Could Christian Walker develop into a No. 1 receiver? (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Struggling Philadelphia DE Bryce Huff needs wrist surgery that will sideline him until the near the end of the season; Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, is a semifinalist for the Hall of Fame; and Dallas took another hit in losing safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) for the rest of season.
Are the Packers for Real?
The Green Bay Packers bounced back somewhat last year, even returning to the playoffs, and have taken bigger steps in 2024, squeaking past the Bears in Week 11 to improve to 7-3. But are they as good as their record suggests?
Many experts don’t see them as that strong, especially given their less than inspiring offensive showing against Chicago.
Honesty, we believe the Pack is a very well-rounded club with really its biggest issue being taking care of the ball (1.4 turnovers per game). Still, if not for Karl Brooks blocking a field goal attempt as time expired, we’d be talking about a 6-4 team that would be clinging to the final playoff spot in the NFC.
One of the best takeaways from Green Bay’s win was the growing sense that Christian Watson could grow into the true No. 1 receiver the team so needs. Although he only had four receptions, one was an incredible grab for 60 yards (see video below) to set up the go-ahead score. All told, he accumulated a career-best 150 yards on the day.
Watson has now pulled in a season-best four catches twice in the last three games as he becomes a bigger part of the offense. The fact that he was only targeted four times in Week 11 after totaling 13 targets in the two previous game was disappointing, but he sure made the most of his chances.
In his third season, Watson has stayed healthier, but has been a bit of a letdown with just 20 receptions and only 15 first downs. The good news is he’s become a bigger deep threat each season, and he’s such an excellent athlete with good football bloodlines that we’re confident there’s some serious upside in his game.
If you need help at receiver, Watson makes for a solid waiver wire addition. Consider him a low-end WR for Week 12.
Drake Maye Is Opening Some Eyes
Since winning 10 games in 2021 (the last time they made the playoffs), the New England Patriots have been in free fall, dropping to eight wins in 2022 to four last year and just three victories so far this season after suffering another loss in Week 11.
Given that just five teams have fewer wins than the Pats at this point, landing the number one overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is still on the table. Right now, the projected No. 1 selection is Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (+200 to be the top pick as per FanDuel), but would the Pats want another QB after drafting Drake Maye third overall this year?
Well, if Week 11 was any indication, we think the answer is no. Maye enjoyed one of his best games of the season, completing a career-high 30 passes in 40 tries for his most efficient game yet. He racked up his highest yardage total, passed for multiple TDs for just the third time and was only picked once (but also sacked three times).
It wasn’t a perfect outing for Maye, but we are seeing the Patriots begin to release the reins a bit, with 40 or more throws in two of the last three games. His 6.5 yards per pass rate isn’t great, but it’s better than Aaron Rodgers and other top rookie QBs like Bo Nix and Caleb Williams. The fact that New England lacks deep threat receivers is definitely holding Maye back in this regard.
Opposing coaches think highly of this kid, so that bodes well for his future. Long-term, there’s major upside here because of Maye’s strong arm and wheels, but man, do the Pats ever need to improve the offense around their young QB. For Week 12, consider him a streaming or mid-range QB2 option against the Dolphins.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
Songwriter Billy Joel got his start in 1964 and remains active to this day. In 1997, he released his second best-of package, Greatest Hits, Vol. III, which included “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” originally found on the 1989 album, Storm Front.