Super Bowl XLVI recap

Who was the top fantasy scorer in Super Bowl XLVI? Well, in standard ESPN leagues, the answer is a little surprising: Tom Brady. The New England Patriots quarterback scored 17 fantasy points, passing for 276 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in his team's 21-17 loss to the New York Giants. He edged MVP Eli Manning, who scored 15 points by throwing for 296 yards with a TD and no picks.

In point-per-reception formats, the top scorers were Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who scored 20 points each. Nicks caught 10 passes for 109 yards, while Hernandez caught eight passes for 67 yards and a TD.

Other top scorers for the Giants were running back Ahmad Bradshaw (14 points/16 PPR) and wide receivers Mario Manningham (7/12 PPR) and Victor Cruz (8/12 PPR). Bradshaw and Cruz scored TDs, but Manningham had the play of the game by hauling in a 38-yard, over-the-shoulder catch down the sideline (see video below) which keyed the game-winning drive.  

Running back Danny Woodhead (10 points/14 PPR) and wide receiver Wes Welker (8/13) also had solid games for the Patriots, although Welker will be remembered for the pass he wasn't able to pull in late in the game. With 4:06 left and the Patriots ahead 17-15, Brady threw a 23-yard pass to Welker on second-and-11 that he got two hands on, but couldn't catch it. A reception would have given the Pats a first down inside the Giants 20-yard line. The pass was a little behind Welker and high, but even Welker admitted it was a catch he should have made. The Pats ended up having to punt and the Giants made them pay.

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was obviously limited with his high-ankle sprain. He finished with only two catches for 26 yards.

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