Phew, I hope your first week of the playoffs wasn’t as close as mine! I barely made it, but I’m still standing. Hopefully you’re still alive and thriving as well, my friends! Here’s the fallout into week 15

 

Vikings vs Cardinals

 

• Diggs has disappeared over the last several weeks, but if you look at his opponents over the last 3 weeks, you can’t be that surprised. He’s gone up against ATL, SEA, and ARI over that stretch. These are all top pass defending teams. If you’re devastated by injury, or you’re a Dez Bryant owner, you could do worse than to try him in week 16 where he faces the Giants. He’s got Chicago this week, so I’m not expecting much.

 

• Michael Floyd has gone over 100 yds in 3 of his last 4 games, despite seeing fewer targets than Fitzgerald or Brown. I identified him earlier this season as one of the most underrated players who has potential for big stat lines on fewer targets, and he has Philly up this week so he’s a prime DFS play this week in addition to his regular fantasy usage.

 

• Fitzgerald, on the other hand, has put up subpar numbers outside of pprs these last fews weeks. I’d rather play Brown or Floyd over Fitz during these playoffs if I owned him and either of those two or in DFS.

 

Redskins vs Bears

 

• Neither Alfred Morris nor Matt Jones did much against the Bears, and will continue to eat into each other’s snaps in these playoffs. I do think Jones makes for a slightly better play against Buffalo though.

 

• Jordan Reed is doing everything for the Redskins and remains the only consistent week to week play for them.

 

• Martellus who? Zach Miller is picking up right where Bennett left off and will be a high end TE1 for the playoffs..

 

• Forte and Langford are splitting carries right down the middle these days, making Forte  a RB2 and Langford RB3 for the playoffs. Forte gets a push for his versatility and nose for the goal line.

 

Steelers vs Bengals

 

• The Bengals have Big Ben’s number apparently. They’ve handed him is two of his three lowest point totals on the season. Fortunately, he won’t face them again. Unfortunately, he plays Denver this week. I like his receivers more than him in the matchup.

 

• Heath Miller led all Steeler pass catchers in week 14 and could see a similar role against Denver, as they give up more to TEs than WRs.

 

• A.J. McCarron wasn’t half bad against the Steelers, but he wasn’t particularly good either. I’d keep rolling with my Bengals this week, outside of McCarron.

 

• Marvin Jones gets a bump if Eifert misses time with his concussion.

 

49ers vs Bears

 

• Just looking at the box score from this game, I can’t use any 49er, except maybe Draughn – if I’m desperate – against the Bengals in week 15.

 

• The same can be said for the Browns this week as they face the Seahawks, even Crowell, who you knew was sneaky play in week 14 if you listened to the show on Saturday…

 

• I take that back. I’d roll will Barnidge against Seattle.

 

Chargers vs Chiefs

 

• The Chargers are intent on getting Melvin Gordon reps whether it helps the team or not. Danny Woodhead is barely rosterable these days.

 

• Doesn’t seem like there’s enough offense to go around in KC to allow more than one player to go off in any given week. Chances are it won’t be Wilson in week 15.

 

• Ware and West are canceling each other out. There’s a chance Ware sits this week though, so that’s music to West’s owners’ ears.

 

Lions vs Rams

 

• Theo Riddick remains the best bet for fantasy points from a Lions RB.

 

• Every winning formula for the Lions includes getting Mega involved early and often. I only wish they’d realize that.

 

• It was nice to see Gurley get back on track versus the Lions. Too bad I can’t say the same for the rest of the Rams offense. Keenum, Foles — it doesn’t really matter who’s under center. The Rams offense is anemic outside of Gurley and the occasional Austin pop off.

 

Titans vs Jets

 

• So much for Cobb taking over the backfield this season. Try again next year.

 

• As many strides as Dorial Green-Beckham has taken recently, I don’t like him or any Titan pass catcher not named Walker against the Pats this week. They take away your team’s greatest strength, and for the Titans that’s Mariota.

 

• Who knew the Jets would be the model of offensive productivity this year? They’ve been able to support a top 10 QB, Rb and two WR1s thus far.

 

• Powell has gotten a lot of run these past couple of weeks because the Jets have gone up against tough run defenses, and his pass catching has come in handy. I’m a little scared that the Jets won’t need him as much against the Cowboys this week.

 

Bills vs Eagles

 

• Karlos Williams looks very questionable for week 15. If he doesn’t play, I’m not trusting Mike Gillislee to hit pay dirt again.

 

• Robert Woods could be worth a streamer this week, should Clay miss time.

 

• The Eagles have created a dreaded three-headed monster in their backfield. I’m wary of the whole situation, but Sproles offers the most potential value against a stout Arizona front.

 

Saints vs Buccaneers

 

• Tim Hightower had a 3.0 run average and hadn’t played in a game in years, but sheer volume elevated his fantasy output to RB1 status in week 14. He should continue to see heavy workloads for these playoffs.

 

• I’m not saying he’s going to feast every week from here on out, but Colston has always been a notorious late season riser.

