DFS Season Review: AFC West
Here is theScore's daily fantasy season in review for the AFC West:
Denver Broncos
Record: 12-4 (1st in division, 1st in conference)
Points (Rank): 355 (19th)
Total Yards (Rank): 5,688 (16th)
The biggest story of Denver's season was the stunning fall from grace of QB Peyton Manning, who threw 17 interceptions, second-most in football, in only nine starts. After throwing for 39 TDs and 15 INTs in 2014, Manning's numbers cratered, with only nine passing TDs in as many starts. Whether injuries or declining arm strength were primarily to blame, Manning was an outright liability most weeks. ... Receivers Demaryius Thomas (105/1,304/6) and Emmanuel Sanders (76/1,135/6) didn't suffer significant drop-offs in production, and the running back duo of Ronnie Hillman (863 yards, seven TDs) and C.J. Anderson (720 yards, five TDs) had solid seasons, though neither could wrest a full workload away from the other. ... Brock Osweiler's best trait was that he turned the ball over far less frequently than Manning (six INTs in eight appearances), but wasn't a significant fantasy asset. ...The trade-deadline acquisition of TE Vernon Davis failed to make an impact, as Davis had two games in which he totaled 13 catches, with his remaining seven receptions spread out across seven other contests. ... On the other side of the ball, Denver led the NFL in total defense, and ranked first in sacks, while adding five defensive TDs.
DFS MVP: Demaryius Thomas
DFS Dud: Peyton Manning
Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 11-5 (2nd in division, 5th in conference)
Points (Rank): 405 (9th)
Total Yards (Rank): 5,299 (27th)
In QB Alex Smith's three years in Kansas City, he hasn't thrown more than seven interceptions in a season; his 3,486 passing yards in 2015 also represented a career-high. While he wasn't a viable every-week DFS starter, his 498 rushing yards and two TDs certainly helped his production. ... A year after no Chiefs wide receiver caught a TD, offseason acquisition Jeremy Maclin scored eight times to go with his 87 receptions and 1,088 yards. ... Popular preseason breakout candidate TE Travis Kelce posted nearly identical numbers (72-875-5) to his 2014 marks (67-862-5). He has to be considered a slight disappointment, though the offense's conservative nature likely did him no favors. ... After RB Jamaal Charles suffered a torn ACL in Week 5, Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware carried the rushing load. West's 634 yards topped the team, as did Ware's yards per carry average (5.6) and rushing TD total (6). Neither back could really carve out a full workload, though. ...The Chiefs' defense keyed a 10-game winning streak after a 1-5 start that earned a Wild Card spot; the unit finished fourth with 47 sacks and second with 22 interceptions. Rookie CB Marcus Peters led the way with eight picks.
DFS MVP: Jeremy Maclin
DFS Dud: Travis Kelce
Oakland Raiders
Record: 7-9 (3rd in division,10th in conference)
Points (Rank): 359 (17th)
Total Yards (Rank): 5,336 (24th)
Derek Carr's overall numbers showed a great improvement over his rookie statistics, specifically in terms of yards (3,987 to 3,270), TD passes (32 to 21) and completion percentage (61.1 to 58.1 per cent). Still, while the first half of the season saw a TD:INT ratio of 19 to 4; the second half's was 13 to 9. ...This was likely due in part to a lingering foot injury that hampered rookie WR Amari Cooper during the latter half of the season. The Alabama product had a final receiving line of 72-1,060-6, but caught 45 passes in the first half compared to 27 in the second half. For sheer consistency and value, ex-49er WR Michael Crabtree put together a stellar receiving line of 85-922-9, earning himself a new contract with Oakland. ...Sophomore RB Latavius Murray registered 1,298 combined rushing and receiving yards and six TDs, though explosive performances were lacking. ...Oakland ranked 22nd in total defense, though a bright spot was second-year LB Khalil Mack, whose 15 sacks ranked second to only J.J. Watt's 17.5 and helped the team to a tie for 14th with 38 sacks.
DFS MVP: Michael Crabtree
DFS Dud: Derek Carr / Amari Cooper (second half versions)
San Diego Chargers
Record: 4-12 (4th in division, 14th in conference)
Points (Rank): 320 (26th)
Total Yards (Rank): 5,949 (9th)
A league-worst running attack (a 32nd-ranked 3.5 yards per carry and 31st-ranked 84.9 yards per game) forced QB Philip Rivers to throw, and throw often, with the veteran finishing behind only Drew Brees in total passing yards, with 4,792. A dwindling number of healthy receivers and offensive lineman in the season's second half derailed what could have been a truly monstrous year from Rivers, however. ... In a season cut short by a lacerated kidney, WR Keenan Allen put up an eight-game stat line of 67-725-4, with three games of at least 12 receptions and 133 yards. ...Rookie RB Melvin Gordon averaged 3.5 yards per carry and failed to score a TD or register a 100-yard game. The one positive that can be taken is that after catching 22 passes in his final three years at Wisconsin, Gordon hauled in 33 receptions in 14 games. ...Fellow back Danny Woodhead added three scores on the ground and six through the air, while leading the team with 80 catches and 1,091 combined yard. ...After missing four games to suspension and another to injury, veteran TE Antonio Gates had a solid season with a 56-630-5 receiving line. TE Ladarius Green set career highs in catches (37), yards (429) and TDs (4). ...San Diego's defense ranked 27th against the run, but was much better against the pass (14th), thanks in large part to CB Jason Verrett.
DFS MVP: Philip Rivers / Danny Woodhead
DFS Dud: Melvin Gordon