Football Daily Dose: Dose: Championship Games Set
Just three games remain in the NFL postseason, as the final four squads are set to square off in conference championship games next Sunday. The football world will be treated to matchups featuring four stellar quarterbacks as Carson Palmer and Cam Newton do battle in the NFC, while old rivals Tom Brady and Peyton Manning enter the ring one more time on the AFC side. The Divisional Round was packed with excitement, highlighted by the insanity from Green Bay’s frantic comeback against Arizona that provided heaps of highlight reel footage to shock NFL fans for years to come. The top two seeds in each conference are waiting to determine the participants in Super Bowl 50, but first let’s spend a few minutes recapping some notable happenings from the weekend in Monday’s Daily Dose.
Prime Time Performers
As Seattle attempted to dig out of an enormous 31-0 halftime deficit on Sunday, Russell Wilson threw 48 passes on his way to 366 yards while checking-in as the top fantasy quarterback of the weekend. Wilson threw three touchdowns and two interceptions as well, including a brutal pick-six early in the game, but padded his stats during a second-half comeback attempt that fell short. Wilson will be a top fantasy quarterback option in 2016 with a healthy Jimmy Graham.
It was a slow weekend for fantasy running backs, but Jonathan Stewart topped the list with an impressive performance against Seattle. Stewart stacked up 106 rushing yards and two scores, including a 59-yard rumble that got the Panthers rolling on their opening drive. Stewart looked fully healthy after injuring his foot in Week 14, and should be ready to attack the Arizona Cardinals next weekend. Stewart will be a reasonable 2016 fantasy running back option in the emerging Carolina offense depending on how his ADP shakes out next summer.
The Divisional Round was not short on big-time wide receiver performances, as the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals provided a pile of fantasy points on their own in an overtime battle. The surprisingly leader among fantasy receivers this weekend was Green Bay’s Jeff Janis, who racked up 145 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches. Janis’ stat line includes 96 yards and a Hail Mary reception that were recorded on Green Bay’s final drive that forced overtime, as the young receiver did all he could to keep hope alive for the Packers. Janis certainly offers some 2016 intrigue, but will have a hard time carving out a consistent role among Aaron Rodgers’ targets that will include a healthy Jordy Nelson.
After knee and back concerns during the week, New England beast Rob Gronkowski came out on Saturday and did what Gronk does best, which is score touchdowns. Tom Brady hit the big tight end seven times for 83 yards and a pair of scores, as Gronkowski proved once again that he is nearly unstoppable when defended by humans. The Denver defense is up to next to attempt to stop Gronk in the AFC Championship Game.
Goodbye to Beast Mode?
Marshawn Lynch was a non-factor in Seattle’s Divisional Round loss on Sunday as the Seahawks quickly turned pass-heavy when they fell behind Carolina 31-0 in the first half. Lynch recorded 35 total yards on eight touches, and could have played his last game in a Seattle uniform as the Seahawks were eliminated from postseason play. Lynch has been a rock for the Seattle offense since 2010 and has served as the smash-mouth centerpiece of Pete Carroll’s ground game. Despite Lynch’s impressive resume, he is nearly 30-years-old and is coming off an injury-filled season in which Seattle saw rookie Thomas Rawls emerge as a powerful running back option. More importantly, Rawls is dirt cheap in 2016 while Seattle could save $6.5 million by releasing Lynch, a move the Seattle Times expects to happen over the offseason. Whether Lynch hangs up his cleats for good or moves to another team is yet to be seen, but the Seattle running game will likely be led by a new face in 2016.
News and Notes
Mike Wallace may be a candidate to be cut this offseason, as the Minneapolis Star-Tribune predicts that the wide receiver will not be back with the Vikings. Wallace caught just 39 passes this season and his 473 receiving yards were the lowest total of his career.
Mike Mularkey had the “interim” label removed from his head coaching position in Tennessee in a curious move after an underwhelming 3-13 season. Mularkey’s last stint as a head coach was a 2-14 effort in Jacksonville during the 2012 season, when the Jaguars finished 29th in total offense and 30th in total defense.
The Miami Dolphins hired Clyde Christensen as their offensive coordinator to operate under new head coach Adam Gase. Gase has an offensive-minded history and is expected to call the plays in Miami in 2016, with Christensen providing additional support.
Injury Roundup
Randall Cobb (bruised lung) failed to catch a pass on Saturday before departing with a bruised lung. The injury looked extremely painful but shouldn’t impact Cobb over the offseason as he prepares for the 2016 season. … Greg Olsen (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday, but apparently had just a “burner” and should be ready to roll next week against Arizona. … Jeremy Maclin (ankle) caught two passes for 23 yards on Saturday but saw limited playing time in the second half as Kansas City was eliminated by New England. Maclin turned in 87 receptions and 1,088 receiving yards this season for the Chiefs and will be back as Kansas City’s top target in 2016. … Jared Allen (foot) broke a bone in his foot during Carolina’s Divisional Round win on Sunday, but there is still a chance he could play in the NFC Championship game against Arizona next week. … Ted Ginn (knee) was active on Sunday but played a very limited role in Carolina’s offense, running for 11 yards while failing to catch a pass. The Panthers didn’t need Ginn’s services much as they built a 31-0 lead against Seattle, but Ginn appears to be healthy enough to play in the NFC Championship game. … Spencer Ware (ankle) was active on Saturday but didn’t see the field as the Chiefs fell to the Patriots. Ware will slot in behind Jamaal Charles at running back in Kansas City next season. … Russell Okung (shoulder) dislocated a shoulder in Seattle’s loss on Sunday while Russell Wilson was harassed throughout the afternoon. Okung is a free agent this offseason and has had numerous injury issues in his career.
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