If anyone can upset the Cowboys to win the division it’s the Giants.  They are a very streaky team in recent years and it is hard to trust many of their players from a fantasy standpoint.  If they can find someone on their roster that can be effective while handling a heavy workload at the running back position they have a serious chance to make the playoffs at least as a wild card.   Look for Hakeem Nicks to have a breakout performance this season and vault himself to the number 1 on the team.  I had Nicks pegged as a sleeper before the season ending injury to Domenik Hixon but now that is a no-brainer. He is a promising young talent that will make the most out of every snap.

Top Fantasy Players

Brandon Jacobs – I very much so dislike this guy, and not just in fantasy football.  Jacobs is a big guy that should be much more effective between the tackles.  If last year’s stats did not scare you away from this guy, then I don’t know what will.  I believe that by the end of the year Ahmad Bradshaw will end up being the feature back for the Giants.

Eli Manning – There is no consistency from this team and without a steady running game to be concerned with defenses should be able to contain Eli and the passing attack.  Do not be fooled into thinking he is a good option for your number one fantasy QB.

Steve Smith – If there continues to be a lack of an effective running game, Smith could have production issues. If Bradshaw or Jacobs can give the offense balance again Smith could end up being a bargain pick for your 2nd WR.

No Comments »

Weekly Adds

Jerome Harrison (CLE) - He just had the third best running performance in NFL history on Sunday and he plays the 28th ranked run defense in the league next week.  Even if your not gonna use him you grab him so no one else can.  Also, don’t use him… this is the third week in a row where one of the two Browns RB’s have been one of the waiver wire’s hottest pickups.  Think about that, everyone was bidding for Harrison two weeks ago, then they dropped him for Jennings, and now your gonna drop him to pick back up Harrison?! Yea, your going to but your not likely going to use him!  DeAngelo Williams owners are the ones who should be thinking of using him, not really anyone else.  In my league I am making a claim but have AP, Benson, Forsett, and use my flex to play DJax, Moss, and Miles Austin each week.  I only want Harrison because my opponent has DeAngelo.

Jonathan Stewart (CAR) - I’ve been saying to grab up any available handcuffs for a couple of weeks, and if you found the best backup RB in the NFL (yardage-wise) sitting on waivers then you’ve got to be pretty pleased right now.  DeAngelo Williams is hurt, and without knowing how active he will be in Week 16 in which you are probably playing in your Super Bowl, Stewart will likely be seeing the vast majority of the work.  Oh, and he went over a hundred yards against Minnesota to help Matt Moore and the Panthers get a victory.

Maurice Morris (DET) - I wasn’t too wild about Morris going into this week, but then again I didn’t expect the Lions to be competitive with the Cardinals.  So you can’t be wild about the prospect of him playing the 49ers this week, but if Stafford comes back they will be able to get balance and Morris will have a chance to be decently productive.  If you lost Williams and have to go to waivers to replace him you could do worse, but try for Harrison.

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) – We’ll have to see how he does tonight to let us know how bad we want him, but he faces one of the top passing defenses in football.  If he can do it tonight he can do it any time and is deserving of a spot on your roster.

Jason Snelling (ATL) – Turner hurt his leg after just one rush for 7 yards Sunday.  I would not expect to see Turner test this too much as the Falcons playoff hopes remain dim despite the win.  Snelling will still be splitting with Norwood and is not a great option but worth a spot on your roster.

Jermichael Finley (GB) – Finley has been doing great as of late.  He is looking to be near or in the top 10 this week in my rankings as the Packers continue to use him to create phenomenal match-ups over the middle.  A few weeks ago I saw him lineup and tailback then motion to the wide-out position and catch a TD pass from inside the ten yard line.

Dump List

I’m going to include a fair few people I have had on here before so any new readers can double check and make sure they don’t have any people they really should drop.

Marshawn Lynch, Devin Hester, LeSean McCoy, Mario Manningham, Ryan Moats, Julius Jones, Brian Westbrook, Dwayne Bowe, Willis McGahee, Tim Hightower, Malcom Floyd.

Feel Free to participate in my live Q&A on Yahoo! Sports Message Board.  Good Luck in your Super Bowl or Playoff match-up!

No Comments »

Well, what a week for Fantasy Playoffs to begin!  Lots of Studs this week so lets get right to it! Oh yea, there are plenty of Duds too! =P

Studs

Eli Manning (NYG) - Top Fantasy QB honors in a loss Sunday against the division rival Philadelphia Eagles.  He looked very good with three TD passes and just shy of 400 yards.  He did lose two fumbles, but that is largely a protection issue and with those stats it’s easy to forgive.

Chris Johnson (TEN) – Ok, we expected it, but not quite this big, huge week from CJ this Sunday.  Likely was enough to push you through this round of the playoffs.

Adrian Peterson (MIN) – A lot of readers asked about potentially benching Peterson this week and I did everything in my power to convince you not to do this.  Peterson is set to go off any week regardless of match-up, let alone the fact that despite the impressive numbers the Bengals had defending the run, they really hadn’t faced too many elite backs this season.

Ryan Grant (GB) – Wow! No one saw this big of a game coming from Grant as he totaled 137 yards and two scores.  Grant remains a great RB2 down the stretch, but Rodgers wont see that little production again, which is bound to hurt Grant’s chances of finding the end-zone twice.

Frank Gore (SF) – Despite the offense having become more of a passing oriented attack over the past few weeks, when the 9ers dominated the Cardinals on Monday night they did it on the shoulders of Frank Gore.  It looked like this round one pick was going to cost his owners dearly in the playoffs as he was utilized less and facing a team that destroyed the Minnesota Vikings and Adrian Peterson just last week.  However with San Francisco apparently rededicated to the run, Gore managed 167 yards and a TD.  Keep trusting him, because this offense is learning balance quickly.

