(AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Running backs dominate the studs list in this week’s edition of Studs and Duds.
Here are our five studs and duds for week 15 in the NFL.
STUDS
1. Todd Gurley, RB, Rams: Gurley is in the midst of one of the greatest bounce back seasons in fantasy football history. Gurley added to his fantasy MVP resume with a 152 rushing yards, 4 touchdown performance. He did all of that in two and half quarters.
2. Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs: Hunt has picked the right time to get back on track. Fantasy owners that stuck with him during his slump are being richly rewarded now. Hunt’s uptick in production also coincides with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy taking over the play calling. Nagy has done a terrific job of getting Hunt more involved in the offense again.
3. LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills: McCoy only had 96 yards of total offense but he scored a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown. McCoy is being used more as a three down back in the Bills offense this season and it is paying dividends for fantasy owners.
4. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots: Gronk single handily beat the Steelers on Sunday. He caught nine passes for 168 yards. Although he didn’t score, Gronkowski dominated Pittsburgh’s secondary. Gronk is peaking at the right time and if you have him on your roster, he may very well win your league championship.
5. Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers: Gordon racked up 170 yards of total offense and a touchdown in the Chargers loss to the Chiefs. I lost in my fantasy playoffs because my fellow rotoplanner.com writer, Jared Leonard had Gurley, Hunt and Gordon all in his line up.
Other Week 15 Studs: Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs, C.J Anderson, RB, Broncos, Ravens Defense, Michael Thomas, WR, Saints, Cam Newton, QB, Panthers.
DUDS
1. Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals: So much for interim offensive coordinator Bill lazor getting more out of Andy Dalton huh. Dalton was awful against the Vikings. He went 11/22 for 113 yards and 2 interceptions. Ouch!
2. Phillip Rivers, QB, Chargers: Many seasons ended this weekend because of Rivers and his lackluster performance against Kansas City. It was surprising to say the least because Rivers usually plays well against the Chiefs.
3. A.J Green, WR, Bengals: Let’s be honest, Green has been a disappointment this season. His putrid performance against the Vikings is one of many sub par performances this season for Green.
4. Jordy Nelson, WR, Packers: You thought the return of Aaron Rodgers was going to help Nelson didn’t you? Well, he was only targeted six times and only caught three passes for 28 yards. Rodgers presence did not help him.
5. Doug Baldwin, WR, Seahawks: I played Baldwin over Christian McCaffery in flex spot. I learned a hard, painful lesson.
Other Duds: Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks, Carlos Hyde, RB, 49ers, Jamaal Williams, RB, Packers, Devin Funchess, WR, Panthers, Lamar Miller, RB, Texans