Best Kick Game: Jarvis Landry "Black Panther", Adam Thielen "Alex Trebek", Alvin Kamara Christmas, Cam Jordan "Merry New Year"
Whether it's a charitable #MyCauseMyCleats design, a festive yuletide treat, or a tribute to a fallen hero, NFL players love lacing up fancy cleats to the beat of their own drum. The kick game offers a place for player creativity to shine on-field, making this category rather competitive amongst meticulous, fashionable athletes.
Winner: Jarvis Landry "Black Panther"
The swift, relentless losses felt in 2020 echoed throughout the NFL all season.
While Kobe & Gianna's' deaths shocked and shook us to our cores, there was another cultural icon lost last year: Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman.
That's why this year's winner of Best Cleats goes to Jarvis Landry's touching tribute to Boseman. The high-quality artwork captured the real-life Black superhero who inspired a generation.
Best Flow: Cam Newton, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jamie Gillan
Aura, swag, flow—whatever you call it, some players possess a certain je ne sais quoi that amplifies their confidence. Whether it's Cam's riveting red carpet look or that iconic outfit that defined an era of Fitzmagic, here are three guys who've got a flow that swept up the league this year.
Winner: Jamie Gillan
While Fitz and Cam are well-known for their off-field flow, Browns punter Jamie Gillan was our dark horse because he deserves to be known for those luscious locks.
What adds to Gillan's coolness is the fact that the native Scotsman and former rugby player is known as "The Scottish Hammer," reinvigorating the allure of athlete nicknames.
While punters often remain unknown, Gillan's Braveheart vibes didn't go unnoticed.
The Golden Thumbs: Quandre Diggs, Stefon Diggs, Tom Brady
Everyone's got a Twitter these days, but some do it better than others. From Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs speaking his truth or Tom Brady making self-deprecating memes, the Twittersphere had a lot of gold to work with in this category, allowing us to forge a crown worthy of any Twitter king.
Winner: Tom Brady
TB12 is the GOAT squared: the Greatest Of All Time is also The Greatest Of All Twitter.
To be fair, Tom doesn't exactly run his own Twitter: the branding king has an entire creative team develop content for him.
It's actually pretty cool: Shadow Lion was founded in 2017 to support Tom Brady's off-field media efforts. Since then, they've built an impressive NFL clientele, including Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Ramsey and others.
So if you see Tom's perfectly-manicured content, now you know who's behind it, and why everyone is jumping on the Brady social bandwagon.
Baby Yoda Award: Justin Herbert, Justin Jefferson, Chase Young
The Yoda/Baby Yoda Super Bowl meme created a perfect analogy to the rookie stunners in the league: learning how to wield "The Force", these young twentysomethings broke league records and changed their franchises for the better. For that, we honor them with the Baby Yoda moniker.
Winner: Justin Jefferson
While Chase Young and Justin Herbert were visibly recognized for their spectacular rookie campaigns, we believed that record-holder Justin Jefferson deserved our Baby Yoda award for becoming the closest thing the Vikings have had to Randy Moss since… Randy Moss.
His inaugural 1,400-yard season set the record for most yards in a rookie season, meaning Jefferson has made history months after setting foot in US Bank Stadium.
As OG Yoda might say, "From this one, great things we expect."
Best TD Celly: Aaron Rodgers "Key & Peele", Colts "Soul Train", Melvin Gordon "Drumline", Kirk Cousins "Griddy"
You don't have to be a football fan to appreciate the beauty of the touchdown dance. While choreographed team-centric celebrations have taken the league by storm, so have dance trends like The Griddy. Whatever the celebration, it's clear that these nominees could easily grace Dancing With The Stars like Von and Antonio did.
Still proud that The Griddy originated in @aryannaprasad’s home state of Louisiana, and still laughing at Kirk Cous… https://t.co/2wA1LmYFc3— FindBet.com (@FindBet.com) 1615071760.0
Winner: Kirk Cousins "Griddy"
This was our most disputed category this year—it's hard to pick a favorite amongst the hand sanitizing, the Soul Trains, and the Key & Peele double-pump. Here's a hint as to who won: our Baby Yoda was a part of it!This year's Best TD Celly had to go to the biggest trend sweeping NFL locker rooms, all the way from a New Orleans high school: this year was the year of the Gritty. The Gritty traveled from New Orleans to LSU all the way up to Minnesota, where Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and Kirk Cousins had their own iterations. While Southerners did it best, Cousins had the most memorable when he tried—and failed—to get off his Gritty.
