Flaws and all, the NFL keeps on reeling us in. Even a seemingly lousy matchup, like last night's primetime affair, is chockfull of highlight reel plays and an overtime down-to-the wire pass play that could have gone either way. Some fantasy frustration, but that's the game we're playing.
Rams at Panthers: The NFL is crazy. Rams about the best team in the league for two months, Panthers have peaks (win at Green Bay) and valleys (loss at New Orleans). But here they were with two early interceptions (including a Pick Six) of a recently mistake-free quarterback and with Bryce Young (who I regularly criticize) throwing 3 TDs. This probably the Panthers will lose to some terrible team a week from now, but whatever. Two more TDs for Davante Adams and one for each Ram running back, but the Panthers make enough plays on both sides of the ball to win. Carolina leans on the run with both Dowdle and Hubbard getting 15-plus carries, but Hubbard (only started in best-ball leagues) more effective and scoring.
49ers at Browns: Weather a factor -- a whole lot of unders hit -- but also the Browns just aren't good in two of the three aspects of the game. This time the big play was a muffed punt after a defensive stop that turned a close, low-scoring game into a short field and touchdown for San Francisco that basically ended things. Potentially a long touchdown for a wide open Jerry Jeudy at one point but Shedeur overthrew him. If you started most key 49ers you got the best you could hope for another good rushing day for Quinshon Judkins.
Texans at Colts: Colts were getting some breaks early in the season, not so much yesterday. There was a questionable pass interference (receiver appeared to slip on his own) that extended what turned out to be the Texans winning drive. Plus their defense is just really good, and the Colts struggled to finish drives. Three-way race in the AFC South right now. Good game for C.J. Stroud in his return from a concussion and his main targets as well; jet sweep touchdown from Nico Collins and a short one from Nick Chubb, to the dismay of those who used Woody Marks (otherwise featured). Alec Pierce the best Colts receiver, with Michael Pittman presumably seeing a lot of Derek Stingley.
Saints at Dolphins: Wild game that was mostly DeVon Achane early, and some Saints production and drama late. Kind of a breakout game for Devaughn Vele, who I've had on a dynasty roster most of the season (until last week, sigh). Some nice throws by Tyler Shough (very nearly a game-winning score to Chris Olave in the final minute) and also a rare recovered onside kick. But because of a defensive 2-pointer (which basically happens once per year) on a failed 2-point conversion, New Orleans was down 4 points rather than 2 or tied, so they couldn't try a long winning field goal (and ultimately got stopped on 3rd and 4th and 1. Not using Taysom Hill, for whatever reason. Devin Neal didn't kill you if you used him in PPR, Dolphins will get a worse draft pick.
Falcons at Jets: One of the cool things about the NFL is when losing teams playing in the rain late in the season are still competing and putting together a fairly entertaining game. Fairly; let's not get too crazy. The star running backs did their thing. Immediately after I decided that John Metchie was the Jets' No. 1, after promoting Adonai Mitchell as that guy for the past month, Metchie had a quiet game that included a bad drop near the goal line, while Mitchell had a huge game (including a long touchdown); good for him. Tyrod Taylor also came up big, making plays with his arm and legs as the Jets scored 10 points in the final two minutes to win. Kyle Pitts, not Darnell Mooney, the best Falcon; even as a No. 1 Mooney not paying off.
Cardinals at Bucs: Score one for believing in players coming off injury/surgery, with both Bucky Irving and Marvin Harrison having good games. Irving actually had a second touchdown erased by a penalty. Rachaad White also had a touchdown (reception) erased by a penalty, while Chris Godwin was the leading receiver (3 for 78) with what could have been a great game had he not dropped a perfectly thrown ball in his midsection in the back of the end zone. So could have been a better day for Baker Mayfield. The Jacoby Brissett goodness continued, while Michael Wilson slipped back to being the third target (lower if we're including the running backs, who were very productive).
Jaguars at Titans: One-sided game, with Jacksonville playing well and Tennessee just not good enough to make a run at them. They slowed down Travis Etienne, and Bhayshul Tuten vultured a short touchdown, unfortunate considering Etienne, coming off back-to-back good games, was probably the most started Jaguar. This time it was the passing game that did the most, with Jakobi Meyers having a big game (not so much Brian Thomas, and Parker Washington left with an injury). In any case, the hot offensive coordinators a year ago, Ben Johnson and Liam Coen, have their teams well positioned for the playoffs right now.
Vikings at Seahawks: Well we have an answer as to whether things could be worse without J.J. McCarthy, and it wasn't pretty. Unless you're a Seahawks fan or facing Vikings players, nothing good to say about this one. Max Brosmer's Pick Six was, well, one of the worst plays you'll see a quarterback make, turning a fourth-down sack in the red zone into...a Pick Six. Things got no better from there. The Vikings did a nice job in taking away Jaxon Smith Njigba, but really, Seattle's entire offense did very little, at least in part because it didn't have to. Just brutal, but it will make everyone glad to get McCarthy back I guess.
Raiders at Chargers: Big news from this one was Justin Herbert briefly missing time after injuring his non-throwing hand. He was able to return, but he'll have surgery tomorrow which it seems like might cost him a game or two. Kimani Vidal had a nice breakaway run, Quentin Johnston caught a touchdown, and Brock Bowers had a big game for Las Vegas including a pretty cool touchdown catch. Ashton Jeanty had another game reminiscent of recent days Alvin Kamara, only worse: poor yards per carry, no touchdowns, some PPR value by catching 6 short passes. Raiders fall again and Geno adds to his sack and interception totals.
Bills at Steelers: Steelers a lot better defending the run than pass for most of the season, so naturally Buffalo goes into Pittsburgh and runs for 249 yards, with Josh Allen throwing for 123. I'm not sure if Pittsburgh failed to run well or just got out of their game (and didn't really have the ball enough) to ever get anything going, but a sack and lost fumble for a touchdown turned a close defensive struggle into a game where it didn't seem like that Aaron Rodgers, broken hand and bloody nose and all, was going to have much chance. And of course if you can't stop the run you get a lot fewer chances to do anything. Fantasy-wise, Jaylen Warren (scoring) and James Cook the main highlights.
Broncos at Commanders: Though the Broncos would seem to be much better, I also kind of figured Washington would treat this primetime affair like their Super Bowl and play pretty well. Certainly their fans are absorbing some pain after last year's Cinderella season, with a pair of recent 1-point losses and now back-to-back overtime defeats. The Denver offense still isn't quite that imposing, but Bo Nix made some pretty remarkable throws and the offensive line is playing well. And that defense is lights out; even Washington's first touchdown was set up by a bogus penalty (also, whatever happened to "offsetting penalties"?). A jaw-dropping touchdown catch by Treylon Burks, seems like Washington might want to play him more. Fun game if you could stay up til the end.
Monday, Monday: Drake Maye versus Jaxson Dart, that's the storyline here. New England defense not a shutdown group and the Giants are bad, so could be a higher-scoring game (although nighttime December weather in Massachusetts might keep offenses in check a little). But betting against New England doesn't seem like good business these days. Patriots 27, Giants 21.