Fantasy Sports

Coming off a super quiet Weeks 11-12, Ferguson had one of his best overall outings of the season. The catches and yards were both his second most, while his fifth score of the year was his fourth in six weeks. One of Ferguson’s missed connections was an unconverted end zone look. For the score that did go in the books, he seemed to bewitch Seahawks S Jamal Adams. Now a bona fide TE1 in this elite offense, Ferguson will be party to a high-end Week 14 scoring environment vs. Philadelphia.

It was yet another inefficient night for a running back who keeps failing the eye test — Pollard does not look the same going side to side this season — but he still continued his positive touchdown regression by finding the end zone for the third time in as many weeks. Even as he struggles to churn up yards, it never made sense that Pollard was having so much trouble scoring in this elite offense. He is also still largely holding off Rico Dowdle’s touch threat. Despite the low YPCs and awful advanced metrics, Pollard will remain an RB1 for Week 14 vs. the Eagles’ tough ground defense.

Facing both one of his toughest team and individual assignments in the Cowboys and DROY-contending CB DaRon Bland, Metcalf somehow had by far his best game of the year, posting a new season high for yards while doubling his touchdown total. The scoring started with his 73-yard catch-and-run in the first quarter after he got a step on Bland and was off to the races at truly eye-popping speed. He then beat Bland off the line at the goal line for a one-yard score in the closing seconds of the second quarter. Bland was also the closest defender when play-action freed Metcalf in the end zone for a three-yard TD in the fourth. Awesome stuff. Also likely a one-off as the Seahawks prepare for a rematch of their Thanksgiving loss to the 49ers in Week 14.

Playing the toughest defense he’s faced in 2023, Smith had by far his best start of the year. The three-score effort through the air was first of the season, while the rushing touchdown was also his first. Although constantly pressured, especially in the second half, Smith took zero sacks. He seemed focused on getting the ball out faster than he has been for much of the year. The main story was his connection with DK Metcalf, whom he found for 6/134/3 despite Metcalf frequently being matched up with DROY contender DaRon Bland’s coverage. Smith also found each of Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba for at least five grabs, and even hooked up with Noah Fant for a few big plays. He deserved a better fate than a loss, but Dak Prescott was somehow even better on the other side of the ball. Tonight’s pop-up effort will almost certainly be a one-off, as Smith must now rematch with a 49ers defense that bottled him up for a scoreless 180 yards on Thanksgiving.

Dealing with a surprisingly feisty Seahawks offense, Prescott always had the perfect counterpunch, playing a nearly flawless game as he traded scores with Geno Smith before eventually emerging triumphant. Prescott’s timing was precise and his touch feathery. He tossed zero picks for the eighth time in 12 starts, and continued to relentlessly work his connection with CeeDee Lamb, finding his No. 1 wideout for 12/116/1. He also hit Brandin Cooks and Jake Ferguson for scores. Playing like both a real life and fantasy MVP for the better part of two months, Prescott has a Week 14 fantasy smash spot in the Eagles’ leaky pass defense.

Grinding out tough yards in Kenneth Walker’s absence, Charbonnet’s last touch was a no-gain stymying on 4th-and-1 from the Cowboys’ 46-yard line at the midway point of the fourth quarter. Announced as doubtful at about the three-minute mark, he was not heard from again as DeeJay Dallas finished the night out in the backfield. Charbonnet could have had a multi-score night but was stood up on a handful of other carries inside the five. His only true goal-line handle was the one-yard score he converted in the second quarter. The “doubtful” tag suggests Charbonnet could have a more serious injury. The Seahawks visit the 49ers in 10 days’ time.

Cooper has been receiving some maintenance days this week, but his status for Sunday’s game against the Rams is not in doubt. More interesting was Cooper’s Thursday comments on presumptive Sunday starter Joe Flacco, as the wideout called the veteran quarterback’s dropbacks “poetry in motion.” You’ll have to forgive the man after a season spent dealing with Dorian Thompson-Robinson and P.J. Walker. Although Flacco should better deliver the bacon than DTR and PJW, he will still struggle to make Cooper WR2 relevant. Flacco has become an absolute check-down machine at his advanced quarterbacking age.

The assembled Cards media pegged McBride as a “DNP” when he didn’t show for the portion of practice open to the public, but he ended up doing enough to get slapped with a limited tag. It puts McBride on track to suit up against the Steelers, though how he bounces back on Friday will be key. McBride has become a set-and-forget TE1 when healthy.

Walker did not practice this week and doesn’t seem particularly close to returning, though he does now have 10 days to get healthy for Week 14 against the 49ers. You could say he might be needed for that one. Joining Walker on the shelf in Dallas are WR Dee Eskridge, WR Dareke Young, OT McClendon Curtis, OT Raiqwon O’Neal and DE Myles Adams.

Brown has now logged back-to-back practices to start the week and is trending toward a return in Week 13. The veteran receiver last played in Week 10, when he ripped off an unprecedented 172 yards on seven receptions, marking his second-straight 150-yard game of the season. Brown has been a pleasant surprise for the Texans and is now up to 21 receptions for 439 yards and one touchdown on 28 targets. He could return to a crowded receiver room, as Tank Dell, Nico Collins, and Robert Woods are all on track to play this week. Still, it’s hard to imagine the Texans giving Brown less work, even in a crowded receiver room.