Butt Fumble Lifetime Achievement Award: Daniel Jones, Todd Gurley
Getting posterized isn't just in basketball—there are plenty of embarrassing moments that live in infamy amongst NFL fans (just as Mark "Butt Fumble" Sanchez). A few images that stuck with us this season include Todd Gurley's accidental roll into the endzone, eventually resulting in another Falcons loss, and Daniel Jones' self-induced trip that reminds us he is truly Eli's successor.
Winner: Todd Gurley
It's hard to follow up Mark Sanchez' iconic blunder, but the Falcons have had their fair share of Butt Fumble moments since, ironically, the best offensive season we've ever seen.
In their Week 7 matchup against the Detroit Lions, the Falcons were in the red zone with 1:04 minutes to spare. All they had to do was run down the clock, kick a field goal, and the game was over.
But then Todd Gurley accidentally scored a touchdown. Oops.
With one minute left, a criminally underrated Matt Stafford answered with a touchdown of their own, giving this win to the Lions and another shameful moment in Falcons history.
Best Beef: Vrabel vs. Harbaugh, Tate vs. Ramsey
A gritty battle of brawn, sometimes the heat between NFL enemies escalates from chippy shoulder shoves to a full-out brawl. Whether it's coaches screaming about logos or players fighting over family honor, the contenders for Best Beef was the stuff of reality tv legend.
Winner: Golden Tate & Jalen Ramsey, Week 4
What's beef?
Beef is when helmets clash in the streets
Beef is when flying fists start to meet
Beef is when I see you
Guaranteed to be in I-C-U
The lyrics may be modified, but Biggie's classic "Life After Death" diss track explains it perfectly: beef is when the feud follows you wherever you go.
That's exactly what happened to the winners of this year's Best Beef, Golden Tate and Jalen Ramsey. Their fisticuffs dust-up during—and after—a Week 4 matchup between the Rams and the Giants was a family affair, but not in the way you might expect.
You see, Ramsey used to date Tate's younger sister, Breanna. But when Breanna became pregnant with Ramsey's child, he left her high and dry... right in the middle of her pregnancy.
Golden didn't take kindly to that, so when he had the chance to pummel Ramsey, he did.
The two might win Best Beef, but Aryanna thinks Golden deserves a Brother Of The Year award as well. And while we're at it, maybe we'll give Ramsey Worst Boyfriend Of The Century.
Big Man On Campus (BMOC) Award: Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen
In the Merriam Webster dictionary, a "big man on campus" is defined as an old-fashioned way of describing "an important and well-known person, especially at a school." The example sentence illustrates why our three BMOC, or MVP, nominees are QBs: "The quarterback of the football team is a real big man on campus." Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen all stunned the league in different ways this year, illustrating that they were truly Big MOCs in the NFL game.
Winner: Aaron Rodgers
Another MVP season, a whirlwind romance with Shailene Woodley: it seems like Aaron Rodgers definitely had a better 2020 than the rest of us.
But strictly speaking football, the esteemed Packers QB had the most consistently great quarterback season in the league. Building a rapport with Adams and bringing his team to a dominant 13-3, Rodgers stunned us once more with deep aerial shots launched from a cannon of an arm. Sorry Mahomes and Allen—this pasture of GOATs isn't quite finished grazing the field yet.
Excellence In Breakdowns: Falcons/Cowboys game, Raiders loss to Dolphins, Chargers for 4 straight losses
If there's anything you don't want to excel in as a professional athlete, it's losing. And while everyone eventually loses (we still haven't seen an undefeated SuperBowl team!), some teams are better at blowing a lead than others. From the notorious Falcons franchise to four straight losses for the still-cursed Chargers, here are a few teams that are frustratingly excellent at letting go in crunch time.
Winner: Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys, Week 2
Ever since that blown 28-3 Super Bowl, the Falcons have perfected the art of blowing the lead.
While there were some excellent contenders this year, the Falcons' 39-40 loss to the Cowboys in Week 2 won out as most dysfunctional.
To put it in perspective, the Falcons ended the first quarter with a 20-point lead. Yeah, it was that bad of a breakdown.
