Marcus Mariota – QB – Tennessee Titans

Just as we do every week, we’ll start with the quarterbacks. Marcus Mariota was just 17-37 for 218 yards on Sunday against the Raiders, but he did throw three touchdown passes. There was very heavy rain in Nashville that caused problems all day long in the passing game for Mariota, causing deep passes to fall short and receivers to slip for both teams. Mariota threw two interceptions on the day, which were both caused by the receiver running the wrong route, according to Titans head coach Mike Malarkey. That could be interim head coach standing up for his quarterback so there is less panic around Nashville for those that might not believe in Mariota, or it simply could be the truth. After Mariota’s second interception, Malarkey was visibly upset with Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright for apparently cutting the wrong way, causing the Mariota pass to be easily intercepted.

The 20 incompletions and two interceptions are not something you want to see if you’re a Titans fan long-term, but he did put his team in a situation to win. The Titans took a 24-21 lead with 4:41 remaining, giving the Raiders plenty of time to march down the field to win the game. On 4th and eight from the Titans 37 yard line, Derek Carr’s pass fell incomplete, turning the ball over on downs to the Titans, or so we thought. There was a phantom holding call on Titans defensive back BW Webb that left the Tennessee faithful outraged. The Raiders drive continued and gave the Raiders the game-winning touchdown. Mariota, despite the sub-par performance through the air, still managed to throw three touchdowns and give his team a chance to win, which is just about all you can ask for these days.

Jameis Winston – QB – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There has only been one game this season that the Bucs have won when Winston has thrown at least one interception, and that came in week 10 against the three-win Dallas Cowboys. I’ve said it all year long. If Winston takes care of the ball, the Bucs have a great chance to win the game each and every week they take the field. Trailing 25-12 with just over two minutes remaining in the game, Winston was intercepted by Dwight Lowery to seal the win for the Colts. Leading 12-6 at halftime, Winston and the Bucs were outscored 19-0 to drop to 5-6 on the year. Winston was 20-36 for 245 yards and one touchdown pass to Cameron Brate in the second quarter. He also ran the ball three times for 27 yards. This was a step back for Winston and the Bucs, as they were rolling coming into this game against the Luck-less Colts, but they ran into a brick wall at halftime of this game. Look for Winston to turn up his play in the final five games of the season, as Tampa Bay is still very much alive in the playoff race in the NFC.

Melvin Gordon – RB – San Diego Chargers

It’s almost impressive how similar every single game has been for Gordon and the Chargers. While the yardage varies from 29 yards to 88 yards, Gordon has been doing the same thing each and every week: underachieve. He carried the ball 14 times against the Jaguars for just 60 yards and still could not find the end zone. This includes the Chargers having a first and goal inside the five yard line at one point in this game where they would wind up winning 31-25 over the Jags. If Gordon can’t put it together and find the end zone when his team puts up 31 points and wins the game, there’s almost no hope for him this season. The offensive line is too poor and the team throws the ball too much. Rivers threw 43 passes for 400 yards and four touchdowns in the victory. Gordon was said to be the number one rookie to come off of the board this season in fantasy drafts, which really stings for owners that invested in him over Todd Gurley and Amari Cooper.

Amari Cooper – WR – Oakland Raiders

Despite the weather conditions, Amari Cooper caught seven passes for 115 yards in the Raiders 24-21 win over the Titans on Sunday. With those 115 yards, Cooper set a franchise record for most receiving yards in a single season by a rookie receiver. Cooper is well on his way to a 1,000 yard rookie season, and needs 586 yards to tie Bill Groman in 1960, who holds the record for most yards in a rookie season. While he likely wont reach that record, Cooper is undoubtedly having one of the best rookie seasons for a receiver in the history of the NFL. Michael Crabtree has taken targets and yards away from him of late, but it’s also taken some of the pressure off of Cooper defensively. Look for Carr to continue to look Cooper’s direction often in the Raiders final five games of the season.

Jeremy Langford – RB – Chicago Bears

Matt Forte was active on Thanksgiving day for the Bears, but it was Langford that led the Bears in rushing during their 17-13 win over the Packers. Forte had 15 carries to Langford’s 12, but it was Langford that outrushed Forte, and scored the lone touchdown between the two backs. This very easily could have been the Bears plan all along, not wanting to rush Forte back too quickly from his injury. However, this could be a passing of the torch in Chicago, as Forte is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. Langford is worth owning in season long leagues, but I would only play him in DFS if Forte is inactive or if the Bears come out and say that Langford is going to be the featured back moving forward.

Tevin Coleman – RB – Atlanta Falcons

Coleman was the starting running back for the Falcons this season before sustaining a rib injury in week two against the Giants. We all know the rest is history, as his replacement, Devonta Freeman, went on his way to becoming the top scoring player in fantasy football until the Falcons week 10 bye. Freeman suffered a concussion in week 11 against the Colts, giving Coleman the job back for the time being. Coleman did not disappoint, as he ran for 110 yards on 18 carries, and had a touchdown called back in this game as well.

DeVante Parker – WR – Miami Dolphins

It’s been a season to forget for Parker, totaling just four catches for 49 yards through the first 11 weeks of the season. In week 12, however, Parker was called upon for an increased role when Rishard Matthews went down with an injury. Parker responded with four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown, all of which are career high’s for him. Parker is intriguing moving forward, as he could be a really nice addition if Matthews is set to miss any time long term. The Dolphins invested a lot in Parker, so his role could increase moving forward based on this performance even if Matthews winds up being okay. Keep an eye on the former Louisville standout.