The fantasy playoffs for just about everyone are now underway. Who should you put your faith in at the most important time of the fantasy season? Should you depend on guys like Kyle Orton or Ben Roethlisberger? What about Josh Freeman or Sam Bradford? Let’s take a look at how things currently look:
- Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Jacksonville
- Tom Brady – New England Patriots – vs. Green Bay
- Michael Vick – Philadelphia Eagles – at New York Giants
- Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers – vs. San Francisco
- Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – at Baltimore
- Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – at New England
- Eli Manning – New York Giants – vs. Philadelphia
- Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – at Seattle
- Matt Schaub – Houston Texans – at Tennessee
- Josh Freeman – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. Detroit
- Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens – vs. New Orleans
- Matt Cassel – Kansas City Chiefs – at St. Louis
- Kerry Collins – Tennessee Titans – vs. Houston
- Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears – at Minnesota
- Sam Bradford – St. Louis Rams – vs. Kansas City
- Jon Kitna – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Washington
- Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. New York Jets
- Jason Campbell – Oakland Raiders – vs. Denver
- Carson Palmer – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Cleveland
- Kyle Orton – Denver Broncos – at Oakland
- David Garrard – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Indianapolis
- Donovan McNabb – Washington Redskins – at Dallas
- Matt Hasselbeck – Seattle Seahawks – vs. Atlanta
- Ryan Fitzpatrick – Buffalo Bills – at Miami
- Alex Smith – San Francisco 49ers – at San Diego
Thoughts:
- Aaron Rodgers was forced out of the Packers Week 14 loss due to a concussion. With the Packers far from a lock to earn a playoff spot, you know they are going to try and get Rodgers back onto the field, if possible. If healthy, he’s among the best in the league this week with a favorable matchup against the Patriots secondary. Keep a close eye on the news as the week progresses. At this point it appears extremely questionable if he is able to play or not, however.
- It doesn’t what the conditions are or who the defense is, Tom Brady is performing among the elite quarterbacks in the league. He has to be considered among the best with your fantasy playoffs hanging in the balance.
- While the Jets defense has not quite been as advertised, you still have to be a little hesitant going with Ben Roethlisberger against them. He’s not coming off his strongest of performances (21-33, 258 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT) and has just one touchdown pass in his last three games. This isn’t the time of year to roll the dice on the matchup outside of two-quarterback formats.
- Matt Cassel missed Week 14 due to an appendectomy, but should be able to return for Week 15. He has a favorable matchup, but this is a run first offense. I’d consider him a low-end QB1.
- Kerry Collins is coming off a big day (28-39, 244 yards, 3 TD), has Kenny Britt back and plays the worst passing defense in the league. That certainly appears to be a recipe for success, no? Consider him as a low-level QB1 if needed.
- Kyle Orton, who was among the bigger surprises in the league early on, appears to be fading quickly. Over the past two weeks he has 283 yards, 0 TD and 3 INT. He has to fall down the rankings at this point.
What are your thoughts on these rankings? Whose too high? Whose too low?
Make sure to check out the rest of our Week 15 rankings:
Hy Rotoprof,
Frank from Holland,
Thanks for the advise i won my game and i am in the playoffs.
line up week 15
Brees,Rivers,Hillis,Mendenhall,White,DsJackson,Floyd,Gates,Kaeding,Falcons.
Reserve,Tomlinson,Ivory,Choice
Bess,Ford,Jennings(with Rodgers out ??)
waiver processed 12/15
R,Jennings RB
R.Gronkowski TE ( Gates ?? )
B.Scaife TE
Patriots DST
Thanks for you insight and tips and sorry for my Englisch
Won round 1, tyvm senor!
Little Help Again –
QB – Michael Vick/Drew Brees 1
RB- Ryan Torain/ Fred Jackson/ Johnathon Stewart 2
WR- Hakeem Nicks/ Larry Fitzgerald/ Wes Welker
TE- Brandon Pettigrew/ Kevin Boss
D/ST- Cardinals/ Eagles/ Bears
K- Dan Carpenter/ Jay Feely/ Matt Bryant
(Jay feely last week= downright awesome!)
This looks good to me.
So I have Vick, E. Manning and Freeman.
I’m starting Vick. Semi-Playoff time!
What do you think RotoProfessor?
Not liking Vick’s match up against the NY Giants in week 15, in New York. They shut him down pretty well earlier this season. But I would be insane to bench him and start Schaub who faces the Titans this week wouldn’t I…even though Schaub looked pretty good against the Ravens last night.
Playoffs Round 2:
Vick vs. Rivers – a problem you want to have! Rivers has never played the 49ers, is that something that benefits the quarterback or the defense more?
Frank – Jennings is dependent on the health of Rodgers. We’ll have to wait that one out.
