Bengals 42, Colts 28
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
Good Andy Dalton made an appearance here, throwing for 275 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover — just in time for the fantasy playoffs. He also added his first rushing TD of the season.
Extra points: Dalton’s TD tosses went to Marvin Jones (3-60), Jermaine Gresham (5-41) and, of course, A.J. Green (6-72). … Rookie Giovanni Bernard had 100 more total yards — 148-48 — than backfield mate BenJarvus Green-Ellis, but the latter found the end zone twice on short scoring runs. … Indy struggled early but finished with a flourish thanks to Andrew Luck’s second four-TD game of his career and his first 300-yard passing game (326) in a month. … On the receiving end of his scoring passes were WRs Da’Rick Rogers (6-107) and LaVon Brazill (3-53), who snared a pair apiece. … Meanwhile, wideouts T.Y. Hilton (2-7) and Darrius Heyward-Bey (2-23) were non-factors. … The Indy ground game? Don’t ask. Trent Richardson led the way with 20 yards on six carries but did chip in 68 yards on five receptions.
Patriots 27, Browns 26
Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, Mass.
Tom Brady (418 yards, 2 TDs) rallied the Pats to two TDs in the final 30 seconds and another improbable win, but the euphoria in Foxborough was definitely muted as it looks like TE Rob Gronkowski (2-32) has been lost for the season after suffering a reported ACL tear taking a hard shot in the knee in the third quarter.
Extra points: RB Shane Vereen carried only three times for 9 yards, but found the end zone while continuing to absolutely tear it up in PPR leagues with a team-high 12 receptions for 153 yards on 17 targets. … LeGarrette Blount (8-42) led New England in rushing, while Stevan Ridley added 35 yards on eight rushes a week after he was a healthy scratch due to fumbling issues. … The Browns, meanwhile, did everything but get the big road upset “W,” thanks largely to QB Jason Campbell (391 yards, 3 TDs) and sizzling-hot wideout Josh Gordon (7-151, TD), who also led the team in rushing with a 34-yard end-around run. … Cleveland TE Jordan Cameron awoke from a late-season slumber to snare 9 passes for 121 yards and a TD.
Jets 37, Raiders 27
MetLife Stadium; East Rutherford, N.J.
Not as many care these days, but N.Y. rookie Geno Smith (219 yards) tossed his first TD pass since Week 7 and also added 50 rushing yards and a TD on five carries.
Extra points: WR Jeremy Kerley played for the first time since Week 9 and led the Jets in targets (7) and receptions (4-41. TD), while supposed No. 1 wideout Santonio Holmes (3-55) continues to do little. … Chris Ivory (18-76) led the Jets in rushing and found the end zone for the third time in five games. … With the Raiders’ top two RBs — Rashad Jennings (concussion) and Darren McFadden (ankle) — inactive, FB Marcel Reece stepped into the lead-back role and rolled up 161 total yards (123 rushing) and a TD. … The Silver & Black rotated QBs Matt McGloin (18-31, 245 yards, 2 TDs, interception) and Terrelle Pryor (2-for-5, 20 yards) in the first half, but that didn’t affect WR Rod Streater, who caught seven of his 10 targets for 130 yards and a score.
Chiefs 45, Redskins 10
FedEx Field; Landover, Md.
A trip to D.C. fixed what was ailing the K.C. defense/special teams as the Chiefs racked up five sacks, forced two turnovers and got a pair of kick-return scores from Dexter McCluster (74-yard punt return) and Quintin Demps (95-yard kickoff return).
Extra points: Alex Smith slung a pair of TD passes, but only needed to throw 20 times, completing 14 for 137 yards. … That’s because Jamaal Charles rushed for a season-high 151 yards and a TD on 19 attempts, while also adding another receiving score as part of his two catches for 8 yards. … WR Dwayne Bowe (4-69, TD) was Smith’s top target. … Meanwhile, it was bad as the final score indicates for the Skins. RGIII threw for only 164 yards, a score and a pick, while rushing for 29 yards on four attempts. … RB Alfred Morris (12-31) was scarcely heard from, while backup TE Logan Paulsen (3-44, TD) was Washington’s most productive fantasy pass-catcher.
Ravens 29, Vikings 26
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
This low-scoring game turned absolutely insane with six lead changes in the fourth quarter, including four TDs in the final 2 minutes. Adrian Peterson, however, wasn’t around for any of it having sustained what is being called a mid-foot sprain in the second quarter. He finished with seven rushes for 13 yards and a catch for 4 more yards.
