The second Tuesday night game of the season has officially ended, which officially concludes Week 13.
This week’s leaderboard was highlighted by a bevy of pass catchers and quarterbacks, as a defense also cracked the top-10. More importantly, it does not appear there were any serious injuries to any fantasy contributors - great news with the fantasy playoffs right around the corner.
You know we’ll have more on the playoffs in the Week 14 preview, so let’s take this time to recap everything from Week 13:
Quarterbacks
Stud: Derek Carr (386 total yards 4 total TDs, 1 INT, 31.74 fantasy points)
After throwing an interception on the Raiders’ first drive, Carr bounced back and threw two touchdowns to Darren Waller before halftime. He then added a two-yard score on the ground in the third quarter, before delivering a 46-yard game winning touchdown to Henry Ruggs with five seconds left. It was a shaky effort from Vegas against the winless Jets, but it resulted in Carr’s highest fantasy scoring output of the season. Things will get much tougher next week against Indianapolis.
HENRY RUGGS FOR THE GO-AHEAD TD!!!!#LVvsNYJ | CBS pic.twitter.com/82kLmV1e5a
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 6, 2020
Dud: Justin Herbert (209 yards, 2 INTs, 4.36 fantasy points)
Herbert and the Chargers offense looked terrible all afternoon as they were shutout against the Patriots. It was the first game all season the rookie did not throw for a touchdown pass as he threw interceptions on back-to-back drives to begin the third quarter to make matters worse. Herbert also had his lowest completion percentage (49.1) of the season while throwing for just 3.9 yards per attempt as Bill Belichick continues to dominate against rookie QBs. He’ll have a nice bounce back opportunity next week at home against the Falcons.
Injuries: Brandon Allen
Allen was forced out of Sunday’s game with a chest injury and was replaced by Ryan Finley. Allen most likely was not in your lineups, but a QB change could determine the future output of several Bengal skill players. We’ll keep an eye on the weekly injury report.
Waiver Wire: Phillip Rivers (283 total yards, 2 TDs, 19.2 fantasy points)
Rostered: 16.5 percent
Rivers tossed multiple touchdown passes for the third straight game on Sunday as he quietly continues to be one of the most consistent fantasy quarterback this season. The veteran has now posted over 16 fantasy points in six of his last seven games, while eclipsing the 20-point mark in three of those contests. It’s not always pretty, as Rivers is playing through a plantar plate rupture in his toe, but he is getting it done in Indy. He’ll face a Raiders’ defense next week that has allowed multiple touchdown passes in their last three games.
Jared Goff (352 total yards, 2 total 2 TDs, 24.14 fantasy points)
Rostered: 47.8 percent
Goff was back in the end zone this week while also playing his first turnover-free game since Week 10. He continues to throw the ball a lot (40 or more passes in three of his last five games) for big yardage, but is stuck watching LA’s running backs vulture his scores. However, after a Thursday night date with New England in Week 14, Goff will face-off against the Jets and Seahawks in the fantasy playoffs — making him a prime candidate for a playoff outbreak.
Running Backs
Stud: David Montgomery (111 total yards, 2 TDs, 27.1 fantasy points)
Montgomery could have had an even bigger day if it wasn't for Cordarrelle Patterson swiping 10 carries. Either way, Montgomery went over 100 scrimmage yards for the second straight week as he rushed for 72 yards and caught all four of his targets for an additional 39 yards. He also found the end zone on the ground twice, marking his first rushing score since Week 5. Montgomery now has at least 16 touches in seven straight games, but negative game scripts will continue to limit his ceiling.
Dud: Miles Sanders (31 yards, 3.1 fantasy points)
Sanders’ string of quiet performances continued as the Eagles offense remained a mess on Sunday. In a strong matchup against Green Bay, he mustered just 31 yards on 10 carries. Sanders also did not record a catch for the first time all season. Perhaps things will start to turn around with Jalen Hurts under center, but don't count on that happening next week against the Saints.
Injuries: Antonio Gibson, Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Gibson went to the sideline following a first-quarter carry after suffering a toe injury. He was spotted on the sideline with his left foot wrapped as he was testing it out behind the bench, but was never seen on the field again. In what appeared like a potential turf toe injury, Gibson could be in danger of missing time.
After missing practice Thursday and Friday due to a stomach flu, Helaire suited up for Sunday’s night game against Denver. However, the rookie never saw the field in Kansas City’s win. It was reported the illness caused Edwards-Helaire to lose some weight, so his practice status this week is worth monitoring.
Waiver Wire: Cam Akers (94 total yards, 1 TD, 16.4 fantasy points)
Rostered: 35.7 percent
Sean McVay and the Rams have finally turned the sled reigns over to Cam Akers. The rookie saw a season-high 21 carries against the Cardinals on Sunday as Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown combined for only six carries and nine touches. After running for a season-high 84 yards last week, and now finding the end zone in back-to-back weeks, Brown has been LA’s best running back over the past two weeks. Even if a shoulder injury limits him this Thursday night, he should be the main man for the Rams down the stretch.
Adrian Peterson (57 yards, 2 TDs, 17.7 fantasy points)
Rostered: 36.2 percent
Peterson now has four rushing scores in his last two games while dominating the workload out of Detroit’s backfield (what year is it?). With D’Andre Swift still out, Peterson saw 80 percent of the Lions’ running back carries. The future Hall of Fame now has 15-plus carries and four scores (17.6 fantasy points per game) over his last two games. If Swift remains out, Peterson should continue his success next week against Green Bay.