Beaner – I’d go:
QB – Vick
RB – Stewart & Torain
TE – Boss
The other two spots I’m still finalizing, so let’s talk tomorrow!
RT – Definitely Vick
GT – My heard bleeds for you :-p I’d go Vick, but flip a coin
Hey Prof!
First game of the playoffs! I am having some WR trouble. Who should I start in a 2 WR league. I have Mike Sims-Walker, Santana Moss, Terrell Owens and Brandon Lloyd. Lately I have been starting the LLoyd Owens combo, but the past couple of weeks they have done absolutely nothing. Who do I start?
Non PPR League…
Drew Brees or Mike Vick?
Haveing some WR trouble..
Trying to decide between Sidney Rice, VJax, DJax, or Anquan Bolden, maybe Malcom Floyd?
Thanks for you advice!!!!!
due to injuries I am down to Cutler, Big Ben or Kitna.
any thoughts? I was thinking Kitna but you have him as a Lion playing TB….
Wow, Eli at 7? I’m fairly concerned about him given recent performance and though I have Big Ben I’m thinking of picking up Palmer thinking he’s going to rebound this week. What are your thoughts on Eli vs picking up Palmer?
MC – I like Cutler against the porous Minnesota Defense. Weather permitting…
Alright, survived this week thanks in part to your advice. Now on to the championship for our division. League is non-ppr w/3pts per 50yds and 6pts per td. Plz pick 2 wr’s for this week; d.-jax (playing giants and last time went for 3-50yds..not much), m. wallace (revis island worry), v-jax (playing sf and will this be the week we see v-jax of old or the big hoop again?), m. austin (had a great week against wash in week 1 but that was with romo). I could pick up m. floyd or p. garcon if you think one of those options are better? Quick rb question too…pick one: blount, stewart or f. Jones? Thx for the insight and help!
Okay part 2 of the playoffs! I won the first round (he had Rodgers) and am up by 21 points, and now i would like to win the second round!
1 = QB’s: Ben and Schaub
2 = RB’s: S. Jackson, Hillis, Green-Ellis, and Charles
2 = WR’s: Wayne, White, S. Johnson and Floyd (really thinking floyd)
1 = TE’s: Boss and tamme
1 = K: Carpenter and Brown
1 = D: Atlanta = Can pick up Arizona, Miami or Oakland which i think all Has some positive points considering who they are playing.
Any suggestions would be great….you havent steered me wrong yet!
RotoProf – I appreciate the reply about Vick.
Some input for my lineup please. Thanks again!
QB – Vick
RB’s – Mcfadden and C Johnson
WR – Jennings (Read your comment above about Rodgers) & P. Garcon
Tight End – V. Davis
W/R – Fitzgerald
Kicker – Mason Crosby – Lots of other kickers on the waiver. Throw out someone who I could pickup
Defense – Pittsburgh
Bench – Anyone you would start in place of the above?
Brandon LLoyd
Derrick Mason
E Manning – Answered Already
Brian Westbrook
Atlanta Defense
Josh Freeman
Thanks!
Comebacks – I think TO is a must use still. As for Lloyd, he’s a real tough play, but I still would lean towards using him over the other options available to you. Is there anyone else on the waiver wire to consider?
Transaction – I’d go Vick as my QB. As for the WR, how many do you need?
muddy cleats – I’d go Cutler out of those options.
FYN – It’s not like Palmer has been much better. Granted, last night’s game didn’t help Eli’s ranking here, but I still think he’s your best option with Nicks back in the mix. With a game under them, they should get back into a good groove.
Bez – Glad I could help last week! Let’s see what I can do with this week… For the WR, I would definitely grab Garcon off the wire and use him this week. As for the second, DeSean Jackson is just too good to sit.
As for the RB, I’d go with Stewart this week.
Kindra – Let’s do this!
QB – Schaub
RB – Hillis is a lock. It’s either Jackson or Charles for the second one, and it’s pretty close to a toss up. The presence of Thomas Jones, who could potentially steal touches, leads me towards Jackson.
WR – I can’t bench Wayne or White
TE – Tamme if healthy
K – Really can’t go wrong either way, but check the rankings when I finalize them tomorrow
D – We’ve learned how flukey they can be. I’d probably stick with Atlanta, I think, only because Oakland scares me a little bit if Denver can get going. (again, let’s revisit this tomorrow when I finalize my rankings, but I’d probably stand pat.)
RT – I think you are set up perfectly, outside of maybe the kicker (it all depends on who’s available.
I have Joe Flacco in my team starting lineup. I have no problem with RBs. I am worried about Brandon Lloyd because of the slumping Orton. What two wide receivers shall I start for Week 15?
