Manning finished 32-of-43 for 400 yards and a pair of TDs in a 26-16 win against the Patriots in the AFC championship game Sunday. New England neither got a sack nor an interception against the Broncos.MORE FANTASY: Podcast looks at 2014 | 2014 QB Rankings | Play DraftStreet, win cash
Manning worked the crossing routes early; he finished 18-of-25 passing and hit seven different receivers in the first half. New England didn't have an answer for Demaryius Thomas (7-134, TD), and Julius Thomas (8-85), Eric Decker (5-73) and Wes Welker (4-38) all contributed. It's easy to see why fantasy owners want to keep this band together for another run in 2014 regardless of what happens in Super Bowl XLVIII.
The two-headed running game of Knowshon Moreno (14-59) and Montee Ball (12-43) also clicked. Ball could come into focus if Moreno, who left with a shoulder injury in the second half, can't go or is limited in two weeks.
As for the Patriots, Tom Brady (24-of-38, 277 yards, TD) rallied New England in the fourth quarter, but didn't get enough help in the run game. LeGarrette Blount (5-6) was a non-factor, and Julian Edelman (10-89, TD) provided the only spark on offense. Brady's stock took a hit this season, and he'll feel that next year. Some owners might draft Nick Foles ahead of him. But with the return of Rob Gronkowski and possible offseason upgrades, Brady could come as a big-time bargain on draft day.
Seahawks 23, 49ers 17
Russell Wilson outdueled Colin Kaepernick in a classic NFC championship game in which both quarterbacks made their fair share of plays and mistakes.
Wilson took four sacks and lost a fumble in the first half, but he still finished 16-of-25 for 215 yards and a fourth-down TD pass to Jermaine Kearse.
Of course, Wilson had ground support from Marshawn Lynch (22-109, TD), who scored on a 40-yard run in the third quarter. Lynch should be good for 20 more carries in Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seahawks playing keep away from Denver.
Kaepernick had 130 rushing yards, including 98 in the first half. He struggled in the air, however, going 14-of-24 for 153 yards, a TD and two interceptions.
Kaepernick still has weapons, and his fantasy stock will go up next season with a healthy Michael Crabtree (8-52) and perhaps Anquan Boldin (9-53, TD).
