Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Cowboys emerged from their bye with a wholesome Andy Dalton and a way more competent offense, together with Ezekiel Elliott recording his first 100-yard speeding sport of the season in the course of the crew’s 31-28 upset win. The Vikings’ protection had been enjoying significantly better of late, but Dalton’s return resulted in as many touchdowns earlier than halftime (two) that Dallas had scored in complete since Dak Prescott went down in Week 5.

Elliott had nonetheless been battling hamstring points all through observe this week however appeared higher after the bye, though Tony Pollard recorded Dallas’ longest run of the season throughout his 42-yard landing … CeeDee Lamb had a very nice TD catch, and Dalton Schultz must be a weekly viable possibility now in a weak tight finish group. Nevertheless, the Cowboys’ schedule doesn’t look tremendous straightforward down the stretch, so whereas Dalton’s return helps, it stays unlikely the crew can hold three vast receivers’ fantasy values afloat as everybody hoped getting into the season.

Dalvin Cook dinner misplaced a fumble however shook off a tough hit and continues to appear like the perfect again within the league proper now, whereas Kirk Cousins entered main the NFL in Passer Score in the course of the fourth quarter after which added one other two TD tosses within the sport’s last 15 minutes. Cousins leads the league in YPA this season (and ranks second in CPAE) and has now thrown a whopping 14 touchdowns over 5 residence video games.

Adam Thielen entered because the NFL’s chief in end-zone targets and added one other two landing grabs, whereas Justin Jefferson entered with essentially the most receiving yards within the league since Week 3 (and averaging the third-most receiving yards per sport ever as a rookie) and scored Sunday as nicely. Jefferson is one more spectacular rookie receiver this yr, as he truly leads the NFL in yards per route run, though he had a drop that helped finish Minnesota’s last drive. The Vikings stay one of many league’s largest enigmas, as this was their first loss since Week 6 (once they had been additionally sizable residence favorites).

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Philadelphia Eagles vs. Cleveland Browns

Climate was an element for the third straight sport in Cleveland, though Carson Wentz is working out of excuses with one other tough efficiency. The primary-place Eagles appear reluctant to bench Wentz, who has essentially the most turnovers and sacks taken within the NFL, however Jalen Hurts must be rostered in Superflex leagues … Miles Sanders additionally disillusioned in opposition to a protection lacking Myles Garrett, dropping a fumble at Cleveland’s five-yard line … Kareem Hunt obtained a goal-line TD, however Nick Chubb was as soon as once more Cleveland’s finest working again, as he leads the NFL in YPC after contact by a large margin … The Eagles are the one crew that’s allowed extra speeding touchdowns than passing TDs this season. The 7-Three Browns now go on the highway 4 of their subsequent 5 video games.

Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints

Taysom Hill appeared like a cell Drew Brees in a formidable efficiency that included one other 57-yard TD go referred to as again by penalty (and a uncommon Michael Thomas drop). Hill obtained 10.1 YPA whereas turning into simply the third quarterback in NFL historical past to make his first profession begin at 30+ years previous, and he’s now a weekly fantasy starter given his speeding capacity (Hill led the Saints in speeding yards Sunday and added two scores on the bottom) … It was a good matchup, however Hill additionally confirmed a very good reference to Michael Thomas, whose fantasy managers can breathe a giant sigh of reduction … Matt Ryan watched Julio Jones depart early and his o-line get overwhelmed, leading to eight sacks and 0 offensive touchdowns for Atlanta … Alvin Kamara scored in opposition to a Falcons protection that’s been stingy versus fantasy backs, however his one goal is completely regarding shifting ahead given the QB change.

Detroit Lions vs. Carolina Panthers

P.J. Walker had a few unhealthy picks however was loads competent in any other case, making the most of a good matchup to assist hold all three Carolina receivers related. Matthew Stafford, however, struggled badly whereas enjoying via a sprained thumb and with out Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola, and D’Andre Swift. Stafford has dramatic splits with/with out Kenny G this season, and Sunday he had a 51-yard TD to Marvin Jones referred to as again by an inconsequential five-yard penalty, because it’s been a tough season for the Lions … In a main matchup and with Detroit lacking many items on offense together with Swift, the once-promising Kerryon Johnson nonetheless completed with fewer carries and yards than 35-year-old Adrian Peterson … Why not goal T.J. Hockenson extra?

