It's Christmas, and if you celebrate, or are otherwise at least with family and/or loved ones, I hope that yours is a merry one. As for everyone's fantasy teams, here's hoping that things either went your way yesterday or can still do so today. Lots of big games and big drama over the weekend, and more to come.
Bengals at Steelers: Out of nowhere, the Steelers and Mason Rudolph light up the Bengals, with the defense harassing Jake Browning into some costly mistakes, and George Pickens blowing up on fantasy benches everywhere. Most Steelers you benched, at least, weren't missed; the running backs split fairly modest fantasy production and Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth did nothing. Tee Higgins had another big week and Joe Mixon, thanks to some meaningless late production (including a 2-pointer), at least got you something. But a forgettable game for pretty much everyone but Pickens.
Bills at Chargers: Bills survive, but it was pretty ugly. Only Josh Allen really paid off in lineups, and the generally unstartable Gabe Davis; everyone else (both teams) put up modest numbers. If you started Cameron Dicker you're pretty happy I guess. Another quiet game for Stefon Diggs, maybe next week (if those who started him are still playing. Leonard Fournette showed up as a goal-line back in this one, we'll see if that continues.
Colts at Falcons: I guess if your big regret is a late decision to not use a kicker, things could be worse. But Younghoe Koo getting 20 points on my bench in a league stings a little. Falcons win big, with the Colts replacing Michael Pittman by throwing a lot of passes to multiple tight ends, but in general doing very little on offense. As expected, Falcons lean on the ground game, with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier blowing up. Playoff picture muddied in both conferences and this is part of it.
Packers at Panthers: For a little while this went as expected. Both ground games accounting for most of the offense, Aaron Jones had a big game (although the Packers decided to let AJ Dillon and Jordan Love score the short rushing touchdowns, rude). Then it got crazy late, with the Packers defense turning in another horrible performance and the Panthers hitting some big plays, both runs and passes (DJ Chark with 2 TDs out of nowhere). Packers win on a late field goal. Jordan Love again defying modest ranking with the game turning into a shootout.
Browns at Texans: Bad week to be facing Amari Cooper. He and Joe Flacco kept hooking up time and again, leaving some for David Njoku and also the running backs in a blowout win. Browns are headed for the playoffs. For Houston, a kick return was the highlight until Davis Mills replaced Case Keenum, providing some late production and saving those who started Nico Collins. Nice also for Dalton Schultz. Presumably C.J. Stroud back next week to maybe save Houston's season.
Lions at Vikings: Wild game with big numbers from a lot of key starters, albeit not all. Especially the ones who left early due to injury, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. But all three running backs of note scored, the No. 1 wideouts too. Nick Mullens kept making big throws, and kept throwing picks too. The game-ender was to Justin Jefferson near the goal line, and he was open for what would have been a crushing loss for the Lions. But Mullens tossed an end over end duck that was picked. Mullens can do some good things, but that was the other kind.
Commanders at Jets: Crazy game dominated by the Jets defense early, with Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson, as expected, doing some good things, as did the Jets D against Sam Howell (a couple of near Pick Sixes). But then, when the game seemed to be over, Ron Rivera benched Howell again for Jacoby Brissett, who led 3 TD drives for the lead (wiped out on a clutch field goal by Greg Zuerlein). Jets coaching staff will be back next year and Washington's won't be, I'm not sure which team will be luckier. A 2-TD game for a late-round rookie running back we were kind of fond of, Chris Rodriguez, maybe he'll be a factor here next year for whoever is running things.
Seahawks at Titans: Another week, another last-minute comeback from the Seahawks. Lots of individual highlights, including a really remarkable TD catch by DK Metcalf. Couple touchdowns for Derrick Henry (a run and a pass), but it was Geno Smith and the Seahawks offense making all the clutch plays late. Kind of lower-scoring game that might have been expected, but Seattle stays alive in the playoff picture.
Jaguars at Buccaneers: This game was over immediately, with the Jaguars turning it over, Bucs marching out to a big lead, and Trevor Lawrence mostly struggling even before leaving with a shoulder injury, so his third different injury in his last four games I believe. Big game from Mike Evans, big garbage-time numbers from Calvin Ridley, and officially all three AFC South leaders losing badly -- great race there. Good game also from Evan Engram, lousy from Travis Etienne; tough matchup for the ground game anyway, and even worse when you're getting clobbered.
Cardinals at Bears: The uncertainty of the Bears running back committee reared its ugly head in this one. Bears controlled this most of the way, and leaned on Khalil Herbert rather than Roschon Johnson. Johnson did get a carry down to the goal line, but didn't get in and they ended up scoring on a Fields run. Productive game for Justin Fields, making the decision of what to do in the offseason extra tough for the Bears. Though Arizona's defense is making everyone look good these days. Cole Kmet left with a knee injury and DJ Moore suffered an ankle injury after the soon to be banned hip drop tackle (not that it won't happen anymore, just that there will be flags). Decent games from Kyler and Conner at least.
Cowboys at Dolphins: More defense than offense in this one. Cowboys opened the game with a nice drive that gave us a hint of a pending shootout. But then Tony Pollard got stuffed and rather than have Dak sneak it we got a fullback handoff that was dropped and fumbled away, and the defensive battle was on. Some nice plays along the way by both quarterbacks and Tyreek Hill seemed healthy enough on shorter throws (Jaylen Waddle left with a leg injury). Miami made enough plays late.
Patriots at Broncos: This game is discussed in detail in Colt's article, which is comforting to me in that I don't need to relive it. It was a dreadful half of football, followed by a flurry of second-half excitement involving two teams who fortunately will not be giving us an 18th game.
Monday, Monday times three: When I was a kid I used to feel bad for teams that played on Christmas, when that started. I realize these guys make a ton of money and it's an entertainment business and not everyone celebrates. But certainly many do, and many have small kids and whatnot. This year the league has upped the ante with three games on Christmas, which seems excessive to say the least. But whatever, the NFL does what it wants and I guess some are happy about it. Next year Christmas is on a Wednesday, probably won’t be an NFL game, but we will see. Hard not to see the three home teams winning; hopefully they're good ones for those who get to tune in. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good day.