 

• Well, Winston didn’t provide the monster we all hoped we’d see against the Saints, but it just goes to show that division games can be the great equalizer sometimes, e.g. Big Ben vs. Bengals.

 

• As underwhelming as he was in week 14, ASJ could be in line for a big day if VJax misses time with his knee.

 

Falcons vs Panthers

 

• Division rival or not, Carolina is going to punch you in the neck. Matt Ryan looks woefully overwhelmed every time he steps onto the field these days, and the Panthers made him pay.
• Even against the Jaguars, I hate Ryan. You have to start your other Falcons against them though.

 

• Ted Ginn Jr. made the most of his 2 – yes 2 – catches that netted him 2 Tds and 120 yds, and he should have another fantasy boom this week with Greg Olsen probably limited and maybe out.

 

• J Stew has a sprained foot and may miss week 15. That leaves Mike Tolbert, Fozzy Whittaker and Cameron Artis-Payne to pick up the slack. Good luck deciding who of these three is the most valuable.

 

Colts vs Jaguars

 

• The Colts expect Hasselbeck to be ready this weekend, but I might honestly prefer Whitehurst over him. Hassy’s arm is falling apart, and Whitehurst isn’t 40. They have similar floors.

 

• The Jaguars are an offensive powerhouse with their full complement of skill players, as made evident in their 50+ burger Sunday. They may be without Yeldon this week, but they’ll still be hella productive, even against the Falcons who have a good secondary but are fading.

 

• Denard Robinson is arguably the top waiver add this week, as he would be line line for significant action if Yeldon sits.

 

Seahawks vs Ravens

 

• No running game, no problem. Wilson and Baldwin are single handedly winnings games for fantasy owners.

 

• Tyler Lockett should stay pretty hot against the Browns this week. I’d consider flexing him.

 

• DuJuan Harris got the rock when Rawls went down, but the ‘Hawks added Bryce Brown today, making the forecast cloudy for touches. Heck, you might be able to use both of them against Cleveland. *Harris has been let go as of this evening. It’s the Bryce Brown show, with F Jax as the pass catching back.

 

• There’s a slight chance Schaub returns this week. Who would have thought you would have ever been eagerly awaiting the return of Matt Schaub this season? Crazy year…

 

• Even with no Schaub, Aiken remains close to a WR2, as the Ravens have basically no other means of moving the ball in the air right now.

 

• I told you West was going to eat into Allen’s carries…

 

Raiders vs Broncos

 

• Hope you didn’t start Cooper in week 14. I’ve said it before, Carr isn’t afraid to go to his other receivers when Cooper is covered up. He is worth a gamble against the Packers, as it should be a high scoring game.

 

• Murray is a RB2 this week. He just doesn’t have that high a ceiling.

 

• When in doubt, Osweiler went to his TEs Sunday, leaving Sanders out in the cold. He should have an easier time against Pittsburgh this week though.

 

• The same can’t be said for the Broncos’ RBs this week, as they face the almost league best versus the run Steelers. I’d only play Hillman if I had to.

 

Cowboys vs Packers

 

• I think the Cowboys would be better off just running the wildcat all day than using Matt Cassel anymore. He’s useless. I don’t see the Boys generating much of any offense against the Jets this week though, as all they can do is run the ball, and the Jets know how to stymie that.

 

• Dez has a knee issue, but the Cowboys are intent on playing him this week. You shouldn’t be. He’s making a visit to Revis island, and he won’t be coming back.

 

• Lacy looks like a new man. I don’t know if it’s from being in the doghouse for missing curfew, or if it’s the 3 latenight quarter pounders he scarfed down that made him miss curfew in the first place, but he’s a good bet to finish the year strong.

 

Patriots vs Texans

 

• Blount was seen on crutches after game, and that’s not a good sign for a big man *He’s done for the season. True to form, the Pats used Bolden over White after White had the big game last week. Bolden would be my best bet for touches this week, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the script is flipped.

 

• Gronk came back from the dead to devastate the Texans like no other player could. He didn’t seem to have any setbacks and should be good to go this week.

 

• With the win, and after locking up the AFC east after the Dolphins loss, The Pats have little incentive to rush Edelman back now. I wouldn’t plan on him returning this week.

 

• The Texans were pitiful on Sunday night, but they should bounce back somewhat against the Colts, who are giving it up to everyone. Jonathan Grimes might even be worth a deep league flex if Blue stays hobbled.

 

Giants vs Dolphins

 

• Jennings got 22 carries and still only mustered 88 yds versus the Dolphins. No Giants back is usable against the Panthers this week.

 

• It will be interesting to see what ODB can do matched up with Norman. Norman has been the best all season, but all ODB needs is one.

 

• Lamar Miller was going bonkers in the first half but then disappeared in the 3rd quarter. I don’t know if it was injury or that he knew I was playing against him in fantasy and needed the win, but it’s disconcerting. You have to play him against the Chargers this week though, even if he’s banged up.

 

• DeVante Parker was nowhere to be seen on Monday night, and that’s scary news for his owners who are planning on using him in week 15. This is what can happen with rookie WRs though, e.g. Diggs.