Well it is that time again, the time we all have been waiting for ALL year since it ended. The playoffs are finally among us and some of your guys are lucky enough to be playing for a title. I hope we can help you with some tough decisions. Here they are:
Quarterbacks - Eric
Must Start - Matthew Stafford, Det
Stafford has been mediocre for the last 4 games after his bye. He has 8 TD's and 10 INT's compared to 19 TD's and 4 INT's before his break. While that may make you kinda of skiddish, but he is playing the Vikings defense this week and if that first matchup between the two teams he went for 378 and 2 TD's. Those are certainly good fantasy numbers to help you for a win this week. Oh and last week, Tim Tebow went for 202 yds and 2 TD's. Just some food for thought
Must Sit - Andy Dalton, Cin
The Houston D has been very good this year against the pass compared to the past years. They have only allowed one QB to amass over 15 pts (Drew Brees, Week 3, 26 pts) for the year and only 4 other QB's to get over 10 points. They have 16 INT's and 12 TD's this season as well. If you can I would TRY and stay away from Dalton this week.
Sleeper - Joe Flacco, Bal
This one was tough be me to pick a sleeper for the week. At first I thought Tim Tebow, everybody's savior, but then I didn't want to LOL. So I decided to pick......................Joe Flacco. While he hasnt been amazing this year, he still has a great matchup against the Colts. They have allowed over double digit fantasy points to all but two QB's this year (Schaub and Gabbert) and six QB's with 19 or more points. Flacco would be my choice over half the other QB's in the league to start this week.
Running Backs - Jake
Must Start: Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC
MJD has averaged 99 yards in his last four games, and has shown no signs of stopping in the Jags' run heavy offense. Against a flopping Tampa Bay team, expect another 100 yard day with a probable TD or even 2.
Must Sit: Beanie Wells, ARI, & Stephen Jackson, SEA
In the cruddy NFC West, run defenses are actually pretty good, with the Seahawks and 49ers two of the best teams in the league. Jackson and Wells play them both, and neither look like strong plays against these staunch defenses.
Sleeper: Reggie Bush, MIA
It's getting tough to call Bush a sleeper anymore, as he has been consistent in TD's (four in last four games) and is coming off a 100 yard game last week. But playing against the silly Dream Team should give Bush the exposure he needs to show he can carry a team. The Eagles are allowing a whopping 4.4 yards per run, so expect a big day from Reggie, and a call from Kim Kardashian shortly afterward.
Wide Receivers - JMACisBACK
Must Start- Hakeem Nicks, NYG vs DAL ( Also Calvin, of course, DET vs MIN, Roddy White, ATL vs CAR, Dez Bryant, DAL vs NYG)
Nicks looks to be back to full health now and with the lack of Giants running game look for him to put up 6-7 catches, for over 100 yards and a score vs the Cowboys this week in a HUGE match up for both teams.
Must Bench- Julio Jones, ATL vs CAR ( also Plaxico Burres, NYJ vs KC, Desean Jackson, PHI vs Mia)
Jones is having trouble staying on the field of late and again has missed practice time this week, Roddy will blow up CAR but look for Jones to be mediocre at best still this week.
Sleeper- Brandon Lloyd, STL vs SEA ( also Percy Harvin, MIN vs DET)
Lloyd is not your typical sleeper, but with the qb situation on STL he has not been a sure bet most the time, look for him to exploit SEA secondary as he already has once this season. I expect him to get in the end zone this weekend and put up 6 or more catches with 80 or more yards as well. Harvin exploded last week and even though the headaches aer allegedly back, look for him to have a big game while playing from behind vs DET.
Tight Ends - Colby
MUST START: TE Aaron Hernandez,
New England
It doesn't get any easier for Washington after the Jets' Dustin Keller torched the Skins last week. The Patriots and their fantasy beasts of TEs come to town. Obviously, Gronkowski is the bonified #1 TE in the land, but the Patriots' third best receiving thread is their 2nd TE. Hernandez has plenty of opportunity in this game and should be started ahead of guys like Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez.
MUST BENCH: TE Fred Davis,
Washington
Davis is suspended for the rest of the season due to NFL substance abuse violations. Hurry up and hit the FA wire as fast as possible.
SLEEPER: TE Anthony Fasano,
Miami
The Fish play the Eagles this week in a game where it is tough to call Philly the favorite anymore. Let's face it, the Eagles-D stinks, Maclin hasn't been healthy, and Vick has been hurt. The team is down and out for the year, their LBs are young and ineffective in the current system, and as a result, they are weak up the middle with the wide-9 DL formation. This opens up the game for opposing offenses to not only run all over the Eagles but dump it off to middle of the field receiving threats. Look for Fasano to take advantage of these opportunities!
Defense/Special Teams - Kushton Slater
Must Start - Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are the top-ranked defense in football, allowing 16.0 ppg and lead the league with 41 sacks thus far. They will be facing a Colts team this week who average 14.5 ppg and will be starting their 3rd string quarterback. The Ravens defense is averaging over 13 fantasy points per game this year and that might top any offensive players output on the Colts side of the ball. Sit this one out and rest that toe up Ray Lewis.
Must Sit - Oakland Raiders
The Raiders defense has allowed the fifth most fantasy points to opposing QB's thus far, and the only elite QB's on that list so far have been Tom Brady and Phillip Rivers. There only averaging over 5 fantasy points a game and give up 26 ppg. Aaron Rodgers has 37 TD's to 5 INT's so far this year and is licking his chops with this weeks matchup against the Raiders at home.
Sleeper - New England Patriots
The Pats rank 13th in points allowed and their bend but don't break motto on defense will be facing a turnover prone Rex Grossman this week. The Pats and Tom Brady will force the Redskins into a shootout and that's when Grossman in vulnerable. They might even see John Beck at some point on Sunday, but excpect the same results; turnovers.
