This was a weird year for fantasy football. The beginning of the year was like bizarro world: The Cardinals started 4-0, Eagles were 3-1, Pats were 1-2, and Aaron Rodgers wasn’t looking as amazing as last year. That all quickly changed and the remainder of the year became a typical fantasy football year, with the exception of my list below.
Eli Manning (QB): After throwing nearly 5000 yards and 30 touchdowns last year, making him the 6th highest scoring quarterback in 2011, Eli was just shy of 4000 yards, 26 touchdowns while turning the ball over 19 times in 2012. Not quite the performance we were expecting for the defending Super Bowl MVP.
Larry Fitzgerald (WR): What a miserable year for such a talented wideout, only bringing in only 71 receptions for 798 yards and a measly 4 touchdowns. If the Cardinals don’t figure out their QB situation, you can expect these numbers on a regular basis.
David Akers (K): Yes, the kicker. Last season, he set the record for most points by a kicker in a single season with 166, most field goals in a season with 44, and made the pro bowl. He was a dominate force for the rebounding San Fransico 49ers because they weren’t amazing at scoring touchdowns, so they would settle for field goals. This year, the 49ers are going to the Superbowl, but not because of him. Akers had his worst season to date, with a measly 69% field goal percentage, making only 29 field goals on the year. Although one of those field goals tied for the longest field goal made at 63 yards.
Brandon Lloyd (WR): Probably the most promising combo for 2012 was Tom Brady and Brandon Lloyd. Even though Brady and the Pats are having a heck of a year offensively, Brandon Lloyd was nowhere to be found. Only 4 touchdowns on the year and couldn’t break 1000 yards. His best games came when Gronk and Hernandez were out.
Darren McFadden (RB): One of the most talented running backs currently playing and certainly a top prospect for the 2012 season, the injury prone McFadden only played 12 games this season. He barely eclipsed 700 rushing yards and only scored 2 touchdowns. It certainly doesn’t help that the Raiders were playing catch-up in almost every game this season.
Larry Fitzgerald (WR): What a miserable year for such a talented wideout, only bringing in only 71 receptions for 798 yards and a measly 4 touchdowns. If the Cardinals don’t figure out their QB situation, you can expect these numbers on a regular basis.
David Akers (K): Yes, the kicker. Last season, he set the record for most points by a kicker in a single season with 166, most field goals in a season with 44, and made the pro bowl. He was a dominate force for the rebounding San Fransico 49ers because they weren’t amazing at scoring touchdowns, so they would settle for field goals. This year, the 49ers are going to the Superbowl, but not because of him. Akers had his worst season to date, with a measly 69% field goal percentage, making only 29 field goals on the year. Although one of those field goals tied for the longest field goal made at 63 yards.
Brandon Lloyd (WR): Probably the most promising combo for 2012 was Tom Brady and Brandon Lloyd. Even though Brady and the Pats are having a heck of a year offensively, Brandon Lloyd was nowhere to be found. Only 4 touchdowns on the year and couldn’t break 1000 yards. His best games came when Gronk and Hernandez were out.
Darren McFadden (RB): One of the most talented running backs currently playing and certainly a top prospect for the 2012 season, the injury prone McFadden only played 12 games this season. He barely eclipsed 700 rushing yards and only scored 2 touchdowns. It certainly doesn’t help that the Raiders were playing catch-up in almost every game this season.
I hope the cheesesteaks are good in Kansas City
Philadelphia Eagles: Yes, I’m referring to the entire team. It was only two seasons ago when the Eagles made the playoffs (but lost the wildcard game) and then barely missed out on the playoffs last year. Speculation was that, in theory, the Eagles were going to have one of the top 10 defenses and this would be their bounceback year. That certainly wasn’t the case. After a good start at the beginning of the season, with 5 of their first 6 games being decided within just 3 points and winning three of them, the Eagles started their downward spiral. Michael Vick certainly didn’t help things, due to an unnecessary amount of fumbles and then his injury. Nick Foles tried to get things under control, but it was too late by that point. Lesean McCoy didn’t help the cause either, scoring only 2 touchdowns all year, even though he was within the top five overall picks for almost all fantasy leagues. The Eagles only put up 29 touchdowns on the year, while their opponents put up 52. Not to mention a -24 turnover ratio. Hopefully firing Andy Reid and hiring Chip Kelly will turn things around next season.
Ryan Mathews (RB): My second overall pick in fantasy this year. Ryan Mathews certainly gets the Biggest Fantasy Bust of 2012 award. Yes I chose him second round even though he missed the first few weeks of the regular season due to a collarbone injury. He was projected to be one of the top backs of the year. Not only did the Chargers fail miserably as a team this year, Ryan Mathews’ performance was laughable. He ran for only barely 700 yards and scored a single touchdown all year. Even though he missed four games this season, his performance basically said it all for the San Diego Chargers as a whole.
Written by: Kyle Cicilioni
Ryan Mathews (RB): My second overall pick in fantasy this year. Ryan Mathews certainly gets the Biggest Fantasy Bust of 2012 award. Yes I chose him second round even though he missed the first few weeks of the regular season due to a collarbone injury. He was projected to be one of the top backs of the year. Not only did the Chargers fail miserably as a team this year, Ryan Mathews’ performance was laughable. He ran for only barely 700 yards and scored a single touchdown all year. Even though he missed four games this season, his performance basically said it all for the San Diego Chargers as a whole.
Written by: Kyle Cicilioni
