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Catch-up on some of the key fantasy football happenings from Sunday’s Week 14 games, including the Steelers’ big night offensively, season-ending injuries to Carson Wentz and Josh McCown, monster performances by LeSean McCoy, DeAndre Hopkins, Jordan Howard and much more.
Carson Wentz Tears ACL
Wentz suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season according to coach Doug Pederson. Wentz went down late in Sunday’s win after throwing for 291 yards and four touchdowns on 23-of-41 passing attempts. Wentz was able to stay in the game and even throw a touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery before departing mostly under his own power. Nick Foles will lead the Eagles into the playoffs.
Josh McCown Officially Done For The Year
Ameer Abdullah No Longer No. 1 Back
Abdullah appears to have lost his role as the go-to back in Detroit. Abdullah was inactive in Week 14 against the Bucs. He had been limited all week with a neck injury but was cleared to play ahead of Sunday’s game. His inactive tag was more to get other guys playing time, a clear sign that Abdullah is not the guy anymore. Theo Riddick had himself a fantastic game on Sunday, hauling in six catches for 64 yards and rushing for two touchdowns. Rookie Tion Green and Zach Zenner could figure more into the running game as well going forward. Riddick is a solid RB2 in PPR leagues and a flex consideration in standard formats. Abdullah is probably a safe drop outside of very deep leagues going forward.
Antonio Brown and Other Steelers Put Up Huge Numbers
Brown caught 11-of-18 targets for 213 yards to help propel his team to a scintillating 39-38 win over their division rivals. It was a banner day offensively for both teams, with Ben Roethlisberger passing for 506 yards. The only blemish on Brown’s massive game was that he didn’t reach the end zone. Le’Veon Bell finished with 13 carries for 48 yards while adding nine receptions for 77 yards through the air. The Steelers have scaled back Bell’s rushing workload over the past four games, giving him just total 63 carries. Bell, however, has more than made up for his lack of rushing volume in the passing game, having caught 35 passes over that span.
Jimmy Garoppolo Delivers Solid Performance
Garoppolo completed 20 of 33 passes for 334 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was able to spread the ball around to eight different receivers throughout the game in order to keep the 49ers offense on track.
Danny Woodhead Leads Ravens In Catches
Woodhead only rushed twice for seven yards versus the Steelers. However, he salvaged some PPR value by catching a team-high four passes for 29 yards. He is still not producing the numbers needed to be a fantasy asset, but hope springs eternal with his owners. He is best treated like an RB3 in PPR leagues, although the last three games of the regular season are favorable for Baltimore.
Davante Adams Bounces Back
He caught 10 passes for 84 yards with two touchdowns on the day. His second touchdown came on a big run after the catch and sealed the win in overtime. Adams started off slow; not recording a single catch in the first half but was targeted heavily coming out of half time. Adams has become the number one receiving option in Green Bay regardless of who is playing quarterback.
Josh Gordon Catches First Touchdown Since 2013
Gordon hauled in three of six targets for 69 yards and a touchdown, his first NFL score since the 2013 season. Gordon finished with a solid stat line but didn’t record a catch after the second quarter as the Packers were able to contain him in the second half. Gordon’s score came on an 18-yard laser from quarterback DeShone Kizer, where he made an excellent snatch catch in the end zone.
Jamaal Williams Delivers Again in Lead-Back Role
Running back Jamaal Williams had over 118 yards from scrimmage in Week 14 playing against Cleveland. It is the third straight week that Williams had over 100 yards from scrimmage. Williams had 49 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown and 69 yards receiving with a touchdown on the day. Most of that receiving yardage came on a big play early in the game where Williams got behind the defense for a 30-yard touchdown catch. Even though fellow rookie running back Aaron Jones was at full strength, Williams got the majority of the work.
DeShone Kizer Turns In Best Pro Performance
Kizer completed 20-of-28 passes for 214 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions as the Browns lost 27-21 to Green Bay. It was Kizer’s first professional game with three passing touchdowns. Kizer’s second interception ruined an otherwise excellent game for him as he threw a ball up for grabs while under pressure in overtime.
Kelvin Benjamin Battles Through Knee Injury; Scores First TD As A Bill
Overall, he managed to haul in three of his eight targets for 38 yards in very unfavorable weather conditions. His eight targets marked a high in his short tenure with the Bills and he also led the team. Unfortunately, he also battled an existing meniscus injury throughout the game, exiting and re-entering the game on a few different occasions. After the game, it was reported that Benjamin was walking, though it remains unclear what his status may be for next week.
LeSean McCoy Has Monster Game In Snow
McCoy posted a monster game in the snow against the Colts in Week 14, racking up 156 rushing yards and a touchdown on 32 carries. McCoy was leaned on heavily due to the extremely snowy conditions in Orchard Park, and he did not disappoint as he recorded his second game this season with over 150 yards rushing. With the quarterback situation in such flux — both Nathan Peterman (concussion) and Tyrod Taylor (knee) are battling injury — it should be expected that the Bills will continue to rely on McCoy heavily.
Amari Cooper Re-Injures Ankle in Blowout Loss
After a last-minute push to be cleared to play, Cooper (ankle) was active in Week 14, but he quickly re-injured his sprained ankle early on in the game. Cooper was left in as a run blocker on a toss play and was rolled up on by a falling Chiefs defender, which left him sidelined for the rest of the game, having logged no catches.
Dede Westbrook Steps Up With 81 Yards, One Touchdown
Westbrook also added a fantastic diving 29-yard reception for a first down as the Jaguars passing attack was dangerous the entire game. It has been a long road this season for Westbrook, from preseason standout to now in-season contributor. He has essentially become the team’s No. 2 receiver behind Marqise Lee and can be considered a WR4/flex consideration moving forward.
DeAndre Hopkins Explodes For Two Scores Against 49ers
Hopkins hauled in 11 catches for 149 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Houston’s loss to the 49ers. Both scores came from the arm of Houston backup quarterback T.J. Yates, who entered the game after starter Tom Savage left with a concussion. Regardless of what Houston’s quarterback situation looks like going forward, Hopkins will be heavily involved in the Texans offense, though he could find it tough sledding next week against the Jaguars.
Jonathan Stewart Notches Three Touchdowns
Stewart turned back the clock and exploded for three touchdowns and 103 yards in the Panthers 31-24 win over the Vikings. Stewart had been getting it done in short-yardage red-zone situations the past few weeks but started this game with a 60-yard bust for a touchdown. He then went back to work on the goal line, punching in two more scores. That’s now five touchdowns for Stewart in his last three games, giving him six for the season.
Jordan Howard Rumbles For 147 Yards, Two Touchdowns
