My players have blown up the past two weeks -- which would have mattered if I'd made the playoffs. Some of you can relate. Hopefully most of you can't . . . because you're still competing for a title. So if you still have something to play for, here's the most notable fantasy impact for each Sunday team:
Panthers -- Saturday's column: "Will Jalen Coker continue to earn enough targets to be deep-league streamable?" Sunday: While the targets count (5) was half-decent, Coker has not yet (and might never) cement himself as a weekly deep-league streamer.
Cardinals -- Saturday's column: "Kyler Murray has career-lows in targets per game and carries per game. But he's averaging a career-high 7.2 yards per carry. Is he doing a better job picking and choosing optimal moments to run? Or is there untapped upside?" Sunday: Murray had a robust 8-63-1 rushing line. This is why he was relevant. Let's see if it continues.
Commanders -- Saturday's column: "A potential statement game for Jayden Daniels, who mustered only 13.4 fantasy points in his first matchup against Philly." Sunday: What a performance. Congrats to those who invested in him in re-draft and especially in dynasty.
Eagles -- Jalen Hurts' concussion would have a humongous impact on fantasy managers if he's inactive for the all-important Week 17.
Jets -- Saturday's column: "Is it at all possible that Isaiah Davis is the better dynasty stash than Braelon Allen?" Sunday: Another step forward for Davis, and a step back for Allen.
Rams -- Saturday's column: "How will Cooper Kupp respond after his zero-target outing?" Sunday: Not well, and particularly surprising given how L.A. essentially has been in win-or-go-home mode.
Colts -- Saturday's column: "Anthony Richardson scored more fantasy points in Weeks 11, 12, 13, and 15 than he did in any of his previous five games. Is he turning a corner?" Sunday: Another very solid outing, despite attempting only 11 passes.
Titans -- Saturday's column: "What impact, if any, will Mason Rudolph have on this offense?" Sunday: Fantasy-wise, not much to write home about. But at least he was able to feed two receivers (and almost a third).
Bengals -- Saturday's column: "Four seemingly obvious must-start options, so nothing notable to share/ask. But Ja'Marr Chase is on pace to have one of the best fantasy WR campaigns in history." Sunday: Another elite WR1 performance for (perhaps) the #1 WR in dynasty.
Browns -- Saturday's column: "Will this offense mostly shut down with Dorian Thompson-Robinson at the helm?" Sunday: Mostly. A troubling (and not surprising) development, forcing some managers to struggle with sit/start decisions.
Bears -- Saturday's column: "Who will lead this WR corps, and is there room for more than one wideout to be relevant?" Sunday: Keenan Allen has been on fire four of the past five weeks, and a massive target share hasn't hurt.
Lions -- Saturday's column: "How much more work will Jahmyr Gibbs get, or will Detroit play it safe?" Sunday: 27 touches. For those who have their championship in Week 18, the only question is whether Detroit will rest their starters.
Falcons -- Saturday's column: "Michael Penix's debut. A lot could go right, and a lot could go wrong." Sunday: Had Kirk Cousins remained under center, he almost certainly would have done as well, if not better. But that's not the point. For one game, Penix proved he belongs. If Drake London's injury isn't serious, Penix should have a pretty good floor in Week 17.
Giants -- Saturday's column: "Tyrone Tracy has run relatively poorly the past three weeks. A blip or a rookie wall?" Sunday: I picked a bad week to recommend benching the rookie RB, thanks almost entirely to his first TD reception. To take the next step, he'll need (a) a better Giants QB, (b) more volume, and (c) a return to his early-season efficiency, or at least something close to it.
Seahawks -- Saturday's column: "Is D.K. Metcalf still startable? He's cleared 10.6 fantasy points only twice in his last eight contests." Sunday: Metcalf finally broke through, and yet was significantly outplayed by Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The pecking order seems as clear as ever.
Vikings -- Saturday's column: "T.J. Hockenson hasn't scored in seven outings this year, which is a statistical oddity, especially considering Minnesota's averaged 25.9 points per game during that stretch." Sunday: Another quiet day, and still no scores on the season.
Dolphins -- Saturday's column: "Is sixth-round rookie Malik Washington at all streamable?" Sunday: In theory, yes. He was #2 in targets among Miami WRs. But clearly he's only a desperation play in Week 17 if Jaylen Waddle remains out.
49ers -- Saturday's column: "Is Deebo Samuel droppable at this point?" Sunday: Finally. It took a decimation of San Fran's backfield for the team to commit more fully to their formerly productive playmaker. His outburst will cause headaches for managers trying to decide if he can be trusted next week.
Raiders -- Somehow, Ameer Abdullah and Alexander Mattison both got it done. Did not think that was realistically possible.
Jaguars -- Saturday's column: "Travis Etienne vs. Tank Bigsby, possibly for the final week of the season." Sunday: Bigsby won the battle, but also lost a fumble -- the third of his brief career. Something to keep tabs on heading into next weekend.
Bills -- Saturday's column: "Is talented TE Dalton Kincaid a breakout candidate after co-leading Buffalo with seven targets in Week 15?" Sunday: He led Buffalo with seven targets, yet couldn't get much going. He is arguably the most talented underperforming TE. The 2023 first-round draft pick will be undervalued heading into 2025.
Patriots -- Saturday's column: "Demario Douglas is still clinging to semi-relevance." Sunday: Kayshon Boutte is making a play for the #1 WR role.
Cowboys -- Saturday's column: "As with previous weeks, how much can/should we trust Cooper Rush?" Sunday: Entirely adequate, which is probably good enough for QB-needy managers
Buccaneers -- Saturday's column: "For the 11th or 12th time, Bucky Irving versus Rachaad White" Sunday: White lost his eighth fumble in three seasons, but managed to hit double-digits thanks to a co-team-leading eight targets. And Irving once again looked like the better all-around RB.
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