New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans

Cam Newton switched it up and threw for 365 yards however added simply six speeding yards with no rating on the bottom, whereas Deshaun Watson continues to hold Houston’s offense, serving to the Texans win in the course of the oldest teaching matchup in NFL historical past. Watson now sports activities a good 61:Three TD:INT ratio within the red-zone throughout his profession, and whereas he clearly gained’t get any votes, he’s performed like an MVP this season … Duke Johnson is doing his finest job of constructing David Johnson look first rate, whereas Jakobi Meyers went from rating #1 in WOPR over the past three weeks to in some way seeing simply three measly targets Sunday (that additionally featured a Donte Moncrief sighting!) … Damien Harris entered getting 5.5 YPC regardless of dealing with the very best common variety of defenders within the field this season (he is additionally Alabama’s all-time chief in YPC) however managed simply 3.9 YPC in opposition to a Houston run protection that entered ranked final in DVOA. Nonetheless, Harris added a landing and noticed his first goal in November, and Sony Michel was a wholesome scratch, so it wasn’t all unhealthy.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Props to Jacksonville for trying an onside kick after going up 3-Zero early, as huge underdogs ought to improve variance like that, though one might argue giving the ball again to Jake Luton (15.5 Passer Score) wouldn’t improve the crew’s win likelihood … Ben Roethlisberger obtained 5.Eight YPA in opposition to a Jaguars protection that entered permitting an NFL-high 8.6 YPA, and James Conner as soon as once more obtained faraway from the goal-line, disappointing some fantasy managers in a extremely favorable matchup. After all, Pittsburgh gained by 24 factors anyway, because the crew improved to 10-Zero for the primary time in franchise historical past … Diontae Johnson noticed a whopping 16 targets, together with this highlight-worthy seize, whereas Chase Claypool grew to become the primary participant within the Tremendous Bowl period to report 10 TD catches within the first 10 video games of his profession.

Chase Claypool simply continues to impress. (AP Picture/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Soccer Group

Joe Burrow suffered a severe harm, as Washington continues to be essentially the most harmful place for quarterbacks’ legs. Burrow definitely impressed throughout his rookie season, which isn’t surprising to see finish prematurely given all of the hits he was being subjected to whereas main the NFL in go makes an attempt. Ryan Finley is a giant downgrade for Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and Gio Bernard … Antonio Gibson has extra touches over the past weeks than he had carries all through his faculty profession, and he’s lapping Jonathan Taylor, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and all different rookie backs not named James Robinson in fantasy worth proper now.

Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson was OK throughout a matchup most had been hoping for an eruption, because it doesn’t seem Baltimore’s offense will probably be fastened anytime quickly. It was good to see Mark Andrews so concerned, as was seeing J.Okay. Dobbins emerge because the Ravens’ obvious new lead again, however Marquise Brown’s nightmare season bottomed out with three catchless targets that included one ugly drop in opposition to a Titans protection that entered permitting the second-most fantasy factors to vast receivers. Is Dez Bryant actually going to have extra fantasy worth down the stretch? … Derrick Henry’s second additional time landing of the season was additionally the 50th TD run of his profession, actually handing the Ravens an L.

Miami Dolphins vs. Denver Broncos

Drew Lock was higher after an early choose, however he largely struggled but once more and had his last numbers aided by this bizarre 61-yard completion on the sport’s last play … Tua Tagovailoa failed throughout his try and change into the primary rookie QB since Ben Roethlisberger to win his first 4 video games, as he took six sacks whereas getting simply 4.2 YPA earlier than being benched within the fourth quarter. It appears unlikely, however it will be excellent news for DeVante Parker if Miami turned again to Ryan Fitzpatrick … Salvon Ahmed left at one level Sunday however returned and continued to dominate Miami’s backfield, together with seeing six targets, so his arrow continues to level up regardless of the poor field rating. Matt Breida’s return didn’t matter, and the Dolphins’ schedule actually eases up now, so the one concern can be Myles Gaskin returning … Melvin Gordon scored two touchdowns and almost had a 3rd, solely to lose a fumble proper on the objective line.

New York Jets vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert’s 277 passing yards within the first half had been the second-most within the league this season, and the rookie completed with one other three scores whereas making it look straightforward (and it’s not his fault the Chargers make successful so tough). Joe Flacco countered with one of many worst pick-sixes you’ll ever see … Frank Gore scored a landing sooner or later after his son hit pay dust, which definitely appears extra essential than auditioning La’Mical Perine for the longer term … Kalen Ballage fought via an early harm however disillusioned throughout his revenge sport given the matchup and 9 targets … After all, that’s nonetheless 10 fewer than Keenan Allen’s 19 (!) appears … Breshad Perriman had video game-like exercise metrics for somebody his measurement, so he’d be fairly attention-grabbing if issues ever broke proper … He’ll be straightforward to miss in a loaded rookie WR class and due to the Jets’ scenario, however Denzel Mims has actually impressed throughout his brief time on the sphere this yr … The Jets have twice as many roughing the passer penalties (10) as every other crew within the NFL, which is further spectacular contemplating they’re among the many backside groups in QB pressures … Simply once we thought 2020 couldn’t probably get any stranger, Chris Herndon caught a landing.

Inexperienced Bay Packers vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Packers scored 28 factors within the first half however had been held to simply three within the second half, which included an additional time possession that abruptly ended with a Marquez Valdes-Scantling softly-lost fumble (such an MVS transfer). The odd sport additionally included a ton of holding penalties and a sequence late that noticed the Colts run simply 1:41 off the clock over 14 snaps … Sunday morning reviews instructed Nyheim Hines (six carries, two yards) may take over Indy’s backfield, nevertheless it was Jonathan Taylor who dominated the work with 26 touches. Taylor entered ranked bottom-five in YPC after contact and elusive score, so this was definitely an encouraging growth. The rookie had a 20+ yard TD run referred to as again by a penalty as nicely, though admittedly the maintain helped … Michael Pittman Jr. must be seeing greater than three targets.

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