New England Patriots faced off against the Buffalo Bills in a game where the Bills emerged victorious. However, Josh Allen, who had been on a hot streak in the previous two weeks, had a disappointing performance during the fantasy semifinals. Allen struggled to make an impact, managing just 5.3 yards per attempt and failing to score a rushing touchdown for the first time in six games. A defensive touchdown by Buffalo further limited Allen’s fantasy output in the fourth quarter. It was revealed that Allen had been playing with a fractured left hand since Week 1, which may have contributed to his subpar performance. Despite this setback, Allen had performed exceptionally well in the two games prior, totaling 93.2 fantasy points.
James Cook had a standout game, scoring a 46-yard rushing touchdown and adding a receiving touchdown on just 14 touches. Cook has been finding the end zone frequently this season, with 14 rushing touchdowns and 16 total touchdowns in 14 games. While Cook may be due for regression in touchdown production, he continues to thrive in the team’s offensive system.
In the game, Drake Maye showcased his skills by connecting with Kayshon Boutte for a touchdown and leading the Patriots in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Maye demonstrated strong passing accuracy and made plays with his legs, earning a high completion percentage over expectation. Rhamondre Stevenson scored a touchdown but also had ball security issues, tallying his seventh fumble of the season.
Despite a slow start with just 11 yards in the first quarter, the Bills managed to secure the win. They missed out on the opportunity to set an NFL record by scoring 30+ points in nine consecutive games. Amari Cooper had limited involvement in the game, with only two targets resulting in one catch for 10 yards over two games following a game where he had the most air yards.
In another game, the Philadelphia Eagles faced the Washington Commanders, with Jayden Daniels delivering an impressive performance. Daniels became only the third player in NFL history to record five touchdowns and 75 rushing yards in a game. Despite some turnovers by his teammates, Daniels finished as the top fantasy quarterback for the week, leading Washington to victory with a late game-winning touchdown pass.
Olamide Zaccheaus and Terry McLaurin had notable touchdown receptions in the game. Jalen Hurts left the game early due to a concussion, leading to Kenny Pickett taking over at quarterback for the Eagles. Saquon Barkley had a strong showing, surpassing 100 rushing yards and scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter alone. Barkley has been a big-play threat this season, tying the record for most 60+ yard touchdown runs in a season.
Saquon Barkley broke free for a 68-yard touchdown run, putting him closer to breaking Eric Dickerson’s rushing record by just 268 yards. In other news from recent games:
– DeVonta Smith dropped a crucial pass with 2:02 left that would have sealed the game, leading Philadelphia to settle for a field goal instead.
– Jake Elliott finally made a 50-yard field goal after missing his first five attempts.
– CeeDee Lamb briefly left the game with a shoulder injury but returned to nearly score a touchdown.
– Rico Dowdle had a quiet night against a tough defense, with Ezekiel Elliott taking a goal-line touchdown opportunity.
– Cooper Rush had a strong first half but only managed one touchdown pass for the game.
– Brandon Aubrey continued his success with long field goal kicks, making three 50+ yard attempts.
– Baker Mayfield led a late drive for a touchdown but was unable to complete another two-minute drill due to a costly fumble.
– Jalen McMillan saw a potential TD catch turn into an interception in the end zone.
– Bucky Irving had a solid performance, scoring a goal-line touchdown and capturing a large share of rushing attempts.
– Bryce Young had a standout game with both rushing and passing touchdowns, leading the Cardinals to victory.
– Chuba Hubbard ran for over 150 yards and scored a game-winning touchdown in overtime for the Panthers.
– Jalen Coker made a spectacular one-handed catch early but was quiet for the rest of the game.
– James Conner had a strong first half, racking up yards and a touchdown before the game went to halftime.
These were some of the key highlights from recent NFL matchups.
This week’s top fantasy performers were impacted by injuries and inconsistent performances. James Conner was a standout before leaving the game with a knee injury in the third quarter. Michael Carter stepped in as his replacement. Marvin Harrison Jr. struggled once again, showing issues at the catch point. Ladd McConkey’s potential draft position compared to Harrison Jr.’s was questioned. Kyler Murray had a mixed game, salvaging his fantasy day with a fourth-quarter touchdown run but struggling passing in cold weather. Trey McBride had a disappointing game with minimal targets. Chad Ryland made a clutch 58-yard field goal for the Cardinals. Sam Darnold continued his impressive run with three touchdown passes. Justin Jefferson shined with a season-high 144 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Geno Smith had a solid game with three touchdown passes but also threw a crucial interception. Jaxon Smith-Njigba stood out for Seattle with a team-leading performance. Zach Charbonnet’s lack of involvement was noted. Kenneth Walker III returned to a workhorse role but left the game with an ankle injury. Riq Woolen was benched briefly but returned to the game. Joe Burrow continued his impressive season with three touchdown passes, reaching a 26:0 TD:INT ratio in the red zone. Chase Brown had opportunities but failed to score in a favorable matchup.
