Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks, QB
Week 15 is usually the semi-final week for fantasy playoffs and now more than ever is when you need your studs to step up and help carry you to championship glory.
However Week 16, it seemed like our worlds were tuned upside down as studs like Ray Rice, Doug Martin, Eli Manning, Reggie Wayne, Jamaal Charles and many others were utterly useless.
With countless studs laying eggs, it was most likely survival of the fittest in the fantasy playoffs. How did you fare?
You’ll read all about the rest of the week here, as I dissect and analyze the weekend that was. So, without further ado, here is the Weekend 411 from FP911.
Stud of the Week
Russell Wilson: Seattle Seahawks
Don’t be so quick to anoint Robert Griffin III or Andrew Luck as rookie of the year just yet. Although not started by many people outside of two-QB leagues, Wilson was phenomenal on Sunday in the Seahawks easy 50-17 win over the Bills. Wilson threw for 205 yards and a touchdown but was even better on the ground, rushing for 92 yards and three touchdowns.
Other studs of note: Chris Johnson, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, Knowshon Moreno, Eric Decker, Dennis Pitta, Cecil Shorts, Alfred Morris, Trent Richardson, Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Aaron Rodgers, Randall Cobb, James Jones, Matt Forte, Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, C.J. Spiller, Stevie Johnson, DeAngelo Williams, Beanie Wells, Calvin Johnson, Darren McFadden, Ben Roethlisberger, Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Heath Miller, Colin Kaepernick, Tom Brady, Michael Crabtree, Frank Gore, Brandon Lloyd and Aaron Hernandez.
Dud of the week
Danario Alexander: San Diego Chargers
In a week with so many candidates, Alexander gets the nod here. Alexander was on such an impressive streak prior to Week 15 and to many he achieved must-start status. So imagine the surprise fantasy owners had when he put up a goose egg this weekend. That’s right! Alexander couldn’t even haul in a single catch. My condolences go out to all who started him.
Other duds of note: Kenny Britt, Bryce Brown, Reggie Wayne, Ray Rice, Demaryius Thomas, Anquan Boldin, Josh Gordon, Josh Freeman, Doug Martin, Eli Manning, Roddy White, Victor Cruz, Jay Cutler, Phil Rivers, Malcom Floyd, Matt Stafford, Larry Fitzgerald, Jamaal Charles, Brandon Myers, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Stevan Ridley and Vernon Davis.
Rookies of impact
Vick Ballard: Indianapolis Colts
With Donald Brown out, Ballard is finally flourishing. Ballard was good for another 105 rushing yards on 18 carries on Sunday.
T.Y. Hilton: Indianapolis Colts
For the Colts, it’s all about their great rookie class. Hilton was once again impressive by recording three receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Justin Blackmon: Jacksonville Jaguars
Blackmon got back on the good side of the ledger on Sunday, registering six catches for 93 yards.
Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins, QB
Kirk Cousins: Washington Redskins
Who needs RGIII? Just kidding, but if Griffin III is out again on Sunday desperate owners could give Cousins a try. After all, all Cousins did was throw for 329 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 22 yards in the Redskins’ win over the Browns.
Joseph Morgan: New Orleans Saints
Steadily improving down the stretch and providing Drew Brees with another vertical threat is Morgan. Morgan had two catches for 61 yards and a touchdown in the Saints’ whitewashing of the Bucs.
Injuries of impact
Torrey Smith: Baltimore Ravens
Smith was the latest in a long line of significant players to suffer a concussion. As such, Smith will have to pass a battery of tests before he can return to the field.
Ryan Mathews: San Diego Chargers
Just as it began, it will end for Mathews. Mathews once again suffered a broken clavicle. This time it’s his left clavicle, as he suffered a broken right clavicle in the preseason. Mathews’ miserable season now mercifully comes to an end.
Breakouts of note (waiver wire material)
Leonard Hankerson: Washington Redskins
Don’t hanker for Hankerson despite his two-touchdown performance on Sunday. While he may enjoy a nice rapport with Cousins, Hankerson is too risky to start in championship games.
Harry Douglas: Atlanta Falcons
Douglas, who recorded three catches for 83 yards against the Giants, is a fine third-receiver for the Falcons. However, he is not a recommended third-receiver for your fantasy squad.
Sam Bradford: St. Louis Rams
With a matchup against the Bucs on tap for Week 16, maybe Bradford (who threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns vs. the Vikings on Sunday) isn’t such a bad start for the playoffs.
Mike Tolbert: Carolina Panthers
Coming back to San Diego where he vultured plenty of touchdowns, Tolbert was at it again for the Panthers, as he scored twice ( while also rushing for 40 yards on nine carries) against his former team.
Danny Woodhead (R), New England Patriots, RB
Danny Woodhead: New England Patriots
Although you have to worry about Stevan Ridley’s fumbling problems, it still would be hard to trust Woodhead in the playoffs despite his fine performance on Sunday night (12 carries for 61 yards and two touchdowns; five receptions for 23 yards). Ridley should resume his role as lead back for the Patriots.
Other interesting tidbits to chew on: Arizona wins by 28 with only 196 total yards? Say what now?…It still ceases to amaze how well Adrian Peterson is playing after a significant injury last December. Not only is he the fantasy MVP, but he should be the NFL MVP as well…In a league with defense being optional this year, fantasy players felt the major brunt as three teams (Giants, Chiefs and Buccaneers) were shutout this weekend against teams not known for their defensive prowess…You can fault Dez Bryant for a lot of things, but don’t question his toughness…Hello Randy Moss, nice to see you again…
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2012 Fantasy Football: The Weekend 411 from FP911 (Week 15): Week 15 is usually the semi-final week for fantasy … http://t.co/5SJUvnna
2012 Fantasy Football: The Weekend 411 from FP911 (Week 15) http://t.co/safZLpvX