Chiefs @ Browns
Final Score: 21 Chiefs – 7 Browns
Writer: Jesse Maida
The Chiefs have been winning by razor-thin margins all season, including six wins on the game’s final play, but their dominant defense and the error-prone Jameis Winston ensured this matchup would end in a comfortable Kansas City victory. The Browns could muster only 74 yards of offense in the first half, which included two turnovers, and it started even worse in the 2nd half, as the Browns turned the ball over on their first two plays of the third quarter. Both offenses were truly terrible, with Winston getting benched and Mahomes needing 38 attempts to throw for 159 yards, then eventually leaving the game late with an ankle injury. The Chiefs continue to win ugly, as they’ve been doing all season and improve to 13-1, moving one step closer to the crucial bye and home field in the playoffs. However, they may have to clinch the number one seed without Patrick Mahomes.
One Up
- Jerome Ford – Nick Chubb broke his foot, meaning Jerome Ford will be the lead back going forward. Ford becomes a flex-worthy option in the fantasy playoffs, even if Winston is benched.
One Down
- (Potentially) Everyone Else on KC and CLE – Post-game, Kevin Stefanski did not commit to Jameis Winston when directly asked about the QB situation going forward, while Mahomes is week-to-week with a high-ankle sprain. If either of these options is unable to suit up in weeks 15 or 16, all offensive players need to be downgraded. This would be an especially brutal blow for Jerry Jeudy, who looked like a potential league winner. Mahomes has a history of playing through injuries, even when given a week-to-week designation, but with two games in ten days, there seems to be a real possibility he misses time.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: 19/38, 159 Yards, 2 TD | 2 Carries, 14 Yards>
In what has been a very disappointing fantasy season for Patrick Mahomes, this may have been his worst performance. Mahomes needed 38 attempts to throw for 159 yards, his third-lowest total of the season, resulting in a putrid 4.18 yards per attempt. He was way off on multiple deep throws and missed some easy throws, even in a clean pocket. At one point in the second half, Mahomes had eight straight incompletions. However, the major story heading into week 16 will be Mahomes’ health, as he left the game with 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter with an ankle injury. If I had to guess, this move was precautionary with the Chiefs up 14 and a short week ahead, playing on Saturday, but fantasy managers need to have a plan B ready if Mahomes is ruled out. If Mahomes is ruled out, this is a major downgrade for all Chiefs, and even if Mahomes is active, looking to stream a replacement should seriously be considered.
Missed Opportunities
- Xavier Worthy’s touchdown was ruled a rushing score, but it was close to being a forward pass, which would have resulted in another passing touchdown for Mahomes.
https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1868383680122478775
Carson Wentz: 2/2 20 Yards | 3 Carries, 0 Yards
Entered the game up 14 with five minutes remaining, the possession after Winston was benched. He wasn’t asked to do much but did convert a key 3rd down to eat some more clock. Wentz should not be a fantasy option heading into the fantasy semi-finals unless you’re desperate in a deep super flex league.
Running Back
Isiah Pacheco: 13 Carries, 32 Yards |1 Target, 1 Reception 15 Yards
This was supposed to be a monster fantasy season for Isiah Pacheco, and it should have been, but somehow, his season continues to get worse. In three games since returning from a nine-game absence, Pacheco has totaled only 19.7 PPR points, (likely) falling outside the top 30 RBs each week. He’s not scoring touchdowns, dominating the workload, or catching passes, and now Carson Wentz may be starting at quarterback. It is unlikely you can start Pacheco for the fantasy semi-finals and championship, especially with terrible matchups ahead. Hopefully, you have other options.
https://twitter.com/MichaelFFlorio/status/1868406299416985812
Kareem Hunt: 13 Carries, 45 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
Kareem Hunt split backfield work with Pacheco, with each running back playing the same number of snaps while getting 13 carries and one reception, but Hunt had one more target. Hunt was a mid-season fantasy darling who saved many manager’s seasons, however, despite remaining involved in Kansas City’s backfield, he and Pacheco are cannibalizing the backfield production. Sadly, neither Chief’s running back is an exciting option in the fantasy playoffs.
Samaje Perine: 1 Carry, 11 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 23 Yards
Further complicating matters for the Chief’s backfield is Samaje Perine, who played 25% of the snaps for the third straight week. The return of Pacheco has only slightly reduced Perine’s playing time, turning this backfield into a three-headed mess.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Travis Kelce: 8 Targets, 4 Receptions, 27 Yards
It was a down day for the entire Chiefs passing attack, but Travis Kelce still earned eight targets. Kelce has earned 8+ targets in three of his last four games and six of his last eight games. The target consistency is there, but sadly, the touchdowns are not, as Noah Gray scored for the fifth time in five games, while Kelce has not scored since week 10. The steady target volume will keep Kelce as a top-four tight-end option going forward, but there is some risk if Mahomes misses time.
