I expected Baltimore to put its playoff fate on Derrick Henry's shoulders, but didn't expect it to work. What an historic performance, and what a boon for managers who drafted a 31-year-old hoping he'd have at least one more great season. For a while it didn't look good; from Week 2 thru 10, he netted more than 14 fantasy points only once. But a late-season charge -- leading to last night's 35-touch obliteration of Green Bay -- has Henry (for now) in the top 8 for the sixth time in his past seven campaigns.
It's also fascinating that the three most experienced QBs were pretty much unstartable (if you need more than 15 points from this position), while Malik Willis crushed it in only his sixth career start.
If you need a deep flier in today's games (in other words, guys you wouldn't normally consider starting), my favorites at each position are Geno Smith, Isaiah Davis, Tre Tucker, Michael Mayer. Wait, what? Three Raiders? The opposing 2-13 Giants are giving up the fourth-most QB fantasy points and are tied for the second-fewest interceptions (six). The only team with fewer is the Jets, which are on track to become the first NFL team to record zero picks in a season. Incredible.
Vegas has scored the league's fewest points. It would seem a bit insane to rest one's fantasy title hopes on any Raider except Ashton Jeanty. But that's how I see it.
I'll be on the road for a few hours leading up to the first kickoffs. So jump in as always if you want to respond to a comment.
Good luck today.
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