It's always one of the best or worst Sundays of the year, when either your guys step up when you need them most, or heartbreak (in the form of injuries or bad luck) occurs. I think it was a good year in general, but realize that your results may vary. On to the games.
Texans at Kansas City: I enjoyed the national amazement at Patrick Mahomes running in an early touchdown. He practiced fully all week. Practicing fully means his ankle wasn't an issue. As for the game, Hollywood Brown returning seems to make DeAndre Hopkins a non-option, just as adding Hopkins made JuJu a non-option, and I saw a report this weekend that Kansas City might be interested in Diontae Johnson. Seriously? Anyway, Joe Mixon didn't do much in the tough matchup, strangely uninvolved as a receiver, Isiah Pacheco outperformed by Kareem Hunt, and Tank Dell had his first good game in forever but dislocated his kneecap on the touchdown, which will be a season ender. Unfortunate.
Steelers at Ravens: Ravens took care of business here, with Derrick Henry having a big game and Lamar Jackson throwing touchdowns to both tight ends and Rashod Bateman, at least Zay Flowers did have a good, non-scoring game. Not the best game for Russell Wilson, with an off-target throw for the game-sealing Pick Six and a fumble after a scramble near the goal line. In classic Arthur Smith fashion, the 2 TDs were thrown to MyCole Pruitt and Cordarrelle Patterson, so great. Lousy game for Pittsburgh, which needs to beat Kansas City next week -- sorry, two days from now -- to have hopes of winning the AFC North.
Giants at Falcons: Boy New York's decision to move on from Daniel Jones sure doesn't look good. Not like this was a playoff team, but at least they wouldn't be the comedy of errors that they are with Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito and whoever else they throw on the field for the remaining games. Atlanta's defense scoring 2 TDs made things easy for Michael Penix, but he looked good throwing it and both Drake London and Darnell Mooney had good games (2 TDs for Bijan too).
Cardinals at Panthers: Higher-scoring than I expected. Bryce Young made some good throws, Chuba Hubbard had a good game, capped by an overtime touchdown where the Cardinals defense kind of looked like it knew the game was over. Kyler Murray did what he could to get Arizona to overtime (mostly with his legs), but it wasn't enough and that's it for their playoff chances. James Conner had the expected big game but then left with an injury. None of Arizona's receivers did much.
Lions at Bears: There were some Goff-Caleb questions this week. Goff was better, but both pretty good in fantasy terms. All Lions pretty good, monster game for Keenan Allen, who I guess was written off a bit too early. Other Bears receivers also good catching it. Not sure if we should say the Bears defense has fallen apart or just the Lions offense is really good when it's clicking. It was in this one.
Titans at Colts: Had a hunch that Jonathan Stewart would bring a little extra to the table after last week's embarrassing miscue; indeed. At one point an Anthony Richardson rushing score was incorrectly ruled short on review, at which point Taylor scored again. Announcers were talking about the fantasy ramifications. You think? More importantly, it's just stupid for replay to be overturning touchdowns like that one. Anyway, Colts win, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. Titans started Mason Rudolph, and the offense generated some late production to make things interesting. Committee backfield but with Tyjae Spears a lot better because he scored. Probably benched by most because Tony Pollard was active. What are you gonna do.
Rams at Jets: I think Aaron Rodgers is aware how close he is to throwing his 500th touchdown pass, since the Jets were throwing it a lot. Consequently Davante had a good game and a touchdown, Garrett Wilson was decent, and so was Breece Hall (for his receiving work). Rams offense didn't do too much, but Puka and Kyren got theirs; Stafford and Kupp, no. Just End The Season, Jets.
Eagles at Commanders: Eagles seemed to have a comfortable lead, even with losing Jalen Hurts early to a concussion. But Washington kept making plays and the Kenny Pickett-led Eagles kept settling for field goals, and suddenly it was a Commanders lead, and win, that shakes up the top of the NFC playoff picture. Five touchdowns for Jayden Daniels, probably locking up Rookie of the Year (if there was any doubt). Jamison Crowder came out of nowhere to have a good game, while Brian Robinson had an expected dud (or a little worse).
