Chiefs 20 Panthers 17
The Chiefs overcame a 17-0 deficit to beat the Panthers 20-17. It was the Chiefs defense that helped turn the tide. Eric Berry returned a Cam Newton interception for a touchdown and a late Marcus Peters fumble recovery set up the game-winning score.
Extra Points: Newton threw for 261 yards with a touchdown and the costly interception. He also led the Panthers in rushing with 54 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries…Kelvin Benjamin caught seven passes for 84 yards on a team-high 12 targets. However, it was his fumble late that led to the Chiefs kicking a game-winning field goal…With Jeremy Maclin inactive, rookie Tyreke Hill took over as the Chiefs clear No. 1 receiver. Hill caught 10-of-13 targets for 89 yards. He now has 18 receptions in his last three games.
Texans 24 Jaguars 21
When Brock Osweiler signed with the Texans, fantasy owners were hoping for more than 99 yards passing. Even Osweiler’s two touchdown passes went to non-fantasy starters Ryan Griffin and Stephen Anderson. Osweiler hasn’t been much help to fantasy owners this season.
Extra Points: The good news for DeAndre Hopkins owners is he saw 13 targets Sunday. The bad news is with Osweiler throwing for only 99 yards, Hopkins once again disappointed with just five receptions for 48 yards. Hopkins has gone over 70 yards receiving twice in nine games this year…Lamar Miller left the game briefly but returned. He finished with 83 yards in 15 carries (5.5 YPC)…Allen Robinson had one of his best games of the year. He caught 9-of-13 targets for 107 yards and a late score to help boost his fantasy day.
Broncos 25 Saints 23
One week after getting run over by the Raiders, the Broncos defense put up a much better performance against the Saints. New Orleans ran the ball 21 times but gained just 80 yards (3.8 YPC) on the day.
Extra Points: Drew Brees topped 300 yards (303) and threw three touchdowns but he was also picked off twice…Rookie Michael Thomas had been the Saints top receiver over the last month but he struggled Sunday with two fumbles. Instead, Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead combined for eight receptions, 145 yards and three touchdowns on 12 targets…There was talk of Kapri Bibbs seeing more touches at running back this week but he only got seven carries. Devontae Booker was still the workhorse; carrying the ball 24 times for 76 yards (3.2 YPC)…Demaryius Thomas led the Broncos in targets (11), receptions (8), yards (87) and scored a touchdown.
Rams 9 Jets 6
There wasn’t expected to be much offense in this game and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Bryce Petty made his first career start and threw the game’s only touchdown to Bilal Powell on a hook and ladder. That was the one highlight in an otherwise uninspiring offensive game.
Extra Points: Kenny Britt was the one fantasy star for the Rams Sunday. He caught 7-of-10 targets for 109 yards…Todd Gurley got the carries (21) but only managed 64 yards (3.0 YPC). It’s just another day at the office for Gurley owners this year…Matt Forte just missed hitting 100 yards against the Rams. Forte ran for 98 yards on 20 carries (4.9 YPC). The Jets will continue to lean on Forte with the young Petty under center…Brandon Marshall’s fantasy decline continues. He was held to just four catches for 15 yards. Marshall has nine receptions for 61 yards in his last two games.
Eagles 24 Falcons 15
One week after the Eagles defense got torched by Eli Manning and the Giants; it held Matt Ryan to a respectable 267 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Extra Points: Julio Jones didn’t find the end zone but he caught 10-of-16 targets for 135 yards. Jones has 18 receptions for 246 yards and a score in his last two games…Even with Tevin Coleman inactive, Devonta Freeman only saw 15 touches and was limited to 81 total yards…In the weekly carousel that is the Eagles backfield, Ryan Mathews ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, Wendell Smallwood carried 13 times for 70 yards and Darren Sproles caught eight balls for 57 yards. Mathews had nine carries combined in his last two games. Philadelphia’s backfield is the epitome of a committee.
Buccaneers 36 Bears 10
In what looked like an even game on paper turned into a blowout. Jameis Winston lit up the Bears for 312 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
Extra Points: Doug Martin returned from a hamstring injury on Sunday. He rushed for 33 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries (2.1 YPC). The average wasn’t great but Martin will see the bulk of the carries in the coming weeks…Cameron Brate continues to be a pleasant surprise for the Buccaneers. Brate caught all seven targets for 84 yards and a score. He now ranks first among tight ends with five touchdowns on the year…Jay Cutler had a miserable day against the last ranked Buccaneers pass defense. Cutler threw for 182 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Fifty yards and his touchdown came on a desperation Hail Mary before the half…Jordan Howard rushed for 100 yards on 15 carries (6.7 YPC). It’s his second straight 100-yard game.
Titans 47 Packers 25
The Packers defense waived the white flag on Sunday. The Titans did whatever they wanted to versus Green Bay. Marcus Mariota remains red hot. Mariota completed 19-of-26 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns.
