NEWTON DELIVERS

Good health and a star quarterback will go a long way in fantasy football. Owners needed both Sunday to earn a win in what, for most leagues, was the semifinal round of the fantasy playoffs.

Leading the charge was the Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton, who posted his third five-touchdown game in five weeks.

Newton completed 25 of 45 passes for 340 yards and ran for 100 yards on eight carries against the New York Giants. His 41.6 fantasy points led all players. COUSINS COMES THROUGH Newton wasn’t the only quarterback to shine in Week 15. The Washington Redskins’ Kirk Cousins turned in another stellar game at home, throwing for 319 yards and four touchdowns (two to tight end Jordan Reed). Cousins ran for another touchdown in his best game of the season.

Teddy Bridgewater of the Minnesota Vikings threw for 231 yards and four scores. Like Cousins, Bridgewater also ran for a TD. DEVASTATING INJURIES Perhaps one of the reasons Bridgewater did so much was an ankle injury that temporarily sidelined running back Adrian Peterson. Though he returned, he was largely ineffective, finishing with 63 yards on 18 carries.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (one catch, 10 yards, a TD), Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (10 carries, 29 yards) and New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (one reception, 3 yards) also had their days cut short by injury. BROAD SHOULDERS AWARD Newton clearly did the most to carry his fantasy owners to victory, but Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers was by far the week’s best wide receiver.

Brown had 16 catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns and finished with the most fantasy points of any wideout.