NFL Player News

Martin (6'3/186) managed to find the end zone late in the second quarter of this one, but had some early drives plagued by drives that contributed to Oklahoma State’s early offensive woes, and 28-14 halftime deficit. Martin would get right in the third quarter however, catching two touchdown passes from five and eight-yards out, with his third and final score being the one that would tie the game at 28-28 before a 38-yard field goal by Tanner Brown would put the Cowboys up 31-28 heading into the fourth quarter. Martin’s breakout campaign has officially come to a close, as the fifth-year player finishes 2021 with 80 receptions for 1,046 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Wilson only caught two balls last week but came down with a 41-yard score to save the few fantasy managers still starting him. The second-year wideout couldn’t recreate the magic this time around and ended the day with fewer than 40 yards for the eighth time this year. Wilson is good for the occasional big play but doesn’t see the ball enough to crack most fantasy lineups. He is stuck in the WR5/6 range for Week 16.

Hurts and the Eagles got the passing game going early in this one. On the Eagles’ first offensive drive of the game, Hurts connected with Grant Calcaterra and DeVonta Smith for games of 22 and 21 yards, and then found AJ Brown for gains of 16 and 20 yards two drives later. He capped their third offensive drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to Brown. Hurts completed six passes that went for 20-plus yards on the afternoon, and also connected with Smith on a two-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Hurts would put the game out one a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth via his signature Tush Push and now has 14 rushing touchdowns on the season. Hurts and the Eagles now prepare for a Week 16 matchup against the Commanders with a chance to clinch the NFC East. He’ll be a top-12 fantasy option next week.

Richardson had what may have been his worst game of the season as a passer. At one point he had seven consecutive incompletions, missing routine throws in the short and intermediate areas. Only the Browns had a lower expected points added (EPA) on drop backs in Week 15.

Gray’s fifth score of the season was also his fifth in as many games. Today snapped a string of four straight four-catch performances, but Gray continues to lack ceiling, while his floor is still struggling to crack the top 18 in fantasy. Especially with Patrick Mahomes’ (ankle) health now up in the air, Gray isn’t a compelling Week 18 streamer against the Texans.

Surtain picked one off in the fourth quarter and was immediately hit in the lower body by Josh Downs. Surtain’s foot seemed to stick in the turf and his leg bent awkwardly. He was able to limp to the Denver sidelined before being ruled out in the lopsided Broncos win. The Broncos will hope Surtain is OK for the team’s huge Week 16 game against the division rival Chargers.

Harrison did all of his damage in the first half. The Cardinals pulled away after halftime and took the air out of the football resulting in one second-half target for the No. 4 overall pick. Marv last topped 60 yards in Week 8. The Cardinals use Harrison to clear out space for Trey McBride more than they scheme up looks Harrison himself, resulting in a rollercoaster experience for his fantasy backers. He gets a great matchup with a weak Carolina secondary next week, giving fantasy managers a reason to treat him as a WR3 for one more week.

Now that’s how you PPR. Strange has popped up a few times in Evan Engram’s absence this season, but never like this. With Engram out for the rest of the year, Strange will probably flirt with top-18 fantasy status. It’s just hard to rely on his compiling in this limited offense, one where Brian Thomas Jr. is an imposing targets dominator. The Raiders are an admittedly cushy Week 16 matchup.

Mayfield spent a few weeks on the Buccaneers’ injury reports nursing leg injuries but he looks fully healthy now. The feisty scrambler had multiple lengthy runs called back due to holding penalties but still turned in an extremely fantasy-friendly stat line. Despite Bucky Irving’s successes, the team remains committed to maximizing Mayfield’s available pass-catchers in the red zone, regularly benching Irving in favor of pass-catching specialist Rachaad White in scoring position. Mayfield is a high-end QB2 against the Cowboys in Week 16.

Conner punched in two scores from one yard out each. He also broke a long gain of 53 yards early in the contest and reeled in five passes for the third time in his past five games. He out-carried backup running back Trey Benson 16-5. Conner is seeing the ball in all phases and is playing his best football with the fantasy semifinals on the horizon. He will spend a week in the RB1 ranks with a great matchup versus the Panthers on tap for Week 16.

Herbert was clearly hampered by his Week 14 thigh contusion and ankle sprain, logging zero carries for the first time this season. Herbert managed the Buccaneers’ blitzed-powered pass rush effectively early on but the unit eventually got after him, sacking Herbert three times for 25 yards. The Chargers also lost LG Zion Johnson to a leg injury in-game. Herbert’s interception came on a long pass attempt intended for Quentin Johnston, who fell down after the ball was thrown. Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean secured the pick, ending Herbert’s 357-pass interception-free streak. He was one pass attempt away from tying Tom Brady for the fourth-best all-time streak. Taylor Heinicke replaced Herbert late in the fourth quarter. Herbert is a low-end QB1 against the similarly blitz-happy Broncos in Week 16.