This content first appeared on RotoBaller.com
Catch-up on some of the key fantasy football happenings from Sunday’s Week 15 games, including how the Packers fared in Aaron Rodgers’s return, surprise performances from the Jaguars receivers and much more.
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Jordy Nelson Fails to Revitalize Season in Aaron Rodgers’s Up and Down Return; Randal Cobb Does
The Green Bay quarterback threw for 290 yards in Week 15 against Carolina with three touchdowns and three interceptions in his first start since Week 6. Rodgers had missed a huge chunk of the season with a broken collarbone that he suffered against Minnesota. It was a mixed bag for Rodgers who was clearly rusty from his lengthy absence. He was able to extend plays with his legs but he also underthrew a number of passes. It was overall a solid game from a fantasy perspective but there remain questions about Rodgers going into Week 16. With Green Bay losing, and if Atlanta wins Monday night, they will no longer have any incentive to play Rodgers and further risk injury. Even if he were to play he would be facing a tough matchup against Minnesota. All things considered you probably cannot count on Rodgers for Week 16. If Rodgers plays next week you can expect him to improve and to continue to offer a high floor.
After all the hoopla regarding Aaron Rodgers' triumphant return, this is now the #Packers fate after their loss yesterday: Green Bay is eliminated from the playoffs if the #Falcons beat the #Bucs tonight. Any ATL win does them in.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 18, 2017
Nelson had yet another disappointing day in Week 15, going for 28 yards on three receptions with no touchdowns. Nelson had been one of fantasy’s top receivers to start the year, but he completely disappeared following an injury to Rodgers. There was optimism that his season would get back on track with Rodgers returning for Sunday’s matchup against a vulnerable Carolina secondary. However, Nelson failed to get anything going. Nelson looks dramatically slower this year and while he can still get open occasionally using his guile, Green Bay’s offense gives him almost no help in creating separation.
Cobb has been mostly invisible for the 2017 season. His production dropped on account of the injury to Rodgers, but he has been hard to rely on even in ideal circumstances. With Rodgers returning in Week 15, Cobb had 84 receiving yards with a touchdown in a matchup against Carolina. In a lot of ways it was a typical game for Cobb. Cobb usually manages 40-50 yards with the only question being whether he is able to break a play for a big run after the catch. Cobb managed to do just that with a big first half touchdown that went for 33 yards. Cobb is a highly variable receiver that is difficult to rely on in the fantasy playoffs.
Green Bay tight end Richard Rodgers caught four passes for 77 yards with a touchdown in a Week 15 matchup against Carolina. Production from the tight end position has been mostly non-existent in Green Bay in 2017. Martellus Bennett was wildly disappointing to start the year and quarterback Brett Hundley basically ignored the position while he was under center for the later part of 2017. However, with Aaron Rodgers returning, he looked to his long-time tight end Richard Rodgers late in the game. Richard Rodgers is by no means an elite talent and has had trouble in the past producing consistently even as the clear-cut starter with Rodgers under center.
Davante Adams Suffers Concussion in Solid Performance
Adams caught five passes for 57 yards with a touchdown in Week 15. He left the game early with a concussion following an illegal hit by Thomas Davis. This is the third concussion suffered by Adams in the past two years. Although Adams has usually returned quickly from concussions, with Green Bay effectively eliminated from the playoffs, there should be no rush to bring him back. Adams continued his strong play in quarterback Aaron Rodgers‘ return from a broken collarbone against Carolina in Week 15.
Keelan Cole Explodes; Marqise Lee Suffers Sprained Ankle
Cole caught seven passes for 186 yards and one touchdown in the Jaguars 45-7 romp over the Texans. Cole beat defenders down the field and across the middle, including a 73-yard catch and run. Cole added a nine-yard touchdown catch to cap off his best game as a pro. With Marqise Lee missing the whole game due to injury, players like Cole, Dede Westbrook and Jaydon Mickens have more than picked up the slack. Cole will be an attractive waiver wire streamer next week, especially if Lee sits out.
Lee (ankle) suffered a sprained ankle in the blowout win, and X-rays did not show a break. He will undergo an MRI exam on Monday, according to a source. It was brutal timing for Lee to get injured in a great matchup with the Houston secondary, and he didn’t even record a catch before suffering the injury. If Lee is dealing with a high ankle sprain, he’d be fighting an uphill battle to return before the postseason.