Jamaal Charles (KC) – His team had trouble scoring, but not because of him.  Charles broke off a 70+ yard TD run Sunday for the Chiefs only time in the end-zone.  Despite the failures of his team Charles will still help you in the playoffs if the match-up is good.

Quinton Ganther (WAS) – OK, so if you were in a bind this week and you went with Ganther you were rewarded.  His match-up was great, and he got the job done.  However you can’t expect him to be able to score like that on other teams, so do you really want a RB that can only manage 50 yards against Oakland and in a GREAT week for him only sees 3 targets in the passing game?  I wouldn’t and neither should you.  Also if you wanted to start Ganther over a struggling star then it likely came back to bite you anyways, many people asked about him over the likes of Gore and Grant (and a few too many even thought he was a better play than Peterson).

Reggie Bush (NO) – Bush finally made a statement that he is healthy again this week with his 19 point fantasy day Sunday.  He will remain a great flex play through the playoffs, as he is the 4th receiving option in that offense.  For those keeping track Meachem is 5th so yes, he is a better play than Meachem in the flex.

Brandon Marshall (DEN) – Making a strong statement for being a top 3 fantasy football receiver next season with a record breaking performance on Sunday.  Marshall was targeted 28 times and hauled in 21 of them for 200 yards and two scores.  Enough said.

Andre Johnson (HOU) – This performance will take a back seat to Marshall’s but lets be honest this was a ridiculous game as well. 11 catches 193 yards and two scores as well.

DeSean Jackson (PHI) – Jackson has tied an NFL record for most 50+ yard TD plays in a season.  This is one heck of an explosive receiver that was a bargain deal where he was drafted in every league.  Oh, and he is going to remain dynamic the rest of the season.

Derrick Mason (BAL) - You see that play? He has my attention and respect now however, he won’t be upgraded too much as he is limited by the shaky play of Joe Flacco, but he will remain a very good flex or WR3 play.

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) – Nicks wont be a regular in your starting lineup during the playoffs but he had a huge game and might make a flex appearance and definitely in deep formats.

Dallas Clark (IND) – Not much for yardage this week, but three TD grabs is almost unheard of for a TE that isn’t Vernon Davis.

Fred Davis (WAS) – He’s available in too many leagues, Miller just got a concussion (his 2nd this season).

49ers (D/ST) – I still can’t believe they shut down that offense last night.  Warner got ONE point.

Duds

Randy Moss (NE) – negative points (-1) from a guy you start every week regardless of match-up is a tough beat in the playoffs.  If your still in it then your still starting Moss.

Rashard Mendenhall (PIT) – It was the Browns.  Be concerned if your still in the playoffs.

Mike Sims-Walker (JAC) – Hopefully you didn’t play him due to his injury, but I would have played him and would have been burned.

Greg Olsen (CHI) – Two weeks in a row, is Fred Davis available?

Mario Manningham (NYG) – Was on my dump-list, and even in a shootout he can’t perform barely at all.

Steven Jackson (STL) – Bad week I admit, you have better? Doubt it!

Visanthe Shiancoe (MIN) – TE’s are inconsistent, with as many TD passes as he’s got he’s earned a down week.

Donald Driver (GB) – You’ve seen all across the league that as the play of the QB drops so does the production of the WR.  This is just the first week Rodgers has slipped, and he didn’t so much as he wasn’t needed.  Jennings might be an issue, but Driver’s stock doesn’t change.

Kurt Warner (ARI) – Easiest match-up possible on the rebound so if your still around then he’ll still be ok.

Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) - IT WAS THE BROWNS!!! WHATS GOING ON IN PITTSBURGH? Honestly, i don’t know but Santonio Homes is the only one playing well.

Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) – Just hope he’s healthy, ignore the bad week as I’m sure you were planning on.

LeSean McCoy (PHI) - Stick a fork in him, he’s done.  Westbrook might be coming back this week, and you can’t entrust him with your entire season.

Aaron Rodgers (GB) – He just wasn’t needed to make plays.  Grant took the first play for the Packers to the house and they controlled the game through the run ever since.

No Comments »

This was really not a week of injuries and as such it is not a great week to make meaningful pick-ups so concentrate on handcuffs so that you are able to survive an injury during the playoffs.  For those of you who don’t know what I mean by handcuff, the best one is Chester Taylor on the off chance that AP gets hurt and I lose in the playoffs!

Pickups

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) – Well, he looked great last night and could be a factor late in the season so grab him up and see if you have some bad match-ups or an injury that might press him into service.

Devin Thomas (WAS) – Mainly for really deep formats, but Thomas has become a part of the Skins offense over the past couple weeks and if you need 3 WRs in a 12 or 14 team league then he’s a viable option.

Josh Cribbs (CLE) – Same with Thomas, but Cribbs is a better bargain for you.  This is a WR that almost was the first 100 yard rusher against the Steelers in around 30 games!  He gets wildcat carries and is a threat in the passing game on WR screens and safe throws that get him the ball in space.  Grab him.

Fred Davis (WAS) – I’ve said it before, and I’m done explaining why, if you have any need at TE this is your guy.

Jason Avant (PHI) – Maclin’s injury was pretty substantial and will likely remove him from the remainder of the Fantasy Football season!

Dumplist

LeSean McCoy (PHI) – Can you trust him again?  If your still in the playoffs that is… huge disappointment the last two weeks.

Jeremy Maclin (PHI) – Maclin’s injury was pretty substantial and will likely remove him from the remainder of the Fantasy Football season!

No Comments »