Fantasy MVP Award: Dalvin Cook, Derrick Henry, Davante Adams
While football is a team sport, it's important to acknowledge the individual successes of remarkable players who had record numbers—especially when they played for your fantasy football team. From Derrick Henry's 2,000-yard season to a Davante Adams/Aaron Rodgers rapport that Rodgers believes merits a HOF nod, here are the MVP candidates of your fantasy football league.
Winner: Davante Adams
Alongside the BMOC is a guy you either hate because you didn't have him or love because you did: it's fantasy football destroyer Davante Adams.
If fantasy was a game of Battleship, Adams would find all of your opponents and blow up their spot with his unrivaled receiving stats. With 115 catches for over 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns, Adams either saved or sank your season, and he certainly helped Rodgers reach the NFC Championship.
Mr. Miagi Award: Kevin Stefanski, Sean McDermott, Brian Flores
A ubiquitous pop culture reference, any "Mr. Miagi" is a wise teacher that guides an underdog to powerful victory. For the Browns, Bills and Dolphins, they have recent head coaches to thank for markedly increased success in recent years, making Stefanski, McDermott and Flores all likely candidates as the NFL's latest Mr. Miagi.
Winner: Sean McDermott
Sean McDermott brought one of the NFL's biggest underdogs all the way to the AFC Championship in just 3 years. That alone deserves a trophy, but it's been a steady ascent for the Bills since McDermott joined them in 2017.
The way that McDermott has been able to build a threatening pass attack with Josh Allen, Stephon Diggs and an underrated Cole Beasley is difficult to put into words, but the cheers from Bill's Mafia this offseason captured it perfectly: finally, a 25-year drought has been put to rest.
That's all we have for this year's awards, but we'd like to thank you for sharing your NFL season with us at Findbet—it's truly been an honor.
Be sure to tune into our awards broadcast as well as our Awards Show Afterparty live on Saturday, March 6th at 7pm EST on Findbet and Popdust channels.
Win or lose, you need that JuJu TikTok energy as you head into the championship round.
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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.
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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
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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
David Montgomery may just carry your team to first place after Week 15.
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Antonio Brown
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) runs the ball against the defense of Kansas City Chiefs free safety Juan Thornhill (22) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium.© Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
When Antonio Brown became a fantasy factor in Week 9, fantasy managers who stashed him early thought their golden egg would hatch soon enough. While there's still a chance to cash in on this investment in Week 15 against the Falcons, the fact is that Brown has been closer to gooseggs than golden ones. In his five weeks of play, he's gotten 25 total receptions, but he hasn't been the number one overall pick he once was in 2017. He might be one of Brady's favorite targets, but so are Mike Evans, Gronk and apparently Scotty Miller.
Good stuff from @NFLSTROUD, which echoes some of the things I pointed out last week here: https://t.co/hlaNbGeBw2 https://t.co/1A1GjgmTcN— Luke Easterling (@Luke Easterling) 1608135839.0
Ezekiel Elliott
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) signs to Ohio State fans after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020.© Sam Greene via Imagn Content Services, LLC
In Week 8, I suggested dropping Ezekiel Elliott, which would have been a fantasy faux pas in any year before 2020. If you kept Elliott, you enjoyed his 18-point game against the Vikings, but every other start has been a disappointment for the former fantasy first-rounder. Recovering from a calf injury, Elliott split carries with Tony Pollard this week and converted 12 carries into a measly 48 yards. Hurt as he heads into a matchup against the fourth best NFL run defense, things look sour for Elliott in Week 15. Consider starting someone else if possible, like David Montgomery, D'Andre Swift, or Melvin Gordon.
A lot of people in the @FFToday facebook group are saying Ezekiel Elliott is the biggest bust of 2020, but he was a… https://t.co/PyZ8PjvPQz— Chris Paul Towers (@Chris Paul Towers) 1608135875.0
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David Montgomery
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field.© Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
A skyrocketing fantasy star since the bye, David Montgomery is everything you wanted this Bears running back to be. In the last three games, Montgomery has notched nearly 400 yards and four touchdowns, and the trend will likely continue against the Vikings this week. Montgomery is in set-it-and-forget-it territory for the rest of playoffs, so keep him locked in your lineup as long as you last.
