Every Monday of the NFL regular season, we will showcase exceptional player performances from the weekend and analyze their potential for sustained success in fantasy football. We will rank these performances from to based on whether we believe they are momentary or long-term options for your fantasy teams.
Analysis: Against all odds, Browns quarterback Joe Flacco is once again fantasy-relevant heading into Championship Week. That seems almost unfathomable considering he was jobless and sitting on the couch not too long ago, but that’s the nature of the National Football League. You’re never fully out until the phone no longer rings.
Since taking over for a struggling Dorian Thompson-Robinson one month ago, Flacco has completely rejuvenated the Cleveland offense. Flacco has 16+ fantasy points in all four starts and has unlocked both Amari Cooper (46 points in Week 16) and David Njoku (overall TE3 in Weeks 13-15) in fantasy football.
In his four starts, Flacco has finished as the QB13, QB10, QB9, and is currently the QB3 on the week. As wild as this seems, Flacco is a borderline QB1 next week against the New York Jets.
Analysis: Thanks to uneven quarterback and offensive line play, the 2023 season has been a roller coaster ride for Breece Hall fantasy managers. There have been plenty of highs (seven games with 15+ fantasy points), but even more lows (eight games with single-digit fantasy points) this season.
Fortunately for playoff teams, Hall saved his best game of the season for the fantasy football semifinals. The Jets running back racked up 95 rushing yards, 96 receiving yards, and two touchdowns in New York’s 30-28 victory over Washington. He’s the current RB1 on the week.
With a matchup with Cleveland on deck, fantasy managers must decide what to do with Hall next week. Even if Cleveland bottles up the ground game, Hall’s receiving volume keeps him in play against one of the league’s best defenses.
Analysis: Between on-field struggles and battles with fans and media concerning his lack of effort, this season has been a mostly joyless campaign for Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. At least for one week, Pickens quieted the critics with a dominating 195-yard performance in Pittsburgh’s 34-11 victory over Cincinnati.
After a long stretch of fantasy irrelevance, Pickens changed that on Saturday night. Pickens scored two touchdowns after failing to reach the end zone in seven consecutive contests. He also reached 100+ receiving yards for the first time since Week 7. After answering questions all week about his lack of effort, Week 16’s breakout couldn’t come at a better time for the embattled second-year wide receiver.
