Week 15 Takeaways

Studs: Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield, James Cook, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffery, Deebo Samuel, Jahmyr Gibbs

Duds: Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, Dak Prescott, Stefon Diggs, Najee Harris, Breece Hall, Saquan Barkley

Chargers vs. Raiders

• What a way to start the week! 84 points scored in a battle of back up QB’s, raise your hand if you saw that coming. Now put your hand down because we all know you’re lying.
• Is Austin Ekeler near the end or does he just need a change of scenery?
• Zamir White filled in admirably for the injured Josh Jacobs.

Vikings vs. Bengals

• And down goes Chase. Will the clock strike midnight on Jake Browning’s Cinderella story without his dynamic WR?
• Chase Brown is the future at RB in Cinci, I’m avoiding Mixon next year unless he’s moved.
• Ty Chandler had a strong game filling in for the injured Alexander Mattison.

Steelers vs. Colts

• The Mitchell Trubisky experience is over in Pittsburgh, how will Mason Rudolph fare? Not much better if you ask me, but at least his name is more festive.
• What will George Pickens’ value be next season? He burned me this year so I’m staying away.
• Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson stepped up big time for the injured Zack Moss.

Lions vs. Broncos

• Jahmyr Gibbs is electric. He reminds me of prime Kamara. Detroit’s offense is young and dangerous.
• Goff rebounded in a big way from last week with 5 touchdown passes.
• Jerry Jeudy and Javonte Williams have been major disappointments this year.

Bears vs. Browns

• Chicago’s backfield is a mess, avoid at all costs
• Njoku is one of the hottest players in the league right now.
• The Browns defense played great again and face a Texans team that may be without Stroud this week.

Buccaneers vs. Packers

• This will be a great trivia question, who is the only visiting QB to have a perfect passer rating at Lambeau Field? Baker Mayfield!
• Mike Evans rebounded nicely and Godwin dominated.
• Jordan Love has what it takes to be a starter in the NFL.

Texans vs. Titans

• Derrick Henry laid an absolute egg in the fantasy playoffs. Will a change of scenery breath some life into him or is there just too much tread on the tires?
• Devin Singletary had 26 carries to Dameon Pierce’s 1. WYD DeMeco!?
• In the midst of a playoff push, the Texans offense has lost Tank Dell, Nico Collins, and C.J. Stroud. Ouch.

Dolphins vs. Jets

• Jaylen Waddle finally got to shine with Tyreek missing his first game this year.
• Zach Wilson got benched, again. Stay home Rodgers, it’s a mess.
• I still like Breece Hall’s talent. I’m thinking I can draft him at a discount next year.

Chiefs vs. Patriots

• Rashee Rice is officially a WR1.
• Patrick Mahomes threw for over 300 yards, it’s about time.
• Zappe was unable to build off his prime time win over the Steelers last week.

Giants vs. Saints

• Saquan Barkley might have very well lost you your playoff matchup.
• The Giants sure could use a dynamic receiver.
• No Chris Olave and Taysom Hill does nothing.

Falcons vs. Panthers

• Arthur Smith is the bane of my existence. #FREEBIJAN
• The Panthers really need to get Bryce some weapons.
• 16 total points. Who took the under?

Commanders vs. Rams

• Gunslinger Sam Howell got benched.
• Scary Terry lived up to his name with 141 and a TD.
• Kyren and Cooper got theirs again. Is Kyren a top 3 pick next year?

49ers vs. Cardinals

• Deebo Samuel is red hot.
• 3 more TD’s from CMC, talk about a league-winner.
• I’m targeting Trey McBride next year, he’s been so consistent.

Cowboys vs. Bills

• Well, looks like Dak’s MVP campaign is over. What an embarrassment for Dallas.
• James Cook’s huge day would not have been possible if the Bills didn’t fire Ken Dorsey.
• I think there’s beef between Josh and Diggs. I see a trade on the horizon.

Jaguars vs. Ravens

• It’s between Lamar and Purdy for MVP at this point. Lamar continued his impressive and consistent fantasy streak.
• Travis Etienne has really fallen off in the second half of the season.
• Isaiah Likely has filled in admirably for the injured Mark Andrews.

Eagles vs Seahawks

• Definitely not the flu game Philly was hoping for. 3 straight losses for the birds.
• Last second substitution Drew Lock led the Seahawks on a game-winning drive.
• Metcalf, Lockett, and JSN are the leagues best trio if you ask me.

