A number of starters and past fantasy heroes took a seat on Sunday or left early.
Jay Cutler was under duress all day. He completed 21-of-39 attempts for 168 yards with two interceptions while absorbing six sacks (52 this season). The Packers threw everything at Cutler to make him uncomfortable in the pocket, and he failed to surmount any threat downfield.
Despite being targeted eight times by Cutler, Johnny Knox failed to record a single reception. He finished 40 yards shy of 1,000.
The Packers’ ground game sputtered miserably. Brandon Jackson was limited to 19 yards on seven carries while adding two receptions for 16 yards. Jackson amassed only 84 total yards in the Packers’ final two games.
Donald Driver caught five passes for 41 yards in the finale and lost a fumble. He logged 51 receptions this season, but averaged only 37.7 yards per game. Driver has caught 51 or more passes in nine consecutive games.
Ronnie Brown’s rough season finished with nary a whimper on Sunday against New England. He carried the ball six times for 14 yards, adding three receptions for 39 yards. Brown earned 734 yards with five touchdowns on 200 carries this season.
Ricky Williams carried the ball six times for five yards. What else needs to be said? Williams earned 672 yards on 159 carries this year.
Jonathan Stewart had come on strong down the stretch, but the Falcons were not going to be run over by him for a second time this season. Remember, Stewart had logged 133 rushing yards against Atlanta in Week 14. Stewart was limited to 31 yards on 13 carries.
Perhaps Matt Cassel was saddened by the thought of Charlie Weis’ imminent departure for Florida. Whatever the cause, Cassel was positively awful on Sunday against Oakland. Cassel completed 11-of-33 attempts for a paltry total of 115 yards with two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
Thomas Jones was limited to 17 yards on 10 carries by the Oakland front that played without Richard Seymour. He scored once in the Chiefs’ final six games of the regular season and finished with 896 rushing yards.
Dwayne Bowe caught five passes for 68 yards in the blowout loss to Oakland. He scored once in the Chiefs’ final five games.
Peyton Hillis came into the game banged up, and expectations were certainly lowered with the Steelers on tap. Hillis was limited to 13 yards on six carries (one reception for three yards). Hillis did not score in the Browns’ final five games.
Buffalo tailback Fred Jackson was shut down by the surging New England defense in the finale. Jackson carried the ball 13 times for 35 yards and added a single reception for 13 yards. He was limited to 48 or fewer total yards in four of the Bills’ final five games.
LeGarrette Blount helped the Buccaneers engineer a season-ending win over New Orleans with solid running late. Unfortunately, he lost an early fumble and finished with just 66 rushing yards. Blount finished the season with 1,007 rushing yards despite amassing just 98 rushing yards in the team’s first six games.
Robert Meachem was targeted twice in Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay and finished with one catch for five yards. Those hoping for a dramatic follow-up to his Week 16 brilliance (10 receptions) were left wanting.
Joe Flacco completed 14-of-19 attempts for 125 yards with an interception and was sacked four times in the Ravens’ narrow win over Cincinnati. He averaged 133 passing yards in the Ravens’ final three games.
Anquan Boldin started the season with a bang and fantasy owners were thrilled. He finished with a whimper, failing to account for a touchdown reception and with just 67 total yards in the final four weeks (eight receptions).
Derrick Mason caught three passes for 34 yards to close out the regular season. The veteran receiver finished with 61 receptions and 802 receiving yards, his 11th straight season with at least 61 receptions.
Cedric Benson finished a disappointing season with a tepid 53-yard performance against the Ravens. He added three receptions for 12 yards. Benson rushed for 60 yards or fewer in nine games this season.
Ryan Torain rushed 18 times for 61 yards in the Redskins’ season-ending loss to the Giants (one reception for eight yards). He appeared in 10 games this season and finished with 742 rushing yards.
Kevin Boss was limited to two receptions for 29 yards against Washington.
Ahmad Bradshaw ran 15 times for 22 yards as the Redskins worked to eliminate the Giants’ ground game. He caught two passes for eight yards. Bradshaw had a fantastic season overall, but scored just three touchdowns in the final seven games.
Mike Thomas was limited to one reception for 12 yards on five targets. He averaged 4.1 receptions and 51.2 receiving yards per game.
Marion Barber was one of the stars of the Cowboys’ narrow loss to the Cardinals in Week 16. He was a non-factor in Week 17, registering just three yards on three carries in the finale.
Kevin Kolb didn’t have the benefit of the Eagles’ starters and received little help from the backups. Unfortunately, the negative plays still count against him. Kolb completed 50 percent of his pass attempts (18-of-36) for 162 yards with one touchdown, three interceptions and a lost fumble. He was sacked six times.
Joseph Addai carried the ball 11 times for 44 yards in the Colts’ season-ending win over Tennessee. He essentially matched his Week 16 production without the goal-line love.
Philip Rivers passed for 313 yards and was intercepted once by the Broncos. He was sacked five times. It was the second time that he’s been shut out this season.
Malcom Floyd caught two passes for 57 yards in the finale. He returned from a hamstring injury to participate in the season-ending victory. Floyd also failed to corral the onside kick that afforded Denver a last-second opportunity to steal the game.
Jabar Gaffney was targeted three times and finished with one reception for 12 yards. Gaffney caught just five passes in the Broncos’ final three games with Tim Tebow under center.
Tim Hightower carried the ball 12 times for 30 yards to close a disappointing season for the Cardinals. He finished with 30 rushing yards or fewer in four of the final six games.
Chris “Beanie” Wells logged five receptions for 16 yards in the crushing season-ending loss to San Francisco. Wells earned 43 rushing yards on 19 carries in the Cardinals’ final three games.
Michael Crabtree finished his sophomore campaign with a four-reception, 47-yard performance. He recorded 61 or fewer receiving yards in 14 games this season.
Sam Bradford was betrayed by his receivers downfield on several deep throws, thereby keeping the St. Louis offense stuck in neutral. Bradford completed 19-of-36 attempts for 155 yards with one interception and three sacks. The presumed Rookie of the Year finished with 3,512 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and 17 turnovers this season.
Danario Alexander had the most obvious and notable drops to sabotage the Rams’ offense on Sunday night. He finished with three receptions and 14 receiving yards.
