Studs And Duds From Week 16

Studs

Victor Cruz, WR, NYG – He only had three catches but when one of them is a 99 yard TD grab, it’s a good day regardless. Cruz had 167 yards and a score on those three catches in a BIG win for the Giants.  He will need another big win next week against the Cowboys to make the playoffs and Cruz will remain a must-start and one of the biggest free agency acquisitions of the 2011 season.

Bills, D/ST, BUF – The Buffalo defense started the season as an incredibly opportunistic unit that forced an absurd amount of interceptions and turnovers.  Going into this game, Tim Tebow had just 5 interceptions on his entire career and yet he had 4 in this game.  The only thing I take from this game is the same thing I took from the Bills-Patriots game earlier in the season; The Bills defense has some great pieces in place for the future and they faced a QB having an off day.

Jordy Nelson, WR, GB – The Packers bounced back quick against the Bears this week and did so on the arm of Aaron Rodgers as normal.  They were still without Greg Jennings but Nelson stepped up in a big way. Nelson was over 100 yards with 2 scores and really rewarded his fantasy-owners that stuck by him the past couple weeks.

C.J. Spiller, RB, BUF – Spiller just keeps getting better with each passing game.  People were eager to call him a bust but there was just no reason to do so as he wasn’t given a chance to succeed behind Fred Jackson.  Since Jackson went on IR and Spiller took over, he has gotten better with each passing game. Expect that to continue next week against a poor Patriots secondary.

Joe Webb, QB, MIN – The Vikings were playing mediocre football when Christian Ponder left the game this week with a concussion and Joe Webb stepped in. Webb attempted just 5 passes but still got to 20 fantasy points with 4 completions for 84 yards and 2 passing TDs.  He also had 5 carries for 34 yards and another TD.  Webb is a playmaker and will be a bit “feast or famine” when he plays.  But if your in a 2 QB league or able to play a QB in your flex spot, Webb might be a solid play in your week 17 super bowl.

Duds

Cedric Benson, RB, CIN – The Bengals had a soft match up against the Cardinals this week and they won to keep their playoff hopes alive. Benson on the other hand only had 50 yards on the ground and yet with two lost fumbles, his fantasy owners got just one fantasy point. Huge disappointment.

A.J. Green, WR, CIN – Clearly the Bengals relied on some unusual suspects this week in their win, with the 2nd offensive star showing up on my Duds list.  Green had been a huge offensive star for the Bengals and had beaten almost every match up that he had faced this season.  He did not get the better of Patrick Peterson however and had just 25 yards receiving. He also had 25 yards rushing to add a couple extra points in there but four points is disappointing.

LeGarrette Blount, RB, TB – After fumbling the opening snap of the game, Blount didn’t see the field much Sunday.  Head coach Maurice Morris said ”To not get that play executed on the first play of the football game is unacceptable” and he is right.  He also said that he won’t give up on Blount but his fantasy owners should next week.

Steve Smith, WR, CAR – The Panthers won big and Smith was a big part of their turn-around season.  He was not a big part of this win though. Just two fantasy points.  He was never the most consistent receiver but you should still be starting him next week if your still alive.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, NE – You don’t need me to tell you that starting the Law Firm is really risky these days but just one fantasy point is a huge disappointment.  I know he is in a committee system but he used to see the lion’s share of the work. He doesn’t always get that anymore.