Fantasy Footnotes: Takeaways from Sunday's action
Every game day during the regular season, theScore's fantasy editors recap the important takeaways from around the league.
An ode to David Johnson
In an Arizona Cardinals season darkened with frustration and disappointment, one shining light will not be dimmed.
David Johnson has topped 100 yards from scrimmage in all 12 games this season, the second-longest streak in NFL history. He joined Marshall Faulk (1998) as the only players to run for 1,000 yards and add 700 more through the air through 12 games in a season - and he has nine more touchdowns than Faulk did.
That isn't supposed to be possible. Football is a game of ups and downs. You run hot for a bit, then slump, then fight your way back.
Every single week, Johnson produces. Even with an offensive line decimated by injuries and a 36-year-old quarterback whose play has left a lot to be desired, Johnson produces.
How does he do it? It's not complicated. The second-year tailback might be the NFL's most elusive runner out of the backfield, which isn't fair when you consider that he's also the NFL's best receiving back. Johnson can be slowed in one facet of the game, but there's no defense that can stop all the ways he can hurt you.
Johnson's final stats Sunday: 84 yards rushing, 91 yards receiving, 2 TDs.
Unstoppable.
It's too early to anoint anyone 2017's first overall pick in fantasy drafts, but who else can you imagine in the spot but Johnson?
Howard has fun in the snow
Prior to Sunday, Chicago Bears rookie Jordan Howard had never played a football game in the snow.
The running back made the most of the opportunity, gouging the NFL's worst rush defense for three first-half touchdowns on a snowy day in the Windy City. Howard finished the afternoon with 117 yards rushing to go along with his trio of scores, good for 29.70 fantasy points.
It should come as no surprise that Howard found success in the elements. He's a big, rugged, one-cut runner whose game is more about power than shiftiness. Howard knows where he's going on runs, and defenders don't. On a slippery, snow-covered field, that's a big advantage.
Amusingly, Howard didn't seem to enjoy playing in the snow despite his success on the stat sheet.
"It's annoying, just kind of like rain," Howard said after the game.
Howard's fantasy owners won't mind if every week remaining on the Bears' schedule annoys him like this.
Instant Impressions
- Something is wrong with Eli Manning. His passes just don't look crisp. Many passes miss their target, and some are plucked from the air by Odell Beckham Jr. and turned into big gains they had no right to be. Is Manning hurt? Is his arm simply worn down after a long season (or a long career)? Regardless of the cause, Manning's struggles could put a cap on what Beckham is capable of doing in the fantasy playoffs.
- What does the Patriots' passing attack look like post-Gronk? Chris Hogan led all receivers in snaps, playing one more than Malcolm Mitchell. Julian Edelman played about a dozen fewer than Hogan and Mitchell, and Danny Amendola left the game with an injury. We could be witnessing a changing of the guard here.
- It's time for the Packers to unleash Christine Michael. He can't be less effective as a runner than James Starks.
- It's hard to imagine any Broncos player having much fantasy value until Trevor Siemian returns to the lineup. How crazy would that sentence have sounded early this summer?
Notable Performances
Latavius Murray, RB, Raiders
20 carries, 82 yards, 2 TDs, 3 receptions, 23 yards
Murray has double-digit touchdowns for the first time in his career.
Terrance West, RB, Ravens
10 carries, 50 yards, TD, 3 receptions, 18 yards, TD
West is doing just enough to hold off Kenneth Dixon. The rookie's snap count had been increasing every game, but moved in the other direction this week. Dixon was more productive on his touches than West, but it was the veteran who got the touchdowns.
Thomas Rawls, RB, Seahawks
15 carries, 106 yards, 2 TDs, 1 reception, 12 yards
Rawls was outstanding during the Seahawks' 40-7 rout of the Panthers, averaging 7.1 yards per carry.
Jay Ajayi, RB, Dolphins
12 carries, 61 yards, 6 receptions, 26 yards
Ajayi was held in check by the NFL's best rush defense. The Dolphins have a tough remaining schedule, so perhaps owners should temper expectations for Ajayi. Those back-to-back 200-yard games feel like a distant memory.
Derek Carr, QB, Raiders
19-of-35, 260 yards, 2 TDs
Carr's numbers are more impressive considering he played a week after dislocating the pinkie finger on his throwing hand.
Drew Brees, QB, Saints
31-of-44, 326 yards, 3 INTs
Saints-Lions had the look of a shootout. It didn't materialize. Brees' three turnovers are a big reason why.
Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers
4-of-10, 4 yards, 6 carries, 20 yards
A recommended start by analysts across the fantasy industry against a weak Bears defense, Kaepernick turned in a dud for the ages. Four yards passing!
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans
3 receptions, 58 yards, TD
It's Hopkins' first touchdown catch since Week 5.
Allen Robinson, WR, Jaguars
3 receptions, 31 yards
Robinson had a terrible game, failing to reel in seven of the 10 targets sent his way. He's one of this season's biggest busts.
Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
8 receptions, 140 yards
Kelce has topped 100 yards receiving in three straight games. He's red hot entering the fantasy playoffs.
Ladarius Green, TE, Steelers
6 receptions, 110 yards, TD
Green is healthy and has broken out. Get excited.
Dennis Pitta, TE, Ravens
9 receptions, 90 yards, 2 TDs
Pitta scored his first touchdown since 2013, then promptly followed it up with another.
Martellus Bennett, TE, Patriots
2 receptions, 4 yards
Bennett has massive upside with Rob Gronkowski injured, but his production has been frustratingly inconsistent. It can't get much worse than it was Sunday.
Injury Ward
Mark Ingram, RB, Saints
Ingram seemed to aggravate his injured toe on a first-quarter carry, but later returned to the game. He wasn't very effective and could be slowed by this injury for the rest of the season.
Julio Jones, WR, Falcons
Jones was in and out of Sunday's game with what appeared to be a leg issue. He insisted after the game that it's nothing significant and he'll be good to go next week. It's hard not to wonder if nagging injuries might hamper Jones from this point forward.
Marquess Wilson, WR, Bears
Wilson exited with a groin injury before catching a pass. So much for the idea he might be the Bears' new No. 1 receiver.
Danny Amendola, WR, Patriots
Amendola left Sunday's game with an ankle injury. He seems to have fallen below Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell on the depth chart and is no longer a viable fantasy asset.
Waiver Wire Targets
Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens
Flacco's four touchdowns in Week 13 will catch the eye of some owners, but he travels to play the Patriots next week. Don't expect a repeat performance.
Kenneth Dixon, RB, Ravens
Dixon is included in this section every week. If you haven't picked him up yet, what are you waiting for? Dixon has FLEX value now and RB2 upside if Terrance West gets hurt or benched.
Mike Gillislee, RB, Bills
LeSean McCoy's backup poached two touchdowns Sunday. Gillislee doesn't have much fantasy value outside of deep leagues as long as McCoy remains healthy, but Shady is no lock to stay on the field.
Brandon LaFell, WR, Bengals
LaFell put up 95 yards and a touchdown in Week 13. It seems he, not Tyler Boyd, is benefiting most from A.J. Green's injury.
Breshad Perriman, WR, Ravens
Perriman has touchdowns in each of his past two games. He's quietly becoming a fantasy factor.
Ladarius Green, TE, Steelers
He has arrived, and he may be the ideal replacement for owners who lost Gronk.
Cameron Brate, TE, Buccaneers
The Buccaneers play the Saints twice in the fantasy playoffs, so Brate is worth a look.