Extra Points: Things were so easy for Tennessee that even DeMarco Murray threw his first career touchdown pass. Of course, Murray also ran the ball too. He finished with 123 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries (7.2 YPC)…Delanie Walker was open all day against the Packers defense. He caught 9-of-11 targets for 124 yards and a touchdown…Five Titans caught touchdown passes. Walker, Rishard Matthews, Tajae Sharpe, Kendall Wright and Anthony Fasano…The Packers were playing from behind all game long, so Aaron Rodgers racked up 371 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions…Green Bay had two 100-yard receivers Sunday. Davante Adams finished with six catches for 156 yards, while Jordy Nelson hauled in 12 receptions for 126 yards and a score.
Redskins 26 Vikings 20
The Vikings once vaunted defense has become quite average during Minnesota’s four-game losing streak. Kirk Cousin’s threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns. Cousins was only sacked once and didn’t turn the ball over.
Extra Points: Robert Kelley got the start at running back with Matt Jones being a healthy scratch. Kelley got 22 carries and rushed for 97 yards. He’s clearly the Redskins lead back moving forward…Vernon Davis continues to carve out a role as the Redskins second tight end. Davis caught three passes for 66 yards and a touchdown…Stefon Diggs had a huge game as expected against a weak Redskins pass defense. Diggs caught 13-of-15 targets for 164 yards…In what has become a weekly story; the Vikings can’t run the ball. Minnesota gained 47 yards on 21 carries (2.2 YPC).
Dolphins 31 Chargers 24
Philip Rivers had an uncharacteristically bad game. Rivers did throw for 326 yards and three touchdowns but his four interceptions – including one that was returned for a touchdown in the final minute – doomed the Chargers.
Extra Points: Melvin Gordon and Jay Ajayi both came in hot but neither back could get it going on Sunday. Ajayi was held to under 100 yards (79) for the first time in four games. Gordon gained 70 yards on 24 carries (2.9 YPC). He did catch five balls for 62 yards to save his fantasy day…Tyrell Williams took advantage of Travis Benjamin being inactive. Williams caught five passes for 125 yards and a touchdown on a team-high 11 targets…DeVante Parker had his first 100-yard game since Week 1. Parker finished with five receptions for 103 yards.
Cardinals 23 49ers 20
David Johnson is such a valuable fantasy player that even when he struggles running the ball, he still ends up having a strong game. Johnson only ran for 55 yards on 19 carries (2.9 YPC) against the 49ers last ranked rush defense but added five catches, 46 receiving yards and two scores on the day.
Extra Points: Bruce Arians announced during the week that J.J. Nelson had surpassed Michael Floyd as the Cardinals No. 2 receiver. It didn’t look that way on the field. Floyd caught 5-of-6 targets for 101 yards, while Nelson finished with two receptions, 29 yards and a fumble…Larry Fitzgerald had another big game. Fitz caught 12 balls for 133 yards and was targeted a whopping 18 times…Carlos Hyde returned from a shoulder injury but he was a non-factor. Hyde only managed 14 yards on 13 carries (1.1 YPC).
Cowboys 35 Steelers 30
In what might go down as the Game of the Year in the NFL, there were a lot of offensive stars on display but Ezekiel Elliott was the star that shined the brightest. Elliott carried the ball 21 times for 114 yards and two touchdowns – including the game winner with nine seconds left. He also caught two balls for 95 yards and a score.
Extra Points: Dak Prescott has put to bed any talk of losing the starting job. Prescott threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns…Dez Bryant was much more involved this week. Dez caught 6-of-9 targets for 116 yards and a touchdown…Ben Roethlisberger struggled last week versus the Ravens. He rebounded big-time on Sunday with 408 yards and three touchdowns…The Cowboys held Le’Veon Bell to 57 yards on 17 carries. Bell did make an impact though by catching nine passes for 77 yards and scoring twice…Antonio Brown had a huge game. Brown caught 14-of-18 targets for 154 yards and a touchdown. Expect the Steelers to lean heavily on Bell and Brown the rest of the way.
Seahawks 31 Patriots 24
In a game that saw seven lead changes, Russell Wilson led the way for the Seahawks with 348 yards and three touchdowns. All three of Wilson’s scores went to Doug Baldwin (6/59/3). Baldwin hadn’t scored in five straight games before Sunday night.
Extra Points: The Seahawks finally unleashed C.J. Prosise against the Patriots. Prosise led the Seahawks in both rushing and receiving. He ran the ball 17 times for 66 yards. Prosise added seven receptions for 87 yards. It’s clear Prosise has replaced Christine Michael as the feature back…Tom Brady didn’t have one of his better fantasy games against the tough Seattle defense. Brady threw for 316 yards but no touchdowns and one interception…LeGarrette Blount ran for 69 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. Blount leads the NFL with 12 rushing touchdowns…Martellus Bennett had his best game since Week 5. Bennett caught all seven targets for 102 yards.
