Written By Brian Dezelske
The fantasy football playoffs are finally here, and I have everything you need to help dominate your opponent this week and get to the next round of the playoffs.
Elite players such as Calvin Johnson and Aaron Rodgers are not featured, as they are to be in starting lineups every week. Also, information is based on a 12-team standard-scoring league.
STARTS
Philip Rivers vs. New England Patriots
Just when damn near everybody was sticking a fork in Philip Rivers’ fantasy season, he bounces back in a big way with three touchdowns and 384 yards against the Baltimore Ravens. He had a huge day against a really good defense, and it now begs the question: Can he keep it going against the New England Patriots? The answer is yes. Starting quarterbacks have scored at least 19 fantasy points and at least two touchdowns in four of the last five games against the Pats. That trend has Rivers projected as a Top-6 fantasy QB by week’s end.
Chris Ivory @ Minnesota Vikings
Fantasy owners who are wondering if they should roll the dice with Chris Ivory this week should know that it would not be gambling. Starting him is a sure-fire winner. He garners the majority of the running back touches, including goal line carries. He also faces a Vikings front seven that has allowed at least 85 rush yards to starting running backs in four straight games, while giving up three touchdowns. The Jets’ quarterback situation could be cause for concern, but he should still grind out a nice RB2 showing when it’s all said and done.
Joique Bell vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Joique Bell finally found the end zone on Thanksgiving Day for the first time since Week 7. He hit paydirt twice in the Detroit Lions' 34-17 pasting of the Chicago Bears. Bell could have a repeat performance as the fantasy playoffs kick off here in Week 14. The Tampa Bay Bucs are giving up 18.5 fantasy points per game on the road to opposing running backs. It looks like Reggie Bush will be back on Sunday, but Bell owners need not be concerned as he’ll remain the bell cow. Bush will just take over duties that had been handled by Theo Riddick.
Kenny Stills vs. Carolina Panthers
Nobody has benefited more from the absence of Brandon Cooks than Kenny Stills. Since Cooks was put on IR after Week 11, Stills leads the Saints’ offense with 15 targets and is averaging 130 receiving yards in two games. Getting a weak Carolina Panthers secondary at home on the fast indoor track should have Stills licking his chops and fantasy owners doing backflips. He has fantastic flex appeal this week, with very attainable WR2 upside.
Brandon LaFell @ San Diego Chargers
It’s to the point now where Brandon LaFell is a legitimate every-week start in PPR leagues, and a more-than-worthy flex option going forward in standard leagues. He has seven scores in the last nine games and is, by far, Tom Brady’s No. 1 target at the wide receiver position. The San Diego Chargers have allowed eight touchdowns to wide receivers in the last five games, suggesting that LaFell could be in line for another trip into the end zone this week.
SITS
Ryan Fitzpatrick @ Jacksonville Jaguars
This may seem too easy and a waste of time writing about him, but there are still owners out there who will dash to the waiver wire this week to pick up Fitzmagic—and it’s because those six touchdowns he threw will cloud the brains of fantasy owners everywhere. Don’t be one of those owners. It was just his first 300-yard game of the season, and he only had 11 touchdown passes before Sunday’s explosion. Also, the Jags have been pretty stout against quarterbacks. They’ve allowed an average of just 12 fantasy points to the position over the last seven games. I’m telling you, it’s a trap. Don’t fall in.
Lamar Miller vs. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Miller found the endzone on Monday night against the NY Jets for the first time since Week 9. However, it was a hard-fought game, and Miller only finished with 56 rush yards. Owners were lucky to get that touchdown from him, but they may not be so lucky this week. Baltimore gives up the fewest points to opposing running backs but allows the most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Look for Ryan Tannehill to air it out a bunch, leaving limited touches for Dolphins’ runners.
Tre Mason @ Washington (Football Team)
Tre Mason had his coming out party last Sunday at the expense of the Oakland Raiders. Mason finished with 164 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. If you were lucky enough to start him, like I was, he probably propelled you into the playoffs — like he did for me. However, what he did was against the NFL’s worst run defense. This week he’ll be facing one of the better run defenses in the league, and it will be on the road. That’s a lot to ask of a rookie, especially now that it’s the playoffs.
Steve Smith @ Miami Dolphins
Steve Smith started the year off with a giant bang, but has completely fallen off the last two months. He has just one touchdown in the last six games, and is averaging just 4.5 fantasy points over that span. Torrey Smith has retaken his rightful spot as the clear No. 1 option, and that’s not going to change the rest of this season. Another tough matchup should hold the elder Smith to another single-digit week as the Miami Dolphins have shut opposing wideouts out of the end zone in four of their last seven games.
Roddy White @ Green Bay Packers
It’s way too risky to count on Roddy White right now with the playoffs here. His ankle injury kept him out of last week’s game against Arizona, and now he’s sure to be a gametime decision this week — and the Falcons play on Monday night. Waiting until Monday night to find out if White will be active is the last thing owners want to do in this situation. Sit him and get someone in the lineup that will definitely make a contribution.
NOTES
Rob Gronkowski vs. Jimmy Graham
Through 12 games, both Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham have 65 receptions and nine touchdowns. However, Gronk has 910 yards, while Graham only has 670 yards.
Golden Tate
Golden Tate has five 100-yard games so far in 2014, which is two more than the total number he had in four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
Steve Smith Sr.
Steve Smith has four 100-yard games this year, but none after Week 6. He also has five touchdowns, but only one coming after Week 6.
Brian Dezelske is the host of The Ticket Fantasy Football Podcast, which you can catch here on 105TheTicket.com. He also covers fantasy football for Sports Radio 105 The Ticket’s Cold Omaha. Before that he was a contributor to Bruno Boys Fantasy Football and was also a featured columnist at Bleacher Report covering the Minnesota Vikings. Follow him on Twitter @BrianDezelske.