Hase’s touchdown catch occurred in the late stages of the fourth quarter on a free play, as he continues to pursue winning the triple crown this season. Dorian Thompson-Robinson had no net passing yards in the first half and ended up with two interceptions and five sacks, significantly impacting Jerry Jeudy’s fantasy value. Jerome Ford had a 66-yard run on the first play from scrimmage but was substituted at the goal line for D’Onta Foreman, who promptly fumbled. Ford later scored, but more opportunities (8.4 yards per carry) would have been appreciated.
During the game between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears, Jahmyr Gibbs had an impressive first half with 20 touches, 139 yards from scrimmage, and a touchdown. Despite being stopped at the one-yard line multiple times during a single drive, Gibbs eventually scored on his fourth attempt. Jared Goff threw three touchdowns in just his second outdoor game of the season, totaling 254 passing yards with two touchdown passes by halftime. Goff has thrown 11 touchdowns in the last three games. Sam LaPorta’s touchdown catch, involving trickery with fake stumbles, was a standout play.
Jameson Williams’ 82-yard touchdown catch gave Detroit a 20-0 lead early in the second quarter, contributing to the team’s historic 13th win. Detroit aims to be the first team since the 2020 Chiefs to remain undefeated on the road. Caleb Williams, despite his third consecutive game with a lost fumble, set an NFL rookie record for consecutive passes without an interception and benefitted from favorable circumstances. Keenan Allen had a strong game against the Lions’ slot defense, finishing as fantasy’s WR2.
In the match between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts, Jonathan Taylor showcased his skills with a 65-yard and a 70-yard touchdown run, totaling 203 rushing yards and three touchdowns. However, with the game heavily in favor of the Colts, Taylor saw limited touches for a period. Anthony Richardson had a mixed performance but redeemed himself after a shaky start.
Taylor had 70 rushing yards and nearly scored a second powerful touchdown, but it was overturned after a controversial replay review. Richardson showcased impressive speed during a 70-yard touchdown run, while the Colts dominated the game. Josh Downs scored a touchdown thanks to sloppy tackling, and Tyjae Spears found the end zone twice. Calvin Ridley caught a 38-yard touchdown pass and had another long catch nullified by a penalty. Chig Okonkwo is showing potential, especially when Mason Rudolph is in the lineup. Bijan Robinson had two short touchdown runs for the Falcons, solidifying his role as a key offensive player. Drake London suffered a hamstring injury but is expected to recover soon. Penix showed promise in his NFL debut, avoiding sacks and playing well. Jessie Bates stood out with a pick-six, adding to his impressive season stats. Malik Nabers had a strong performance despite penalties nullifying some of his plays. The Giants are currently in position to have the top overall pick in the draft. De’Von Achane had a standout game for the Dolphins with 190 total yards and a late touchdown. Tyreek Hill battled through a wrist injury, and Jonnu Smith set records for the Dolphins at tight end. Brock Purdy had a solid performance for San Francisco, despite missing key offensive players. Deebo Samuel had a strong game, showcasing his versatility.
Another promising play in the second half was nullified by a penalty. With San Francisco dealing with depleted running back options, Samuel is expected to see more carries moving forward.
George Kittle has now surpassed Rob Gronkowski for the second-most receiving yards by a tight end in his first eight seasons in NFL history.
Patrick Taylor Jr. got the opportunity to serve as the lead back for the 49ers, but his performance was disappointing. Despite run blocking contributing to his 3.0 yards per carry average, Taylor Jr. struggled and nearly turned two targets into interceptions. He dropped another pass late in the game, managing just one yard on five targets during his forgettable first career start. This has raised questions about the direction of the 49ers’ season.
In the matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Jets, Kyren Williams showcased his dominance in L.A.’s backfield, tying for the most rushing touchdowns in the league. The Rams claimed victory, but Matthew Stafford’s passing performance has been lackluster in the last two games with just 270 yards and one touchdown. The Rams’ passing attack faced challenges against the Jets’ defense, with Stafford attempting a season-low 19 passes. The past two Rams games have seen a total of only 46 combined points.
The Jets began with a strong 99-yard opening drive resulting in a Davante Adams touchdown. However, they struggled to maintain momentum and ended the game with just three points. Despite this, the Jets did not have a punt, indicating missed opportunities and inefficiencies. Additionally, New York’s mistakes, including missed kicks and a pivotal muffed punt, contributed to their loss. The Jets have faced challenges in closing out games, with six losses this season when leading in the fourth quarter.
In the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Las Vegas Raiders, Brock Bowers continued to shine despite a couple of drops. Leading Las Vegas in targets, catches, and receiving yards, Bowers showcased his potential with 99 receiving yards. With 101 catches this season, Bowers is on track to potentially break the rookie record of 105 receptions. Brian Thomas Jr. had a standout performance, finishing with a career-high 132 receiving yards and ranking as fantasy’s WR3 for the week. Thomas Jr. has been a consistent target, averaging over 12 targets, close to 100 receiving yards, and a touchdown over the past four games. Despite some missed opportunities, Thomas Jr. managed to secure a crucial 62-yard touchdown, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards for the season.
Tank Bigsby had a mixed performance for the Raiders, scoring a touchdown but also losing a fumble in the first half. Sharing the workload with Travis Etienne Jr., Bigsby’s contributions were pivotal in the game.
