Fantasy Review - Week 14

ARod vs ATL

If you're a Packers or Falcons fantasy owner, chances are good that you came out of Week 14 with a smile on your face. Unless you needed a halfway decent day from Peyton Manning or Josh Gordon, that is.

Let's take a look at last night's Monday Night Football game before diving into the rest of the league's fantasy headlines.

Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (327, 3 TDs) and Matt Ryan (375 yds, 4 TDs, INT) lit up the fantasy score board for fantasy owners on Monday night to the tune of 27.8 and31.3 fantasy points, respectively.

While the Falcons secondary gave Rodgers issues finding receivers downfield, #12 managed to successfully find his check down backs in Eddie Lacy and James Starks. Ryan, on the other hand, had no problems going deep to wide out Julio Jones. (We'll talk about him later.) Both QBs had plenty of time in the pocket, however, due to stellar play by both offensive lines, which led to the huge fantasy game.

In the backfield, Eddie Lacy had a monster first half with 20 fantasy points (80 total yards, 2 TDs). However, he only managed 20 additional yards in the second half as the Atlanta defense stepped it up against both the run and the screen plays. Lacy finished with 22.6 fantasy points on the night. Meanwhile, James Starks had a better night than usual, as he found the end zone for a first quarter rushing touchdown in addition to 75 rushing yards and 26 yards receiving (16.1 fantasy points).

Once again, Jordy Nelson lit up the fantasy scoreboard (as well as the semi-frozen tundra) with 146 yards receiving and two scores. Just another day at the office for #87. Randall Cobb was held to a much quieter night as he only caught four passes for 58 yards. Davante Adams was virtually nonexistent with one catch for six yards.

Mason Crosby looked solid despite the chilly temperatures at Lambeau. Crosby connected on field goals of 38, 33 and 53 yards on the night for 14 fantasy points. However, he also had a PAT blocked for the second time this season.

The Packers D/ST looked solid in the first half holding the Falcons to seven first half points. Clay Matthews sacked Matt Ryan and Morgan Burnett came up with a great interception which gave the Packers offense a short field. The second half was a different story as the defense got torched for 30 points in the second half. Hopefully we don't see this pattern happen again in Week 17 as the Packers face another superstar WR in Calvin Johnson.

Other fantasy headlines around the NFL:

  • Peyton Manning throws two INTs, zero TDs in win vs Buffalo
  • Le'Veon Bell goes for 215 total yards, 2 TDs in career day
  • Julio Jones sets career mark of 259 yards on MNF
  • St. Louis D/ST tallies seven sacks, two INTs and two TDs vs Washington
  • C.J. Anderson finds the end zone three times against Buffalo

Week 1 of the fantasy playoffs is complete for most leagues. Who is still going strong and looking ahead to the championship?

Jordan