Baker Mayfield said the playoffs are the new "standard" for Cleveland and he keeps raising the bar
(2) Buffalo 27 - (7) Indianapolis 24
Game MVP: Josh Allen
Josh Allen has ascended to the elite tier of NFL QBsJames P. McCoy/Buffalo News
The Colts and Bills kicked off the playoffs in the first game of the weekend, and it didn't disappoint. Buffalo came away with a 27-24 win and Indianapolis had opportunities in the fourth quarter to score to tie or go ahead. The Bills defense made just enough plays to keep their team ahead as neither offense was able to keep momentum for too long throughout this one. A few costly drops by Colts receivers prevented the team from extending some promising drives and ultimately attributed towards their offense falling flat.
As for Buffalo, we saw a healthy dose of what got them there in the first place: Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs. Allen and Diggs hooked up for 6 receptions and 128 yards including a decisive fourth quarter touchdown that helped the Bills to the win. Allen ended the day with 324 yards passing to go along with two passing touchdowns and also picked up 54 yards rushing and another touchdown on the ground. Another MVP caliber performance from a dark horse candidate to take home the award this season.
Buffalo will get Lamar Jackson and the Ravens next round and will see a much different style of offense than the Philip Rivers led Colts. Lamar, or Big Truss as some call him, is starting to play closer to the MVP-level we saw out of him last year, and that could spell disaster for the Bills Mafia on their Cinderella run. Baltimore loves to run with both Jackson and their talented rookie back J.K. Dobbins, and a key for Buffalo should be establishing their rushing attack to prevent Baltimore from being able to control the pace of the game.
If Baltimore gets their run attack going, and the Bills have a few three-and-outs early in the game, Buffalo's defense runs the risk of getting gassed out too early, which would allow Lamar to run all over them in the second half. Zack Moss and Devin Singletary only had 10 combined carries in the game against the Colts, which should increase next week against the Ravens.
(6) Los Angeles 30 - (3) Seattle 20
Game MVP: Darious Williams
Darious Williams came up with a pick-six in the Rams upset WWally Skalij/Los Angeles Times
The Rams weren't given much of a chance in this game. With John Wolford having to start the game and then exit early with an injury, it forced Jared Goff into the game despite recovering from a broken thumb on his throwing hand. Wolford left with a neck injury and was brought to the hospital but thankfully has since been released. Neither of the quarterbacks were particularly effective, but Goff managed to hit Robert Woods late in the game for a 15 yard score to put the game out of reach.
It was Cam Akers who stepped up for his ailing QBs, as he amassed 131 yards on the ground, 45 yards on two catches, and a touchdown on the day. Russell Wilson again looked very average and was only able to post 174 yards passing in this must-win game. Wilson threw for two touchdowns but also had a pass intercepted and brought back for a touchdown by Darious Williams in the second quarter. Chris Carson did his job for Seattle, averaging 4.8 yards per carry while finishing with 77 yards on the ground.
Sean McVay's Rams will draw the top seed in the NFC next round in the form of the Green Bay Packers. At least Goff will have another week to nurse his thumb, but unless he's able to throw downfield more effectively against Green Bay, the Rams could struggle to keep pace with one of the league's highest scoring offenses.
(5) Tampa Bay 31 - (4) Washington 23
Game MVP: Tom Brady
Tom Brady continues his winning ways in the playoffs with TampaBrad Mills/USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay came into this game the heavy favorites against Washington. On last week's episode of FindBet's podcast The Catch, The Catch,we discussed how we thought the Football Team would put up a better fight than one might think. Behind the play of backup QB Taylor Heinicke, Washington was never out of the game until the closing moments. Although Brady and the Bucs will head to New Orleans for a duel with the Saints, an interesting storyline will be if Heinicke has played himself into consideration to enter the 2021 regular season as the Football Team's starting quarterback.