Extra points: Both QBs fared fairly well here with Joe Flacco overcoming three interceptions by throwing for 245 yards and three scores, while Minny’s Matt Cassel had 265 yards and a pair of TD tosses. … The Birds’ Ray Rice (17-67 rushing, 5-42 receiving) topped 100 total yards for only the second time this season, but didn’t score, while TE Dennis Pitta did, hauling in six passes for 48 yards on 11 targets in his season debut after suffering a preseason hip dislocation. … WR Marlon Brown (7-92, TD) was the Ravens’ most productive pass-catcher. … For the other predominately purple team, talented rookie wideout Cordarelle Patterson (5-141, TD) continued his late-season emergence, thanks largely to his 79-yard fourth-quarter catch and sprint. … Toby Gerhart (15-89, TD) ran well in place of Peterson.
Packers 22, Falcons 21
Lambeau Field; Green Bay, Wis.
The biggest fantasy impact in this one might be for the owners of a player who didn’t even play. The Pack’s win — and the Lions’ loss — keeps Green Bay very much alive in the NFC North title hunt, meaning that QB Aaron Rodgers, who missed his fifth strasight game recovering from a broken collarbone, is lot less likely to be shut down. That, of course, would be huge for his fantasy owners who have managed to stay afloat without him.
Extra points: As for those who did play, Green Bay QB Matt Flynn was OK with 258 passing yards, a TD and an interception, while TE Andrew Quarless (6-66, TD) was his most frequent target. … Jordy Nelson had four grabs for a team-high 85 yards, but fellow wideouts Jarrett Boykin (2-23) and James Jones (4-19) didn’t do much of anything. … As expected, RB Eddie Lacy was busy with 23 touches for 90 total yards and a TD. … For the Falcons, there was certainly northing spectacular with Matt Ryan throwing for 206 yards and two scores, RB Steven Jackson totaling 80 total yards and finally-healthy WR Roddy White leading the squad for the second straight week with eight receptions for 74 yards. … Tony Gonzalez (3-25) and WR Drew Davis (1-34) had scoring grabs, while wideout Harry Douglas (2-20 on 7 targets) had a tough afternoon.
Buccaneers 27, Bills 6
Raymond James Stadium; Tampa, Fla.
RB Bobby Rainey (22-127) gave the Bucs all the points they would need with his 80-yard scoring burst on the second play from scrimmage, thanks to a defense which gathered seven sacks, forced five turnovers and allowed only a pair of field goals.
Extra points: Tampa QB Mike Glennon completed only 9-of-25 passes for 90 yards and tossed a pair of picks, but did connect with Vincent Jackson (3-70) and TE Timothy Wright (2-21) on scoring passes. … For the Bills, it was as dismal as the final score suggests with rookie QB EJ Manuel (184 yards, 4 interceptions) and RBs C.J. Spiller (12 touches-48 total yards), Fred Jackson (9-38) all struggling mightily. … WR Stevie Johnson (5-67) qualifies as Buffalo’s fantasy standout.
Dolphins 34, Steelers 28
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
Ben Roethlisberger (349 yards, 3 TDs) had his third straight multiple-TD game, and WR Antonio Brown (5-137, TD) delivered again, but they were upstaged in the snow by the visitors from Florida, led by TE Charles Clay (7-97, 2 TDs) and RB Daniel Thomas (16-105, TD).
Extra points: Thomas topped 100 yards for the first time this season after starting RB Lamar Miller (6-20 rushing, 2-13 receiving) departed in the third quarter with a concussion. … WR Brian Hartline finished second to Clay with five catches for 51 yards, while fellow wideout Mike Wallace (2-19 on 5 targets) didn’t exactly tear it up in his return to the Steel City. … Pittsburgh RB Le’Veon Bell had 89 total yards on 20 touches but was kept out of the end zone. … Meanwhile, WRs Jerricho Cotchery (5-62) and Emmanuel Sanders (4-57) caught Big Ben’s other TD throws.
Eagles 34, Lions 20
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Detroit entered the contest ranked as the league’s fifth-best defense in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing RBs, but the Philly blizzard and LeSean McCoy (29-217, 2 TDs) obliterated that.
Extra points: Even third-string back Chris Polk (4-50) and QB Nick Foles (6-23) ran for scores. … Foles was held to 179 yards and a TD through the air while also tossing his first interception of the season. … As usual, WRs DeSean Jackson (4-59, TD) and Riley Cooper (3-74) were the Eagles’ top receivers. … Meanwhile, a number of fantasy postseason hopes were quashed by the poor outings of Matthew Stafford (10-of-25, 148 yards, no TDs, fumble) and Calvin Johnson (3-49). … They might’ve been better off not playing, like RB Reggie Bush, who tweaked his calf injury in the snow-slick pre-game warmups, meaning Joique Bell (23-69, TD rushing, team-high 4-58 receiving) shouldered the load. Bell did, however, cough up two fumbles.
Broncos 51, Titans 28
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver
So Peyton Manning can’t throw in the cold? After a week listening to repeated questions and chatter, Manning and the Broncos came out with point to prove with the kickoff temperature at 18 degrees and did just that to the tune of 39-of-59 for 397 yards and four TDs. Manning’s attempts and completions were career single-game highs.