Wide Receivers
Stud: Corey Davis (11 catches, 182 yards, 1 TD, 35.2 fantasy points)
As the Titans offense struggled on Sunday, Davis delivered his best game of the season. He had season highs in catches (11), targets (12), and yards (182) as he delivered six receptions of 15 yards or more. Davis also found the end zone twice, one on a 43-yard reception and the other on a 17-yard catch. Davis has now recorded double digit fantasy points in every game but one this season, providing a consistent option with big-play ability at the position.
Dud: Jerry Jeudy (1 catch, 5 yards, 1.5 fantasy points)
Even with his quarterback back off the Covid-19/Reserve list, Jeudy had his worst game of his rookie season. Jeudy saw just four targets all game and did not record his first catch until Denver’s last drive of the game. He was dealing with an ankle injury throughout the week, perhaps being one of the causes behind his poor performance. With just four catches over his last three games, Jeudy is almost looking droppable for the 2020 season.
Injuries: None
Waiver Wire: Keke Coutee (8 catches, 141 yards, 22.1 fantasy points)
Rostered: 12.4 percent
With Will Fuller suspended for the season, Coutee stepped in and immediately led the Texans in catches (eight), targets (nine), and receiving yards (141). He should immediately be rostered as a key part of Houston’s pass-heavy offense and he should see continued success next week against Chicago.
T.Y. Hilton (8 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD, 25.0 fantasy points)
Rostered: 47.0 percent
After a horrible start to the season, Hilton has now posted his best two fantasy performances in back-to-back weeks. The veteran now has 12 catches for 191 yards and a pair of touchdowns over the last two weeks. Looking like his old self, Hilton now has a favorable Week 14 matchup against the Raiders, and then will meet with Houston again — who he ripped off 110 yards against this week.
Tight Ends
Stud: Darren Waller (13 catches, 200 yards, 2 TDs, 45.0 fantasy points)
The Jets had ZERO answer for Darren Waller all afternoon as the tight end hauled in 13 of 17 targets in Las Vegas’ victory. Instead of explaining, just watch the dominance:
The most @NFLFantasy points by a TE since 2002?
— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2020
Darren Waller, 45 points! (by @GEICO)@Raiders | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/fLH8xvwVnZ
Dud: Hunter Henry (1 catch, 5 yards, 1.5 fantasy points)
I don't want to say I told you so, but I told you so. Henry, much like the entire Chargers’ offense, was invisible on Sunday. Henry saw a season low in catches (1), targets (2), yards (5), and fantasy points (1.5) as the tight end had a lot of attention from New England’s secondary. It was something we saw coming, as Belichick spent much of the week talking highly about Henry. New England’s coach then spent an above-average amount of time giving respect to the tight end post game. Henry is a free agent after the year, but we’ll turn our attention to a mouthwatering Week 14 matchup with the Falcons for now.
Injuries: None
Waiver Wire: Cole Kmet (5 catches, 37 yards, 1 TD, 14.7 fantasy points)
Rostered: 0.5 percent
Again, I don't want to do this, but I told you so. Kmet has been playing more and more over veteran Jimmy Graham as of late and it finally turned into fantasy production. The rookie turned a season-high seven targets into five catches and 37 yards, which were also season-highs. In the best game of his young career, Kmet also found the end zone for the first time since Week 6. If he can continue to consistently see work in the passing game, he’s trustworthy in fantasy lineups.
Logan Thomas (9 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD, 24.8 fantasy points)
Rostered: 24.9 percent
At the weakest position in fantasy football, Logan Thomas still being owned in just under 25 percent of leagues in mind-boggling. Thomas has at least four targets in every game this season and has now found the end zone five times - including his last two weeks. As Alex Smith is throwing the football at an incredibly high volume, Thomas has scored over 10 fantasy points in three of his last four games. He remains a borderline TE1 moving forward.
Honorable Stud
Patriots D/ST (2 TD, 2 INT, 3 SCK, 1 BLK, 0 PA, 28.0 fantasy points)
New England’s defense and special team units dominated the Chargers on Sunday. On the defensive side, their pass rush was able to consistently beat a leaky Chargers offensive line for three sacks. They also picked off rookie Justin Herbert on back-to-back possessions to start the third quarter in what was their first shutout of the season. As for special teams, the unit built off their strong performances last week in the return game. Gunner Olszewski took a punt return 70-yards to the house in the second quarter. As the first half was then coming to an end, specialist Cody Davis blocked a Charger’s field goal attempt, which was then scooped up and returned by Devin McCourty for a 44-yard touchdown. The 28 fantasy point performance was the highest from any unit all season, as they were the eighth highest individual scorer in Week 14.
Devin McCourty scoops and scores the blocked punt for SIX.
— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2020
The second special teams TD for the @Patriots today. #GoPats
: #NEvsLAC on CBS
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/5w0t6mAzQq pic.twitter.com/q94RvTqvqT
Patriots Player of the Week
Gunner Olszewski (1 catch, 38 yards, 2 total TDs, 16.8 fantasy points)
Gunner made his mark on special teams for the Patriots on Sunday. After having a punt return touchdown called back last week, Olszewski got his revenge this week taking a punt return 70-yards to the house. In total, Gunner racked up 145 yards on three punt returns (48.3 average). That wasn't all, as the second-year pro capped off his performance with a 38-yard catch-and-run touchdown from Jarrett Stidham. Perhaps the career performance will earn Olszewski more offensive playing time going forward, but he is not worth rostering in fantasy for now.
Gunner wanted that punt return TD.@Gunnerolszewsk1 | #GoPats
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 6, 2020
: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/m44GxKTz77
That is all for this week’s recap. Leave a comment below or reach out on Twitter @iambrianhines with any and all questions about your fantasy team!