Pros and Cons of New Cleveland Head Coach Rob Chudzinski

Pro: Offensive Aptitude

The man knows a thing or two about the tight end position. Chudzinski, also known as “Chud”, won two national championships during his time at the University of Miami where he was the starting tight end for three years. He returned to his alma mater as a tight ends coach where helped develop Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey, and Kellen Winslow II over an eight year span.

Chud has coached tight ends in the NFL for five years with the Cleveland Browns and the San Diego Chargers.

For the past two seasons Chud was the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. During his first season in Carolina he transformed a bleak, ineffective offense into a juggernaut.

His Panthers boasted the seventh overall offense in the league, as well as ranking fifth in points scored, and setting a franchise record for total yards. Having Offensive Rookie of the Year, Cam Newton, as his starting quarterback may have had something to do with that.

To say that the dude knows a thing or two about running an offense is an understatement. Chud has been at it for nearly two decades. His ten years in college football and nine years in the NFL must have enticed Jimmy Haslam and company.

Con: Lack of experience as Head Coach

After nine years in the NFL, this is Chud’s first head coaching gig. Former Cleveland head coach Pat Shurmur, provides an example of the difficult transition between offensive coordinator and head coach.

The Harbaugh brothers have recently set a high standard for first time head coaches in the NFL; however, it is unreasonable to expect that same level of production from others such as Chudzinski.

Pro: Experience with Browns

Chudzinski was born and raised a Cleveland Browns fan in Toledo, Ohio.

“My cousins and I, … we wanted to be in that stadium, in the Dog Pound so bad that we would watch games in December out in the snow, said Chudzinski. We’d flip the TV around in the window, and that was (like) us being there, being in the stands and being part of that.”

This will be his third stint with the Browns.  In 2007, as offensive coordinator, he took an ineffective offense to new heights, much like he did in Carolina. The team finished eighth in the league in total offense and featured five offensive Pro Bowl members: Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow II, Josh Cribbs, and Joe Thomas.

Cribbs’ future with the team remains unclear, but Joe Thomas remains on the roster. If Chud can utilize Brandon Weeden’s rocket of an arm like he did with Anderson, combined with the deep threat ability of Josh Gordon like he did with Braylon Edwards, Cleveland fans will be in for a real treat.

Chudzinski has had success with athletic tight ends like Winslow in Cleveland and at the University of Miami as well as Antonio Gates in San Diego. Gates is a converted basketball player from Kent State who shares a few similarities with Cleveland’s tight end Jordan Cameron who also played basketball in college. Perhaps Chud can propel Cameron to new heights.

Con: The Cleveland Brown’s 2008 Season

As encouraging as the success of the ‘07 campaign under Chudzinski was, 2008 proved equally agonizing. So bad, in fact, that the new management in place decided to part ways with Chud after the season.

The Brown’s offense fell from the top ten overall in ‘07 to twenty fourth in the league in points per game and twenty fifth in yards per game in ’08.

Chudzinski wasn’t solely responsible for the meltdown, many different factors contributed to Cleveland’s regression. Nonetheless, his departure was hardly protested by fans.

Pro: Coaching Staff

One consolation of Cleveland fans who opposed the hiring of Chudzinski is the rest of the coaching staff in place.

The Browns recently signed Ray Horton as their defensive coordinator. His name was buzzing around rumor mills as teams searched for new head coaches this offseason. Horton felt betrayed when he wasn’t upgraded from defensive coordinator to head coach by the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, so he decided to accept the defensive coordinator position with Cleveland.

Horton comes with experience in the AFC North. He spent seven years coaching the secondary of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2004-2010.

Norv Turner joins Chudzinski again in Cleveland, but this time, Chud is running the show. Most recently, Chudzinski served as the assistant head coach to Turner in San Diego.

If Chudzinski ever finds himself overwhelmed during his first attempt at coaching, he need to look no further than Turner and his fifteen years of NFL experience for advice.

Con: His nickname is ‘Chud’

Before the hiring of Chudzinksi, fans were teased with rumors of “sexy” name head coaching candidates such as Nick Saban, Chip Kelly, Ken Wisenhunt, Bruce Arians and others.

Chud’s nickname and reputation are about as sexy as Miley Cyrus’ new haircut. One ESPN analyst recently said that Haslam and Banner promised steak, but came back with Spam.

Every head coach needs an opportunity to build a reputation for himself. The accolades which make certain candidates so enticing are not just given, they are earned. Perhaps Chud’s current position as Cleveland’s head coach will serve as a launching pad to bolster his reputation.