Week 17 NFL Recap: Top Performances

Taking on this task of identifying those over performers and under performers from the previous week of fantasy football is Ryan Hallam's, creator of Fighting Chance Fantasy. So, join Ryan as he takes us through the Week 17 Winners and Losers. And if you have any questions for him, email [e-mail] for all of your offseason fantasy advice.

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Note: All point projections read in this recap are from standard scoring leagues (non-PPR) and are projections made by the Bruno Boys staff.

WEEK 17 OVERACHIEVERS

QUARTERBACKS

Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints) — Brees came into the game needing 406 yards to surpass Dan Marino's record for the most passing yards in a single season. Unfortunately for Brees, he came up just 16 yards short as he became the second quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in one year.  In Week 17, Brees was 30/49 for 386 yards and four touchdowns and just one interception.  He was projected for a big game with 21 points, but came up big for his fantasy owners with 29 points.

Hallam's Take:  If the Saints' season had gone better Brees would be a lock for the MVP, but at 8-8 and out of the playoffs, Brees won't get a sniff of the award.  Even he admitted that perhaps Marino's record shouldn't have fallen to a guy on a team with a .500 record.  Brees will again be perhaps the best QB to own in fantasy in 2009. 

Kurt Warner (Arizona Cardinals) — After weeks of a sputtering offense, the Cardinals seemed to have righted the ship just in time for the playoffs.  Not that Seattle is the stiffest of competition, but Warner was 19/30 for 263 yards and four touchdowns.  He did throw one interception, but his 24 points far surpassed his seven point projection as it wasn't known how much that Warner would play.

Hallam's Take:  You will have to wait until the offseason to see what the future holds for Warner.  If he stays in Arizona he will most likely have to battle Matt Leinart for the starting job again despite putting up MVP-type statistics.  The Cardinals will host their first playoff game since the '40s this season, and Warner is the biggest reason why. 

Kyle Orton (Chicago Bears) — Even though he and the Bears came up short in their bid to make the playoffs, Orton was able to put up good statistics in Week 17.   Orton was 22/37 for 244 yards and two passing touchdowns.  He also ran the ball twice for another two yards, but found the end zone on the ground as well.  Orton was a valuable player in fantasy this season, and he was able to put up 23 fantasy points in the finale, while only being projected for 11. 

RUNNING BACKS

Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams) — After another season of disappointment and injury, Jackson finished the year with an explosive performance.  He carried the ball 30 times for 161 yards on the ground with two scores.  He also caught four passes for 54 more yards.  Jackson put up a whopping 33 fantasy points, while being projected for just 17. 

Hallam's Take: One of my favorite fantasy backs, Jackson had another tough season due to injuries to himself and his offensive line.  He is extra valuable in PPR leagues, but his team stinks pretty bad.  If the Rams can improve a little bit and he can stay healthy, Jackson can still be a mid first round pick. 

LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers) — LT finished the season with perhaps his best game of the year.  Before he went out with a groin injury, the former MVP carried the ball 14 times for 96 yards and three touchdowns.  He was projected for a big game with 18 fantasy points, but he was able to even surpass that with 27 points. 

Hallam's Take: LT was one of the bigger fantasy disappointments of 2008, but he finished the season with a bang.  He certainly is no longer worthy of the number one overall pick that he was likely chosen with this season.  He is still a first round pick, and his owners are hoping that his toe injury is finally behind him and he will be back in 2009.  You do have to worry some about him in the fact that whenever he is the slightest bit banged up that he never goes on the field. 

LeRon McClain (Baltimore Ravens) — No one could have expected the strong season that McClain had out of the backfield for the Ravens this year, but when Willis McGahee (as usual), went down due to injury, the big burly back started to rack up the yards.  And at the end of the season when everyone was healthy, he still was a big part of the offense.  McClain rushed 25 times for just 70 yards but scored two touchdowns.  His 19 fantasy points crushed his nine point projection. 

Hallam's Take: Apologies to Willie Parker who had a strong game.  But McClain was one of the better surprises of 2008.  He is a power runner on a power running team, and should have a major role in the Ravens offense in 2009.  Willis McGahee will always be injured, so McClain should always get his share of carries and will be a bull around the goal line.

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Week 17 NFL Recap: Top Performances