Browns at Bengals: Big breakaway run for the Browns by Jerome Ford on the opening possession. He runs them down near the goal line, at which point Cleveland decides to use D'Onta Foreman (inactive for weeks) as a goal-line back. Whaddaya know, Foreman fumbles, Bengals then proceed to score, Dorian Thompson-Robinson proceeds to provide all the bad of Jameis Winston (interceptions) with very little of the good. Ford scored later, at least, and the Bengals tacked on a meaningless (except in fantasy) Burrow to Chase TD. Winston again next week? Would be nice for those counting on Browns receivers.
Vikings at Seahawks: Sam Darnold. The key, game-wining play might tell why he'll be starting somewhere in the NFL next season, in the event the Vikings decide to let him walk. Trailing 24-20, Darnold was sacked near midfield, but he was basically tackled by the facemask, and it was nearly a hip drop tackle to boot; his leg got bent awkwardly. Looked a lot like he was hurt and would be coming out. But the penalty gave them a first down, and Darnold (after limping around a bit) dropped back and threw a pretty sweet touchdown to Justin Jefferson over a pair of defenders who somehow let him get behind them in the final minutes of a game they led by 4 points. Vikings win. Would be interesting if they somehow snuck away with the conference's top seed. Despite the loss and a pair of interceptions, productive game by Geno Smith and a big one for Jaxon Smith-Njigba (the TD was a thing of beauty, both throw and catch).
Patriots at Bills: Those of us with Josh Allen kind of knew a game like this would show up at some point, just hoping we won anyway. We'll see. Bills managed to come back from 14-0 (nice game for Drake Maye, at least until the risky backwards pass near his own goal line that gave Buffalo a defensive touchdown and 10-point lead that iced the game), with Allen making some plays and James Cook making even more, but not much doing for the passing game. Painful for those of us needing more, but that's the fantasy playoffs.
Jaguars at Raiders: I think we all know Jayden Daniels will probably win the rookie of the year award (and if not him it might have been Bo Nix), but arguably the two most impressive rookies were in this game, having big performances in a contest no one was watching. Bryan Thomas and Brock Bowers, in the process of dominating even with lesser quarterbacking, have had the quite the season. Who won this game? Let me check the Gamebook. Few care, and probably neither franchise even wanted to, with draft position at stake. Running backs on both sides split time, but three of them paid off in lineups with touchdowns.
49ers at Dolphins: Niners eliminated from playoff hunt, Dolphins somehow still alive. Most noteworthy thing from this game was Deebo Samuel having by far his best game of the season, probably on fantasy benches (except my best-ball league, so there's that). It can now be said with confidence that the team doesn't thing much of its fourth and fifth running back options, giving Samuel just 3 fewer carries than Patrick Taylor, and for 1 more yards. Nice game for George Kittle also. But Miami wins, with Tyreek Hill scoring (nearly a second one, too), and DeVon Achane turning a good game into a great one with a breakaway touchdown late.
Bucs at Cowboys: Credit must be given to the Cowboys for playing hard, but disappointing that the Bucs didn't give their best in this one. I think they got away from the run and Bucky Irving too soon, why yes I was starting him, why do you ask? Couple of unfortunate plays at the end, like Jalen McMillan having the ball taken away in the end zone, and then the Rachaad White fumble on a play that ordinarily would/should have been blown dead with Baker Mayfield kind of wrapped up. Now we've got to hope the Commanders knock off the Falcons next week or we'll get Atlanta in the playoffs, which I for one have little interest in seeing. For Dallas, big game for CeeDee Lamb, aside from having a TD overturned by a whisker, and he also missed some time due to injury. And the Cowboys let Zeke vulture a TD from poor Rico Dowdle, cold.
Monday, Monday: I've got a playoff matchup riding on this game, I'm sure others do too. I'm going with Kendre Miller in a flex spot (Tucker Kraft also available), please feel free to talk me out of it. I just need decent points, not a monster game, and am figuring Kraft could be left out more than New Orleans' staring running back. Aside from Miller, I want absolutely nothing to do with the Saints' offense, sorry Spencer Rattler, but it's unlikely to go well. Green Bay 27, New Orleans 13.