AFC Championship Game 2015: Early Fantasy Predictions for Colts vs. Patriots

Conference Title Weekend is always one of the most exciting of the year, and many fans have turned their focus to the 2015 AFC Championship Game battle between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots.

While the battle between the two AFC juggernauts will be a major highlight for fans, fantasy football owners who are involved in postseason action are looking for players who will shine in this marquee matchup.

Here are the top fantasy stars from each AFC team this weekend and their predicted final stat lines.

Indianapolis’ Must-Start Player: Daniel Herron, RB

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The Indianapolis Colts have not run the ball well this year, but since turning the starting job over to Daniel Herron and abandoning the Trent Richardson ship, the entire offensive unit has been more balanced and has played much better.

Richardson was brought in to be the team’s No. 1 running back, but he struggled all season and was regularly outplayed by Herron in the latter stages of the year. While there were questions about why Indianapolis insisted on splitting carries, Herron entering the playoffs relatively fresh has been a difference-maker.

Against the stout run defense of the Denver Broncos in the divisional round, Herron ran the ball 23 times for 63 yards and one touchdown. Add in his eight receptions for 32 yards, and it is clear that the Colts have their feature back.

New England has been tough against the run this season, allowing only 104.3 yards per game (ninth in the NFL), but the threat Andrew Luck possesses in the passing attack will leave open lanes for Herron to exploit on the ground.

Fantasy owners should expect another stellar game from a player few knew about coming into this season.

Predicted stat line: 19 carries for 70 yards and one touchdown; four receptions for 25 yards and zero touchdowns.

New England’s Must-Start Player: Rob Gronkowski, TE

Tom Lynn/Associated Press

The New England Patriots have a dynamic offense with legendary quarterback Tom Brady at the helm, but the fantasy player on the roster with the most upside Sunday is pass-catching tight end Rob Gronkowski.

In the divisional-round matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Brady targeted Gronkowski 13 times and connected with seven receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown. After racking up 12 touchdowns and 1,124 receiving yards in the regular season, Gronk’s success hasn’t skipped a beat in the postseason.

While Indianapolis deserves credit for beating Denver and advancing to the conference championship, the Colts gave up six receptions and 53 yards to Broncos tight Julius Thomas, who has dealt with an ankle injury for weeks.

Gronkowski is at his physical best and playing at an elite level right now. If Indianapolis struggled to keep Denver’s tight end position in check, Brady and Gronkowski will amass big fantasy numbers on Sunday.

Predicted stat line: Eight receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown.

*Stats via NFL.com.