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This past week my take the cake for the best slate of games this year. We got comeback wins, impressive performances from young studs, and masterclass moments from savvy vets. Along with that, we got some significant shakeups in my power rankings, while also getting some repeat awards winners.
Photo: Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images
Week 11 Power Rankings
Teams to Note
Washington Commanders (Rose 5 spots)
The Commanders are hitting their stride, as they've won 4 out of their last 5 games, including taking down the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. Heinicke has proven he is a capable NFL starter, this defense is gonna improve once Chase Young returns, and when everyone is healthy, this offense is severely underrated.
Los Angeles Rams (Dropped 4 spots)
It's never a good sign when your team falls to 3-6 a season after winning a Super Bowl, and Rams could not be looking worse than they do right now. Even though they had their own backup QB in, their defense couldn't stop Colt McCoy and a ragtag Cardinals offense. Things aren't looking good for the reigning Super Bowl champs.
Carolina Panthers (Rose 7 spots)
The Panthers look like a good football team lately. Since Matt Rhule was fired, they have won twice as many games this season and have gone 2-2 in the past four weeks, with one of those loses coming in OT. They have a somewhat winnable schedule, with 4 of their remaining 7 games coming against teams with the same or worse record than them. Keep your eyes on the Panthers as they still have a young core to build around for next season.
Week 10 Awards
AFC Offensive MVP: Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs
AFC Defensive MVP: Stephon Gilmore - Indianapolis Colts
AFC Trench Tyrant: Quenton Nelson - Indianapolis Colts
AFC Special Teams MVP: AJ Cole III - Las Vegas Raiders
NFC Offensive MVP: Justin Jefferson - Minnesota Vikings
NFC Defensive MVP: Dexter Lawrence II - New York Giants
NFC Trench Tyrant: Charles Cross - Seattle Seahawks
NFC Special Teams MVP: Joey Slye - Washington Commanders
Award Winners to Note
Stephon Gilmore - The AFC DMVP was the toughest award to dish out this week, but Stephon's stellar play against Davante Adams earned him the award. On 11 pass plays, Stephon shadowed Adams, allowing just 1 catch for 5 yards on 5 targets. He broke up 2 pass plays to him, including the potential game winning fade route. Outside of that, he only allowed 1 other reception for 13 yards, as he put on a pass defense clinic against the Raiders.
Dexter Lawrence II - There's plenty of debate on who the 2nd best interior d-lineman is after Donald, and DLaw is showing he could very well lock that title in when this season is over. He recorded 9 pressures and 1 sack, while recording a pass rush win rate of 28.9%, 2nd highest among interior defenders this week. He was also a wall in the run game, as his average depth of tackle was -1 yards.
Justin Jefferson - JJettas had one of the best games in WR history. He had an all-time catch, converted multiple 3rd and 4th down plays, and he racked up yards against a stout Bills pass defense. He hauled in 7 contested catches, by far the most in a game this year, and recorded 3.45 yards per route run, the 4th highest mark of the week.
Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports
Key Fantasy Players Recap (Week 10)
QB: Derek Carr vs Indianapolis Colts
Projected - 15.0
Actual - 17.92
Results - Pushed
RB: Raheem Mostert vs Cleveland Browns
Projected - 9.9
Actual - 18.7
Results - Boomed
WR: Rondale Moore vs Los Angeles Rams
Projected - 11.2
Actual - 18.4
Results - Boomed
TE: Cole Kmet vs Detroit Lions
Projected - 6.3
Actual - 23.4 (Season High!)
Results - Boomed
D/ST: Denver Broncos vs Tennessee Titans
Projected - 6.3
Actual - 4.0
Results - Busted
K: Chris Boswell vs New Orleans Saints (injured, Matthew Wright's points in place)
Projected - 7.9
Actual - 6.0 (Season Low)
Results - Busted
Week 10 Total: 3 Boomed, 1 Pushed, 2 Busted
Yearly Total: 13 Boomed, 2 Pushed, 8 Busted
Key Fantasy Players for Week 11
QB: Russell Wilson vs Las Vegas Raiders (proj. 16.4)
Russ had his best game of the year against the Raiders earlier this season. Expect him to have another big game and be worth the waiver pickup.
RB: Gus Edwards vs Carolina Panthers (proj. 7.9)
Carolina's run defense is nothing to write home about, and Gus is prime for a big game. With the Panthers honed in on Lamar, that should give Gus plenty of chances to burst free.
WR: Nico Collins vs Washington Commanders (proj. 6.0)
Coming off a season-high 10 target performance, Nico has been leaned on more and more over the past few weeks. His breakout game comes against one of the worst defenses against receivers fantasy wise.
TE: Hayden Hurst vs Pittsburgh Steelers (proj. 5.1)
Hurst's fantasy production has slowly gone up week after week. The Steelers are bad against receivers, and that should open up the window for Hurst to get some targets as Pittsburgh adjusts to that in the second half.
D/ST: Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons (proj. 6.6)
As long as Mariota plays, I'll take my chances on whatever defense he plays against. The Bears need a big defensive game, and they get it this week.
K: Michael Badgley vs New York Giants (proj. 6.7)
The Lions have been scoring like wildfire lately, and that should give Badgley more chances than he's used to so he can put points on the board.
Photo: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire
Final Notes:
With 8 weeks left in the season, plenty of fringe teams will make a playoff push, while others fall to the wayside. We may also see juggernauts crumble towards the end of the year. Time will tell who will rise to the top in 2022.
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