Week 15 of the 100th season is officially in the books. Drew Brees had himself a record-breaking performance, the Seahawks moved their way up to the number one seed in the AFC, and the Cowboys finally got back on track by playing to the standard they should be. New contenders arose in Dallas and Kansas City with all the top-seeded teams fighting to keep a bye. I return with the Week 15 edition of my NFL stock market. Whose stock rose from last week, and whose performance dropped-off?
Stock Up: Drew Brees vs. Colts
96.7 completion percentage, 307 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and a 148.9 passer rating.
Drew Brees had an almost perfect night on Monday Night Football. Not only did he move into first place on the all-time passing touchdowns list, he also had the most accurate game in NFL history. Although Lamar Jackson may win MVP, he’s nowhere near the caliber of a Drew Brees.
Brees has always been a top-five quarterback in the league, and this performance showed it. From Michael Thomas to Taysom Hill, the QB had his whole team involved in what was a beyond impressive performance from him and the Saints. He’s not going to win any awards this year. However, the Saints should be the biggest favorite to win the NFC crown. Why? Because of performances like these. Brees gets his weapons involved which is all you can ask from a player of his caliber. It’s a huge stock up for Brees.
Stock Down: Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Cardinals
8 receptions and 66 receiving yards.
Odell Beckham Jr. has had the worst season of his young career. After the hype that was surrounding the Browns, the team, as a whole, just could hasn’t delivered. 66 yards is an average game, but not for a number one receiver. In fact, this stock down status is long overdue. Beckham has also been telling opposing coaches to “come get him” which, in itself, is just wrong and unprofessional. He left the Giants, as he wanted, and was traded to a team he couldn’t perform for. I bet he’d much rather have Eli Manning behind center than Baker Mayfield. Nevertheless, it’s a stock down for Beckham, who lost his explosive touch and everything that made him who he is.
Stock Up: Jameis Winston vs. Lions
66.7 completion percentage, 458 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, and a 124.9 passer rating.
Jameis Winston reminded us why he’s the most consistently inconsistent quarterback in the NFL. He, at least to me, is a clear franchise quarterback because of his capability to put up numbers like this. Yes, you can quickly refute that statement by looking at Winston’s interception totals. But, that’s something that should/could improve with time.
Winston cut up a below average Lions team. That still doesn’t push away the fact that he has the potential to be a great quarterback. If he keeps this offensive touch while limiting his interceptions, then he has the tools needed to be a top QB. It was a great performance from Winston, who may have had more movement in my stock market than any player this season.
Stock Down: Todd Gurley vs. Cowboys
11 carries, 20 rushing yards, and 1 rushing touchdown.
Do I need to mention Todd Gurley and his constant woes once again? He’s no longer a top-10 running back in the NFL, at least for this season. Gurley has separated himself from other top backs in the NFL and in a very, very bad way. Although he had a rushing touchdown against the Cowboys, it’s safe to say that it’s just been a bad season overall for him.
Coming off a Super Bowl appearance, it was expected that the Rams were going to maintain their winning ways. However, due to the rise of the Seahawks and the 49ers, Los Angeles is now battling for a playoff spot. Long story short, Gurley probably won’t be a factor in big games this season if the Rams even make it to the playoffs. It’s been a major stock down all season for him.
Stock Up: Michael Thomas vs. Colts
12 receptions, 128 passing yards, and 1 receiving touchdown.
We go from a declining superstar in Gurley, to an ever-rising one in Michael Thomas. People shy away from the fact that Michael Thomas had yet another excellent performance due to it being Drew Brees’ record-breaking night. Thomas has established himself as the best WR in the NFL and has made the case to be the Offensive Player of the Year over Christian McCaffery.
The former Buckeye is on his way to breaking multiple records himself, and he’s a player who’s going to have a huge impact in the playoffs for my NFC favorites. In the Saints’ beat down of the Colts, there was really not much that made you drop your jaw in terms of his play. Why? Because at this point, we’re numb to the fact that we just “Can’t Guard Mike”. It’s a stock up for the best wide receiver in the NFL today.
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