Mickens caught four passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns. There may not be enough time to justify picking up and playing Mickens in fantasy but his arrow is pointing up.
Javorius Allen Leads Ravens In Rushing Yards
Allen rushed 13 times for 70 yards versus Cleveland. He was the lone Ravens running back to be successful on the ground for the game, though his receiving efforts were minor. It has become a difficult puzzle to figure out whether Allen or Alex Collins will be the most productive running back for the Ravens from week to week. He is an RB2 if you believe he will be the leader and an RB3/4 if you feel Collins will be that given week.
Rex Burkhead Avoids ACL Tear
Burkhead (knee) did not suffer a tear to his ACL after further testing, according to a league source. Burkhead could miss some time, but his knee injury isn’t believed to be major. It seems as though Burkhead will at least miss Week 16 and potentially Week 17, but he will have a chance to return for a postseason run. In his absence in Week 16 against Buffalo, Dion Lewis, the team’s workhorse back, sees an uptick in value and will be a high-end RB2. James White should also pick up more work, but he’ll be more of an RB3/flex type in PPR leagues. The forgotten Mike Gillislee, who hasn’t been active since late October, could see the field, too.
Initial tests showed Patriots’ RB Rex Burkhead did not tear his ACL, per league source. He could miss a little time, but knee injury initially not believed to be of the major variety.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 18, 2017
Antonio Browns Diagnosed With Partial Calf Tear
Brown (calf) has been diagnosed with a partial calf tear. The star wide receiver left Sunday’s game with the New England Patriots during the second quarter and did not return. He was later brought to a local hospital where further tests revealed the tear. According to a tweet by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brown is not expected to play in Week 16 but the team does believe he will be able to return in time for the playoffs. Brown had two catches for 24 yards before leaving Sunday’s game.
Steelers WR Antonio Brown has a partially torn calf muscle, per source. Unlikely to play next week but expected back for the postseason.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 18, 2017
Zach Ertz Comes Back Strong
Ertz returned from his Week 14 absence and played well in Week 15, catching six passes on nine targets. He gained 56 yards and scored a touchdown. With the Giants defense struggling against tight ends all season, both Ertz and his backup Trey Burton scored touchdowns this week. Ertz is one of the top fantasy options at his position and should have a strong end to the season.
Nick Foles Does His Best Carson Wentz Impression
Foles, starting in place of the injured Carson Wentz (knee), performed very well in leading his team to a Week 15 win over the New York Giants. Foles completed 24 of 38 passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns. He didn’t make any mistakes and was able to move the ball downfield with ease. Any Wentz owners who picked up Foles to start this week may not have even noticed the difference. With a strong offense all around him, Foles will remain a solid starting option for Week 16.
Greg Olsen Returns To Form
Olsen caught nine passes for 166 yards and one touchdown as the Panthers beat the Packers 31-24. Olsen has been limited on the field since being activated from Injured Reserve the past few weeks, but this performance flashed some of that Pro Bowl talent. Olsen was open all over the field and his return is a boon to Carolina’s playoff hopes moving forward.
Mark Ingram Scores Twice in Huge Performance
Ingram didn’t suffer as a result of Alvin Kamara returning to the field in Week 15. In fact, Ingram put up far better numbers than last week, going for 151 total yards and two touchdowns against the Jets. Ingram already had a nice game by the time the Saints were in clock-killing mode, but he iced it for them with a 50-yard touchdown run with 1:33 left. Ingram is a strong RB1 heading to next week’s rematch with Atlanta.
Kyle Rudolph Reinjures Ankle
Rudolph (ankle) aggravated his ankle injury in Week 15 against the Bengals and is questionable to return. With Minnesota up big in the game, it’s unlikely that Rudolph will return to action. Before the injury, Rudolph had just one catch for 16 yards. He was listed as doubtful to play on Friday before being upgraded to questionable Saturday. It was a good matchup for Rudolph, but he’ll end up being a disappointment for any owners that stuck with him despite the injury. He may come down to a game-time decision in Week 16.
