BOX SCORE BANDIT

The Box Score Bandit: Week 16

Fantasy Championship week gave owners more of the same - unpredictability. With the leaderboard topped with names like Chris Redman, Laurence Maroney, and Ahmad Bradshaw, fantasy owners claiming titles survived one of the toughest fantasy seasons in recent memory.

Upsets were also plentiful in Week 16 as Cleveland and Minnesota failed to secure playoff bids, which kept other teams alive going into the last week of the season. But the season's biggest story continues to be New England's pursuit of perfection as studs Tom Brady and Randy Moss got closer to breaking league records.

Don’t have time to scour the box scores? No need to worry, the Bandit is here every week to break down all of the games for owners - fantasy style. Check out the latest quick hits on the studs, bench plays, sleepers, and injuries from the week that was.

50-Yard Line Entertainment...

NY Giants Wear Down Bills, 38-21

Fantasy Stud: RB-Brandon Jacobs (NYG) powered his way to 145 yards and 2 TDs to give his owners tremendous production.

Bench Play: WR-Plaxico Burress (NYG) was a non-factor in this one as he had only 1 catch for 6 yards.

Sleeper: RB-Marshawn Lynch (BUF) has become a must-start in most leagues. He totaled 112 yards, 1 TD, and 2 catches.

Steelers Outscore Rams, 41-24

Fantasy Stud: QB-Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) had a very effective game for his owners. He tossed 3 TDs and threw for 261 yards.

Bench Play: WR-Torry Holt (STL) was unable to produce big numbers in this game and voiced his frustration to the coaching staff. His 3 catches for 41 yards were a killer.

Sleeper: RB-Najeh Davenport (PIT) came off the bench and exploded for 167 total yards and 2 TDs with 2 receptions.

Arizona Avoids Upset, Defeats, Atlanta, 30-27 OT

Fantasy Stud: WR-Anquan Boldin (ARI) had a huge outing at just the right time with 13 receptions for 162 yards and 2 TDs.

Bench Play: RB-Warrick Dunn (ATL) appears to be on his last legs. He had 12 carries for a meager 13 yards.

Sleeper: WR-Laurent Robinson (ATL) produced the biggest numbers for his rookie season. He grabbed 7 passes for 114 yards with 1 TD.

Eagles Soar Over Saints, 38-23

Fantasy Stud: QB-Donovan McNabb (PHI) put together a great game as he threw for 263 yards, 2 TDs, and rushed for 37 yards.

Bench Play: QB-Drew Brees (NO) couldn't come through for his owners. His 289 yards with 0 TDs and 1 INT dashed a lot of championship hopes.

Sleeper: RB-Aaron Stecker (NO) found the end zone twice and rushed for 49 yards.

Injuries: WR-Marques Colston (NO) injured his chest.

...Shocking End Zone Celebrations…

Chicago Stuns Rival Packers, 35-7

Fantasy Stud: RB-Adrian Peterson (CHI) carried the offense with his 30 carries and finished with 118 total yards and 1 TD.

Bench Play: QB-Brett Favre (GB) was a big disappointment for owners that rode him this far. He was held to just 153 yards with 0 TDs and 2 INTs.

Sleeper: K-Robbie Gould (CHI) put up numbers like he did last year with 2 FGs and 3 XPs.

Cincinnati Picks off Cleveland, 19-14

Fantasy Stud: RB-Kenny Watson (CIN) was the catalyst to the offense, totaling 150 yards, catching 3 passes, and scoring 1 TD.

Bench Play: QB-Derek Anderson (CLE) has been cooling off as of late. His 254 yards and 2 TDs were negated by his 4 costly INTs.

Sleeper: RB-Jamal Lewis (CLE) continues to produce strong numbers. This week he put up 134 total yards and caught 5 passes.

Washington Takes Playoff Destiny Over Minnesota, 32-21

Fantasy Stud: RB-Clinton Portis (WAS) gained 124 total yards with 1 TD and 5 receptions against a very stout run defense.

Bench Play: RB-Adrian Peterson (MIN) has proved to be a feast-and-famine fantasy option. This week he tanked badly with just 48 total yards and 2 catches.

