Thursday, December 9, 2010

Playoffs??!!

Let the Fantasy Football playoffs begin! It has been a long season filled with unexpected injuries and more twist and turns then a Connecticut side road. We have seen Chris Johnson, the consensus number one pick, struggle this season. We have also witnessed undrafted players like Peyton Hillis and Brandon Lloyd turn into fantasy powerhouses. If you are still interested in your fantasy football team then congratulations, because it is playoff time. Whether you limped into the postseason or you’re a top seed, the chase is on for the league title. It doesn’t matter if you are playing for bragging rights or a cash prize; it’s always fun to win the title! Here are some things to keep in mind when setting your roster for the next couple of weeks.

Play the Matchups
As a rule, always play the players that you counted on all year long, regardless of who they are playing. When it comes to those positions that you are not sure who to start then you should play the match up. We all know who the good defenses are and who the good offenses are. Use this information to your advantage. Also, be sure to pay attention to the weather where the game is being played. The biggest enemy to a pass attack is high wind and if you start a QB or WR in that situation you will be in trouble. Finally, use your players to help counter an opposing QB or WR. There is nothing worse then watching an opposing owners QB throw to a WR on your bench. Like I said before, go with the guys that got you to this point, but use the ideas above to help filter through players to start in your Flex or second RB/WR positions.

Keep One Eye on the NFL and the Other on the Waiver Wires
There are so many teams still alive to make the NFL playoffs but as the games get played that picture becomes clearer and clearer. There will be a team or two that will clinch a spot in the postseason before there done playing regular season games. If this happens then the starters tend to play less to avoid injury. Don’t let this catch you off guard, make sure you have quality back ups at QB and RB just in case. The waiver wires are your only option to add players to your team, and as we are all painfully aware of, an injury can happen on any play. This is another reason to use the waivers to grab all the quality back ups you have room for.

Post Season Waiver Wire Sleepers

James Starks RB Green Bay
When Ryan Grant suffered an injury early in the season we all thought that Brandon Jackson would step in and be successful. After a couple of games we realized that Jackson was not the producer we thought he would be. The trade deadline came and passed and the Packers did not make a move for a RB and Starks was the reason they didn’t. The rookie RB started the season on the PUP list but was activated and saw his first action on Sunday. He played well; rushing for over 73 yards on a team high 17 carries. He does have a history of injury and is a rookie but this kid could be difference for the Packers and fantasy football owners. I have mentioned this kid before and after watching some film on him I am convinced that, if he can stay healthy, he will be the guy in GB for sometime. Other RB’s to add are Tashard Choice, Pierre Thomas, Javarris James, James Davis, Javarris James, and Michael Bush.


Jacoby Ford WR Oakland
Ford has really started to prove that he’s not a one game wonder. He has scored in two straight games and has totaled 13 catches for 287 yards since landing more playing time. This week he faces a Jaguars pass defense that's allowed 22 passing touchdowns on the season including 15 to wide receivers. He returns kicks so if your league rewards points to the player for returns, he is a great flex option. Other WR’s to add are Earl Bennant, Donald Driver, Danny Amendola, Hines Ward and Ben Obomanu.

Ed Dickson TE Ravens
The TE position has been a thorn in the side of all Fantasy Owners this year. Besides San Diego’s Antonio Gates, there haven’t been any reliable or consistent options. Baltimore’s long time starting TE, Todd Heap, suffered a hamstring injury last week and is out for the foreseeable future. Dickson was targeted seven times and had three catches for 21 yards once Heap went down. The Ravens like to use their TE and Dickson will see his share of passes. If you are going against Flacco this week and don’t have a reliable TE, Dickson is your guy. Other TE’s to add are, Rob Gronkowski, Joel Dresson and John Carlson.

As for QB, it will be hard to find anyone on waivers that you can trust to start. My advice is to go with your starter and add the best QB you can find on waivers just in case your starter goes down to injury. If your playing this week then congrats and good luck. Do what you can to get a win this week your season depends on it!

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