Week 13 of the 100th season is officially in the books. The Cowboys loss to what, at this point, is a slept-on Buffalo Bills team. New England suffered a both disappointing and shocking loss to the Texans. And, Baltimore managed to knock off San Francisco which knocked the 49ers to the fifth seed in the NFC. Many key games led to some unexpected shuffling in the playoff picture, especially in the NFC. Nevertheless, I return with the Week 13 edition of my NFL stock market. Whose stock rose from last week, and whose performance dropped-off?
Stock Up: Jared Goff vs Cardinals
74.4 completion percentage, 424 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and a 120.7 passer rating.
This is the Jared Goff that I want to see for the rest of the season. Against the Cardinals, he had one of those performances that carried the Rams to the Super Bowl last year. He correctly utilized Robert Woods to his maximum potential which is what led Goff to have such an efficient day. I’ve bashed Goff often this season because he hasn’t carried over his success from last season. However, the Rams, led by Goff, kind of control their own fate.
Either the Seahawks or the 49ers will snag the top spot in the NFC West, leaving the Rams fighting for a Wild Card spot. If the Rams can play like they did in this game, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Rams upset a top NFC team on the road. At full strength and firing on all cylinders, the Rams are a contender in the NFC. It’s a Stock Up for a masterful performance by Jared Goff.
Stock Down: Tom Brady vs. Texans
51.1 completion percentage, 326 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, and a 85.9 passer rating.
I’m sorry to any Patriots fans that may be offended by this. I understand the struggles that the team is going through because I’m a Patriots fan myself. And, in all honesty, it should be New England’s WR core because they’re the Patriots’ biggest problem. Brady has steadily remained within the league leaders for passing yards, but each week his numbers look uncharacteristic. It’s to the point where he’s being compared to Mitch Trubisky of all quarterbacks.
The Patriots are going to get through the season as one of the NFL’s top teams. However, Brady gets a Stock Down which is really a Stock Down towards his supporting cast. This isn’t the Tom Brady we’re accustomed to seeing, and this isn’t the Brady falling off of the “cliff” that everyone mentions. Brady and the supporting cast just need to get better. This was a game the Patriots shouldn’t have lost, and it was a disappointing one to see them fall in.
Stock Up: Raheem Mostert vs. Ravens
19 carries, 146 rushing yards, and 1 rushing touchdown.
Despite the loss to the NFL’s hottest team, the 49ers proved they’re a threat to make it to the Super Bowl. At this point, everyone recognizes the beast that is the 49ers’ defense. However, this game told me everything I needed to know about their offense. In a backfield that’s been loaded with Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida, it’s astonishing to see that San Francisco has a third-string running back that can put up these numbers. Mostert had himself a day against the AFC’s top team. Mostert having this type of potential allows for the San Francisco offense to be that much more dynamic, leading them to be that much more of a threat come playoff time. It’s a Stock Up for Mostert for his best performance of the season.
Stock Down: Baker Mayfield vs. Steelers
56.2 completion percentage, 196 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 1 interception, and a 71.9 passer rating.
Do you guys remember the hype we put around the Cleveland Browns? Yeah, me neither. Mayfield is on the lower end of the NFL’s quarterbacks, and he’s shown no signs of improving his status anytime soon. Whether it be the coaching or his play, something is up with the Browns. They’ve been bad all season which leads me to say that I have nothing else to say about them. Mayfield is one of the league’s worst quarterbacks, and the Browns have one of the league’s worst coaches. The fact that they lost to the Steelers who have endured more problems than almost every team in the league is inexcusable. It’s a huge Stock Down for Baker, and most of all, the Browns.
Stock Up: Derrick Henry vs. Colts
26 carries, 149 passing yards, and 1 passing touchdown.
To end this week’s list we have Derrick Henry, who’s once again rising his stock as one of the league’s best running backs. On a Titans team that’s trying to find their way into the Wild Card, Henry is the player that sparks the offense. His huge frame and power on the field carries him to be a scary foe to tackle. That was proven against a division foe.
Perhaps Derrick Henry will finish the season as the league’s leading rusher. He earns himself yet another Stock Up because, although the talk surrounding the Titans has been minimal, Henry has made a rather loud impact. He’s had himself an amazing season. If the Titans somehow top the Steelers for the AFC’s last Wild Card spot, you can bet heavily that Henry will be the leading reason.
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