Written By Brian Dezelske
Fantasy football playoffs start in Weeks 13 and 14, which means the playoffs are right around the corner. Dominate all the way through the playoffs by understanding how all these matchups will affect your fantasy team.
Information is based on a 12-team standard-scoring league, and obvious fantasy starters like Arian Foster and Demaryius Thomas won’t be discussed here.
STARTS
Teddy Bridgewater @ Chicago Bears
If you’re a fantasy owner struggling at the quarterback position—maybe you own Carson Palmer (ACL) or Tony Romo (bye)—Teddy Bridgewater could be a short-term solution to your issues. Teddy B. has started to show why the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He has two games in a row without committing a turnover and is averaging over 250 yards passing over that span. He’s also averaging 14.5 fantasy points in those two games, while the Chicago Bears have given up 11 touchdowns and 70 fantasy points to signal-callers the last two weeks. If you’re hurting at QB, Teddy could be a savior this week.
Josh McCown @ Washington (Football Team)
It was way back in Week 3 when we last saw Josh McCown on the field. He was benched in the second half of that game against the Atlanta Falcons in favor of Mike Glennon. After sitting for five games, McCown got another opportunity… against the Falcons. He went over 300 yards and threw two touchdowns. This week he’ll face a Washington team that gives up the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Like the aforementioned Teddy Bridgewater, McCown is a fantastic plug-and-play option to get you on to the next week.
Alfred Morris vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The spike in Alfred Morris’ production has sparked a turnaround in his season, and thus giving a boost to all of his fantasy owners. He’s found the end zone three times in the last two games, and has at least 85 scrimmage yards per game over that span. Morris makes for a solid low-end RB1 option against the Bucs defense which gives up 18.2 fantasy points per game to running backs, especially with four of the Top 25 fantasy backs on a bye.
Jeremy Maclin @ Green Bay Packers
This may seem like an obvious start to some, but it may need to be reinforced that owners need to stick with Jeremy Maclin and not start worrying that he may have fallen off after his 3-38 performance on Monday night. Maclin is the No. 4 fantasy receiver right now and should keep up his pace with Mark Sanchez at the helm. Chip Kelly’s high-octane offense should keep up with Green Bay’s high-powered offense, which will afford Maclin plenty of opportunity to succeed. He garners a WR1 grade and will continue to going forward.
Travis Kelce vs. Seattle Seahawks
Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs will lean heavily on young tight end Travis Kelce this Sunday when they host the Seattle Seahawks. He leads the team in touchdown receptions and is one of just two K.C. pass catchers (Anthony Fasano) to find the end zone this season. With the Legion of Boom most likely locking down K.C.’s receivers, Kelce will be a focal point against a Seahawks defense that has given up 10 touchdowns to the tight end position.
SITS
Andy Dalton @ New Orleans Saints
It won’t be hard for Andy Dalton to be better than he was last week on Thursday Night Football. He threw for 86 yards and gave his fantasy owners negative three points. However, Dalton being better this week still won’t be good enough to warrant him being in anyone’s lineup. The Saints have held opposing quarterbacks to 15 or less fantasy points in three of their last four games, with the lone exception being Aaron Rodgers. Owners need to steer clear of Dalton until he shows considerable improvement.
Ben Tate vs. Houston Texans
There is a legitimate three-headed running back attack in Cleveland right now, and that doesn’t bode well for any of the backs, including Ben Tate. It is true that Tate, Isaiah Crowell and Terrence West all scored last week, but Tate got the least amount of touches of the three. Also, nobody knows what the coaching staff is going to do from week to week. The Browns’ running back situation is a complete crapshoot and simply not worth the risk, especially if fantasy owners are scratching and clawing for a spot in the playoffs.
C.J. Anderson/Montee Ball @ St. Louis Rams
Much like the Cleveland Browns running back situation, the Denver Broncos will most likely use a committee this Sunday in St. Louis. Montee Ball is making his return and will probably split snaps with C.J. Anderson because Ronnie Hillman (foot) is on the shelf for 2-3 weeks. Anderson looks like he’ll be tapped to start, but Denver will ease Ball back into the mix and he could garner goal line duties—making either player a sketchy flex option at best.
Larry Fitzgerald vs. Detroit Lions
Don’t let Larry Fitzgerald posting two 100-yard games in the last three weeks fool you. The Detroit Lions have a very, very good defense and give up the fewest points to opposing receivers. You mix that with Fitz losing Carson Palmer (ACL) for the year, and owners are going to want to look elsewhere for receiver help in Week 11.
Pierre Garcon vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sitting Pierre Garcon doesn’t have anything to do with his upcoming matchup. The Bucs are actually pretty awful on defense, but Garcon has been even worse. He has five games with less than 35 yards receiving and has been relegated to the third option behind tight end Jordan Reed. And if that isn’t enough to sway owners from starting him, he only has two double-digit fantasy outings this year. Stay away from this guy if you’re fighting for a playoff spot, because he will do more harm than good right now.
NOTES
A.J. Green
Good news for A.J. Green owners. Last week Green posted just his seventh game with less than 40 yards receiving. In the games to immediately follow the previous six, he bounced back with at least 100 yards or a touchdown five times.
Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson ranks 15th in total rushing yards in the NFL, ahead of notable names like Eddie Lacy and Giovani Bernard, and only 33 yards behind Jamaal Charles.
Julius Thomas
Julius Thomas has scored on 31.5 percent of his receptions and 24.5 percent of his targets.