Good morning. Last weekend was full of sports. Thankfully, this weekend also provides an excuse to ignore family and responsibility with a full slate of games on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. All the beers.

We've only got four more newsletters this season, thanks for joining us all year. Let's get those dubs.

QUARTERBACKS

Jalen's Hurt

Jalen Hurts may be the NFL MVP and the fantasy football MVP. Despite a round 6 ADP, Hurts is the highest scoring fantasy player this year. Of course, we can't have nice things, so Hurts is unlikely to play again this fantasy season after suffering a sprained right shoulder injury. His NFL MVP odds are like my fantasy teams, probably f***d.

• Dak Prescott is no longer an elite fantasy QB. He has thrown multiple interceptions in 4/6 games and rarely runs since his ankle injury in 2020. The Cowboys run often (7th in rushing play %) and Dak has yet to throw over 300 yards this season. He's safe but low upside.

• Tua Tagovailoa has cooled since W11, failing to score over 20 fantasy points in 4 straight games. He's ranked QB13 during that time.

• Kirk Cousins has thrown over 400 yards in two straight and has 6 TDs in those two. He is heating up at the perfect time and has QB1 upside against a soft Giants D.

Since Deshaun Watson returned to the lineup, CLE offense ranks: 27th in scoring and 29th in yards/play. But David Njoku said that he and Deshaun Watson can do similar things to Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce: “It’s only a matter of time.”

This is a wild chart:

RUNNING BACKS

Cooking Again

Dalvin Cook has had rocky season, somewhat expected after the Vikings hired Kevin O'Connell for a pass-happy offense (currently 3rd in pass play %). Cook turned back the clock with 190 total yards and a TD to finish as RB2. He should be considered an RB1 against a Giants D allowing the third most rushing yards on the year.

• Jerick McKinnon was the RB1 for the second straight week. Not a typo. He continues to be a monster in the passing game catching 8 passes for 70 yards and a TD while also adding 55 rushing yards and a TD. He is one of the best flex play options in fantasy and a former deep dive. 

• Latavius Murray really is coming off a 24 carry, 130 yard & TD game. He is the clear workhorse back for the Broncos and if Russell Wilson (concussion) can't suit up again, they will continue to rely heavily on the ground game.

• David Montgomery was quietly productive after Khalil Herbert went down. In 4 games, Montgomery is averaging 98 yards from scrimmage and has found the end-zone 4 times. He remains near the top of RB2 territory against a tough Buffalo D in W16 with Herbert expected to return.

AJ Dillon has 4 TDs in his last 3 games and has at least 3 catches per game over that span. That's the good news. Unfortunately, he had to leave Monday's game with a potential concussion and his status for W16 is uncertain (although he has cleared concussion protocol).

WIDE RECEIVERS

Not Your Typical Jones

Last week we said Zay Jones was eating into Christian Kirk's targets. In Week 15, he ate again, with another 8 targets for 6 catches, 109 yards and 3 TDs. Since W11 Zay is the WR5 overall and has established himself as a legit WR2 with at least 7 targets in his past 5 games. This double move was nasty (video). But W16 brings a battle against Sauce Gardner and the Jets. Sit if you can.

• Rashid Shaheed continues to impress. He turned 71% of snaps into 95 yards and a TD. He has high upside because of his big-play potential, but has yet to see over 4 catches in a game.

• With Julio Jones inactive (old), Russell Gage led the Bucs in targets (12) while catching 8 for 59 yards and a TD. If Jones is inactive again, Gage has flex appeal.

• AJ Brown has gotten all the hype this year but Devonta Smith is quietly 99 yards away from an 1000 yard season and has over 100 yards in 2 of his last 3. He's also seen at least 8 targets in 6 straight games.

Diontae Johnson has been historically bad this season.

TIGHT END

Finally Some Life

George Kittle rewarded owners who trusted him in their first week playoff action going for 93 yards and 2 TDs. This was after 3 straight games of being held under 30 yards.

• After a quiet season, Dawson Knox is turning it on (TDs in two straight games with 139 yards and 15 targets). There aren't many better options at the position, at this point.

• CJ Uzomah had a breakout W15 with 2 TDs on 41 yards from Zach Wilson. Don't buy the hype.

• In his first game since W5, Darren Waller did not see a full workload but still had 3 catches for 48 yards and a TD. When healthy, he has top 3 upside. This week, Waller gets a Steelers D that has only given up 3 TDs to TEs all season.

Keep starting Evan Engram. TE1 over the past 3 weeks by over 20 points and led all TEs in fantasy usage in W15.

Deep Dives

The idea is you pick up a player the week before everyone wants to grab them off the waiver wire. This column wins leagues like no other. Last week, the perfect pickup was Chris Moore. This week's players, available in almost every league, worth grabbing:

• Royce Freeman (0%): With Dameon Pierce on the IR, Freeman led the Texans in carries (11) and rushing yards (51). Dare Ogunbowale was the only other player to carry the ball and was highly ineffective (8 carries for 14 yards). Freeman should continue to dominate work in the Texans backfield making him potential flex option if you're desperate.

• Marquise Goodwin (6%): Tyler Lockett is expected to miss several weeks after having surgery on Monday (broken finger), putting Goodwin in the Seattle WR2 role. The Seahawks take on the Chiefs in a potential shootout this week, providing Goodwin plenty of opportunities to make plays.

Also, more people should be talking about Noah Brown. He has seen 15 targets in two weeks, catching 10 passes for 134 yards and two TDs. He's also only had only one game this year under 70% snap share. Yes, he had the drop that caused a game winning interception, but he also had impressive catches like this one here.

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QUICK SLANTS

• Ian Hartitz provided his week 15 RB usage report that you can find here. James Connor is still a workhorse, Falcons backfield split 50/50 between Patterson and Allegier. 

• Jake Ciely from our friends at The Athletic breaks down matchup rankings by position for the final two weeks of the regular season.

• Chris Olave would not have practiced Tuesday with a hamstring injury. Due to the short week there was no Saints practice yesterday, so his status should be closely monitored throughout the week.

• Kenny Pickett will be back starting Week 16 for the Steelers. The Tribusky run is over.

Thanks for joining us this morning - we'll be back Saturday morning (because there are so many damn games Saturday). See you then legends.

And remember, if Gronk can pound beers and crack jokes on live TV, you can get away with a little office humour.

Jake Eddie, Matt

Tweet of the Day

Damn Matt Ryan can't keep a lead.