There was exactly 1 RB who showed up to play in this fantasy matchup and that was the Browns' Jerome Ford. He put up a huge 25.1 points on Thursday night and set the tone(or tried to at least) for Rated Eks. Not a single other running back, including Christian McCaffery, had a good game. CMC had his worst performance of the year in the biggest fantasy week of the year, Rachaad White did the same for the first time in nearly 3 months and Tony Pollard continued to do Tony Pollard things for the Cowboys. 

Chris ran into some game script pain with CJ Stroud, as the Texans shut down the Titans offense, allowing just 3 points, which also allowed Stroud to be safe and efficient with the ball. The shootout we all expected between Dallas and Detroit simple didn't happen. It was a defensive struggle for the most part that ended with big time controversy on the 3rd 2 point conversation attempt from Dan Campbell and the Lions. Me personally, I think there was a bit of ego from Campbell there, refusing to kick it after the first 2 attempts. 

The receiver rooms showed up a bit more, but still not great for both squads. Chris Godwin got a somewhat surprising start for the now Champions, and he showed up. 3 for 81 and 1TD. Darius Slayton went for 100 and 1. On the flip side Andy's studs didn't stud. AJ Brown disappeared against a weak Arizona team and Ja'Marr Chase had clamped after talking a whole bunch of mess this week. Boom or bust Rashid Shaheed did the latter and that was about enough to sink Andy's title hopes. Harrison Butker did his best to kick the team to the title but it just wasn't enough.

Its never much comfort but based on my back of the napkin math, even with optimal lineup Andy would've just been getting to 123 or so points. Chris could have made things even less stressful on himself by starting Justin Fields against Atlanta rather than Stroud. Props to Chris as well for sitting Jordan Addison. On paper a matchup against the who's that of cornerbacks was tempting, but riding the pine was the best move for the rookie.

Congrats Chris on your first Superb Owl Title. 

Andy, a tough way to end the year, but a solid year regardless. Congrats sir!

I, like Sam, am a firm believer in "start your studs" or "play the guys that got you here"...nearly to a fault. It bit me in the butt in a different league and to a point it bit Sam here. He didn't really have any options and optimal lineup wouldn't have saved him, but Chris Olave who has been consistent if not underwhelming this season, decided to do a whole lot of nothing against Tampa Bay this week. 3 for 26 isn't going to get it done...ever. Bijan got his touches this week, but couldn't find the endzone, spoiling an otherwise decent game of football.
Ben was in danger of being bitten by the start your stud bug as well. Stefon Diggs did slightly more nothing than Olave. Putting up just 5.1 points in a close matchup against the Pats. Tyreek was also underwhelming against L'Jarius Sneed and the Chiefs. All that said, Ken Walker, Travis Etienne, Brandon Aiyuk and the Jags D/ST were all enough to carry Ben through to a 3rd place finish. 

This matchup was a tale of ups and downs. Ups: Breece Hall on Thursday Night, Kyler Murray and Zamir White in a spot start. Downs: Jahmyr Gibbs on TNF, Mike Evans and Garret Wilson. 

Bill's RBs were his downfall. Underwhelming games from Ty Chandler and James Cook, just 12.8 points between them, put him behind the 8 ball. Add in 1/3 from Noah Brown and it was just too much to overcome despite big games from DK, Dallas Goedert, Puka and Rashee Rice.

Bill fell victim to the same decision I did in other leagues: What to do with Joe Flacco. It was such a tough decision to make and I think its hurting a whole lot of fantasy managers this morning.