Studs and Duds: Divisional Round

Mon Jan 20 10:49am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Barkley has another huge game

The games were more entertaining this week, especially the Sunday games. There were a lot of exciting moments from the weekend. And we had some big fantasy performances as well, mainly at the running back spot. Two running backs topped 35 fantasy points. The passing games were held in check for the most part because of poor weather conditions in all the games that weren’t played in a dome. Hopefully, you were able to put up some points this week, taking advantage of those big-time running back performances.

Chiefs 23, Texans 14

Fantasy Stud: Travis Kelce. It typical Kelce fashion, he showed up huge in the playoffs once again. He had seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown, continuing his dominating play in the postseason. You expect nothing less than Kelce at this point of the season.

Fantasy Dud: Isiah Pacheco. There were a lot of duds on both teams but Pacheco gets the honor. There was though his usage would go up now that the playoffs are here, becoming the clear top back for the Chiefs. Well, that narrative did not play out. Pacheco ran five times for just 18 yards and didn’t catch a pass. Kareem Hunt actually had more touches and was more productive, finishing with eight carries for 44 yards and a touchdown.

Game Notes: Joe Mixon was iffy to play because of an ankle injury but played and carried the offense much of the game. He ran 18 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. Mixon also caught two passes for 12 yards, giving him 100 total yards.

Patrick Mahomes failed to throw for 200 yards but made some big plays when it mattered. He was 16-of-25 for 177 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. Mahomes also ran seven times for 14 yards.

Commanders 45, Lions 31

Fantasy Stud: Jahmyr Gibbs. There were a lot of big-time performances in this game, but Gibbs was the brightest star of the group. He ran 14 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Gibbs also had six receptions for 70 yards, giving him 175 total yards. He scored 35.5 fantasy points, giving him at least 25 fantasy points five straight games.

Fantasy Dud: Jared Goff. Goff had his struggles in this one, turning the ball over four times. He was 23-of-40 or 313 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions and a lost fumble. He scored just 16.35 fantasy points. It was not the finish to his big season that Goff hoped.

Game Notes: Jayden Daniels had a fantastic showing in his biggest game as a pro, going 22-of-31 for 299 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. The moment never looks too big for the rookie quarterback.

Brian Robinson found the end zone for the first time since Week 13 and had his second multiple-touchdown game of the season. He ran 15 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

Eagles 28, Rams 22

Fantasy Stud: Saquon Barkley. Barkley had an absolutely huge performance, carrying the Eagles offense throughout the game. He ran 26 times for 205 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 27 yards, giving him 232 total yards. He scored 39.2 fantasy points, which was his second highest total of the season. Barkley has six games this season with 30-plus fantasy points. Barkley is having one of the all-time great seasons for a fantasy running back.

Fantasy Dud: A.J. Brown. Brown was held in check in the tough weather conditions in Philadelphia. He had two receptions for 14 yards. He scored just 3.4 fantasy points. In two playoff games, Brown has three receptions for 24 yards on 10 targets. His start to the playoffs is really unexpected, especially if you consider his big numbers throughout the season.

Game Notes: Jalen Hurts was banged up in the game, suffering a knee injury. He was able to keep playing but clearly looked less than 100 percent. He was 15-of-20 for 128 yards without a touchdown or an interception. He did run seven times for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Cooper Kupp was more involved in the offense after several down games. He had five receptions for 61 yards. He topped double-digit fantasy points for the first time since Week 14.

Bills 27, Ravens 25

Fantasy Stud: Isaiah Likely. Likely was the leading receiver for the Ravens. He had four receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. He scored 17.3 fantasy points. Likely had his highest fantasy point total since Week 1. Likely has at least three receptions three straight games. He got a little more work offensively after Zay Flowers went down with his knee injury.

Fantasy Dud: Josh Allen. Allen was held in check for his standards. The throwing conditions weren’t great, though, which impacted his numbers in the passing game. Allen was 16-of-22 but threw for just 127 yards. He ran for 20 yards and two scores. Allen finished with 20.35 fantasy points. This was one of his lowest fantasy point totals of the entire season. It wasn’t awful but you expected better from the star quarterback.

Game Notes: Derrick Henry found the end zone for the fourth straight game. He ran 16 times for 84 yards and a touchdown.

Mark Andrews had a game to forget. He did catch five passes for 61 yards but lost a key fumble and dropped the two-point conversion attempt to tie the game.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Studs and Duds: Divisional Round

The Paur Report