One week into the fantasy playoffs and these are the players who helped fantasy teams and hurt them.
Studs
Rod Smith, RB, Cowboys: Smith carried the ball 6 times for 47 yards and a touchdown and caught 5 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. Smith had a monster day and he isn’t likely to replicate it again but for his owners but it came at the right time.
Jamaal Williams, RB, Packers: Williams has established himself as the starting running back in Green Bay after another big game in which he rushed for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass. Williams caught 7 passes for 69 yards in the Packers overtime win.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans: Hopkins has been quarterback proof this season. It doesn’t matter who is throwing him the ball, he is putting up big numbers. He did once again this week finishing with 11 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
Jay Cutler, QB, Dolphins: Jay Cutler out dueled Tom Brady. Who would have thought that was possible? Cutler went 25/38 for 263 yards and 3 touchdown passes in the Dolphins 27-20 upset win. Now watch. He will revert back to the Jay Cutler we all know and love.
Todd Gurley, RB, Rams: Gurley continues to put MVP worthy numbers. He rushed for 96 yards on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns. Gurley also caught 3 passes for 39 yards in the Rams 43-35 loss to the Eagles.
Other Studs: Dak Prescott, Cowboys Kenyan Drake, Dolphins, Jonathan Stewart, Panthers, Davante Adams, Packers, Theo Riddick, Lions, Jared, Raiders
Duds
Derek Carr, QB, Raiders: The $25 million dollar man has been a big reason for the Raiders struggles this season. Carr’s inconsistency reared its ugly head once again this week.
Cameron Brate, TE, Bucs: I picked up Brate as a replacement for Zach Ertz. He got me 1.5 points. Brate is a big reason why I am down by 55 as I head into week two of my playoff match up.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Redskins: Cousins was great up until Week 13. Since then, he has regressed and is costing fantasy owners big time who are counting on him in to produce in the playoffs.
Robby Anderson, WR, Jets: A bad match-up against Denver’s No Fly Zone secondary and an injury to Josh McCown ruined Anderson’s value and production.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans: Conservative play calling and a knee injury limited Mariota’s fantasy potential in a 12-7 loss to the Cardinals. Mariota has been a fantasy bust this season and I cannot say I am surprised.
Other Duds: Tom Brady, Patriots, DeMarco Murray, Titans, Brandin Cooks, Patriots, Mike Evans, Bucs, Drew Brees, Saints.