For most fantasy leagues, week 14 marks the start of the playoffs. These three weeks bring with them added pressure. But with that pressure comes the chance for glory, and, more importantly, the chance to smack talk everyone in your league should you be victorious.
Since we are officially in playoff mode, we’re going to change things up just a bit. I’ll only be picking one running back and one receiver since most teams that are in the playoffs should be deep enough not to need too much help, and since you wouldn’t want to rely on a gamble at this important stage of the season anyway. But first, let’s take a look at last week’s picks:
Time to Shine:
QB Kerry Collins, Tennessee: It’s not that Collins played a poor game, it’s just that the Titans had to use for the pass since the Lions had no interest in stopping the run. Good completion percentage, but 127 passing yards doesn’t get it done. Miss.
RB Justin Fargas, Oakland: 82 rushing yards and a touchdown make Fargas the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal season for the Raiders. Hit.
RB Julius Jones, Seattle: It’s hard to take revenge on your former team when you keep coughing up the football. Miss.
WR Kevin Curtis, Philly: Curtis had a decent receiving day, but his inability to get into the end zone makes this one a miss.
WR Devin Hester, Chcago: Hester came up a little short on the yards, but the touchdown makes starting him worthwhile. Hit.
Ride the Pine:
QB Drew Brees, New Orleans: The 296 passing yards were good and so were the two touchdown passes, but the three interceptions were killers. Oddly enough, you would have done just as well with Jeff Garcia’s 119 passing yards, 42 rushing yards, and one touchdown. Hit.
RB Clinton Portis, Washington: When your quarterback outrushes you, you know you’ve had a bad day. Hit.
RB Ladainian Tomlinson, San Diego: He was outrushed by Jacob Hester, but he did have 42 receiving yards and a touchdown. It wasn’t pretty but this one is a miss.
WR Calvin Johnson, Detroit: 66 receiving yards was all Johnson could gain on the one day of the year anyone cares even a little bit about the Lions. Hit.
WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona: Not a lot of yards, but two touchdowns would make any fantasy owner happy. Miss.
Week 13 Totals: 5-5
Overall Totals: 57-60-5
On to this week’s picks:
Time to Shine:
QB Gus Frerotte, Minnesota: If the Lions aren’t desperate yet, they should be. They’ll make an extra effort to stop Adrian Peterson this week, leaving passing lanes open and Gus will take advantage. 200 yards and two scores this week.
RB Sammy Morris, New England: While the Patriots seem to have fallen in love with the pass the last few weeks, Belichick loves to mix things up, and a few extra carries for Morris would not be out of the question. 75 yards and a score in Seattle this week.
WR Domenik Hixon, New York Giants: If you’re a receiver for the Giants, the bar has been set pretty low as far as what constitutes letting the team down. As long as Hixon doesn’t shoot himself, the Giants should be happy. 70 yards and a score should make you happy too.
Ride the Pine:
QB Tony Romo, Dallas: The city of Dallas has stopped worrying about a little finger and are now fretting over a little toe. If Barber isn’t 100% come Sunday, Dallas may have a hard time moving the football against Pittsburgh through the air. Poor December weather may also make this a long day for Romo.
RB Clinton Portis, Washington: Until Portis proves he is healthy again, and until the Redskins play a team that struggles stopping the run, I’m keeping him on this list.
WR Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City: Bowe does have three touchdowns in his last three games, but he may have a tough time in Denver. While the Bronco pass defense is nothing to fear, the cold weather is. Also, the Broncos will have revenge on their mind after losing to the lowly Chiefs earlier this season.