Good morning, David Montgomery is a top 10 RB🚨 https://t.co/T7pRNxUVtu— DaWindyCity Productions (@DaWindyCity Productions) 1608136647.0
D'Andre Swift
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (L) celebrates with wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (R) after scoring a rushing touchdown during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field.© Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
After a three-week absence, D'Andre Swift is back, and he's here to lead the Lions running back committee without question. Unlike other NFL RB committees (hello San Francisco), the Lions have their committee order in check, meaning Swift is a sure thing when he's healthy. Although he only managed seven carries for 24 yards, a touchdown saved Swift fantasy owners last week, redeeming his value as a playoff-level player. Facing a weak Titans run defense this week, Swift could get even more work if Stafford is injured in Week 15.
@MikeClayNFL Check down city! Man, D'Andre Swift is gonna feast this weekend!— Chris boughman (@Chris boughman) 1608059597.0
Emmanuel Sanders
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (17) prior to kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.© Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Drew Brees, or not Drew Brees—that is the question in Week 15.
Whether Drew breezes back for a surefire shootout against the Chiefs or not, it looks like veteran Emmanuel Sanders will get work no matter what. Disappointingly spotty all season, Sanders has produced decent numbers as a flex option, but Week 15 provides a great matchup for someone Taysom Hill has been targeting as well. Although a touchdown saved him last week, Sanders stands to get some catches this week—after all, he's gotten at least three in the past four games.
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Chad Hansen
Houston Texans wide receiver Chad Hansen (17) makes a catch against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field.© Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Another benefactor of a decimated roster, Chad Hansen has swooped in to catch Deshaun Watson's bombs just in time for playoffs. Promoted from the practice squad in Week 13, Hansen has scored 12 catches for 157 yards over the past two weeks. While he's been relegated back to the practice squad as of Monday, it's likely that he could return in Week 15. Upgraded or not, he's worth stashing for the next two weeks just in case. If you're not confident in Hansen, Keke Coutee is the only other Houston receiving option unless Brandin Cooks returns.
For those needing to dig deep, the Texans' Chad Hansen could be a viable flex option based on his recent target sha… https://t.co/YJzOYhRK8p— Athlon Sports (@Athlon Sports) 1608136800.0
Russell Gage
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage (83) is unable to catch a pass against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.© Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Julio is out, Calvin and Russell are in.
While Calvin Ridley is a definite play as the seventh overall fantasy receiver, fellow Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage is available in 85 percent of ESPN leagues. Gage's week went particularly well because he threw a 39-yard touchdown to Calvin Ridley, but he still has a prime matchup against a Tampa Bay defense that's given up the ninth most yards all season. Although the Buccaneers have talented safeties, Gage's position as WR2 positions him to get solid volume in Week 15.
🚨RECOMENDACIONES WAIVERS WIDE RECEIVERS: • Russell Gage – Falcons (92.4% disponibilidad) • Nelson Agholor – Raide… https://t.co/bzNjxo2thF— The Holy Roller (@The Holy Roller) 1608079857.0
Tim Patrick
Denver Broncos wide receicver Tim Patrick (81) on the sidelines in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium.© Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Fantasy is always a gamble, but there are still sure bets on waivers that deliver on their promise. That was Tim Patrick this season: I suggested picking him up in Week 7, and here he is in the playoffs, averagng 10.2 points per game at the 35th overall receiver. Miraculously, Patrick is still available in 77 percent of ESPN leagues, which is surprising for Denver's most consistent red zone target. Sure, they actually played an NFL game without a quarterback, but Patrick and Melvin Gordon might be the most stable aspects of this shaky offense. Ignore the noise and pick up Patrick if he's still available in your league for Week 15.
@BrandonKobe_ It’s between Nelson, Cole Beasley or Tim Patrick. Tim been eating on my bench all year but I’m just too scared to play em lol— W O R T H ¥ (@W O R T H ¥) 1608137759.0
Rashard Higgins
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) and Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) celebrate after a touchdown during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.© Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
We've all been waiting for Rashard Higgins to live up to his fantasy potential: I've been waiting since Week 8, and Yahoo Sports' Matt Harmon has been waiting for forever, apparently.
Logging on for the 10th season in a row to fulfill my annual duty of declaring Rashard Higgins a must-add in fantasy https://t.co/xesz8AMwjB— Matt Harmon (@Matt Harmon) 1603820284.0
Higgins may have finally arrived in time for playoffs this year: he's gotten six catches and a touchdown in each of his past two games. On a playoff-bound Browns team, Higgins is likely to get some work against the New York Giants in Week 15.
SoFi Stadium is reflected in the visor of Chicago Bears wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson during pregame warmups before playing the Los Angeles Rams.
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Bears D/ST
Detroit Lions wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) makes a catch in front of Chicago Bears inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) during the second half at Soldier Field.Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The fantasy player that gets overlooked all season, D/STs can make all the difference in a team's success, especially during playoffs.
While many teams tend to set and forget their defenses for the season, streaming is something to consider this week—especially if you have the Bears.
The Bears are currently the 16th-ranked D/ST because they've had fantastic games against the Giants, the Panthers, the Rams and the Vikings. Every other week was a letdown, especially the past two weeks, where they scored a cumulative -6 against divisional rivals.
While the Texans may seem to be a tantalizing option, Deshaun Watson has come into his own as of late, so it's likely that Houston's Houdini will have a high-scoring game.
Potential streaming options include the Chiefs vs. Miami, the 49ers vs. Washington, and the Cardinals vs. Giants.
Update: I am so glad I decided to keep T.Y. Hilton in over Mooney. I am so glad as well that my COO decided to ride… https://t.co/PC0JYKMM51— Justin (@Justin) 1607294549.0
Travis Fulgham
Cleveland Browns cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Travis Fulgham (13) go for a pass in the end zone during the second half at FirstEnergy StadiumScott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
In Week 14, it finally happened: The Eagles are starting unproven rookie Jalen Hurts over (almost) 2018 NFL MVP Carson Wentz.
Wentz has been historically bad as a passer this season; and at this point, the entire Eagles offense remains volatile for fantasy managers. Even though Travis Fulgham hasn't scored more than five total points since Week 10, he's still owned in over half of ESPN leagues.
While Fulgham and others could benefit from a change at QB, Fulgham's production dropoff combined with Hurts's rookie status equals an unsavory gamble against a 10-2 New Orleans Saints.
So they’ll finally start Travis Fulgham without WENTZ😔 I’m gonna love/hate this game on Sunday😩… https://t.co/boCrthrH9s— Aaron Moore (@Aaron Moore) 1607553618.0
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Matthew Stafford
Houston Texans linebacker Nate Hall (48) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field.Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
It's the moment we've all been waiting for: It's finally Matt Stafford SZN.
Perhaps the unluckiest guy who can seriously sling the pigskin, Matt Stafford has had the unfortunate luck of being drafted by the Detroit Lions. Like Megatron before him and Barry Sanders before him, Stafford is the last in a line of talented footballers who couldn't carry a losing franchise on their shoulders. Well, maybe not until Matt Patricia got fired.
With the Patricia Experiment finally over in Detroit, interim head coach Darrell Bevell had new plans for the Lions QB on Sunday that included 402 yards and 3 passing touchdowns against the Bears.
Scoring 19 points against the Packers in Week 2, the 12-year veteran could pick apart a Packers defense that hasn't been particularly strong. Who knows—Stafford could even build further chemistry with Quintez Cephus, a receiver you'll want to scoop up on waivers this week.
#49ers' offense would rival Chiefs' with Matthew Stafford at the helm, says @DCarr8 https://t.co/xnuKtzi8O6— 49ers Webzone (@49ers Webzone) 1607552446.0
J.D. McKissic
Washington Football Team running back J.D. McKissic (41) carries the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at FedExField.Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
A deserving ROTY candidate, Antonio Gibson was set to power fantasy managers through playoffs until he was sidelined in Week 13 with what's commonly known as "turf toe."
Despite this, the Washington Team managed to be the first to bring down the undefeated Steelers in a surprise win this week. If Washington can beat the Steelers without Gibson, perhaps you can still win Gibson-less in Week 14.
If you're looking to replace him, your options are the pass-catching J.D. McKissic and the barreling Peyton Barber. McKissick is preferred after a ten reception, 70-yard game, but Barber is someone to pluck from the waiver wire. After McKissic's success against a vaunted NFL defense, consider popping him in your lineup for Week 14.
#49ers' offense would rival Chiefs' with Matthew Stafford at the helm, says @DCarr8 https://t.co/xnuKtzi8O6— 49ers Webzone (@49ers Webzone) 1607552446.0
Cole Beasley
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
In Week 5, I told fantasy managers to pick up Cole Beasley. Were you one of them?
If so, you're probably thanking your stars that the wideout is coming through just in time for playoffs. After a nine-catch, 130-yard game, Beasley is living his best life up in Buffalo, working alongside Stefon Diggs for one of the NFL's top passing games. Considering the fact that the Bills haven't been heavy on the run, count on Beasley to get a decent amount of looks and make them count. An ironclad Steelers defense will make it difficult to replicate Week 13, yet Beasley could still be the preferred option on your team this week.
DO NOT sleep on Cole Beasley this season: ▪️More yards than A.J. Brown ▪️More rec than D.K. Metcalf ▪️More yards p… https://t.co/1yuxt5Q1Bl— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) 1607526596.0
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Cam Akers & Darrell Henderson Jr.
Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (23) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at State Farm Stadium.Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Here's an existential question for you: Which Rams RB is going to be the winner in Week 14?
While no one seems to have a clear answer, both Akers and Henderson are widely available in leagues, which means it's not a bad idea to grab who you can get before they play New England.
Akers surprised everyone with 21 carries for 72 yards, a touchdown and a 22-yard reception—he's definitely a fantasy talent, it's just difficult to know who eats in a three-RB committee. While Henderson only had three carries, he made the most of it with a 38-yard touchdown run against the Cardinals, giving him almost as many points as Akers.
In Week 13, Akers easily got the lion's share of carries, making him the back you may want to back if you're weak at RB. Considering that he's available in about 64 percent of ESPN leagues, he may be the best available bet for an emergency playoff pickup.
The #Rams have removed rookie running back Cam Akers from the team’s injury report. #FantasyFootball https://t.co/bVv7FlhHOU— Cash Flow Sports (@Cash Flow Sports) 1607554666.0
T.Y. Hilton
T.Y. Hilton (13) of the Indianapolis Colts looks for a touchdown pass that was a little too far.Robert Scheer/IndyStar via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Owning T.Y. Hilton is kind of like owning Christian McCaffrey: He's been a fantasy non-starter all season, but he's finally back and ready to play just in time for playoffs.
While McCaffrey was sidelined by injury, Hilton has just been bad. In fact, he's been so bad this season that his grandma told him that the person she saw on television "wasn't her grand baby." That was in Week 2.
It took Hilton ten more weeks to score over 80 yards and a touchdown in two consecutive games, but it looks like the former star is shining again on the Colts offense. He's still available in 53 percent of ESPN leagues, so snag him before they take on the Las Vegas Raiders this week.
Make sure to tune into another great NFL Film Room with Lawrence Owen (@Colts_Law) as this week he looks at the eve… https://t.co/2vIEBIxgCm— SportsCastr (@SportsCastr) 1607554449.0
Quintez Cephus
Detroit Lions receiver Quintez Cephus tries to make a catch against Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller during the second half at Ford Field.Junfu Han via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Another benefactor of a surging Lions offense, Quintez Cephus is probably a name you hadn't heard until he snuck a 49-yard touchdown past an All-Pro cornerback this weekend.
There's not much else to say about this rookie receiver, who hasn't gotten more than four targets per game aside from the season opener against Chicago. Playing against a 15th-ranked defense from Wisconsin, the Lions are expected to pass to keep up with Aaron Rodgers.
If Matthew is cooking, Quintez could be a part of that new offensive recipe, especially if Kenny Golladay is still slated to miss time in Week 14.
#WednesdayWrapup: Quintez Cephus In Sunday’s win over the Bears, @QoDeep_87 saw action on offense where he had two… https://t.co/5zAnvksppS— NFL Badgers (@NFL Badgers) 1607526306.0
ADDITIONAL WARNING: If you're anything like me, you're probably tempted by the enigmatic potential that is Cordarelle Patterson, but let's be honest: You know why he's still on waivers. Best to leave him there unless you're willing to bet he can make his infamous kick return.
SoFi Stadium is reflected in the visor of Chicago Bears wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson during pregame warmups before playing the Los Angeles Rams.Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports