Fantasy News

Rex Burkhead gets nine touches in Patriots’ Super Bowl victory.

Burkhead carried seven times for 43 yards and caught two passes for 15 yards in the Patriots’ Super Bowl LIII victory versus the Rams. It was a strong all-around game for Burkhead, who also contributed on special teams as usual. His highlight was an explosive 26-yard run late in the game which basically iced it to help seal the victory for New England. Expect Burkhead to remain involved on both offense and special teams in 2019, and he could deliver some FLEX value some weeks, particularly in deeper leagues.

2/3/19 - 10:52 PM ET

Tom Brady, Patriots advance to third consecutive Super Bowl with overtime win over the Chiefs.

Brady was 30/46 for 348 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. The Patriots led 17-7 entering the fourth quarter, but the two teams traded blows the rest of the way, including a 24-14 Kansas City edge in the final quarter that sent the game to overtime; but Brady got the ball to start OT, completing three clutch first downs before Rex Burkhead ended things with a two-yard score to win, 37-31. The lone touchdown toss for Brady came on a 29-yard throw to Phillip Dorsett in the first half. The greatest quarterback of all-time will look for his sixth ring in a couple weeks against the Rams.

1/20/19 - 10:20 PM ET

C.J. Anderson handles nine touches in Super Bowl LIII loss.

Anderson rushed seven times for 22 yards, also adding two receptions for 12 yards. The veteran back split time with Todd Gurley—who clearly wasn’t 100% as he dealt with a knee issue—but New England held the Rams to just 3 points in a 13-3 victory for their sixth Lombardi Trophy. Anderson should be back in 2019 as a change-of-pace to Gurley after coming on strong in December and January.

2/3/19 - 10:49 PM ET

Dan Arnold did not catch a pass in the NFC Championship Game.

Arnold was targeted on a pass to the end zone on a third down in the first quarter, but he had it go off his hands. It certainly wasn’t an easy catch, but it’s one Arnold probably could’ve had. In overtime, the athletic tight end drew a pass interference call on a pass deep down the middle, but the Rams then forced an interception and won the game. Arnold has upside, and he’ll be someone to keep an eye on leading up to next season. Sean Payton typically gives out flare signals if he believes one of his players is going to have a breakout season, so we’ll see if that happens with Arnold throughout the summer.

1/20/19 - 07:00 PM ET

Sony Michel scores game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LIII.

Michel carried 18 times for 94 yards and a touchdown, with the score coming on a one-yarder with seven minutes remaining in the game, putting the Patriots up for good in a low-scoring defensive battle. The touchdown was the lone non-field-goal of the 13-3 victory, and obviously this was quite the way for the Georgia product to end his rookie season. Michel wasn’t heavily involved as a receiver this season and had some inconsistency there, but he had 931 rushing yards during the regular season and was even better in the postseason, setting an NFL rookie record with six rushing scores in the playoffs. Patriots running backs and skill position players can be frustrating for fantasy purposes, but Michel has undeniable high-end RB1 upside as he enters his second NFL season. Michel might end up going in the third round of most fantasy drafts this summer.

2/3/19 - 10:48 PM ET

Tommylee Lewis gets one target in NFC Championship Game.

Lewis was involved in the most controversial play of the Saints’ conference title game loss to the Rams, as he was targeted on a third down with under two minutes remaining and looked to have been clearly interfered with, but no flag was thrown. A completion or a penalty would’ve allowed the Saints to run out the clock and set up a game-winning field goal attempt as time expired, but instead the Rams were able to get a field goal of their own and force overtime before eventually winning the game. Lewis isn’t currently a fantasy option and doesn’t need to be owned in standard-sized dynasty leagues.

1/20/19 - 06:56 PM ET

Todd Gurley handles 11 touches in Super Bowl LIII loss.

Gurley rushed ten times for 35 yards and caught one pass for a loss of one yard. The superstar runner clearly was not himself since suffering a knee injury at the end of the regular season, and a couple weeks of extra rest didn’t seem to make much of a difference against a stout New England defense. Gurley should have a healthy offseason barring a surprise injury reveal in the coming days, but the Rams understandably want veteran C.J. Anderson back in 2019, and it could cut into the workload of their offensive centerpiece. That said, Gurley should be a no-doubt top-five pick in all formats over the summer.

2/3/19 - 10:47 PM ET