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Monday Morning NFL Recap - Midseason Report & Awards

Welcome to the midseason edition of our weekly recap!  Through 8 or 9 games, the NFL has brought commercials, jubilation, commercials, exciting rookies, commercials, penalty flags, commercials, commercials, and the depths of despair and defeat to audiences all over the country, but today it's time to celebrate the individual players who have turned in significant first-half performances.  We're going to go position by position and take a look at the players who have been the MVPs of your fantasy team - the eighth-round picks playing like superstars - and we're going to take a look at the guys who've killed your desire to even login and fix your lineups.

Well, except for tight end.  That position is a goddamn wasteland.  Martellus Bennett is the number 3 overall at the position, and he's got 5 games logged where he had less than 5 points.  I hate tight ends so much.

Editor's Note: New users that sign up on FantasyAces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive our full season NFL (or NBA) Premium Pass for free, a $59.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium pass.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

It's Monday Morning... What Just Happened

QUARTERBACKS

Midseason MVP: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons sit at 6-3 and have sole position of first place in the NFC West, and the resurgent play of Matt Ryan is a big reason why.  Ryan has 5 games where he's thrown for at least 3 touchdowns, 5 games of at least 300 yards passing, with a 500-yard, 4-touchdown offering against the Panthers sitting nicely as the crown jewel of Ryan's season.  Ryan leads the NFL in yards per pass attempt, averaging 9.45 yards every time he throws.  With receiver Julio Jones fully healthy (and not fully human), Ryan is in a prime position to succeed down the stretch, and has an incredibly enticing playoff schedule, with games against divisional opponents during the last two weeks of the season - and his division has seemingly forgotten what cornerbacks are.

Honorable Mention: Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders

Carr has taken a huge step for the division-leading Raiders and sits at 3rd overall among QBs despite his rough outing against Denver this weekend.  Las Vegas is gonna love him.

 

Midseason Disappointment: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Although slightly unfair to Wilson, who has been fighting injury seemingly all season, Wilson was drafted in the hopes of building on his stellar play from the second half of 2015.  However, he has failed to live up to that reality.  Wilson hasn't thrown a touchdown since Week 4, and the Seahawks offense has sputtered.  He's only broken 20 points in a game once this season.  He had a Halloween costume that was somehow both super lame AND super creepy.  It's not been Wilson's year...but Wilson had a rough start last year, too.  It's too early to give up on the Seahawks, but if you've been relying on Wilson, it might be too late to save your season.

Honorable Mention: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

These two guys were frequently drafted 1-2 at the position this year.  You do not draft the first and second quarterbacks off the board to have them be 16th and 26th at the position, behind Jameis "I threw 4 picks in a game" Winston and Case "booed at home" Keenum, respectively.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Midseason MVP: Melvin Gordon, San Diego Chargers

Gordon has had an incredible turnaround this year on a competitive Chargers squad.  The much-maligned rookie has been phenomenal for the first 9 games of his sophomore season, putting up 9 touchdowns only a year after he couldn't find the end zone at all.  He's gotten better as the season has gone on, too: he's put up 77 points over the last three games, with two 30-point showings, and he's done it against stingy fantasy defenses.  The Broncos are the Broncos, while the Titans were the second-best defense against running backs in fantasy.  Of course, the operative word in that sentence is were, because Gordon shredded them for 196 yards and a touchdown. (Cut to Nebraska fans, suddenly staring the thousand-yard stare of men who have witnessed horrors almost beyond human comprehension.)

Honorable Mention: Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

Honestly, the only reason Gordon gets the MVP nod over Elliott is that everyone expected this kind of production out of Elliott and drafted him in the first round accordingly.  Gordon, not so much.

 

Midseason Disappointment: Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams

Remember when Gurley was spearheading the crop of exciting young running backs entering the league?  Someone should check to see if he and Melvin Gordon swapped bodies sometime during the offseason.  Of course, Gordon has the benefit of playing with Philip Rivers, who not only has a functioning human arm, but who has an arm that functions well enough to keep San Diego competitive despite approximately 60% of its roster being hurt.  Gurley, on the other hand, plays with Case Keenum, who may or may not have been reanimated by a mad scientist looking to take revenge on not only the quarterback who bullied him in high school, but the entire concept of quarterbacking in general.  As a result, Gurley has to meet about 15 tacklers every time he touches the ball.  Lord God, please just let Jeff "the living embodiment of 7-9" Fisher start Jared Goff so Gurley doesn't actually die on the field.

Honorary Mention: Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints

I don't care what you did against the 49ers, Mark, it's not gonna erase the stink of the -1.5 you put up against Seattle.

 

WIDE RECEIVER

Midseason MVP: Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Evans was already one of the most productive WRs in football before his 11-reception, 150-yard, 2-TD performance against the Falcons.  Those 2 TDs put him at eight on the year, and he has emerged as QB Jameis Winston's most reliable option.  In a division that seems to regard pass defense as a suggestion and not a requirement, as well as a juicy matchup against Chicago coming up in Week 10, Evans should be poised to put up a strong second half.

Honorable Mention: Terrelle Pryor, Sr., Cleveland Browns

After switching positions to WR, the former Ohio State QB has found himself to be possibly the only bright spot on the Browns' roster, and the owners who were fortunate enough to grab him off the waiver wire (because the only people who drafted Terrelle Pryor as their Cleveland WR were people in the greater Columbus area) have been rewarded with a high-upside WR2.