Xavier Worthy: 11 Targets, 6 Receptions, 46 Yards | 3 Carries, 30 Yards, TD
Xavier Worthy led the team in targets with 11, easily surpassing his season-high of eight. He added three rushes, one of which led to a 21-yard score in the 3rd quarter. The Chiefs’ 1st round pick has been much more involved recently, catching at least passes in three straight games and at least four passes in five straight. Worthy only managed to reach four receptions, one in his first nine career games. It appears Worthy is no longer just a downfield option, which raises his floor. He still had some deep targets vs. the Browns, but Mahomes missed him badly. Worthy will continue to be a boom/bust option going forward but with a little higher floor due to his increased target volume.
DeAndre Hopkins: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 36 Yards
Hopkins was held under 40 yards for the 4th time in his last five games but did catch at least four passes for the sixth time in seven games. Hopkins is a mid-end WR3 in PPR formats with a low ceiling. That’s what he is at this point.
Noah Gray: 5 Targets, 2 Receptions, 21 Yards, TD
Noah Gray caught another touchdown and has now scored in three of his last five games (with five total TDs). If Mahomes is healthy and you’re struggling at tight end, Gray is certainly a streaming option if you’re desperate.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Jameis Winston: 16/25, 146 Yards, 3 INT | 2 Carries, -2 Yards, FUM(L)
This was another classic turnover-filled Jameis Winston performance, which concluded with a 4th quarter benching. Winston had four turnovers, including three interceptions, his third three-interception game of the season, and he didn’t even start until week 8. His four turnovers could easily have been six, as Winston had another fumble, which he recovered, and a near interception on a deep shot to Elijah Moore. Post-game, Kevin Stefanski did not commit to Jameis Winston going forward, saying, “I’m not going to get into any decisions right now,” when asked if Winston is still his quarterback going forward. This would be unfortunate timing, as Winston and all of Brown’s offensive weapons are set for a dream matchup against the Bengals in week 16. Winston is always at risk of getting benched, but if he starts in week 16, the matchup is likely too good to pass. If he is benched, all Browns need to be significantly downgraded.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson: 4/9 18 Yards | 3 Carries, 16 Yards
It’s extremely possible the final three weeks of the season will be a 2025 audition for DTR. The 2nd year quarterback said postgame, “I’m trying to prove that I’m worth something to this team, and I can help this team any way I can if I get the opportunity.” If he does get that opportunity, he is not someone you can start even in deep super-flex leagues, as evidenced by his QB30, QB27, and QB22 performances in his three starts last season. In those three starts, DTR averaged 140 passing yards on 36 attempts, which is abysmal. Fantasy managers of Jeudy and Njoku will not want to see him start the next two weeks.
Running Back
Nick Chubb: 9 Carries, 41 Yards | 1 Target
It was another poor game in a season to forget for Nick Chubb, who was ruled out in the third quarter with a broken foot. Before getting injured, Chubb managed 41 yards on nine carries, with no receptions, the second straight game, he failed to catch a pass. Chubb was also involved in both Browns’ turnovers to start the 2nd half, bobbling a poorly thrown Winston pass, which led to an INT, then losing a fumble on the very next offensive play. To rub salt in the wounds, on the first rushing attempt after Chubb was ruled out, Jerome Ford took a 62-yard carry to the house, showcasing exceptional speed. Chubb’s season is likely over, and his career as a leadback is certainly in question. In what was a remarkable comeback story, sadly, it ends with another serious injury. It’s the end of an era for Nick Chubb, who was no doubt one of the best running backs in the NFL (and for fantasy football) since he entered the league eight seasons ago.
Jerome Ford: 7 Carries, 84 Yards, TD | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards
Nick Chubb left the game in the 3rd quarter with a broken foot, and his season is likely over. Jerome Ford immediately made an impact afterward, rushing for a 62-yard rushing touchdown, then adding another explosive play, gaining 26 yards on a dump-off in the 4th quarter. Eighty-eight of Ford’s 104 yards came on these two plays, but Ford should get plenty of touches going forward as he will reclaim his lead-back duties from earlier in the season. Operating as the lead back from weeks 1-6, Ford disappointed by finishing as a top-10 RB only once (in week 1) while finishing RB18 or worse the other five weeks. Ford is now a legitimate FLEX-worthy option heading into the money-making weeks, but he does come with a ton of risk if Winston is benched for the remainder of the season.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Jerry Jeudy: 14 Targets, 11 Receptions, 108 Yards
Jerry Jeudy’s winner season continued in week 15, racking up nearly 21 PPR points, even without a touchdown. With inactive David Njoku and Cedric Tillman, Jeudy commanded 14 targets on a whopping 42.4% target share. If Winston continues to start for the Browns, Jeudy will be a top-12 option heading into a mouthwatering matchup vs. the Bengals in week 16, but if DTR is the starter, all Browns will need to be significantly downgraded. However, Jeudy was targeted four times on nine DTR attempts, providing some hope for fantasy managers.
Elijah Moore: 6 Targets, 2 Receptions, -1 Yards
Everyone reading this article had more receiving yards than Elijah Moore in week 15. Moore had an end zone target, which led to an interception, and was also targeted on another deep ball, which should have been intercepted. With the Winston experiment potentially over and Njoku and/or Tillman returning, Elijah Moore will be way too risky to start in the fantasy semi-finals.
Jordan Akins: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 20 Yards
Filling in for the injured David Njoku, Akins was targeted four times. He is not a recommended streaming option going forward.
Michael Woods: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 7 Yards