Fantasy Football 2018: Standout players from Wild Card Weekend
By Nafisa H
These four players showed up and showed out for fantasy football owners during Wild Card Weekend of the 2018 NFL Playoffs.
Wild Card weekend in the 2018 NFL playoffs didn’t disappoint. From a thrilling comeback by the Tennessee Titans against the Kansas City Chiefs, to the Atlanta Falcons upsetting the Los Angeles Rams, it was a wild start to the postseason.
And as the action didn’t disappoint, neither did these players.
Here are four players that had standout performances this week and came up big for fantasy football owners.
1. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
Oh, when the Saints go marching in with Drew Brees at their helm, expect a good performance. Especially, during the playoffs. In the NFC South shooutout versus the Carolina Panthers, Brees aired it out for 376 yards and two touchdowns, lifting the Saints to victory and advancing them to the NFC divisional round matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
2. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
Ultimately, the Carolina Panthers fell short of victory and were eliminated from the playoffs by Brees and the Saints. But Cam Newton and his team didn’t go down without a fight. Newton exited the game in the fourth quarter after taking a hit to the head, but returned to finish the game with a stellar performance of his own. He threw for 349 passing yards, amassed 37 rushing yards and notched two touchdowns.
3. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
When it comes to the playoffs, teams and players have to seize the opportunity and make the most out of it. Tennessee Titans workhorse Derrick Henry did exactly that after Demarco Murray was ruled out. He rushed for 156 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown, while hauling in 35 yards on two receptions in the team’s victory.
Next: 2018 NFL Playoffs: Picks, predictions for Divisional Round
4. Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans
Fantasy football owners with Marcus Mariota on their team this season know the struggle as he was not a consistent fantasy option. However, Mariota came up big for fantasy owners when he sparked some playoff magic with a much-needed touchdown pass to himself; earning owners points for the pass and reception. His relentless play and 205 passing yards, 52 rush yards, and two-touchdown performance sparked an 18-point Titans comeback victory.