Quarterback
MVP: Cam Newton (Panthers)
Cam Newton's late season reign of terror on the NFL continued in Week 15 with his finest performance of the season to-date. Newton picked up 440 total yards (340 passing, 100 rushing) and 5 TD's against the Giants ailing defense. Newton has now picked up 40+ fantasy points in 3 of the last 5 games and he has a solid chance of making it 4 out of 6 against a Falcons defense that he blew up for 265 YDS and 3 TD's in their first meeting this season.
Honorable Mentions: Kirk Cousins (Redskins), Teddy Bridgewater (Vikings), Tyrod Taylor (Bills)
LVP: Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
What the hell is wrong with Aaron Rodgers in 2015? The usually-reliable Rodgers has been a liability for his fantasy owners for most of the season and his latest underwhelming performance (204 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT) against the Raiders prevented some of his fantasy owners from advancing in the playoffs. It's probably wise to find a streaming option to replace Rodgers for this upcoming week as he goes up against an elite Cardinals defense that hasn't allowed more than 2 TD passes to an opposing quarterback since Week 8.
Dishonorable Mentions: Carson Palmer (Cardinals), Tom Brady (Patriots), Matt Ryan (Falcons)
Running Back
MVP: David Johnson (Cardinals)
Cardinals rookie running back David Johnson has been a revelation for fantasy owners looking to make a late-season playoff push and his week 15 beatdown of the Eagles defense was easily his most impressive work since he took over as the starter in Week 13. Johnson proved to be the Cardinals primary source of offense during an uncharacteristically poor performance from Carson Palmer and their supremely talented receiving corps, picking up 239 total yards (187 rushing, 42 receiving) and 3 TD's on 33 touches in a 40-17 blowout victory that clinched the Cards their first NFC West title since 2009. Johnson's heavy volume of carries and status as a versatile, everydown back makes him a weekly top-end RB1 option.
Honorable Mentions: Danny Woodhead (Chargers), Matt Forte (Bears), Devonta Freeman (Falcons)
LVP: Lamar Miller (Dolphins)
The Dolphins vow to get Lamar Miller more involved in the offense once again proved to be false as Miller finished with just 24 total yards (12 rushing, 12 receiving) on 11 touches in a prime matchup against the Chargers porous defense on Sunday afternoon. A 23-0 halftime deficit for the Dolphins and Miller playing through a quad injury were certainly factors in his poor performance, but as a fantasy owner, you can't help be disappointed that Miller wasn't able to keep his recent hot streak alive in this game. Miller will be a mid-level RB2 play against the Colts if he's healthy enough to play.
Dishonorable Mentions: Javarious Allen (Ravens), Denard Robinson (Jaguars), Chris Ivory (Jets)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Antonio Brown (Steelers)
Antonio Brown never ceases to blow my mind. In a matchup with a Broncos secondary that has allowed the least fantasy points to receivers this season (they had only allowed 2 receivers to go for 100+ yards against them coming into this week), Brown went off for a mind-boggling 189 yards and 2 TD's on 16 receptions. Brown burned Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr regularly throughout the game and served as the catalyst for the Steelers massive 34-27 comeback victory on Sunday night in the Steel City. As long as Ben Roethlisberger is healthy, Brown is the best wide receiver in real and fantasy football by a healthy margin.
Honorable Mentions: Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos), Amari Cooper (Raiders), Sammy Watkins (Bills)
LVP: Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals)
The Cardinals receiving corps collectively underachieved against the Eagles horrific secondary, but Fitzgerald was the prime offender, finishing the game with just 43 yards on 3 receptions. Fitzgerald has cooled off considerably after his excellent start, but is still worth keeping in your starting lineup for a championship week matchup against the Packers middling secondary.
Dishonorable Mentions: Calvin Johnson (Lions), T.Y. Hilton (Colts), A.J. Green (Bengals)
Tight End
MVP: Jordan Reed (Redskins)
Jordan Reed duplicated his success from a week ago with yet another dominant performance in Week 15. Reed hauled in all of his targets for a 2nd straight week, gassing the banged-up the Bills defense for 84 yards and 2 TD's on 7 receptions. Reed is Kirk Cousins' favorite target at the moment and he should continue to be one of the few elite TE1 options as the fantasy season comes to a close.
Honorable Mentions: Delanie Walker (Titans), Greg Olsen (Panthers), Zach Ertz (Eagles)
LVP: Richard Rodgers (Packers)
Richard Rodgers' notoriously boom-or-bust play was once again on display in Week 15 as he picked up just 1 reception for 7 yards against a Raiders defense that has surrendered the 2nd most fantasy points to tight ends in 2015. Rodgers will be nothing more than an emergency play in a Week 16 tilt against the Cardinals.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jason Witten (Cowboys), Heath Miller (Steelers), Zach Miller (Bears)
Defense
MVP: Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were the latest defense to take advantage of the depleted Ravens offense (14 points allowed, 2 sacks, 2 INT's, 1 FUM REC, 2 TD's) during the fantasy football stretch run. The Chiefs have been a top 5 fantasy defense over the past month and I fully expect that hot streak to continue against the trainwreck that is otherwise known as the Cleveland Browns in Week 16.
Honorable Mentions: New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals
LVP: Carolina Panthers
The Panthers D appeared to be in line for another solid performance for the first 3/4 of Sunday's contest with the Giants, allowing 14 points and picking up an interception and fumble recovery in the first 3 quarters of play. The Panthers defense proceeded to piss away their decent fantasy outing with an uncharacteristic late-game implosion in which they surrendered 21 points and were alarmingly close to allowing the Giants to pull off a highly improbable comeback and end their perfect season. The Panthers D are strong contenders to bounce back in Week 16 against a Falcons offense that they absolutely destroyed just two weeks ago.
Dishonorable Mentions: Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, St. Louis Rams
No comments:
Post a Comment