NFL Takeaways – Week 13 Cyber Monday Edition

There was no discounted football this weekend. You had to pay the full price to ensure success towards the playoff picture. Let’s review my Week 13 takeaways as we look forward to Week 14. 

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Quarterbacks

• Player: Marcus Mariota
• Game: vs. Broncos 
• Stats: 28-50, 294 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT with 55 receiving yards 

Mariota scored the most points by a Washington Commanders QB this season with his performance on SNF against a difficult Denver defense that was at full strength. The Broncos allow the fifth-fewest points to QBs, but the return of Terry McClaurin (7-96-1) certainly helped the Commanders’ offense get Mariota rolling. He has 5:1 TD:INT since taking over for Jayden Daniels in Week 10 and will face the Vikings in Week 14 who have given QBs trouble in recent weeks. 

Notables:

Bryce Young showed first-round poise, upsetting the Rams at home while tossing three TDs in the process. He enters his Week 14 bye having thrown 7 TDs over the last three games, facing off against the Saints in Week 15. Young ended his 2024 campaign as the QB5 from Week 15 to Week 18.

Trevor Lawrence had the Jags offense humming with his two passing TDs early in the game. He wasn’t needed in the second half, limiting his outing. This marked his first game without a turnover since Week 7, earning him a QB1 finish in Week 13.

As predicted, Jacoby Brissett was a QB1 for a seventh consecutive week against the seventh-most advantageous Tampa Bay defense. His 300+ passing yards mark his third straight game. His streak may end with his next two matchups against the Rams and Texans.

Matthew Stafford threw his first picks since Week 3 while adding two TDs to the same WR against the Panthers, who are the eighth-best against QBs. He’ll face another top-10 defense against opposing QBs against Arizona in Week 14. 

Justin Herbert fractured his left hand. He’ll undergo a surgical procedure on Monday and will try to play in Week 14. Terrible timing for fantasy shareholders and the Chargers’ pass catchers. 

Running Backs

• Player: Bijan Robinson
• Game: at New York Jets
• Stats: 23 carries, 142 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 5 receptions for 51 receiving yards

In a favorable matchup against the Jets, Robinson posted his second finish as the top RB since Week 6. Tyler Allgeier vultured a TD with an additional 10 touches. Robinson has surpassed 100+ scrimmage yards in three consecutive games with an upcoming matchup against the Seahawks, who’ve allowed the fourth-fewest points to RBs this season and allowed three RBs (McCaffrey, Warren, Demarcado) to go over 100 scrimmage yards this season. 

Notables:

Chuba Hubbard played over 50% of snaps for the first time since Week 8. He played 11 more snaps and outperformed Rico Dowdle with 124 all-purpose yards with one score on 19 touches, compared to Dowdle’s 79 scrimmage yards on 20 touches. Dowdle was one of the hottest RBs earlier this season, so it’ll be interesting to see how this backfield pans out following their Week 14 bye. 

De’Von Achane ran loose against the Saints front for the third consecutive game with 120+ rushing yards. Oddly, he didn’t catch a pass on just one target for the first time all season. He’ll face the Jets next week after allowing the Falcons to run all over them. 

Christian McCaffrey produced his least efficient game of the season with 53 rushing yards on 2o attempts and four receptions for 21 yards, while adding a rushing score. This marks just the third time this season that CMC was held under 100 scrimmage yards. He’ll face the Titans following his Week 14 bye, who allow the fifth-most points to RBs. 

Bucky Irving returned following a lengthy injury absence with a 53% snap share and dominated the touches, 19 to seven combined touches for Raachad White and Tucker. Irving scored on a 13-yard rushing attempt and should continue to get the bulk of the work for the Bucs down the stretch. 

The Rams’ backfield is one to monitor following Kyren Williams’ brief ankle injury scare. He has not played 70% of snaps since Week 6, averaging 65% snap share since Week 7. Despite a drop in snaps, he’s been productive, scoring 6 TDs in five of seven games since Week 6. Blake Corum scored his second TD of the season and is averaging 10 touches per game since Week 7. 

Jaylen Warren scored his second consecutive TD and has scored four TDs in five games. Kenneth Gainwell played 50% of snaps with seven touches.  The Steelers offense will look to bounce back on the road in Baltimore. 