Washington has a few young core players in Terry McLaurin, Antonio Gibson, and Cam Sims on the offensive side of the ball and are really just needing a consistent presence at quarterback to solidify their attack. Already boasting one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL, the Football Team could take a big jump next year if they're able to build on the foundation they have begun to lay under Ron Rivera.
As for the Buccaneers, it shouldn't be understated that they went into Washington and took care of their business. It's not as if they overlooked Washington, but let's be real, Brady had Drew Brees and the Saints in his peripheral as he was staring down Chase Young during this game. TB12 is looking very comfortable in Bruce Arians's offense at this point in the season and has been able to successfully utilize any combination of the weapons at his disposal to result in victories throughout the season.
As they figure out how to best implement and deploy the talents of Antonio Brown, the Bucs have the look and feel of a Lamborghini roaring down an open highway. The only problem with a sports car going at exceeding speeds is that a little speed bump could cause a wreck. A healthy Michael Thomas and Drew Brees to pair with Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray awaits Tampa, and that's a big speed bump.
There has never been anyone better at winning playoff games than Tom Brady, and this is probably the most talented offense he's played with during his 20 year career. The Bucs got a strong performance from Leonard Fournette against Washington, as they saw him rack up 93 yards on the ground with a touchdown and added 39 yards on four catches.
Tampa will surely need a similar day from their rushing attack against New Orleans as Sean Payton will probably be sending blitzers to disrupt Tom Brady and try to slow down their passing attack. The Bucs would greatly benefit from a healthy performance from Fournette or Ronald Jones to help them come out on top next round.
Win or lose, you need that JuJu TikTok energy as you head into the championship round.
Drop
Wayne Gallman
New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman (22) stiff-arms Cleveland Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) in the second half.Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC
While the Giants record has slowly been getting better as the season goes on, their options at running back seem to be dwindling. Many lost a first round pick with Saquon's early-season ACL tear, then lost backup Devonta Freeman to an ankle injury and COVID precautions. That left Wayne Gallman, Alfred Morris, and Dion Lewis to split carries.
While Gallman has been a must-start since Week 7, this Giants mysteriously sat him in the second half in favor of Alfred Morris. Gallman only got 9 carries for 29 yards, and if there's any question about his production in Week 16 against Baltimore, he may have to sit this one out.
Good Morning, my name is Amr, and I played Juju, Wayne Gallman, and Dallas Goedert in my Semi-Finals over JD McKiss… https://t.co/e6N7vH0hGH— Amr Gabr (@Amr Gabr) 1608644365.0
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) warms up before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
JuJu is not a bad player, but he's brought about a nasty superstition of sorts that may have cost the Steelers their last two games. See, JuJu decided to dance on the Bills logo for the gram (or in this case, the TikTok), a move that's seen as disrespectful amongst athletes.
Noting that it gave them extra motivation in their 26-15 win, the Bills made it clear that JuJu's moves brought the Steelers bad juju. Going against the grain, Smith-Schuster decided that "being yourself" was the best thing for the team, and the Bengals definitely targeted him for it: he had one fantasy point this week. Whether Juju dances or not, it may be wise to sit him against a stingy Colts secondary this week for the championship game.
Pop
J.D. McKissic
Washington Football Team running back J.D. McKissic (41) carries the ball as Seattle Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (37) defends during the second half at FedExField.Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
With Gibson out and Washington making a play for an NFC East playoff spot, J.D. McKissic has stepped up as someone to pop into the final round of playoffs. He's coming off a revenge game as a former Seahawk with 13 carries for 51 yards and 9 catches for 56 yards and a receiving touchdown. While Washington (narrowly) lost that game, McKissic has emerged as a fantasy winner—and he will likely make you one too after a Week 16 matchup against the Panthers.
