The regular season is over, but Fantasy Football fun for diehards remain. It’s a definite skill to draft from the 14 playoff teams. Make sure you take an equal number of players from both conferences. In this battle of attrition, the best strategy is to pick players from teams you feel will advance. I feel strongly about the 49ers, Browns, Ravens, Buffalo and Dallas winning their first games and beyond, so stacking players from these rosters makes sense. I have less confidence in the Buccaneers, Steelers and Dolphins. This weekend, wintry weather in Buffalo and Kansas City will diminish the passing games. Additionally, you’d be wise to avoid kickers in those cities.
GIDDY UP!
Joe Flacco, QB — Can the old vet keep the magic alive in Cleveland? When Flacco faced the Texans in Week 16 he lit them up for 368 yards and three TDs. Don’t expect numbers like that again, but the Texans are a pass-funnel defense, and Flacco will benefit.
Matthew Stafford, QB — It’s impossible to run on the Lions, but the Rams won’t have to. In Week 16 and 18, journeyman QB Nick Mullens averaged 400 yards and two TDs against Detroit. It’s a smash spot for Stafford and his stellar WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
De’Von Achane, RB — Achane tore through the Bills’ D for 56 yards on eight carries and a TD in the first half, but only saw two carries in the last 30 minutes. That philosophy will not fly in frigid Kansas City this week. Achane proved he can succeed against stout run defenses, rushing for 107 yards against the Ravens in Week 17. He’ll need to repeat that effort against the Chiefs.
Amari Cooper, WR — The Browns kept Cooper out last week in their meaningless game against the Bengals to let his heel…um…heal. Like Flacco, Cooper torched the Texans’ secondary three short weeks ago for 265 yards and two TDs. Even if he did half as well this time around, it would be terrific for Cooper.
CeeDee Lamb, WR — Defenders flock to Lamb only to be fleeced for their efforts. He’s racked up 443 yards and four TDs in his last three games. The shear brilliance of Lamb will lead the Packers to slaughter.
Jayden Reed, WR — The Packers have their own version of CeeDee Lamb in Reed. He’s shown elite skill the last four games, averaging 21 Fantasy points per outing. QB Jordan Love will have to throw a lot, and Reed will get his fair share in Dallas.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR — The Rams gave up 106 yards and a TD to the Giants’ Darius Slayton two weeks ago. With all due respect to Slayton, it’s possible the uber-talented St. Brown could double those numbers this Sunday.
Dalton Kincaid, TE — Pass-catching TEs have fared well against the Steelers. Mark Andrews, Evan Engram, Trey McBride and David Njoku all had six receptions or more against them. Kincaid could repeat the seven catch, 84-yard effort he had against Miami last week.
WHOA DOWN!
Mason Rudolph, QB — Of the 14 QBs in the NFL playoffs, Mason is far and away the low man on the totem pole. It would not be surprising to see Kenny Pickett resurface in the second half in blustery Buffalo to try and stage a comeback for Pittsburgh.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB — Tua throws the football with a great deal of touch. That works in warm Miami, but in the single digits in Kansas City, he’ll need more zip than he possesses. He’ll have to rely on quick dump offs and hope his receivers can do some zipping through the Chiefs’ secondary.
Devin Singletary, RB — If the Texans are to upset the Browns, it won’t be achieved on the ground. Singletary will struggle running between the tackles and isn’t a threat as a receiver, averaging less than two catches a game.
Kyren Williams, RB — The spectacular Williams has six 100-yard efforts this year, which is six more than Detroit has given up, surrendering an average of just 60 yards per game. In the Lions’ den at Ford Field, Williams will be hard-pressed to find running room.
Tyreek Hill, WR — The Chiefs do a great job on No. 1 WRs, holding Ja’Marr Chase, Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen and A.J. Brown to four receptions or less. On a balky ankle (maybe Hill should cut back on the back-flip celebrations) and frigid temps, I’ll pass on Tyreek.
Sam LaPorta, TE — I wrote last week that the Lions should keep their players safely on the bench in their meaningless game against Minnesota. Instead, HC Dan “Gamble” Campbell foolishly played his starters and lost LaPorta to a hyper extended knee in the second quarter. LaPorta “has a chance” to play, but there’s no guarantee how effective he’ll be.
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