Team of the Week

 

QB: Joe Burrow, CIN

Burrow had a tougher matchup on Saturday versus the Broncos, but he showed why he’s a weekly top-five option at quarterback—completing 39-of-49 passes for 412 yards and three touchdowns in an overtime victory. The superstar passer also rushed four times for 25 yards and another score, and his season-high 36.98 fantasy points came at the perfect time.

 

RB: Jonathan Taylor, IND

You can’t ask for anything more than back-to-back overall RB1 finishes from Taylor (pending MNF), and that’s exactly what he did for those in a two-week fantasy championship. The Colts were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss, but Taylor rushed 32 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns to give him a combined 66.4 fantasy points over the past two games.

 

RB: Derrick Henry, BAL

Henry also came through in the fantasy championship—following up 189 total yards in Week 16 with 27 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown on Christmas. Although he has just one score over the past five games, King Henry has remained dominant as the overall RB2 in 0.5 PPR leagues.

 

WR: Tee Higgins, CIN

Higgins was simply unstoppable on Saturday evening—avoiding Pat Surtain II and taking advantage with 11 receptions (on 12 targets) for 131 yards and three touchdowns. The injury issues and missed games can be frustrating, but Higgins has gone for fantasy-point totals of 17.3, 15.8, and 34.6 in the fantasy playoffs.

 

WR: Malik Nabers, NYG

There was some uncertainty about the status of Nabers yesterday as he entered the weekend with a toe injury, but it clearly didn’t impact him much with the best game of his impressive rookie campaign—catching seven passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Despite shaky quarterback play for much of the season, Nabers now has 104 receptions for 1,140 yards and six scores heading into the finale.

 

TE: Trey McBride, ARI

Fantasy owners have been waiting for McBride to catch a touchdown all year, and he finally hit pay dirt as the top weapon for Arizona with 12 receptions for 123 yards on Saturday night. McBride could have scored again if the timing was right on the game-ending interception by Kyler Murray, but 24.3 fantasy points was a new best for the emerging tight end.

 

FLEX: DeVonta Smith, PHI

Smith had a costly drop for the Eagles a couple of weeks ago, but he made sure to bounce back in a win over Dallas—bringing in six passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. The scores came from Kenny Pickett and Tanner McKee with Jalen Hurts (concussion) out, and Smith was also tackled at the one-yard line on another would-be touchdown.

 

D/ST: Philadelphia Eagles

It appeared Philadelphia was on full upset alert with the Cowboys marching down the field for a touchdown drive to open the game, but they eventually overwhelmed their rival by totaling four takeaways and a touchdown with C.J. Gardner-Johnson having perhaps the best game of his career. The pass rush (one sack) needs to turn it on for January, but the Eagles easily lead the week with 20.0 fantasy points.

 

K: Cameron Dicker, LAC

Dicker continued to prove he’s a machine with all eight of his kicks (including four field goals) going through the uprights on Saturday, and his 17.0 fantasy points were the second-most of the season. For those still playing in Week 18, Dicker will obviously be a top option.

 

Surprise of the Week: Drew Lock

Many Giants fans might be upset about the team dropping out from the No. 1 slot in the 2025 NFL Draft, but Lock led an inspired effort by the offense—having a career day with five touchdowns, including the game-sealing rushing score. Overall, Lock has at least been solid for New York since entering the starting lineup, and he’ll have another showcase game next week in Philadelphia.

 

Disappointment of the Week: James Conner

Terry McLaurin (1.0 fantasy points) and Jayden Reed (1.1) are among the others to mention here, but fantasy owners had to watch in pain as Conner (1.8) had his knee injury resurface early on and was never able to return (despite getting treatment and having his helmet on for much of the night). Conner should not at all be criticized for trying to play through the injury for the Cardinals in a “meaningless” game, but it’s nonetheless difficult to take for those counting on him in the championship.

 

Rookie of the Week: Malik Nabers

Nabers is the overall WR7 on the season after his monster day in Week 17, and he showed the total package with scores of 31 and 59 yards—with both being highlights that showed the explosiveness and ability with the ball in his hands. The rookie also had a couple of tough grabs in tight coverage, and it’s exciting to think about what he might do with an improved supporting cast in 2025.

 

Week 17 MVP: Tee Higgins

Joe Burrow (36.98 fantasy points) could have also been chosen, but Higgins’ 34.6 fantasy points were a bigger difference coming at wide receiver—and he likely made himself some money with the performance ahead of free agency. For anyone in a two-week championship that had a Burrow-Higgins stack, Saturday was certainly a game to remember.