The 2024 fantasy football playoffs kicked off on Thursday night with a highly anticipated clash between the Rams and the 49ers. Fans were expecting fireworks, but what unfolded was a nightmare for many fantasy managers. With an astonishing lack of scoring, the playoffs may have already taken a turn for the worse for countless participants.
The game ended without a single touchdown, leaving fans in disbelief. Instead, the scoreboard lit up with just six field goals. Both quarterbacks, Matthew Stafford and Brock Purdy, combined for a mere 12.2 points. Going into the game, Stafford had been averaging 14.7 points per game, while Purdy was sitting at 17.6 points. So, what happened? Stafford managed to scrape together only 8.2 points, marking one of his worst outings in a Rams uniform, while Purdy’s four-point performance was a shocking low in his 34 starts with the 49ers.
The 2024 fantasy football playoffs began on Thursday night, as the Rams faced the 49ers in what was supposed to be a high-scoring affair. Unfortunately, based on the unbelievable lack of statistical success, the fantasy playoffs might have already ended for countless fans, too.
More to the point, those who started Cooper Kupp are now facing an uphill battle.
Adding to the frustration, superstar wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who was a must-start in nearly every league, finished the game with zero points. This marked only the 10th time in his NFL career that he has been held under five points. For fantasy managers who relied on him, this couldn’t have come at a worse time.
But Kupp wasn’t alone in his struggles. The entire Rams offense seemed to falter. Even the kickers, Joshua Karty and Jake Moody, outperformed the quarterbacks. Karty managed to score 13 fantasy points, which was more than several key players, including Isaac Guerendo (11.5), George Kittle (10.1), Jauan Jennings (5.1), and Deebo Samuel Sr. (4.9). Karty’s performance was nearly on par with Kyren Williams, who entered the week averaging over 17 points per game but only mustered 13.4 points.
The Rams’ superstar wide receiver, who was started in close to 100 percent of leagues across all platforms, didn’t score a single point in the game. Not one. It’s only the 10th time in his NFL career that he’s been held under five points, and it came at the worst time for managers.
Kupp wasn’t the only player who had a bad stat line, though.
The lack of scoring left many fantasy managers scratching their heads. How could a matchup between two competitive teams yield such dismal results? The excitement surrounding the game quickly turned to disappointment as the players who were expected to shine fell flat.
The contest didn’t feature a single touchdown, as the scoring was limited to six field goals. Both quarterbacks, Matthew Stafford and Brock Purdy, combined to score 12.2 points. Going into the night, Stafford had averaged 14.7 points while Purdy averaged 17.6 points.
Stafford’s 8.2 points is the seventh fewest he’s scored in 55 regular-season games with the Rams. As for Purdy, his four-point stinker is his third-worst total in his 34 starts with the 49ers. The two kickers, Joshua Karty and Jake Moody, outscored both quarterbacks.
As the weekend approaches, many fantasy managers find themselves in a precarious position. The stakes are high, and the pressure is on. With Kupp’s shocking performance and the overall lack of production from key players, how can fantasy managers recover?
They weren’t the only ones who scored fewer points than those two booters, either.
Fortunately, not everyone had a disastrous outing. Puka Nacua stood out as the lone bright spot, scoring 17.8 points with seven catches and 108 total yards. His performance provided a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. However, for many, this game served as a harsh reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in fantasy football.
With the fantasy playoffs in full swing, managers will need to regroup and reassess their lineups. The unpredictability of the NFL can be both thrilling and frustrating, and this week has certainly been a rollercoaster ride. As we look ahead, the question remains: can fantasy managers bounce back from this disappointing start? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure—this is why we love the game.
