The weekend brought a whirlwind of emotions for NFL fantasy managers, especially with the absence of Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker II. With six teams on a bye, many found themselves scrambling to fill gaps in their backfields. It was a tough week for fantasy enthusiasts, but there were still some bright spots amidst the chaos.
Sunday’s action was a mixed bag. While some players delivered jaw-dropping performances, others left fans scratching their heads in disappointment. The fantasy landscape was shaken, but there were still plenty of standout performances to celebrate.
I’ll focus on the positives in this recap, as many fantasy managers are gearing up for the playoffs with a mix of surprising and expected performances. One name that stood out was Puka Nacua, who racked up an impressive 12 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown, totaling a whopping 41.8 fantasy points. Remarkably, he wasn’t even the highest-scoring player in his game!
As we dive deeper into the weekend’s highlights, let’s take a closer look at the standout performances that defined Week 14. Remember, for all the latest news and fantasy advice, be sure to check out Fantasy Dirt five days a week!
Josh Allen shines bright in Hollywood
In a dazzling display of skill, Josh Allen was a fantasy monster in Los Angeles. He threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for another 82 yards and three touchdowns, finishing with an astonishing 51.9 fantasy points. This marked the highest point total of his career, surpassing the 40.5 points he scored against the Dolphins back in Week 17 of 2018. It’s also the most points any quarterback has ever scored under a scoring system that awards four points for touchdown passes.
Allen’s touchdown passes found their way to Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins, and Ty Johnson. Shakir had a noteworthy game, with eight targets, five catches, and 106 yards. Notably, all three of Allen’s rushing touchdowns were from just one yard out. His rushing totals alone accounted for 26.2 points, placing him third among running backs heading into the Sunday night game, trailing only Zach Charbonnet and Isaac Guerendo.
Sam Darnold, Vikings offense explodes
Here’s a surprising twist: Sam Darnold led many fantasy managers to the postseason! The journeyman quarterback has found his groove in the Vikings offense, throwing for 347 yards and five touchdowns, scoring an impressive 34.6 fantasy points in a win over the Falcons. This was the best fantasy game of his career.
Darnold’s success positively impacted both Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson, who combined for 265 receiving yards and all five of Darnold’s touchdown passes. Addison finished with a stellar 39.3 points, while Jefferson added 32.2 points to his tally. It was particularly satisfying to see Jefferson bounce back after struggling in three of his previous four games. Addison, on the other hand, has now scored 30-plus points in two of his last three games, consistently seeing at least eight targets in three of his last four outings. Darnold, Jefferson, and Addison will face the Bears next Monday, and fantasy managers will be watching closely.
The fantasy gods can be very, very cruel
As if the bye week chaos wasn’t enough, injuries and disappointing performances plagued many fantasy heroes this weekend. George Pickens was a late scratch against the Browns, and Bucky Irving struggled with a back injury, finishing with just five touches and 2.8 points, leaving many managers in despair.
The stinkers didn’t stop there. Alvin Kamara managed only 12.9 points against a vulnerable Giants defense, averaging a mere 2.6 yards per rush. Saquon Barkley rushed for 124 yards against the Panthers but failed to find the end zone, finishing with a disappointing 14.4 points. In a twist of irony, Zach Charbonnet scored more points than Kamara and Barkley combined in just the first half of his game!
Wide receiver woes began on Thursday night with Jayden Reed’s zero points and continued into Sunday with stars like A.J. Brown, Mike Evans, DJ Moore, DK Metcalf, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Drake London all finishing with 12 or fewer points. Even Brock Bowers, the top tight end in fantasy football, could only muster 8.2 points despite a favorable matchup in Tampa Bay. To add salt to the wound, his teammate, tight end Michael Mayer, had a productive day with seven catches for 68 yards and 13.8 fantasy points.
Zach Charbonnet goes nuclear in Arizona
With Kenneth Walker II sidelined, Zach Charbonnet seized the moment and delivered a stunning performance. He rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, adding seven catches for 59 yards as a receiver. In total, Charbonnet led all running backs in fantasy points with 38.3, marking his best-ever fantasy performance, exceeding the 25.7 points he scored against the Dolphins in Week 3. If Walker misses more time, Charbonnet will undoubtedly be a must-start.
Isaac Guerendo finds gold, then gets hurt
Isaac Guerendo was a player to watch this week, and he didn’t disappoint. He delivered with 17 touches, 128 total yards, two touchdowns, and 26.8 points in a win over the Bears. Guerendo was dominant on the ground, averaging 5.2 yards per rush, continuing the trend of Kyle Shanahan running backs stepping up when given the chance.
However, the injury bug struck again. Guerendo hurt his foot late in the game and did not return. With a quick turnaround coming up on Thursday night against the Rams, he might be in danger of missing Week 15. As a result, Patrick Taylor Jr. could become a hot name off the waiver wire.
This weekend was a rollercoaster of emotions for fantasy managers, with both highs and lows shaping the playoff landscape. As we look ahead, staying informed and making strategic moves will be essential. Keep your heads up, fantasy fans; the playoffs are just around the corner!
