How does an injury-depleted team rebound from an historically bad loss in Week 15? While the Steelers conquered the Ja'Marr Chase-less Bengals as anticipated, the Chargers' last-minute loss to the surging Bills might be one of this season's most improbable near-upsets. And Cameron Dicker's 13-point fourth quarter might be one of the best fourth quarters for a kicker in years. My favorite bargain kicker this summer finally came through. Ultra-patient managers can rejoice after weeks of pain.
Yesterday also pretty much sums up the challenges managers face every single week. After going catch-less in four of his last six appearances, Gabe Davis came through. If you started him, you rolled the dice on a "his turn" dynamic. I had thought surely it was Stefon Diggs' turn. After posting elite numbers through Week 9, the 30-year-old phenom has hit double-digit scoring only once in his last six games. A shocking outcome across the board.
Two more thoughts on yesterday. My discussion yesterday of Rudolph's recent history targeting tight ends turned out to be irrelevant. Darnell Washinton was the only TE to see a pass, and it happened only once. Also, about seven weeks ago George Pickens unfollowed all but two of his teammates. One of those two was Mason Rudolph. This squeaky-wheel phenomenon seems obvious in hindsight. And yet, it's not as if Rudolph peppered his disgruntled receiver with targets. Pickens was averaging 5.5 looks per game since making his displeasure known on social media. Yesterday he had six looks. Attention on him didn't change. But what he did with the ball after the catch . . . that made all the difference.
Heading into today, plenty of questionable tags as always. Michael Pittman is out. No snow expected in Denver. My DraftKings DFS 50/50 slate for the 1:00pm Eastern games lean heavily into a contest (Vikings-Lions) I expect to net 60+ points: Nick Mullens, Bijan Robinson, Breece Hall, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tyler Conklin, Jameson Williams, and the Jets DST.
Why Bijan? He's riskier than a lot of starting RBs, for sure. But I feel like going big, with the understanding that Falcons head coach Arthur Smith might be fired in January. The Falcons have to win these final three games to have an outside shot at the postseason. And their high-priced rookie running back us coming off an eight-touch performance where Atlanta suffered a two-point loss to the anemic Panthers. The week before, Bijan was limited to 10 carries in a four-point loss to the Bucs.
It's inconceivable (to me) that Smith gives Bijan anything less than 18 touches, and it could be 25+. The franchise handed him an explosive offensive playmaker, and he's being utilized as a 1A back despite his team losing by five points or less in their last five defeats. Expect Bijan to be given every opportunity to take over -- to go toe-to-toe with Jonathan Taylor -- in a statement game for him and his nearly eliminated team.
For the three late-afternoon games, I've got Baker Mayfield, Tony Pollard, Roschon Johnson, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, D.J. Moore, Durham Smythe, Calvin Ridley, and the Bears DST. With Chicago playing for 2024, I fully expect Roschon to take an even bigger share of the backfield load. And while I wish I could make room for Rachaad White, the hope is that Baker, Evans, and Godwin can post 55+ combined points, while Moore and Ridley can hit 14+ each. That combination -- plus whatever Pollard, Roschon, Smythe, and the Bears DST deliver -- should be enough to finish in the money.
Good luck today.