Fantasy Fallout: Rob Gronkowski injured, Russell Wilson has fun birthday

— -- What a way to end a Sunday.

The Brock Osweiler-led Denver Broncos ended the New England Patriots' pursuit of perfection, winning a 30-24 overtime thriller on Sunday Night Football. For many -- this columnist included -- it was one of the season's best games.

But there really was only one story for fantasy owners in that Sunday night game: the early exit of Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski due to a right knee injury that required he be carted off the field. Now we await an update on his status, since the injury was to the same knee on which he had ACL and MCL surgery in January 2014. It's fair to be concerned.

While Gronkowski's injury might not be as severe as initially feared, an absence of some length remains possible. To illustrate the magnitude of his potential loss, consider: His 142 fantasy points in 11 games ranks 37th among tight ends since 1960, and all 36 ranked ahead of him played in at least 14 games in those years. Gronkowski also has averaged 12.9 fantasy points per game, the fourth-best average for any tight end who appeared in at least half of his team's games. He also has four of the 10 best such campaigns:

Gronkowski also paces his position in terms of fantasy points per game, possessing a two-point lead in that category over Tyler Eifert (10.9 average; this includes only tight ends who have appeared in at least half of their teams' games). To put that into perspective, Devonta Freeman is the only other player with at least a two-points-per-game lead over the rest of his position -- Freeman has averaged 17.6 to Adrian Peterson's 15.5 -- and Gronkowski's 12.9 average is better than all but five running backs and five wide receivers who have appeared in at least half of their teams' games.

While Scott Chandler would benefit most in the absence of Gronkowski, making Chandler one of the week's top pickups, those numbers illustrate the "irreplaceable" measure of Gronkowski's value.

Happy birthday, Russell!

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson celebrated his 27th birthday in style with 34 fantasy points, which tied Matthew Stafford's total from Thanksgiving Day for the most in Week 12 (entering Monday's game). It was also the third-best fantasy point total by any player on his birthday since 1960:

In addition, Wilson reached 1,000 fantasy points for his career on Sunday, in his 59th NFL game. Among players whose careers extended beyond 1960, only 10 reached 1,000 fantasy points in fewer games: Cam Newton, in 53 games; Andrew Luck, 55; Daunte Culpepper, 56; Dan Marino, 57; Marcus Allen, 57; Eric Dickerson, 57; Jim Brown, 58; Terrell Davis, 58; Aaron Rodgers, 58; and Matthew Stafford, 58.

Wilson has the eighth-most total fantasy points through 59 career games -- his 1,022 exceeds Stafford's 1,011 and Luck's 1,005 (stuck on 55 games due to his current injury), even though both Luck and Stafford reached the 1,000-point career threshold in fewer games. Wilson trails the leader, Newton (1,104), by only 82 total fantasy points. While disappointing in fantasy terms overall this season, Wilson perhaps is heating up for his owners at the right time, with favorable matchups ahead against the Baltimore Ravens (Week 14) and Cleveland Browns (Week 15).

Miscellany

It's a testament to the Chiefs' offensive line play this season, and especially in Week 12, despite the loss of two key players to injuries. Though the health of Jeff Allen (ankle, who was able to return to Sunday's game), Eric Fisher (neck) and Mitch Morse (concussion) needs be monitored, it's fair to suggest that any starting running back for the Chiefs -- be it West, Ware or "other" -- going forward warrants minimum RB2 status each week.