 

Midseason Disappointment: DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans

Last year, DeAndre Hopkins was unquestionably one of the best young receivers in football.  Last year, he had the two headed monster of Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett throwing to him.  Last year, he still looked like he was poised to break into the Antonio Brown/Julio Jones "we're not quite sure if you were born or if you were molded from clay by the hand of the football gods" tier of wide receiver.  This year, he has just-got-paid-$72-million Brock Osweiler throwing to him.  This year, Hopkins has been a fantasy afterthought.  This year, Hopkins is being outscored by Tyrell Williams, who is San Diego's latest "oh shit literally everyone is hurt" receiver.   Now, I'm not going to say that Brock Osweiler is 500 pounds of failure stuffed into a 235-pound human suit...but I will imply it.  Brock Osweiler just had to be better than Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett, and he is demonstrably worse.  Houston, that sound you hear is Denver laughing at you 72 million times over.

Honorable Mention: Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars

God the AFC South is a dumpster fire.  No division is better at squandering talent.  The Colts are wasting literally all of Andrew Luck's prime, the Texans are wasting Hopkins AND JJ Watt, the Jaguars are wasting Allen Robinson and exciting new rookie Jalen Ramsey...I guess congratulations are in order for Tennessee.  Although Tennessee has avoided wasting any young, exciting talents mostly due to not having any instead of playing good football, so I'd hold off on that particular ribbon ceremony for a while.

 

I'd like to say that there's plenty of exciting football commercials coming up over the second half of the season, but I pretty much wrote the "disappointment" sections by looking at my own roster, so I really just don't have the energy to get excited about unsportsmanlike conduct anymore.  When do the playoffs start?




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Darren Waller

Not Expected to Play in Week 3
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Jameson Williams

Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Jayden Daniels

Considered "Day-to-Day" with Knee Injury
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
Joe Burrow

Could Miss Three Months if he Requires Toe Surgery
Davante Adams

Headlines Rams Receiving Corps Sunday
Wan'Dale Robinson

Explodes for 142 Yards, Touchdown in Overtime Thriller
Joe Flacco

Browns Not Considering Benching Joe Flacco After Week 2
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Lamar Jackson

Throws for Four Touchdowns in Week 2 Win
James Cook

Scores Two Touchdowns in Rout of Jets
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Rome Odunze

Scores Twice in Loss
Ja'Marr Chase

Snags 14 Receptions, Finds End Zone in Week 2
Russell Wilson

Throws for 450 Yards, Three Touchdowns in Loss
Jared Goff

Throws Five Touchdowns
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Scores Three Touchdowns
Joe Burrow

Suffers Turf Toe and Torn Ligaments in Win
Malik Nabers

Explodes for Two Touchdowns in Overtime Thriller
Joe Burrow

Seen with Boot and Crutches Postgame
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
Justin Fields

Diagnosed With Concussion Sunday
Tyrod Taylor

Justin Fields Evaluated for Concussion, Tyrod Taylor Enters Game
Luis Arraez

Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
Max Muncy

Exits Early on Saturday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Trey Yesavage

Heading to Big Leagues
Will Smith

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
Ryan Preece

Seems Slower on Concrete Than on Asphalt
NASCAR

Legacy Motor Club's Short-Track Speed Will Likely Hold John H. Nemechek Back
Erik Jones

Definitely Faster This Year, but Short Tracks Still a Liability
Daniel Suarez

Despite Poor Qualifying Run, Daniel Suarez Might Not Be a Great Choice
Noah Gragson

Unlikely to Be Fast at Bristol but Still Might Be Worth Considering for DFS
Tarik Skubal

Avoids Serious Injury, Expected to Make Next Start
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
Zach Neto

Dealing With Wrist Soreness
Masyn Winn

Shut Down for Rest of Season
Tarik Skubal

to Undergo Imaging on Saturday
Tyler Soderstrom

Scratched on Friday With Groin Tightness
Tarik Skubal

Exits with Side Tightness
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
Ketel Marte

Scratched From Friday's Lineup
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Kyle Tucker

"Unlikely" to Return When Eligible on Tuesday
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Alexander Hernandez

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Quang Le

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Card Opener
Santiago Luna

Set For His Debut At Noche UFC 3
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
Charles Oliveira

Not Eyeing Retirement
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double
Joel Dahmen

Finishes Tied For 15 at Wyndham Championship
Bud Cauley

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied for Seventh at Tour Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 25th at Tour Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 19th at Tour Championship
Keith Mitchell

Misses Cut at Wyndham Championship
Ben Griffin

Finishes Tied for 10th at Tour Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for Second at Tour Championship
Gary Woodland

Could Hang Around at Procore Championship
Karl Vilips

Ready for Napa Valley This Weekend
Taylor Montgomery

Heating Up at the Right Time
Jackson Koivun

May Be a Little Rusty at Procore Championship
Doug Ghim

Looking to Rise Up at Napa Valley
Josh Giddey

Re-Signs With Bulls for Four Years
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Joins Informal Skate
William Eklund

Skates With Sharks
Owen Power

Back at 100 Percent
Tyler Seguin

Cleared for Action
Mathew Barzal

Good to Go for Season Opener
Dustin Wolf

Signs Seven-Year Extension
NBA

Mason Jones Takes His Talents to Australia
NBA

Talen Horton-Tucker Joins Reigning EuroLeague Champions
Malcolm Brogdon

on Knicks' Radar
Andrew Wiggins

Attracting Interest From Lakers

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