NFL Reactions: Week 13

Week 13 of the NFL saw its fair share of intrigue and excitement. It was a great day to be a football fan, but as is the case every year around this time, a wave of desperation and slight sadness creeped into my otherwise electrifying viewing experience.

It's that time of year, when fantasy managers realize that the clock is ticking on our fantasy seasons. For some, the playoffs await and now is the time to do anything we can to win each week. For others, these remaining games won't hold as much weight beyond playing spoiler. Either way, our season-long journeys are coming to a close.

Endings can be tough, but Sunday's action reminded me that a good ending can make all the difference.

Look at Detroit, for instance. Down four points with less than two minutes to go, Jared Goff did the unthinkable and led a game-winning drive against the Vikings. His 11-yard touchdown throw to Amon-Ra St. Brown with time expiring was a fairy tale ending for what has been a nightmare of a season for the now one-win Lions. Unless you're a Vikings fan or a disgruntled bettor, I'd find it hard to believe that an ending like that wouldn't get your football-loving heart skipping a beat.

Washington's kicker Brian Johnson hit a 48-yard field goal to beat the Raiders in a low-scoring slugfest. The Seahawks held the 49ers out of the end zone on Seattle's three-yard line at the end of the game to hold on to a seven-point win. Both endings were thrilling.

Perhaps the most compelling ending Sunday came in the rivalry game between the Ravens and Steelers. With 1:48 on the clock in the fourth quarter, the Steelers took their first lead of the game on a touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson and two-point conversion to Pat Freiermuth. With the score 20-13, Lamar Jackson found Sammy Watkins in the end zone with 12 seconds to go. 

Down one, I assumed they'd turn to Justin Tucker to kick the extra-point and try to win in overtime. 

I was wrong. A failed two-point conversion on a pass attempt to Mark Andrews brought the Ravens to 8-4, keeping the Steelers' playoff hopes alive with a record of 6-5-1. What a day …

I guess the moral of the story is this: Endings can be a beautiful thing — now's the time to finish strong. Whether you are making a push for the playoffs, playing spoiler or trying to avoid a last-place punishment, keep fighting and make this ending one to remember.

Sunday Takeaways

• Dallas Goedert had a fantastic fantasy day, catching all six of his targets for 105 yards and two touchdowns. With Gardner Minshew under center, the Eagles had success through the air taking advantage of a subpar Jets defense. Trusting Goedert to put up consistent numbers is difficult with Jalen Hurts running the offense, but, after a Week 14 bye, it's likely Hurts will return against Washington in Week 15.
• Miles Sanders looked like the workhorse some expected entering the season with a season-high 24 carries for 120 yards. He added 22 receiving yards on three catches before exiting with an ankle injury. With a bye ahead, Sanders should have time to heal, and the Eagles' coaching staff will hopefully  get its talented rusher more involved down the stretch.
• Alexander Mattison stepped into Dalvin Cook's role against the Lions and showed why he's one of the best running back handcuffs in fantasy. He carried 22 times for 90 yards and a touchdown, while also catching all three of his targets for 34 yards. With Cook likely to miss at least one more game, Mattison is a set-it-and-forget-it player and will carry the load for the Vikings on Thursday against the Steelers.
• Adam Thielen exited in the first quarter with an ankle injury, and it was the Justin Jefferson Show thereafter as he caught 11 of 14 targets for 182 yards and a touchdown. The second-year wideout will help win fantasy titles this season. He is a lock for a sizeable target share every week and the Vikings are constantly in close games, like Sunday's last-second loss to the previously winless Lions.
• In the Patriots' win over the Falcons, Tom Brady threw 51 times, completing 38 passes for 368 yards and four touchdowns. The Buccaneers looked like the defending Super Bowl champions, with their stars getting in on the action: Chris Godwin caught 15 balls for 143 yards, Rob Gronkowski turned four catches into 58 yards and two scores, Mike Evans had seven catches for 99 yards, Leonard Fournette totaled 92 total yards and a receiving touchdown. Brady looks like he is ramping up for a push for a first-round playoff bye.
• David Montgomery continues to make his case for being a high pick in next year's fantasy drafts. Although the Bears lost to the Cardinals, Montgomery held up his end, rushing 21 times for 90 yards and a touchdown and adding eight catches on a team-high nine targets for 51 yards. With a favorable schedule, Montgomery has a great chance to come up big in the fantasy playoffs.
• It appears Tee Higgins is determined to make sure he is not forgotten in the fantasy world after living in rookie Ja'Marr Chase's shadow for the majority of the season. Higgins had a second strong game in a row, catching nine of a team-high 14 targets for 138 yards and a touchdown. He is hard to sit, especially with the Bengals' heavy passing volume.
• George Kittle had a huge fantasy day in a loss to the Seahawks. With Deebo Samuel out of the lineup, Kittle soaked up a team-high 12 targets, catching nine for 181 yards and two touchdowns. Kittle should again put up great numbers next week when the 49ers visit the Bengals.
• Devonta Freeman is the running back you want to roster in the Baltimore backfield. His 14 carries led the team, as fellow running back Latavius Murray only carried twice for one yard. Freeman gained 52 yards on the ground and found the end zone, adding five catches on eight targets for 45 yards.
• Diontae Johnson scored the game-winning touchdown against the rival Ravens, capping an incredible fantasy day by catching eight of a team-high 11 targets for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Ben Roethlisberger's most-trusted receiver in 2021, Johnson is a sure-bet for double-digit targets every week. Expect him to continue to reward fantasy manager with matchups against the Vikings, Titans and Chiefs on tap.

Injury Notes

• Adam Thielen, who left in the first quarter with a sprained ankle, is likely to miss the Vikings'  matchup with the Steelers on Thursday night. Expect K.J. Osborn and Dede Westbrook to get added looks with Justin Jefferson benefiting the most.
• Miles Sanders suffered an ankle injury in the Eagles' win over the Jets. The Eagles have a bye next week, but fantasy managers should prepare for the possibility of Sanders missing Week 15 against Washington.
• Corey Davis aggravated his groin injury in the Jets' loss to the Eagles, though the severity of the injury is unknown. Rookie wideout Elijah Moore likely would continue to see his role grow if Davis is sidelined.
• Kenyan Drake was carted off the field after possibly suffering a high-ankle sprain. Peyton Barber likely would serve as the team's backup running back behind Josh Jacobs if Drake is out next week.
• Logan Thomas left the Football Team's win against Las Vegas in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. If Thomas is misses Week 14, Ricky Seals-Jones or John Bates will fill in at tight end.