And then, just like that, it was over. It’s been a wild season of surprises, shocks and big performances, and fantasy fans have had a lot to be cheerful for. Austin Ekeler and Chris Godwin led early-season charges. DJ Chark, AJ Brown and DK Metcalf have become big-time young prospects.
The Patriots dominant D ended so many fantasy game weeks, and Minshew Mania came and went as the field of teams was whittled down to 12, 8, 4 and finally 2. The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers offered us a final chance for entertainment, fun and fantasy, so let’s look at the Super Bowl Studs and Duds!
Stud: Damien Williams – RB – Kansas City Chiefs
The obvious temptation after the big game would be to lead off with the Super Bowl MVP, and in this game that would mean discussing Patrick Mahomes. For fantasy purposes though, Mahomes simply didn’t have a stellar game – under 300 yards passing, 29 yards rushing and two interceptions to go along with his two touchdown passes. Many were left wondering after the game if perhaps the real MVP should have been another Chiefs offensive star?
That’s where we give Damien Williams his due. The running back carried the ball 1`7 times for 104 yards and a touchdown which iced the game. He also managed to haul in 4 targets for 29 yards receiving and another score through the air. Mahomes will grab the headlines after being named MVP, but if you banked on Williams in your Single Game lineup this weekend he’ll be the one that you’ll cherish in your memories!
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 29: Wide receiver Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs catches a pass against linebacker Drue Tranquill #49 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
Stud: Tyreek Hill – WR – Kansas City Chiefs
On the subject of underrated performances, Tyreek Hill’s big game has gone slightly under the radar. While he failed to find the end zone, it was Hill who caught the 44-yard pass from Mahomes on a vital 3rd-and-15 to spark the Chiefs comeback, and he led both teams with a game-high 16 targets. Without Hill’s production, it’s likely that the Chiefs don’t manage another big comeback.
The no.1 wideout managed to catch 9 of those 16 targets, piling up 1-5 yards through the air. In a season that started for Hill with controversy in his personal life and many wondering if he would even play again for Kansas City, for him to end it with the most targets, catches and yards of any player in the sport’s grandest game is a huge turnaround. He might even have helped your fantasy team out too.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 24: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after making a catch for a first down during the first quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Dud: Emmanuel Sanders – WR – San Francisco 49ers
Much had been made of the lack of Super Bowl-winning experience on both teams in the leadup to this matchup, but one veteran with a ring who suited up was the 49ers Emmanuel Sanders. The narrative has been that the mid-season arrival of the former Denver Broncos star via trade had been the final piece in San Francisco’s offensive puzzle and that his experience was the catalyst that made their offence hum. It was an educated punt that he could take advantage of a flimsy Kansas City Chiefs secondary.
Education be damned! It didn’t turn out that way for Sanders, as the 49ers top wide receiver managed just 3 receptions for a disappointing 38 yards in total. Not only was he unable to add to his Super Bowl ring, he didn’t even manage to lead his team’s wide receivers in yardage, as Kendrick Bourne outpaced him with a meagre 42 yards on 2 receptions. 49ers fans and Sanders fantasy owners alike can feel aggrieved with his output on the biggest stage.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 27: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers catches the ball and runs to the end zone only to have the ball called back for a penalty against Deebo Samuel #19 against Ross Cockrell #47 of the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Dud: George Kittle – TE – San Francisco 49ers
The biggest question mark for many in the leadup to the game was which team had the better tight end? Is Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce the superior product, or has George Kittle surpassed him as the most complete player in the league at their position? It’s always dangerous to make a judgement on just one game, but fantasy is a week-by-week game, so let’s do it anyway!
Kittle has been the centrepiece of the 49ers’ offence this season, and he had a good matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs linebackers in this game. He was unable to capitalise on these advantages, however, as he managed just 36 yards on 4 receptions, continuing his run of mediocre postseason performances. While in previous games we could chalk this up to a run-heavy game script, in this matchup Jimmy Garoppollo threw the ball 31 times, and Kittle still failed to dominate in the manner that fantasy owners have become used to these past two seasons. So, let’s call it official; Kelce is the best tight end in the league. Well, until next game week anyway.
NFL’s over, but there’s plenty of other Daily fantasy sports to play over at Paddy Power Fantasy