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Happy Thanksgiving avid football fans! We had another crazy week of football littered with surprise blowouts, last second wins, and not 1, but 2 special teams touchdowns. With just 7 games left in the season for most teams, things are coming down to the wire as the playoff push gets tighter.
Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/AP Photo
Week 12 Power Rankings
Teams to Note
Dallas Cowboys (Rose 3 spots)
What a beating. The Vikings, who just took down the Bills a week ago, got steamrolled by Dallas in a masterclass on offense and defense. With the possible addition of OBJ, the offensive line getting healthier, and the defense playing even better than last year, there's not gonna be many teams who will be able to stop the Cowboys.
New York Giants (Dropped 9 spots)
That was an embarrassing loss for the Giants. The Lions, who have one of the worst defenses in the league, allowed just 18 points and put up 31 against the Big Blue. Add in 8 penalties, minimal production from Saquon, and the offensive line allowing 21 pressures, it's clear that the Giants crumble when things aren't going 100% in their favor.
Chicago Bears (Dropped 3 spots)
I really had hope for the Bears a few weeks ago, but they've suffered 3 one possession losses in a row when they had multiple chances to win. It's a rebuild year for sure, but I expected more out of a team who has a QB playing some great football as of late. Hopefully they don't fall any lower for the rest of the year.
Week 11 Awards
AFC Offensive MVP: Travis Kelce - Kansas City Chiefs
AFC Defensive MVP: Patrick Queen - Baltimore Ravens
AFC Trench Tyrant: Ben Powers - Baltimore Ravens
AFC Special Teams MVP: Marcus Jones - New England Patriots
NFC Offensive MVP: Tony Pollard - Dallas Cowboys
NFC Defensive MVP: Kaden Elliss - New Orleans Saints
NFC Trench Tyrant: Chris Lindstrom - Atlanta Falcons
NFC Special Teams MVP: Cordarrelle Patterson - Atlanta Falcons
Award Winners to Note
Kaden Elliss - If not for playing on the mediocre New Orleans Saints, Kaden would be getting a lot more recognition. He can cover, rush the passer, and play run defense at a pretty high level, and this week was the pinnacle of his 4 year career. On just 11 pass rushes, he generated 4 pressures and 1.5 sacks, while also recording 6 stops in the run game. He also did well in the pass, as he allowed just 2 receptions on 3 targets across 23 coverage snaps, one of which resulted in a pass breakup.
Tony Pollard - Pollard needs to be the starter going forward. He ran for 80 yards on 15 carries, and he hauled in all 6 of his targets and went for 109 yards and 2 TDs. His longest reception came on 3rd & 14, where he scampered 68 yard after catching a wheel route 20 yards downfield. In the run game, he broke three carries for longer than 15 yards, and he averaged 3.4 yards after contact.
Ben Powers - Ben had a great game in both the run and pass. He generated run and pass block grades of 80.9 and 88.1 respectively, both ranking in the top 12 in the entire league. He didn't allow any pressures and helped the Ravens rushing attack rumble for 115 yards.
Photo: AJ Sisco/UPI
Key Fantasy Players Recap (Week 11)
QB: Russell Wilson vs Las Vegas Raiders
Projected - 16.4
Actual - 10.68
Results - Busted
RB: Gus Edwards vs Carolina Panthers (injured, Kenyan Drake's points in place)
Projected - 7.9
Actual - 7.3
Results - Pushed
WR: Nico Collins vs Washington Commanders
Projected - 6.0
Actual - 9.8
Results - Boomed
TE: Hayden Hurst vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Projected - 5.1
Actual - 4.8
Results - Pushed
D/ST: Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons
Projected - 6.6
Actual - 6.0
Results - Pushed
K: Michael Badgley vs New York Giants
Projected - 6.7
Actual - 7.0
Results - Pushed
Week 11 Total: 1 Boomed, 4 Pushed, 1 Busted
Yearly Total: 14 Boomed, 6 Pushed, 9 Busted
Key Fantasy Players for Week 12
QB: Mike White vs Chicago Bears (proj. 12.5)
The Bears have been unable to stop guys like Marcus Mariota and Jared Goff as of late, and with Mike getting the start, expect a spark from the Jets offense.
RB: Jerick McKinnon vs Los Angeles Rams (proj. 8.2)
Clyde Edwards-Helaire just hit the IR, so the Chiefs will lean on Isiah Pacheco and Jerick for running production, and the Rams allow nearly 8 receiving points a week when running backs are targeted. Jerick should thrive in the pass game.
WR: Isaiah McKenzie vs Detroit Lions (proj. 9.0)
Jeff Okudah is out, and the Lions are already pretty terrible against the pass. With the defense focused on Stefon Diggs, Isaiah should have plenty of chances to cook.
TE: Mike Gesicki vs Houston Texans (proj. 7.5)
No real rhyme or reason for picking Gesicki, he's due for a breakout game and the Texans are hapless.
D/ST: Atlanta Falcons vs Washington Commanders (proj. 6.0)
I think Heinicke's magical run ends this week. The Falcons were able to keep the electric Justin Fields in check, and should do the same with a worse QB.
K: Eddy Pineiro vs Denver Broncos (proj. 5.4)
There's no hope for the Broncos anymore. Eddy has been solid so far this year and should keep putting up points, even with Sam Darnold running the offense.
Photo: Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports
Final Notes:
This year has showcased some fantastic football so far, and there are going to be more great moments as the year rolls along. I hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving and spends some quality time with family, friends, and football.
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