RJ Harvey rushed for two TDs with 62 scrimmage yards on 16 touches at Washington, which allows the fourth-most points to RBs. The Broncos are back on the road in Vegas as Harvey is trending upward at the right time.  

Wide Receivers

• Player: Adonai Mitchell
• Game: vs. Falcons
• Stats: 8 receptions, 102 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD on 12 targets

Finally, the game Mitchell shareholders have been waiting for since his trade to the Big Apple. Would you believe he was the only WR to go over 100 yards on Sunday? His 52-yard TD from Tyrod Taylor was the longest play of the day. Mitchell’s averaging a healthy eight targets in three games with the Jets, but faces a less-than-ideal matchup against the Dolphins, who allow the fourth-fewest points to WRs.

Notables:

Nico Collins led all Texans WRs yet again this season and added a seven-yard rushing score. He’s posted at least 75 receiving yards in four of his last five games. He’ll face the Chiefs in Week 14, who allowed the Dallas WR duo to tally 112 and 88 yards 

Alec Pierce bounced back 4-78-1 line against a stout Texans secondary, which is permitting the third-fewest points to WRs. He’s been one of the most consistent pass catchers in the league, with 69 yards in five of his last six games. He’ll face the Jaguars for the first time next week. 

Davante Adams caught two more TDs. At this point, expect a TD every game from him and rejoice. 

Devaughn Vele had a career-best 8-93-1 while tying Chris Olave (4-47-1) in snaps and led the Saints with eight targets. Expect more for this group with Alvin Kamara potentially done for this season, despite a below-average strength of schedule. 

With 23 receiving yards against the Vikings, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is unlikely to go over the 2K mark as he was game-scripted out this week. 

Justin Jefferson’s four receiving yards were a career low. What a brutal season for Jettas. 

Brian Thomas Jr. returned to Jacksonville’s starting lineup, posting 28 yards. However, it was Jakobi Meyers, who paced the Jags WR core in snaps, routes run, and targets with a 6-90-1 line. It’s now or never for BTJ with a top-10 matchup against the Titans in Week 14. If he doesn’t perform, he’s a sit for the playoff stretch.

Michael Wilson tied Marvin Harrison Jr with seven targets, but ended with just 36 receiving yards. Harrison Jr left in the fourth quarter with a heel injury, so I hope you didn’t discard Wilson too soon. 

Jalen Coker posted a season high of 74 receiving yards and one TD. Teammate, Tetairoa McMillan, added a 43-yard TD to secure the W for the Panthers. These two could end up on a lot of winning teams should Bryce Young put it together like he did last season. 

Tight End

• Player: Brock Bowers
• Game: at LA Chargers 
• Stats: 4 receptions, 63 yards, 2 touchdowns on 4 targets

Facing the sixth-toughest defense, Bowers delivered two TDs. He’s now scored five TDs in two games this season. Bowers has the toughest end-of-season schedule for a TE, so you may want to lower expectations, but there’s no way you’re benching in the playoffs. 

Notables:

Trey McBride looks to start a new TD streak after posting right receptions for 82 yards and one score against the toughest defense since Tennessee in Week 5. He’s becoming matchup-proof at this point in the season and will face the Rams, who are as neutral of defense as you’ll find. 

Kyle Pitts led all Falcons pass catchers as the de facto number one option in ATL with Drake London sidelined. He’ll have a very favorable matchup against the Seahawks, who permit the fourth most points to TEs.

Brenton Strange scored a TD while compiling 45 yards in limited duty. Strange is becoming a must-start TE and faces the Colts in Weeks 13 and 16, who give up the sixth-most points to TEs. 

Harold Fannin appears to have surpassed David Njoku as the TE in Cleveland with a season-high 95% snap share rate. He led all Browns’ pass catchers with 42 yards, scoring the lone TE. 

In a difficult matchup against the Raiders, Oronde Gadsden provided little to his shareholders. Depending on the news of Herbert’s injury, he might be best left on your bench with tough matchups against Philadelphia (31st) and Kansas City (24th). 

Bye Week Update

• Week 14 Byes include the Panthers, Patriots, Giants, and 49ers. Adjust your lineups accordingly!

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