Josh Gordon’s return to the NFL highlights this week’s Week That Was.

Josh Gordon: Josh Gordon tallied 85 yards on four catches in his first real game action since 2014.  Not terrible.  However, the real story is that Gordon was targeted 11 times and will clearly be a key part of the Browns offense in the last four weeks of the season.  With Green Bay scheduled to come to Cleveland next week, Gordon looks mighty attractive. Through 12 weeks, the Packers had the fourth-worst fantasy defense against wide receivers.  Forget that Gordon was a fantasy superstar four years ago.  Forget that he has missed three seasons of action.  Instead, focus on opportunity, weakness of opponent and the fact that Gordon appears in shape and is just 26 years old.  I can easily see him being on a number of fantasy title winners in 2017.  [As to being on winners, I predict that Gordon helps the Browns break their winless streak against the Pack in Week 14.  Bookmark it.]

Dede WestbrookDede Westbrook caught six passes for 78 yards on nine targets.  This is hardly anything about which to write home when viewed in a vacuum. However, Dede does have 19 targets over his last two games – a hefty target share.  Watching the parts of the game I did get to see, it looked like Dede was gaining confidence and earning Blake Bortles’ trust along the way.  With Seattle and their beat up secondary, followed by Houston and then San Francisco on the fantasy playoff schedule, Westbrook is a guy who could easily help you win a fantasy title.  Check your waiver wire if you do not already own the Jaguar rookie out of Oklahoma and if he is available, make the investment for your playoff run. 

Devonta FreemanDevonta Freeman returned to the lineup and was well, okay.  He ran for 74 yards on 12 carries and added a catch for seven yards.  Against a great D like the Vikings, that is not terrible.  The problem is that Freeman had 13 touches and Tevin Coleman had 11 – the dreaded time share!  Freeman and Coleman are not Ingram and Kamara.  Indeed, they are quite the opposite.  The Saints duo are plug and play.  The Falcons duo seems to cancel each other out.  Proceed with caution.  Since the Week 5 bye, Freeman’s BEST game in PPR scoring has been 12 points.  Best game!  Low ceiling, high floor, no thank you – you get the point. 

Stephen AndersonStephen Anderson had a very nice game Sunday reeling in five receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.  That is some sweet tight end scoring.  However, the bigger news is that Tom Savage looked for Anderson early and often, targeting the tight end 12 times.  Yes, I know that in-game injuries resulted in more opportunities for Anderson.  However, watch the film – Savage seemed to trust him and Anderson played with confidence.  He makes a very interesting injury-replacement or DFS GPP play against the 49ers in Week 14. 

Robby Anderson: Last week we wrote: “Robby Anderson lit up the scoreboard Sunday reeling in six catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns.  But for Julio Jones’ once annual blow-out, Robby Anderson would be the headline of many a fantasy article this week.  So, to help balance the scales, Robby Anderson is the Week That Was headline – an honor well-deserved.  For those who have not focused on Gang Green, Anderson’s performance has been par for his course.  Anderson has hit paydirt six times in the last five weeks and at least once in each of those five weeks.  Bottom line – the Jets’ wideout is a fantasy stud who has earned the Adam Thielen-esque stature of set it and forget it.”  The Jets' wide receiver delivered again Sunday with eight grabs for 107 yards and a bonus seven yards rushing. Thus, even without his customary touchdown (which he missed by one yard), Anderson delivered 19.4 PPR points.  That is seven games in a row with double-digit fantasy points.  Keep on sending him up – even with the not so vaunted “no fly zone” next on the schedule.    

Marshawn Lynch: Last week we wrote: “Marshawn Lynch posted a workman-like performance that while not pretty, provided fantasy owners with solid production.  Lynch carried 26 times for 67 yards and a touchdown.  He also hauled in three receptions for another 44 yards.  Altogether, that is 29 touches and 20+ fantasy points in PPR.  I have been saying all along that the Raiders had been holding back on Beast Mode’s usage to keep him fresh for this very type of post-Thanksgiving usage.  I am all in on Beast Mode over the next five weeks.  You should be too.”  I hope you stayed the Beast Mode course.  Sunday, Lynch carried 17 times for 101 yards and a touchdown.  He also added two catches for 20 yards.  All totaled, that is a tasty 20+ points in PPR scoring. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Final NoteKareem Hunt had only 12 touches against the Jets.  Either he is hurt, hit the rookie wall or the coaches simply do not believe in him.  Hard to rely upon him in the fantasy playoffs.  Think long and hard before you do.