In a loss that eliminated the Falcons from postseason contention, Robinson was a true workhorse, as he has been for much of the 2024 season. He regularly gashed the Carolina front seven and glided into a end zone twice with little resistance. Robinson posted 1,456 rushing yards and racked up 14 rushing scores in an Atlanta offense that ranked among the NFL’s run heaviest in 2024. First-year OC Zac Robinson committed to Bijan as the team’s unquestioned lead back — a relief for fantasy managers who had been stung by former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith’s curious usage of the former first-round pick. Robinson finishes the season third in running back receptions and was graded by Pro Football Focus as the league’s eighth best pass-catching back. With Tyler Allgeier banished to distant RB2 status, Robinson should be a top-five selection in all fantasy formats next summer.

Pierce took a 92-yard touchdown on Houston’s first play from scrimmage on their third series by outrunning a single Titans deep safety to the edge. He did have a fumble in the game — one he recovered — but looked like the 2022 version of Pierce, bullying around a Titans front and getting extra yards after contact on most plays. It was a good showcase of his talents as he has mostly languished on the sideline this year while Joe Mixon became a true three-down back. Pierce finishes the regular season with a 40/293/2 rushing line and will go back to the sideline in the Wild Card round, though perhaps this performance will get him a few more snaps than he otherwise would have had.

The Falcons’ loss ends their slim postseason hopes and caps off a disappointing season for the team’s offense. Penix had all day to operate from a clean pocket against a toothless Carolina defense and picked apart the Panthers from start to finish, targeting Drake London relentlessly. His interception came on a tipped ball by an Atlanta pass catcher, his second such pick over the past two games. Penix during his three late-season starts displayed his strong arm and ability to change plays at the line and manipulate secondaries with his eyes. Penix’s functional mobility was on full display over his three rookie season starts; he did well to avoid oncoming rushers and keep his eyes upfield. He profiles as the kind of point guard quarterback who can fuel fantasy production for at least a couple pass catchers. Penix will be a reasonable floor play in fantasy lineups in 2025.

Nabers’ season ends with a line of 109-1204-7. The No. 6 overall pick did everything that was expected of him in his rookie campaign despite battling through a number of nagging injuries this offseason. At his best, Nabers was erupting for 7-171-1 against the Colts, but he steadily produced for fantasy managers all season long, surpassing 50 receiving yards in all but one game this season. Nabers proved to be a target hog in his rookie campaign and produced at a high level despite catching passes from four different quarterbacks on the season. An easy lock to be a top-12 fantasy receiver next season, Nabers should benefit from what we can only assume will be improved quarterback play next season and already has the look of another great receiver for years to come.

London dominated looks from Michael Penix for a third straight game. His gaudy stat line included three bad drops, including a would-be touchdown in the first quarter. London ends his third NFL season with career highs in receptions (100), receiving yards (1,271), and touchdowns (9). He put up solid numbers despite having Kirk Cousins as his quarterback for the first 15 weeks of the season, and was much more productive with Penix under center. The big-bodied London was sometimes the victim of low pass volume in the massively run-heavy Atlanta offense, but proved an efficient producer and a superb red zone threat. London will be in the top-10 wide receiver conversation next summer if Penix is the Falcons’ starter.

Guerendo came into the game nursing foot and hamstring issues. He exited after getting twisted up in ugly fashion on his second carry of the first quarter. Guerendo appeared disconsolate as he was carted to the locker room. The ailment caps an injury-marred rookie year for the 24-year-old fourth-rounder, though he still managed to appear in 16-of-17 contests. Guerendo tweaked his hamstring in the summer before manifold late-season issues he mostly played through. The clear No. 3 back entering Week 1, Guerendo ended up handling 99 touches thanks to Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason’s injury issues. Although CMC will be back for 2025, Mason is an impending restricted free agent. There is no guarantee Guerendo ascends higher than No. 3 on the depth chart — Shanny is loyal to his backs and could easily re-sign Mason — but he’s a strong dynasty league hold behind an aging McCaffrey and ultimately JAG-like Mason. That is, of course, pending his health. If he escaped today without long-term injury, Guerendo heads into the offseason as a player who was highly efficient as both a runner and pass catcher.

Lance got the call for his first start in 28 months after spending the season as the Cowboys’ No. 3 quarterback. He got off to a fast start, tossing a floater to Jalen Tolbert for 31 yards as his first completion. However, the Cowboys offense floundered the rest of the game, failing to finish many drives in an ultimate loss. Lance played four games in 2024, ending his fourth NFL season as a reserve quarterback with 266 passing yards, one interception, and no touchdowns. The Cowboys have decisions to make with their backup quarterback spot as both Lance and Cooper Rush are set to hit free agency. We have only seen one start from Lance in over two years, making it difficult for him to have any sort of fantasy relevancy moving forward.

Young cooked in this one, facing very little pressure and hitting pass catchers in stride throughout. It was only the fourth time this season Young has thrown multiple touchdowns, as Carolina coaches continue putting more trust in the second-year QB. Young connected with David Moore, Miles Sanders, and Tommy Tremble for his passing scores, and found pay dirt twice on red zone scrambles — an part of his game that has emerged over the past month. Young will end his second season with 15 touchdown passes over 11 starts, adding six scores on the ground. Young’s final five starts of the season were likely enough for the Panthers to commit to him as their 2025 starter. That was not at all guaranteed as recently as October, when head coach Dave Canales had no choice but to bench Young for Andy Dalton after a miserable start to the year. Young over the past month has shown he can be, at worst, a game manager with usable mobility.

The Commanders decided to rest Jayden Daniels in second half, bringing in Mariota to try and get Washington the sixth seed in the playoffs. Mariota more than answered the call, totaling 217 yards and three touchdowns for the victory. He found Zach Ertz in the third quarter for the Commanders’ first touchdown of the game, rushed for a five-yard score in the fourth, and hit Terry McLaurin for the game winner with just a few seconds left. Mariota only got to play in three games this season, but this performance against the Cowboys cements him as a quality back-up who is capable of putting up a fight should Daniels get hurt in the playoffs.