M Colston vs Baltimore
B Lloyd vs Oakland
S Holmes vs Pittsburgh
M Floyd vs San Francisco
Kenny Britt vs Houston
Steve Smith (Carolina) vs Arizona
My boyfriend has a question, he is having a little bit of a quarter back problem. This week he lost by 2 points (had orton who came in with -2…Ouch!).
He has Eli manning, Kyle orton and Jon Kitna……he has Bradford, McNabb, Fitzpatrick, Freeman and a couple others available to pick up.
What would you do, his opponent has Michael Vick….
I’d check back to see what the Rotoprof has to say but here’s my thoughts…
jumping joe – I’d play Colsten and Floyd…
Kindra – I’d go Kitna there…
jumpingjoe – I’d probably go Colston & Floyd as well
Kindra – I’d go Eli as my first choice, but I can understand if someone was a little bit iffy on him. My second choice would definitely be Freeman.
Won the first playoff match!
I was wondering if you could take a look at my lineup and give some pointers.
QB. Flacco or Big Ben (could also pick up eli)
RB. Chris Johnson
RB. Hillis
Flex. Mcfadden
WR. Deion Branch
Wr. Santonio Holmes or Steven Johnson
TE. Marcedes Lewis
D/ST. Bears (or Falcons)
K. Akers
Thanks!
I also have Britt.
Thanks
Prof,
Need two receivers in a non-ppr…
M. Flod
K. Britt
A. Bolden
D. Jax
V. Jax
S. Rice
You are the man!
Jpicky, I’d go Eli at QB and Holmes for your open WR spot.
Transaction – I would go with D-Jax and Bolden (though Floyd is viable in replace of Anquan)
So I have an issue.
Made it to the second round and I just dont know who to start.
2 choices at WR my options are
Wes Welker vs GB
Calvin Johnson vs TB
Dwayne Bowe vs StL
And at RB, I got Maurice Jones-Drew, who is auto-start and my other choices are
LeGarrette Blount vs Det
Mike Tolbert vs SF
and I might be able to pick up Ryan Torain off waivers. (silly that he’s free I know.)
What do you think?
Kevin – That’s a tough one. Welker is the easy choice in my mind then its a Bowe/CJ toss up. I’d prob take Calvin Johnson…for rb go with Blount…
kevin, here’s how I’d do it:
WR – Welker & Johnson – It is a touch call (all are WR1), but the upside of these two just feels a little higher than Bowe’s for this week.
At the RB, Blount is a lock for me
Prof,
I have a question in regards to playing QB’s and WR’s who are on the same team.
I’m starting Mike Vick over Drew Brees, and from everything I have read DJax is a very solid play this week. Phil has a tough matchup this week against NYG Is it at all risky to play QB’s and WR’s who are on the same team and playing against tough defenses.
I guess the answer to that question is pretty obvious, should I maybe start a reciever with lesser upside to avoid a catastrophe?
I really like VJax Thursday night, I hate Anquan Bolden.
Thanks for all of your input Bro!
Carson Plamer, Eli Manning, Jon Kitna… can start 2. Sounds like Eli would be a lock, but he’s got a hungry Eagles team where Palmer has a questionable Browns team and Kitna has the defenseless Redskins.
ALSO: LT? against the Steelers? I gotta sit him if I can play Welker or Bowe in the flex right?
Matchups can be deceiving I know.
Transaction – Obviously, it’s a risky proposition to play too many players from the same team, but two, if they are the best options you have, is worth taking the gamble on. I wouldn’t recommend playing four or five, obviously.
In your case, I would play Brees over Vick before I benched D-Jax. Still, Vick & D-Jax are the best options you have, so I would roll with them.
Kevin – I would go Eli & Kitna. As for LT… No way you can play him this week, especially with the two WR you have. He is too much of a risk at this point in the year. I’d probably go with Welker in your FLEX.
IMO you have Kitna ranked too low. 16th? really? I know Kitna ain’t all that but he’s got Washington at home which should place him in the lower end of the top 10. 9th or 10th I say…Vick has been great but he’s probably ranked a couple spots too high against the Giants. Rogers is ranked too high considering he might not even play this week plus the Patriot D has been stingy in the red zone and has vastly improved recently. Personally I’d have Rogers ranked 13th. Not trying to be overly critical I know this isn’t easy. I’m mainly just thinking out loud here myself.
Eli or Collins? Eli has the upside but who will give me a better chance at putting up a solid number? I’m going up against the #1 seed this week.
Id personally go with Collins myself, but that’s just me. At the very least I don’t see him doing any worse than Eli this week.
One other thing is that my opponent has Boss and Nicks so I’m not sure if it pays to start Eli as a hedge against them or just try to roll the dice with Collins?