Extra points: Wes Welker opened strong with five catches for 61 yards and his first TD reception since Week 8, but suffered a concussion on a hit late in the second quarter, and that will be trouble for his fantasy owners with the Broncos playing again Thursday. … Meanwhile, Denver covered all the fantasy bases with Knowshon Moreno (20 touches-108 total yards), Montee Ball (18-87), Eric Decker (8-117), Demaryius Thomas (7-88) and TE Julius Thomas (5-35) all scoring. … For the Titans, rookie wideout Justin Hunter (4-114, TD) qualifies as the team’s fantasy MVP as Ryan Fitzpatrick (172 yards, TD, interception), Chris Johnson (55 total yards, TD, fumble) and Kendall Wright (2-17) all struggled to various degrees.
Cardinals 30, Rams 10
University of Phoenix Stadium; Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona QB Carson Palmer played despite elbow concerns last week and was an efficient 27-of-32 for 269 yards. He only had one TD pass, however, failing to throw for multiple scores for the first time in six outings.
Extra points: Michael Floyd had been the Cards’ top WR of late, but it was all Larry Fitzgerald (12-96, TD) here while Floyd (2-26) was quiet. … Rookie RB Andre Ellington returned from a one-game knee injury absence to pace Arizona RBs with 46 rushing yards (on 11 carries) and 63 total yards in all, but Rashard Mendenhall (17-41) ran for a TD for the third time in four games. … The Rams? Ugh. Kellen Clemens threw for 181 yards and a pair of picks, while WR Tavon Austin led the team in rushing with a 56-yard carry. … RB Zac Stacy gained only 25 yards on 14 rushes but did punch in a TD. … TE Jared Cook (3-49) and rookie WR Stedman Bailey (3-46) led St. Louis in receiving.
49ers 19, Seahawks 17
Candlestick Park, San Francisco
Colin Kaepernick led the Niners to a hard-fought win over the arch-rival Seahawks, but he didn’t lead many fantasy squads to playoff wins, accounting for only 175 passing yards, 31 rushing yards and a single passing score.
Extra points: Thanks to his 51-yard fourth-quarter burst, Frank Gore (17-110) topped the century mark for the first time since Week 6, while wideout Anquan Boldin (6-93) led the Niners in receiving. … WR Michael Crabtree (4-48) was mainly kept in check, while TE Vernon Davis salvaged a 2-21 receiving day with his 11th TD catch of the season, meaning that all of Kaepernick’s 16 scoring throws still have gone to either the TE or Boldin (5). … For Seattle, RB Marshawn Lynch (20-72) and — surprise! — TE Luke Willson (3-70) accounted for the team’s two TDs. … WR Golden Tate led the ‘Hawks in targets (8) and receptions (6-65).
Chargers 37, Giants 14
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
The Bolts’ top offensive players delivered for their fantasy owners as Philip Rivers threw for 249 yards and three TDs, Ryan Mathews totaled 135 yards from scrimmage and had a rushing score, Danny Woodhead had 94 total yards and a TD and rookie wideout Keenan Allen had three receptions for 59 yards and a pair of TDs. Mathews 29 rushing attempts and 32 total touches were single-game career highs.
Extra points: Previously-surging TE Ladarius Green (1 target, 0 catches) was one Charger who did disappoint and was outplayed for a change by fellow TE Antonio Gates (4-50). … For the G-Men, Eli Manning threw for 259 yards and a score but tossed two more interceptions … WR Hakeem Nicks (5-135) had his best yardage total of the season and topped 100 yards for the first time since Week 1, but still couldn’t shake his TD-catch goose egg. … TE Brandon Myers (4-26) had a TD reception for the third straight game, while RB Andre Brown had 96 total yards on 19 touches but did lose a fumble.
Saints 31, Panthers 13
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans
The Big Easy is more than 2,500 miles from Seattle, and that distance meant all the difference for Drew Brees and his fantasy owners as the N.O. QB was his normal, high-scoring Superdome self with 313 yards and four TD passes in this NFC South showdown. Brees only had 147 yards and one score last week vs. the Seahawks.
Extra points: Brees’ TD passes were divvied up equally between WR Marques Colston (9-125) and TE Jimmy Graham (6-58), who were targeted a combined 24 times. … Darren Sproles led the Saints in rushing with one 38-yard scamper, and added three receptions for 23 yards, but it was a struggle for fellow back Pierre Thomas (6-14 rushing, 4-14 receiving). … The Panthers’ eight-game win streak came to an end, and that could only mean that Cam Newton (160 passing yards, 6-48 rushing, 1 passing TD) was held in check. … DeAngelo Williams (13-52) led the ‘Cats in rushing after missing Week 13, while WR Steve Smith (6-49, TD) scored for the first time since Week 7. … TE Greg Olsen was targeted a dozen times and caught a team-high eight passes, but they only netted 40 yards.