Taylor as a top 14 QB with upside.
Chargers -- I pushed Keenan Allen on a lot of people this past weekend, and he came through. As with so many great receivers, Allen's numbers always balance out . . . when healthy.
Bengals -- No running back and no receiver exceeded 50 yards yesterday, and the team as a whole collected only 49 yards on 26 carries, but Andy Dalton managed to throw for three TDs. He's got one more shot--next week against Cleveland--to be fantasy relevant.
Broncos -- Devontae Booker out-touched C.J. Anderson, further rendering Anderson as a TD-dependent RB3/4.
Patriots -- Brandin Cooks has 8+ targets in five of his last six games. He could be the league's least heralded WR1 (yes, he's a top 12 fantasy scorer).
Raiders -- One my biggest contrarian predictions this summer--and the one that drew the most consternation on this page--was calling Marshawn Lynch a low-end RB2 / high-end RB3. At the time he was ranked 12th in Standard and 13th in PPR among 100+ experts. If you passed on him in the second, third, fourth, and fifth rounds (not that he made it past the third in most drafts), you saved yourself a lot of frustration. Lynch entered Week 11 as a low-end RB4 and didn't do much to move up. With a tough run D schedule remaining, he'll be a TD-dependent RB4/5 the rest of the way.
Eagles -- Can Jay Ajayi, LeGarrette Blount, and Corey Clement thrive together? Sunday night offered a glimmer of hope. But there's one thing we know for certain: Ajayi is the Philly RB to roster and start. He's the most talented option and should pick up reps and touches as he acclimates to his new team.
Cowboys -- An historically bad day for a QB who entered Week 11 with the fifth most fantasy points at his position. After a blistering start, he's had three bad games in his past four. With Dez Bryant playing small-ball, there's really no other big-play option on this team. It's concerning for a guy most people have been planning to start with confidence during this late-season push.