It's fantasy football playoff time. Who to blame if you didn't make it.
Published: 12/3/2012 9:00 AM
Last Modified: 12/2/2012 11:19 PM
There is a lot of blame to go around this football season as to why you didn’t make the playoffs.
Let’s go over the busts of the year and what the outlook is for next season:
1. LeSean McCoy: Along with the rest of the Eagles offense, he did not impress. He went from 17 touchdowns to 2 so far. Next year’s outlook? He should be back to a 10 touchdown back, but let’s see who is the next coach and quarterback in Philadelphia.
2. Chris Johnson: Four 100+ yard games and 4 touchdowns for a former 2,000 yard gamebreaker is one of the biggest falls I’ve seen. Next year’s outlook? There might be a new coach. There might not. Either way, he’s run out of excuses. He’s a low No. 2 fantasy back now.
3. Larry Fitzgerald: The guy is in the prime of his career, but his team can’t get a quarterback worth anything. Kevin Kolb is still going to be on this team next year. Next year’s outlook? I wouldn’t touch him because it's just too depressing.
4. Matt Forte: He doesn’t catch the ball as much as he did under the last coordinator. He’s never run for much ever. Getting hurt kept him out of the highlight reels. Next year’s outlook? Same as Johnson.
5. Matthew Stafford: What was there not to like? This was Green Bay West, where the QB throws a lot to a variety of good receivers. But then, this offense stumbled. Next year’s outlook? The inconsistency is going to scare people off and I will not take a chance very high.
6. Darren McFadden: I think everyone gave him one last chance. He didn’t make the most of it. Next year’s outlook? Let someone else take him.
7. Ryan Mathews: He will get a new coach and new offense. Neither of these will make him a better player. Next year’s outlook? Let someone else take him.
8. Fred Jackson: He was doing well before he got hurt and everyone found out his backup was better than he was. Next year’s outlook? Might be on another team and probably not starting.
9. Michael Turner: How about 1.9 yards a carry. That’s what he has averaged lately. Next year’s outlook? He isn’t going to be the starter.
10. Maurice Jones-Drew: He looked like himself before he hurt his foot in week 7. Next year’s outlook? He’s going to be good for another two or three years.
In other news ...
So where is Andrew Luck going to go in the fantasy draft next season? I would let someone else reach for him. His 4 touchdown performance was nice on Sunday, but it;s the only time this season where he’s done that. Those rushing touchdowns are going to stop once the Colts draft a decent running back. I don’t think he’s someone who should go in the first three rounds, but he might make it there after another good year.
Why did it take 11 weeks for Cam Newton to wake up? After starring on the list of busts for most of this year, Newton has come out of his slumber to rank near the top of most fantasy points in a week for two weeks in a row. Three passing touchdowns against a bad Kansas City defense is not a surprise, but it is a little late for anyone who drafted him in the first round.
I was able to trade for Calvin Johnson this season. I was able to grab him right before his current streak of more than 100 yards a game and four straight games with a touchdown. Now he’s on pace for career yards in receptions and yardage. Whatever it was that made him average (Madden Curse, maybe?) has gone away and we have Megatron back.
Adrian Peterson averaged 10 yards a carry on Sunday. Since week 7, he has ran for 153, 123, 182, 171, 108 and 210 yards in games. And remember he is still not 100 percent recovered from his torn ligaments in his knee. I think next season he regains his stop as the No. 1 pick in fantasy. Arian Foster has turned in too normal of a season to regain the title.
I’m not sure what will happen to former Oklahoman and current Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker. He lit up his former team for 12 receptions and 103 yards on Sunday against the Dolphins. He is going to be a free agent after this season. I would like to see him continue to be Tom Brady’s go-to man, but that hasn’t been the Patriot way. Someone is going to pay for him and they will get someone who hasn’t lost a step. Still amazed by how he can get open.
Written by
Jason Collington
Web Editor
