Plenty of surprises lead teams to fantasy titles

	Steven Jackson had one of the few twin 100-yard rushing and receiving days. Elsa/Getty Images
	300-yard passers Player Team C-A Yds TDs Marc Bulger Rams 25-35 388 4
	100-yard rushers Player Team Rush Yds TDs Ron Dayne Texans 32 153 2 Steven Jackson Rams 33 150 1 Larry Johnson Chiefs 31 135 1 Travis Henry Titans 25 135 0 Maurice Jones-Drew Jaguars 19 131 2 Ladell Betts Redskins 29 129 2 Reggie Bush Saints 20 126 1 LaDainian Tomlinson Chargers 22 123 0 Brian Westbrook Eagles 26 122 0 Ronnie Brown Dolphins 18 110 0 Deuce McAllister Saints 27 108 1 Edgerrin James Cardinals 29 105 0 DeShaun Foster Panthers 28 102 0 Joseph Addai Colts 15 100 0
	100-yard receivers Player Team Rec Yds TDs Isaac Bruce Rams 9 148 1 Marvin Harrison Colts 8 112 2 Mark Clayton Ravens 7 108 1 Leon Washington Jets 4 108 0 Mike Furrey Lions 10 107 1 Ronald Curry Raiders 11 106 0 Steven Jackson Rams 6 102 1 Brandon Jones Titans 5 101 1
	POLL Who is Week 16's stud of the week? Shaun Alexander Marc Bulger Ron Dayne Steven Jackson Maurice Jones-Drew  View Results

It seems only fitting that the bulk of the action of fantasy championship games are taking place on Christmas Eve. What a nice surprise to see a title under the tree, and even better is getting that championship thanks to some people you might not have expected it from. (Maybe you can even express the same elation as the kids surprised to get that Nintendo 64 in that famous video making the rounds this holiday season.)

Sure, you expect LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, Steven Jackson or Peyton Manning to put up big stats. That's why they were high draft picks. But then again, so were Carnell Williams and LaMont Jordan. On the other hand, who knew low-round or undrafted gems such as Marques Colston, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ron Dayne, Ladell Betts and Vince Young could be the key to your fantasy success in the playoffs and, even better, in the championship game?

Stud of the Week

Steven Jackson, RB, Rams (33 carries, 150 yards, 1 TD, 1 lost fumble; 6 catches, 102 yards, 1 TD): Sure, LaDainian Tomlinson has run away with fantasy MVP honors, although he picked the wrong week to go without a TD. But Jackson has made a strong push to be the No. 3 or even the No. 2 pick in next year's fantasy drafts thanks to a great all-around performance this season, capped off with a huge game even with the Rams pretty much out of the playoff race. With his stats Sunday and this season, Jackson has proven he can fill Marshall Faulk's shoes.

Other studs

Quarterback
Marc Bulger, Rams: 25-38, 388 yards, 4 TDs; 2 carries, 27 yards
Jon Kitna, Lions: 27-45, 283 yards, 3 TDs, 1 lost fumble
Peyton Manning, Colts: 21-27, 205 yards, 3 TDs
Steve McNair, Ravens: 21-21, 256 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs
Vince Young, Titans: 13-20, 183 yards, 2 TDs; 8 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD

Running Back
Shaun Alexander, Seahawks: 31 carries, 140 yards, 2 TDs; 2 carries, 2 yards
Ladell Betts, Redskins: 29 carries, 129 yards, 2 TDs, 1 lost fumble; 2 catches, 35 yards
Reggie Bush, Saints: 20 carries, 126 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches, 23 yards
Ron Dayne, Texans: 32 carries, 153 yards, 2 TDs; 1 catch, 3 yards
Frank Gore, 49ers: 11 carries, 51 yards, 2 TDs; 6 catches, 35 yards
Larry Johnson, Chiefs: 31 carries, 135 yards, 1 TD
Rudi Johnson, Bengals: 30 carries, 129 yards, 1 TD, 1 lost fumble; 2 catches, 11 yards
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars: 19 carries, 131 yards, 2 TDs; 6 catches, 41 yards
Deuce McAllister, Saints: 27 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches, 14 yards
Willis McGahee, Bills: 22 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches, 20 yards

Wide Receiver/Tight End
Isaac Bruce, Rams: 9 catches, 148 yards, 1 TD
Mark Clayton, Ravens: 7 catches, 108 yards, 1 TD
Mike Furrey, Lions: 10 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD
Marvin Harrison, Colts: 8 catches, 112 yards, 2 TDs
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals: 9 catches, 94 yards, 1 TD

Others
Robbie Gould, K, Bears: 4-4 FG, 2-2 XP
Rian Lindell, K, Bills: 5-5 FG, 2-2 XP
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense: 3 sacks, 4 INTs (one returned for TD)

Co-Duds of the Week

Michael Vick, QB, Falcons (9-20, 109 yards, 2 INTs; 4 carries, 32 yards): He helped many teams get into the championship game with his four-TD outing against the Cowboys. But while the groin injury didn't necessarily hurt his passing yards, he still didn't look good against a Panthers defense that had struggled all year and was missing Mike Rucker. In the long run, Vick is going to rank very high among fantasy quarterbacks this year, especially since he ran for 1,000 yards this season. However, while his highs are so high, his lows are so low that it's hard to rely on him to carry your fantasy team even next year.

Steve Smith, WR, Panthers (1 carry, -5 yards): Carolina opted to go to the ground with the 1-2 punch of DeShaun Foster (28-102) and DeAngelo Williams (21-82) instead of relying on Chris Weinke to win the game. And with the passing game not in the mix, there wasn't much of a chance for Smith to even get a catch. Terrible news for those using him in the title game, but those are the breaks.

Other duds
Derek Anderson, QB, Browns: 10-27, 123 yards, 4 INTs
Drew Bennett, WR, Titans: 0 catches, 0 yards
Drew Brees, QB, Saints: 13-32, 131 yards, 1 TD
Braylon Edwards, WR, Browns: 2 catches, 7 yards
Warrick Dunn, RB, Falcons: 9 carries, 29 yards; 1 carry, 9 yards
Joey Galloway, WR, Buccaneers: 2 catches, 34 yards
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks: 17-37, 189 yards, 2 INTs
Andre Johnson, RB, Texans: 4 catches, 48 yards
Chad Johnson, WR, Bengals: 3 catches, 32 yards, 1 lost fumble
Eli Manning, QB, Giants: 9-25, 74 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Willie Parker, RB, Steelers: 13 carries, 29 yards, 1 lost fumble
Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts: 3 catches, 27 yards

Waiver Wire Wonder of the Week

Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers (5 catches, 97 yards, 2 TDs): San Diego's receiving corps hasn't been all that impressive this year, but big guys like Jackson and Malcolm Floyd have had their moments, giving Philip Rivers for next year that aren't named LaDainian Tomlinson or Antonio Gates.

Other surprises
Ronald Curry, WR, Raiders: 11 catches, 106 yards
Justin Fargas, RB, Raiders: 19 carries, 90 yards
Brandon Jones, WR, Titans: 5 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD
Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos: 4 catches, 65 yards
Michael Pittman, RB, Buccaneers: 16 carries, 86 yards, 1 TD
Peerless Price, WR, Bills: 7 catches, 73 yards
David Thomas, TE, Patriots: 5 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD