Week 15 Fantasy Start and Sit: Post Season Glory for those who utilized the Waiver Wire Effectively
By Editorial Staff
My Fantasy Preparations Record 11-2
Opponent (Playoffs Semi-Finals)
Urine Trouble
Record 8-5
Transactions:
I did not make any transactions this week. As I have shown throughout the season the waiver wire is vital to winning in fantasy football: the acquisitions of Laurent Robinson, Roy Helu, Dan Bailey, and Ben Tate have paid great dividends for me. This is the playoffs so I believe, baring injuries, that my roster is set.
Starters
Matthew Stafford was my best draft pick. I waited and selected him in the latter part of Round 7 knowing full well my Fantasy Team hung on his fragile Shoulders…I was rewarded and now might keep him in my keeper league. This week he plays at Oaklandwho is giving up the 11th most fantasy points. Stafford is a must start this week.
At RB I am starting Ray Rice versus at San Diego. Ray Rice has been a PPR stud and has an okay matchup. The Chargers are giving up the 22nd most points to fantasy RB’s so they are hard to run on, but are prone to giving up huge passing days to their running backs. I think Rice will be in for a solid day.
Why is McFadden still hurt????? I mean this is getting on preposterous. He was supposed to be back by now; this is the last year I draft Run DMC. I am lucky I drafted Marshawn Lynch and held off cutting him earlier in the season. Marshawn has a troublesome matchup this week but has run for solid totals against elite run defenses this year. Lynch plays at Chicagowhich has been a middle of the road defense for fantasy RB’s. I expect the Bears to game plan to shut him down but I expect in a close contest that Lynch will receive plenty of touches. Lynch is a must start regardless of the matchup at this point in the season.
Wes Welker is playing at Denverthis week. While Denveris giving up the 6th most points to opposing wide receivers, Champ Bailey usually shuts down his man. I expect Bailey to give Welker his full attention. Still Welker is Brady’s main target and is a must start each week. I have an expression that many share, “Do not sit your stars.” I suggest you stick to that strategy. Ride the horse that got you there is another one.
Jordy Nelson has been one good game, followed by, one okay game all season long. That being said he has had his best season as a professional. His production has been limited by the amount of weapons the Packers have, not by his performance. That might change this week with Greg Jennings out. The Packers play at Kansas City who is very stingy to opposing WR’s. I am not a huge fan of this matchup, but the Packers are rolling and I expect Nelson to get plenty of targets.
Along with Lynch, Laurent Robinson has been a fantasy savior. Even with Miles back last week he went for over 100 yards and a touchdown. Austin and Romo have great chemistry and this will continue this week at TampaBay. The Buccs have given up the 17th most points to fantasy WR’s but that number is rising every week with their team apparently given up. Expect huge things this week from Robinson.
TE Jimmy Graham is going to make life hard when I have to choose my keeper list. Playing on the Saints Graham will get to play with Brees for the foreseeable future. This week Graham plays at Minnesota which has not given up much for opposing TE’s. That said, they have not played an offense like the Saints with a TE like Graham. Graham is a must start every week as you should know by now.
Utility position goes to Roy Helu. I took some flack for suggesting him when I did but recently I accept all the apologies I have not received. Helu is a PPR monster and his matchup at the Giants is very favorable. Expect over 100 yards of offense with 4-6 receptions.
Dan Bailey plays atTampaBay. I was close to dropping him but I feel he has a good matchup and should get around 10 points.
Cowboys’ defense plays atTampaBay. I expect an angry and embarrassed defense to shut down the Buccs and help me go to my fantasy Super Bowl.
Foe:
Sun Tzu states, “Know thy enemy.” My enemy is my cousin in law who finished the season strong. I played him back at midseason and crushed him. I hope for a similar situation in this contest.
At QB he has Phillip Rivers who plays the Ravens at home. Rivers is riding a two game hot streak but those games were against the Jaguars and Bills. Expect Rivers to have a decent but not great game this weekend.
At RB he is starting Adrian Peterson and Ryan Matthews. Peterson plays the Saints, but it is unclear how healthy he is. He is a must start but don’t expect his usual numbers. Matthews plays the Ravens and that is not good for fantasy owners. Ravens give up the 2nd fewest fantasy points to RB’s.
At WR he is starting Dwayne Bowe, Marques Colstone, and Davon Bess. Bowe plays the Packers but has a third string QB throwing to him. Colstone plays the Vikings and should have another solid outing. Bess plays the Bills and I am unsure of why he is in anyone’s starting lineup.
At TE he has Kellen Winslow playing the Cowboys. Dallashas struggled against opposing TE’s this season so Winslow could be in for a good game.
At Utility he is starting Julio Jones at home versus the Jaguars. It is hard to predict when Jones will go off but I think this week he could be in line of a good day.
At K/Def he hasMikeNugent and the Ravens Defense. Both are solid plays any week.
Prediction:
Yahoo predicts a victory for me. Given the inconsistent nature of his team, it is hard for him to sustain success. He has some talent on his roster but mine is filled with more consistent players and if we played 10 times I would expect to win 7-8 of them. That being said he has some players who can go off at anytime and I am hoping for a semi close victory.
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