2020 RB Target Leaders Alvin Kamara: 102 J.D. McKissic: 92 Mike Davis: 70 Nyheim Hines: 65 Ezekiel Elliott: 63 Cha… https://t.co/siu6CtfZ5A— 4for4 Fantasy Football (@4for4 Fantasy Football) 1608612221.0
Le'Veon Bell
Kansas City Chiefs running back Le'Veon Bell (26) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium.Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Things are finally looking up for this former fantasy first-rounder: after escaping the burning building that is the New York Jets, Bell has been a quiet backup to Clyde Edwards-Helaire on a pass-happy Chiefs offense. However, Edwards-Helaire suffered a hip/leg injury in Week 15, allowing Bell to garner 15 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Bell is currently set to become the Chiefs' bell cow this week with CEH out, creating a tantalizing matchup against a Falcons defense that just gave up over 400 yards.
With Clyde Edwards-Helaire likely sidelined for at least the next couple of weeks, the Chiefs’ running back depth w… https://t.co/flqnv6U0wV— Jordan Foote (@Jordan Foote) 1608650949.0
Robert Woods
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods (17) moves the ball against New York Jets inside linebacker Neville Hewitt (46) during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium.Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Woods is the 11th overall fantasy receiver, so if he's on your roster, he's probably part of why you're here. But it's worth noting that the Rams are coming off a humiliating loss to the Jets as they face a bitter divisional rival in the Seattle Seahawks. Although Woods logged only 5 catches for 33 yards in their last Seahawks showdown, teams are motivated to come back from big losses—even more so against division rivals. As the Rams hunt for a playoff slot, expect Woods to get Top 10 numbers against a giving Seahawks secondary.
Darious Williams, John Johnson, Johnny Hekker and Robert Woods all deserve recognition for the outstanding seasons… https://t.co/1amJbaCipF— Daniel Starkand (@Daniel Starkand) 1608596354.0
Shop
Jalen Hurts
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The only thing hurting this week are Carson's chances of ever returning for the Eagles: Jalen Hurts impressed in a 300+ yard debut, replete with three magnificent touchdowns. There's not much else to say besides Jalen proved he's the real deal (for this season, at least).
QB1 Jalen Hurts showed out with 40.82 FPTS to earn the DraftKings Performance of the Week honors for Week 15, prese… https://t.co/scLSmBS88r— DraftKings (@DraftKings) 1608656721.0
If you can get Hurts, get him before he faces a still-decimated Cowboys secondary. If you can't, pick up fellow comeback kid Marcus Mariota in case Carr doesn't start.
Greg Ward
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Greg Ward (84) celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium.Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
A beneficiary of this rejuvenated offense, Ward was a popular end zone target this week with two touchdowns and 15 fantasy points. Although he only caught 4 catches for 15 yards, he's caught three touchdowns over the past three games. The good news is that he's already building chemistry with Hurts, and as a green quarterback, Hurts will likely get the ball to someone he obviously trusts. Ward remains a touchdown-dependent flex, but he could be worth it in a weak Week 16 game against the Cowboys.
As long as they keep Greg Ward... https://t.co/IyTZCPC0Jo— The People's News (@The People's News) 1608656506.0
Tony Pollard
Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) runs the ball against San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium.Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
It seems like every quality backup running back has been rostered at this point, with the peculiar exception of Tony Pollard. Available in over half of ESPN leagues, Pollard racked up 28 fantasy points with 69 rushing yards, 63 receiving yards, and two rushing touchdowns.
Since the Cowboys are playing the Eagles in Week 16, this stands to be a good fantasy matchup for both teams if they can continue to move their offenses in Week 15 fashion.
We'll see if that is true, but it would be a bombshell considering Jerry Jones took that plunge, then paid Zeke tha… https://t.co/sM1vY8ghzt— WBG84 (@WBG84) 1608657162.0
We'll see if that is true, but it would be a bombshell considering Jerry Jones took that plunge, then paid Zeke tha… https://t.co/sM1vY8ghzt— WBG84 (@WBG84) 1608657162.0
We'll see if that is true, but it would be a bombshell considering Jerry Jones took that plunge, then paid Zeke tha… https://t.co/sM1vY8ghzt— WBG84 (@WBG84) 1608657162.0
