There are bad injury days and then are bad injury days. Breakout rookies going down for the season. Big stars disappearing on opening drives. Players getting lost for the season when you didn't even know they were hurt. Let's take a whirlwind tour through the NFL carnage.
Bills at Bengals: Somebody went through this game with the ugly stick. Biggest news is A.J. Green leaving very early with a hamstring injury that's apparently serious. A shame for one of the league's best wideouts. Second-biggest news is Giovani Bernard tearing his ACL. Other big news is Mike Nugent missing a pair of first-half extra points, a factor in a 4-point loss when the Bengals were in field goal range late -- I mean, a better kicker's range. LeSean McCoy also hurt in this game, dislocated thumb, apparently needs surgery. Jeremy Hill got stuffed a couple of times at the goal line early on, which didn't upset me since I benched him. Although...
Steelers at Browns: ...Isaiah Crowell, who I benched him for, didn't do anything either. Weather came into play in this game though we'd actually gone with a conservative projection for the Steelers anyway. Absolutely huge game for LeVeon Bell, rewarding those of us who waited out his three-week suspension. Cody Kessler concussed, so maybe we'll yet see Robert Griffin III start this season. A nice catch by Corey Coleman in this game and a touchdown for Gary Barnidge, otherwise naught else to see.
Ravens at Cowboys: Ravens take an early lead, but there's just no stopping the Elliotts. The Prescotts? The Cowboys. Big game for Steve Smith, am hoping the Ravens slip into the playoffs but it's not looking good. Though who knows, maybe Smith keeps playing a few more years. Big game for Dez Bryant, healthy and obviously enjoying a rapport with this quarterback. Dallas hosts Washington on Thanksgiving.
Jaguars at Lions: Jacksonville defends the pass pretty well. Not good enough to win games the way their offense is playing, of course. Lions scored on punt returns and the Blake Bortles Pick Six special. Comical run game stat line from Detroit: 21 carries for 14 yards. Ameer Abdullah, come back soon. At least Theo Riddick (and Chris Ivory!) had nice PPR days. Otherwise the Lions passing game needs to be on benches (and leave it there for the Vikings this week). Allen Robinson scored, at least.
Titans at Colts: And it looks like the Colts are going to win the AFC South. They have the best offense (Frank Gore! Impressive) and their defense seems to be playing a little better. Mostly it's Andrew Luck and Gore and his main receivers and a weak division. Titans fell behind as quickly in this one as they put the Packers behind a week ago, which affected the entire game plan. Disappointing game for Delanie Walker, another big game for Rishard Matthews, who's kind of on a roll.
Bucs at Kansas City: Shocker. Nobody that I knew in various Survivor Pools actually picked Kansas City, but I didn't expect them to lose. But they didn't have Marcus Peters, and he's pretty good. Disappointing game for Tyreek Hill, though he can't throw himself the ball (Alex Smith underthrew him on a possible long touchdown). Smith also tried to force one in on and end-zone throw and it got picked, pretty much the play of the game. NFC South might be strangely compelling down the stretch, just like the AFC West.
Cardinals at Vikings: I'm calling it on Carson Palmer. Can't be used with much confidence on the road anymore. There have been signs all along, and this was a great defense he was facing, but regardless. Guy looks done. Hasn't hurt David Johnson's stats, at least, who's having an absolute monster year. Somebody asked me about the Vikings defense on Saturday. Hey, with return teams like theirs, and that secondary, they can pretty much start almost every week, even if the pass rush has tailed off.
Bears at Giants: Bears controlled this game early, but Zach Miller got hurt and that was about it for their offense. Miller (foot) done for the year. Jordan Howard looked great but had a touchdown vultured after a long run and there wasn't enough other stuff going on for Chicago to keep the lead. Plus Landon Collins is making plays all over the place. Disappointing week for Odell Beckham Jr. which will probably knock me out of the one league I drafted him in. Oh well. Nice game though for Rashad Jennings, Eli Manning and Sterling Shepard. Weather a factor, but mostly for kickers.
Dolphins at Rams: Early touchdown for Todd Gurley, score one for matchup. Rams offense did essentially nothing else but still almost won. But Dolphins made big plays late, including several clutch catches by DeVante Parker (and great throws by Ryan Tannehill, fair play to the oft-criticized one). Jared Goff managed that lead right up until the end but otherwise did nothing of note besides throw a decent Hail Mary into the end zone; too bad none of his receivers had made it within 10 yards of the paint yet.
Eagles at Seahawks: Pretty much as expected, right down to Russell Wilson and Doug Baldwin connecting for a touchdown (albeit thrown by Baldwin, cool play). Zach Ertz had a good game and another long touchdown wiped out by a foolish formation penalty. Wentz and company continue to struggle on the road, plus two-thirds of its running back committee got hurt, so go pick up Wendell Smallwood (if you haven't already been stashing him). Long touchdown run for C.J. Prosise, though he got hurt, leading to more chances for Thomas Rawls (who looked healthy, just in time).
Patriots at 49ers: Couldn't believe this game was like 13-10 in the third quarter, but it didn't last. So yes, Martellus Bennett was a huge disappointment and pretty much the only dead spot in several daily lineups of mine and probably everyone else. What are you gonna do. Big game for Brady, Edelman, and Chris Hogan replacements Malcolm Mitchell and Danny Amendola (who both scored). James White finished with good numbers but split passing downs snaps with Dion Lewis. Which means what for next week? Lots of unhappy fantasy teams. For the 49ers, of course Vance McDonald scored, you're welcome!
Packers at Washington: Do I need to keep apologizing to Kirk Cousins for ripping him for years? He's doing great, making throws I didn't think he could make. Had to start Pierre Garcon in a huge matchup, and when he caught that 70-yard touchdown, a play he hasn't delivered in probably 8 years, I was high-fiving my dog. Big numbers from basically everyone, which is how things go against Green Bay's defense these days. Missed on Jared Cook, though still not a big believer. He dropped a touchdown and lost a costly fumble late. But credit due, made some plays and had a great fantasy day.
Texans vs. Raiders in Mexico: Trying to remember if there's been a game played in Mexico before. I could look it up but who has the time. In any case, as long as Nick Novak doesn't go for like 17 points I'm good in an FFPC league that I'd really like to win. This game has huge meaning for two NFL divisions and plenty of wildcard implications too. Hard to bet on anything connected with Houston's offense with Brock Osweiler at the helm. Oakland 23, Houston 17.