Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
There are a handful of things in life that you simply do not do.
You don’t say your wife looks “fat” in that dress. You don’t use the Miami Heat when playing NBA 2K14. You don’t tip backwards in your chair at a restaurant (ask my uncle why). You just don’t. However, more than any of the aforementioned things, there is something that folks should never, ever do again.
You don’t play fantasy football during Week 17.
Jamaal Charles rides the pine
Arguably the fantasy MVP, Jamaal Charles has been one of the most consistent fantasy players in the game today. Scoring almost 50 points more than any other running back, owners who had Charles were almost a weekly favorite to win their matchup.
But not in Week 17.
With the Chiefs’ playoff spot locked in, head coach Andy Reid rested Charles, as well as quarterback Alex Smith and a handful of Pro Bowlers. Owners had to hurry to find a viable replacement for Charles for championship, and if they landed Charles’ backup, Knile Davis, they were quite happy. Davis, a talented, speedy rookie back out of Arkansas carried the ball 27 times for 81 yards, crossing the goal line twice. He was more than likely an unsung hero for fantasy owners during the final week of the season, and made the case as one of the more appealing running back handcuffs for 2014. Meanwhile, those who missed Charles this week, you did this to yourself, my friends.
Welcome back, Mr. Rodgers
Fantasy football missed you. The Green Bay Packers missed you. The NFL missed you, Aaron Rodgers.
After missing seven games with a broken collarbone, Rodgers returned for a win-and-in game against the Bears on Sunday night, tossing two touchdowns, two interceptions for 318 yards. He looked just as dominant as ever, possessing the same mobility to extend plays and scramble out of the pocket. The arm strength was still very evident, and it was great to have him back. With Peyton Manning and Drew Brees playing all year and finishing one and two among signal callers, Rodgers reminded everyone that he is still a top-three quarterback in this league, and because of his age, may be the top guy to own for the long haul.
Rodgers wasn’t the only Packer to return to action. After going down with a broken leg back in October, Cobb was activated for Sunday’s pivotal game, and despite only catching two balls for 55 yards, he made the most of them, catching both for scores. The second one came with less than 50 seconds to play to give Green Bay the lead, where Rodgers scrambled out of the pocket, while Cobb crept by the coverage, catching a 48-yard touchdown. Cobb should be considered a top-15 fantasy wideout heading into next season, especially if Green Bay refuses to re-sign James Jones.
Drew Brees is really good… really GREAT at home
After killing many fantasy owners in the universal championship with his worst fantasy outing of the season, Brees went absolutely bonkers against the Buccaneers on Sunday. The Saints signal caller tossed for 381 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing for a score. Brees’ home/road splits have been one of the more intriguing storylines in fantasy this season. It’s not that he’s been BAD on the road, but he certainly hasn’t been the same Drew Brees. However, after this monster performance, Brees cemented himself as the second-best fantasy quarterback in 2013, only behind the cheat code, Peyton Manning. When in the comfy confines of the Superdome, Brees is competing 73.6 percent of his passes for 27 touchdowns, 2,835 yards and just three interceptions.
From a fantasy perspective, Brees is averaging a strong 28.25 fantasy points per game when at home this season. That’s better than Manning, by a decent margin, nonetheless. On the road? A pedestrian 15.25 fantasy points per contest.
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
