Few Thursday Night Football games have fewer rest-of-season fantasy implications than last night's, and not just because we're nearing the end of the season.
Maybe Zeke Elliott's bust-out performance was the most notable, because with Rhamondre Stevenson likely sidelined for most/all of the fantasy playoffs, the recently unstartable Zeke could turn into a league winner. He scored his most points since Week 1 of 2020. On the ground, he was as atrocious as ever. But seven catches and a TD on eight targets proved to be the difference. Ty Montgomery had the "other" RB touch. Zeke had the rest (29). For perspective, Bailey Zappe had 28 pass attempts. Quite a feat for the veteran RB.
In Superflex leagues, perhaps Bailey Zappe has earned the starting job for the rest of the year. Or at least, his three TD passes and the Patriots' first W since October *should* net him the starting job. But with remaining matchups against the Chiefs, Broncos, Bills, and Jets, last night probably will be his high point.
Through the air, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Hunter Henry had their best outings of the season. How? Partly or largely because New England was missing Demario Douglas, DeVante Parker, and Kendrick Bourne. Along with Stevenson, those four guys entered Week 14 leading this team in targets per game. With all four sidelined, JuJu, Henry, and Zeke picked up the slack. That's why Tyquan Thornton had his best fantasy day (4.7 points) in seven games. There was almost literally no one else to throw to.
So if Douglas and Parker remain sidelined next week, sure, JuJu and/or Henry could be serviceable. But all bets are off if Douglas and/or Parker return.
For Pittsburgh, while Mitch Trubisky gets (and deserves) some of the blame, we can't ignore the Pats' fierce defense (as noted in yesterday's column), which limited Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren to a combined 40 yards on 19 carries. Hard to get an offense going against a competent pass D when the running game never gets going.
For fantasy purposes, managers rostering Steelers are in the same bind as always: too many mouths to feed, and not enough food. Last night was Diontae Johnson's turn. Next week it could be George Pickens. The week after, Pat Freiermuth. And we never know when a QB sneak or RB score undercuts any chance for a big WR or TE performance.
Pittsburgh has now lost to a 2-10 team in back-to-back weeks. Not sure that's ever happened. Nor should it. Their playoff hopes might hinge on next week's matchup in Indy. Because their final three game are home against Cincy, at Seattle, and at Baltimore. Lose to the Colts, and a 9-8 record would be their optimal realistic outcome, and even that might be a stretch.
With Kenny Pickett looking like a bust (though he might get one more year -- or half a year -- to markedly improve), dynasty managers with Pickens, Johnson, or Freiermuth have to hope Pittsburgh continues to self-destruct down the stretch, goes QB early in a quarterback-rich draft class next spring, and turns the keys over to the rookie by October.
And a final thought on Warren and Najee. Against the Pats' elite run D, they didn't have a chance. However, the Colts, Bengals, and Seahawks are far more forgiving on the ground. With the Steelers' increasingly slim postseason aspirations on the line, I expect better days for both running backs during the fantasy playoffs.
Final score prediction: we have three winners. None of the three had won this season, and all three picked the same final score: 20-17. A big congratulations to Jeffrey Holub, Chuck Freeman, and Derek Anzalone for predicting the three-point Patriots victory, giving New England three wins on the year. Three TNF games remain. Three more chances to join the prestigious Winners Circle. Three's are wild, folks. Next Thursday's final score is destined to be 33-30. Jump on the bandwagon before it's too late.