By Ric Atkinson
Fantasy Superbowl time. If you’re still hanging around in your league, then congratulations. You’re one (or two) steps away from grabbing the brass ring. This is a huge week that demands you make the best possible decisions about your lineup. Here’s a few tips that might help you get over the hump if you have a hole somewhere on your team that you need to plug.
Need an option at running back or flex position?
Look no further than Jason Snelling. Michael Turner was unable to practice on Wednesday and looks unlikely to play this weekend, so Snelling should be the Falcons number one option at running back. He’ll be going against the Bills and their retched run defense. Buffalo gives up an average of 27.0 fantasy points per week to running backs. That is the most in the NFL. Look for 100-plus yards and a TD from Snelling. He’s a good option as a number two running back, and a great flex play.
Here’s a few other running back/flex options I like this weekend:
Beanie Wells vs St. Louis (2nd most rushing TDs allowed this season)
Fred Jackson at Atlanta (allowing the 10th most fantasy points to running backs this season)
Pierre Thomas vs Tampa Bay (allowing the 7th most fantasy points to running backs this season)
Jerome Harrison vs Oakland (most rushing TDs allowed this season)
Looking for an option at quarterback?
If you made it this far in the playoffs you most likely have a pretty good option at quarterback, but if you are looking for a sleeper QB play this weekend take a look at Alex Smith. He has the best possible match up for a quarterback; a home game against the Lions. Detroit gives up a league high average of 23.6 fantasy points per week to QBs. Look for Smith to have somewhere around 20 points this week.
What does all the drama in Minnesota mean to fantasy owners?
I think it’s good news for Adrian Peterson owners, and bad news for Favre, Rice, Harvin, and Berrian owners. The battle of wills between Favre and Brad Childress is about control of the offense. Ultimately, Favre will have his way, but I look for him to at least give in a little bit and be a little slower to check out of a running play and into passing plays.
Best plays of the weekend:
Andre Johnson at Miami. Quite simply he is the best wide receiver in the league going up against a couple of rookie corner backs in the most important week of the fantasy football season. This is the fantasy football equivalent of the perfect storm. Miami’s corners (Vontae Davis and Sean Smith) are in for a long afternoon. Look for 25+ points from Johnson.
Aaron Rodgers vs Seattle. Look for another huge game from Rodgers this weekend. He’s been on a real role and the Seahawks give up an average of 20.6 fantasy points per week to quarterbacks. I’m looking for him to exceed that number. I’m expecting 25 plus fantasy points. Another Packer you want to be sure to start if you own him is Donald Driver. He should also have a great weekend.
Looking for a #3 Wide Receiver option?
How about another guy facing the lions. Alex Smith seems to look at Josh Morgan as his top wide receiver option. Morgan has scored two touchdowns in the past three weeks. I’m looking for him to pick up another one this week. He should be good for 10-12 fantasy points. That’s not a bad number if you start three receivers in your league.
Looking for a Defense/Special Team option?
You might want to take a look at the Cardinals playing the Rams. The Rams give up the second most points to D/STs (7.9 fantasy points per week). This week they will be starting Keith Null at QB. Two weeks ago Null threw five interceptions. Should be 10 point week for Arizona’s D/ST.
Well that’s it for this week. Good luck and as always remember to start your studs.
Tags: Fantasy Football, Ric