No that is not a good strategy. You always gotta go with the QB that gives you the best chance. Collins faces the worst pass D in the NFL, he has Kenny Britt and Randy Moss who will possibly start on the other side of Britt plus he has Chris Johnson to throw short passes to as well. Collins is your man this week IMO.
Computah – I agree, I personally like Kitna this week to have a nice game. That being said, I’m glad I don’t have to do the rankings…
FYN – After watching Collins last week, there’s no way I’d want to start him over Eli. I know Eli’s first game vs. Phil was a bit rought but I think he’ll be better then Collins at least…
ive got some major decisions to make and appreciate your advice. I’ve got an open WR/RB slot open and debating between brandon Jacobs & Britt. I have Green Ellis as my #2 RB and could always bench him for Jacobs but am reluctant to do so. The big question mark is a Tight End between Cooley, Zach Miller, and a possible pick up of Owen Daniels? Thanks again!
I have Matt Ryan going this week , but my opponent has Roddy White and Gonzales going. Kerry Collins though is out there and I really like him this week over Ryan. Your thoughts on this would be appreciated. btw, also have Cassel.
Thanks guys. Computah, I like your analysis and that does make starting Collins more intriguing. Matt, I’m no Collins fan but Eli has looked horrible lately and his picks kill me (-3 in our league). I do have Big Ben as well but am weary of using him against the Jets D this week.
Collins looked pretty good last week with three TD’s against Jacksonville. I say he’s “ok” to start again against a worse poor pass D than Jacksonville. The Eagles looked pretty solid withot Asante Samuel, so now that he will play this weekend I’d bet against Eli.
Hard not to start Big Ben, but he is too banged up now and relies a lot of his mobility to make plays, now that that is taken away with his ankle injury I think you are wise to bench him for Collins. Good luck man
FYN – No matter what the matchup, I can’t trust Collins. Let’s not forget that against Jacksonville in Week 13 he went 14-32 for 169 yards, 0 TD and 2 INT. Does one decent game just make us forget that? He’s a risk, and much better suited as a QB2. I also agree that I wouldn’t play Big Ben. Eli is the safer play.
Troy – The FLEX is a tough call, for sure. I’d probably go with Jacobs over Britt. As for the TE, Cooley is the way to go.
Slim Charles – I gave my thoughts on Collins the writeup to FYN, so it is the same again here. I actually like both Ryan & Cassel above him, and would stick with Ryan.
My bad Collins got those 3td’s last week against Indy not Jacksonville..
How would you address this receiver lineup…I can play 3, 6pt per TD, non PPR, +2 for 100plus yards, +1 for 10 yds…1st round of playoffs
A Collie
S Rice
M Floyd
S Holmes
I even added Joe Webb who is a QB/WR but I don’t want him at flex since I have A.P, Blount, and R. Williams as RB’s. I’m feeling Collie, Floyd, and Holmes at the moment but can I trust Webb or Rice at WR in a must win?
As always. Thanks.
N – See response in WR post
Whaddaya think?
QB – Brees or Vick
WR (need 3) – Colston, Lloyd, Nicks, Manningham, Woodhead, Sidney Rice
RB – Peyton Hillis seems obvious, but need one other – Hightower, Blount, Green-Ellis
This is a PPR league by the way
QB – Vick (but can you really go wrong?)
WR – Colston, Nicks & Rice
RB – Hillis & Blount
16 team PPR
Who do I start, i need 1QB, 2WR, 2RB, 1TE, 1W/R/T
Current Roster:
Eli
Colston
G.Jennings
AP
LT
Witten
Joe Webb
Bench:
Manningham
Sproles
Rashad Jennings
Bess
Collins
I’d try to avoid LT, but he’s the best option you have at this point.
I also am not sure I’d trust Webb as my FLEX, but again, it’s pretty slim pickings. Are you allowed to use him because he’s WR eligible? If that’s the case, I’d probably go Bess.
Yes I am able to use Webb as he is WR eligle and we do get 1pt a completion as well. Thanks for the help.
I would go either Webb or Bess. It’s hard, but with 1 pt per completion, Webb would be the best bet.
Thanks. For my QB ELI or Collins or Grossman??
I’d go Eli
Do you think Flacco will be ok against a pretty good Saints D, or should I take a flyer on Garrard?
Garrard is hurting at this point. I’d definitely go with Flacco.
HELP: I have Rodgers and Garrard as my QB’s. It looks like neither of them will be a good option this week. I am limited on the waiver options.
Who would you go with?
Hasselbeck
Campbell
McCoy
Flynn
Henne
Grossman
Tebow
Real slim pickings.
That’s a really tough spot to be in. I’d have to say Campbell, but unfortunately there may not be any true right answer.