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Patriots dominate Playoff Challenge in Week 3

The matchup is set for Super Bowl XLIX. The Seahawks will fly to Arizona to try and defend their title against the Patriots. It should be an hard-fought game. It should also make it a little bit easier for everyone still playing the NFL Playoff Challenge to set their lineups for the final game of the NFL season. But before we start looking ahead to what could happen in Glendale, let's look back at what happened on Championship Sunday

Quarterback:Tom Brady (26 percent started)

For the second straight week, Brady was fantasy football's top quarterback. Undeterred by the wind and rain at Foxborough, Brady torched the Colts defense to the tune of 226 passing yards and three touchdowns. In the past two weeks, the Patriots signal-caller has racked up 593 passing yards with six touchdowns and a combined 50 fantasy points. He'll have to play well to continue that trend against the Legion of Boom.

Running backs:LeGarrette Blount (21 percent started) and Marshawn Lynch (72 percent started)

If you were surprised by Blount's big day against Indianapolis, you haven't been paying attention. When the Colts and Pats met earlier in the season, the fantasy football world was formally introduced to Jonas Gray. But with Gray vanishing into the fantasy ether afer that game ended, it stood to reason that Blount would be the man to carry the load for New England's offense ... and he did. By day's end, Blount had piled up 148 yards and three touchdowns for 32 points.

Like many of his Seahawks teammates, Lynch got off to a slow start on Sunday. However Beast Mode kicked in after halftime and Lynch looked more like the back that we've come to expect. As a big part of Seattle's come-from-behind win, Lynch posted 183 scrimmage yards (157 rushing) with a touchdown. It's no surprise that he has been one of the most preferred running backs in this season's NFL Playoff Challenge.

Wide receivers:Randall Cobb (13 percent started) and Julian Edelman (32 percent started)

Considering the receiving corps that remained on Championship Sunday, it seemed likely that a Packers receiver would finish among the top scorers at the position. If you were thinking that player would be Jordy Nelson, you thought incorrectly. Instead, it was Randall Cobb who earned that honor mostly on the strength of his touchdown catch. Now the question is: was that Cobb's final touchdown catch as a member of the Green Bay Packers? Intriguing indeed, but probably best left for another day. Either way, if you went with Cobb you now need to find a new wideout.

Last week, Julian Edelman threw a touchdown pass. This week, he wasn't involved in any of the Patriots scoring but he did make an impact in the aerial attack. Edelman had nine receptions for 98 yards and one rush for 12 yards in the blowout victory. As the most consistent pass-catcher not named Gronkowski, Edelman is likely to gain in popularity as the Playoff Challenge heads into its final weekend.

Tight end:Rob Gronkowski (72 percent started)

Gronk might not have delivered huge numbers -- he didn't even get to double-digits this week -- but there really was no other choice at the tight end position in this contest. The overwhelming majority of Playoff Challenge users made the choice to roll with Gronkowski from the beginning. As for the rest of you? Welcome to the party, pal.

Kicker:Mason Crosby (6 percent started)

For the second straight week, Crosby topped the fantasy kicker standings. The veteran kicker talled 16 points thanks to five field goals and an extra point. However you might get the feeling that if he had kicked a couple fewer field goals and a couple more extra points, we'd be talking about the Packers being headed to Arizona. Alas...

Defense:New England Patriots (12 percent)

The Patriots dominated the colts in just about every way imaginable. New England forced Indy into three turnovers and held the Colts offense to just seven points. This unit has continued to play better as the season has progressed. Does that mean the Pats' defense will be a more popular choice than the Seahawks for Super Bowl week? I wouldn't count on it.

Marcas Grant is a fantasy editor for NFL.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarcasG.

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