Sleeper: QB-Todd Collins (WAS) led a very balanced Redskins attack as he threw for 254 yards and 2 TDs on the road.

Niners Bounce Bucs, 21-19

Fantasy Stud: RB-Frank Gore (SF) is teasing owners again with big numbers to close the season. He totaled 132 yards, had 4 catches, and scored 1 TD.

Bench Play: RB-Ernest Graham (TB) was held in check with just 40 total yards and 2 catches.

Sleeper: QB-Shaun Hill (SF) is winning games and putting up decent numbers. He threw for 123 yards with 3 TDs.

...Third Down Conversions

Lions Hold off Chiefs, 25-20

Fantasy Stud: WR-Dwayne Bowe (KC) grabbed 8 balls for 97 yards with 1 TD in this one.

Bench Play: QB-Jon Kitna (DET) was again unable to get things going. This week his 115 yards with 0 TDs and 1 INT fell far short of fantasy material.

Sleeper: RB- TJ Duckett (DET) tallied 124 total yards, 2 receptions, and scored 1 TD coming off the bench.

Injuries: RB- Kevin Jones (DET) suffered a severe knee injury.

New England Handles Miami, 28-7

Fantasy Stud: WR-Randy Moss (NE) got closer to setting a league record for TD catches with his 5 receptions for 50 yards and 2 TDs.

Bench Play: K-Jay Feely (MIA) notched just 1 XP in a very quiet day for any kicker in this league.

Sleeper: RB-Laurence Maroney (NE) is finishing his disappointing season on a high note. He raced for a career-high 156 yards with 1 TD.

Colts Trounce Texans, 38-15

Fantasy Stud: QB-Peyton Manning (IND) dissected the Texans to the tune of 311 yards and 3 TDs.

Bench Play: WR-Anthony Gonzalez (IND) was held in check with 2 receptions for 22 yards.

Sleeper: RB-Darius Walker (HOU) turned out to be a sneaky play as he got the start this week and finished with 110 total yards and 6 receptions.

Injuries: Gonzalez suffered a bruised foot. RB-Joseph Addai (IND) injured his shoulder.

Dallas Beats Carolina, 20-13

Fantasy Stud: WR-Steve Smith (CAR) had a monster game that few owners expected. He grabbed 9 balls for 137 yards and 1 TD.

Bench Play: RB-Julius Jones (DAL) continues to start, but is clearly an inferior back to Marion Barber. He had just 27 total yards.

Sleeper: RB-DeAngelo Williams (CAR) is emerging late in the season as he totaled 66 yards on 11 touches.

Injuries: WR-Terrell Owens (DAL) suffered a high ankle sprain.

Titans Trudge by Jets, 10-6

Fantasy Stud: WR-Jerricho Cotchery (NYJ) led all receivers with 8 receptions, 152 yards, and 1 TD in this contest.

Bench Play: WR-Vince Young (TEN) has been a major fantasy bust this year. He had 166 yards with 0 TDs, 1 INT, and managed 1 yard rushing on 7 carries.

Sleeper: RB-LenDale White (TEN) was the workhorse for the offense as he rumbled for 103 yards.

Seattle Smacks Ravens, 27-6

Fantasy Stud: The Seattle D/ST dominated the game and finished with 1 DTD, 3 sacks, 3 turnovers, and 6 PA.

Bench Play: WR-Deion Branch (SEA) failed to put together a solid game for his owners as he had only 2 catches for 24 yards.

Sleeper: WR-Derrick Mason (BAL) hauled in a 79 TD which enabled him to finish with 5 catches, 98 yards, and 1 TD.

Injuries: RB-Willis McGahee (BAL) got knocked out of the game with 2 broken ribs.

Jags Destroy Raiders, 49-11

Fantasy Stud: RB-Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC) was all over the field, gaining 140 total yards, catching 6 balls, and scoring 1 TD.

Bench Play: QB-JaMarcus Russell (OAK) looks like he has a long way to go. He saw significant action in this one, but had 3 INTs, 1 TD, and just 83 yards on 7-23 passing.

Sleeper: RB-Dominic Rhodes (OAK) got the start and came through with 124 total yards and 2 receptions.

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THE BOX SCORE BANDIT