The Pittsburgh Steelers took down the Cleveland Browns 26-14 on Monday Night Football. And a rather meaningless last-minute touchdown was significant to some, especially in the fantasy football community.
Pittsburgh had a 19-14 lead on 3rd-and-2 at the Cleveland 37-yard line with one minute remaining. The Browns were out of timeouts, so a first down would’ve locked up a victory for the Steelers. And even if the Steelers simply chose to kneel down, there would’ve been very little time for the Browns to do anything (and on a night Baker Mayfield had a 53.1 passer rating).
Well, the Steelers got a first down- and much more. Rookie running back Najee Harris blew past the Cleveland defense and decided to go all the way into the end zone for a Steelers touchdown.
Najee Harris likely just swung a lot of fantasy football championship games on this late touchdown run! pic.twitter.com/IXgi0Yrdkx
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 4, 2022
Harris has been one of the best running backs in fantasy football this season, and he took things to another level with a 28-carry, 188-yard, one-touchdown — to go with three receptions for 18 yards — performance in Week 17 (he also had a vicious stiff arm).
Week 17 also happens to be the fantasy football championship week for most leagues (due to so many good players being benched by NFL teams in the final week of the season).
So, that 37-yard (garbage time) touchdown run decided plenty of fantasy football championships (Baker Mayfield also threw an interception on the final drive that may have impacted things for Mayfield or Steelers defense owners).
Here’s a sampling of the fantasy football world’s reaction to the Harris touchdown:
Guilty as charged. Lost it on that play.@alexrkonrad and @RMac18 – call this proof of purchase aka receipts of loss
— Brandon Bycer (@TheAirlineGuy) January 4, 2022
That Najee touchdown just decided my fantasy league championship lol the group chat is madness right now.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) January 4, 2022
Just lost my fantasy championship by .15 points on that Najee Harris run. pic.twitter.com/v671an6LME
— Doug Norrie (@DougNorrie) January 4, 2022
That Najee TD just gave people incredible memories or nightmares for years in Fantasy Football. That was great. Congrats and sorry!
— Jason Moore (@jasonffl) January 4, 2022
najee harris swinging my fantasy title against me is the real nail in the coffin
— Anthony Dabbundo (@AnthonyDabbundo) January 4, 2022
No one cares but that Najee Harris TD just decided my fantasy league's title game and cost me a daily fantasy cash game head-to-head
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 4, 2022
Najee Harris garbage time TD just lost me my fantasy championship. No longer a Browns fan pic.twitter.com/X4HWC8EzS6
— Isaiah (@ZaySwoope) January 4, 2022
Yo Im Numb.
Just lost the Championship on that Najee run. Fantasy football, I’m done with you forever. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/IjrlzbSUGn
— Q (@Quincy_Butler) January 4, 2022
I’m just laughing at how many thousands of dollars just shifted in fantasy football championships with that Najee Harris touchdown.
— Steve Perrault (@Steve_Perrault) January 4, 2022
Everyone who lost their matchup on the Najee TD. pic.twitter.com/2gUrl5iwP6
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) January 4, 2022
I JUST WON MY MATCHUP ON THE NAJEE TD!!!! UNBELIEVABLE pic.twitter.com/Y60bA5aCCY
— Nick Skrip (@P2WFantasy) January 4, 2022
Everyone who just lost their fantasy championship on that Najee Harris TD pic.twitter.com/QBn3snUfMl
— FantasyLabs NFL (@FantasyLabsNFL) January 4, 2022
It ain't over 'till it's over. 🙏
Who just won the fantasy finals because of Najee? pic.twitter.com/IGaD1UtNdZ
— NBC Sports EDGE Football (@NBCSEdgeFB) January 4, 2022
People facing Najee Harris in the fantasy finals watching that last drive: pic.twitter.com/cn6MvD4WFU
— theScore (@theScore) January 4, 2022
[Photo Credit: ESPN]