
The fantasy playoffs are here! Read this thoroughly to make sure you are making the right additions to help win your league! You can thank me later with a portion of your winnings, of course.
Quarterback:
Johnny Manziel (11% Y!): Ladies and gentlemen, it is time. As much as it pains me to say this because I am a fan of Brian Hoyer, Manziel was put in the game late on Sunday at Hoyer’s expense. Manziel threw for just 63 yards but rushed for a touchdown. Head coach Mike Pettine declined to comment on who would be starting next weekend, but it’s become evident that Manziel gives the Browns the best chance to win. If Manziel does indeed get the nod, everyone in this offense gets a boost, including Josh Gordon. Considering his ability to run the ball, Manziel could wind up as a borderline QB1 this week. Stay tuned.
Colt McCoy (5% Y!): In a much needed move, RG3 was benched in Washington. Next up? Colt McCoy. The Redskins didn’t win on Sunday, but McCoy had a great day fantasy wise (besides the 4 fumbles, but I digress). He threw for 392 yards and 3 scores in a loss to the Colts. He did lose DeSean Jackson to a leg injury, but it is believed to only be a fibula contusion. Jackson was in a lot of pain but this week in practice will show if he can play or not. Regardless, Andre Roberts would step up in his place, along with a now-healthy Jordan Reed and Pierre Garcon. McCoy is a QB2 play for week 14.
Running Back:
Daniel Herron (47% Y!): “Boom” had a day on Sunday, with 88 yards rushing and a touchdown. He also had 2 catches for 8 yards. Herron and Trent Richardson split the carries evenly but the former played a much better game. I expect Herron to take over lead duties as soon as this week, and should fill the role left by Ahmad Bradshaw. Boom did have another fumble on Sunday, and that’s something he needs to fix right away. If he does, look for him to get more work moving forward and find himself in the RB2 discussion.
LaGarrette Blount (63% Y!): Blount finished Sunday with 10 rushes for 58 yards against Green Bay. He did not have the game many expected against a weak Packers run defense, but still had an impressive 5.8 YPC and got the majority of New England’s backfield carries (Bolden 3, Gray 1, Vereen 3). Blount will probably get the majority of the reps in the power run game moving forward, but again, the Patriots are tough to figure out and it’s hard to rely on any of their backs from week to week. He needs to be owned, and warrants flex discussion in the immediate future.
Latavius Murray (49% Y!): Murray did not play on Sunday, and it’s probably good he didn’t. The Raiders were demolished 52-0 by the Rams. Murray is out with a concussion he suffered in his breakout game last Thursday night. He is progressing and has a good chance to be ready for Sunday. Murray will be worth a look this week, but be aware that Oakland will face a tough 49ers run defense. His ceiling is high, but his matchups over the remainder of the season are not favorable. He’ll be a low-end flex play upon his return.
Wide Receiver:
Donte Moncrief (4% Y!): Have a day, Mr. Moncrief! The talented rookie wideout is yet another example of how this year’s draft class was one of the best in recent memory. He had a 3/134/2 line against the Redskins on Sunday, scoring on 2 long plays. Moncrief is clearly entrenched as Andrew Luck’s number 3 receiver and weekly upside play, although consistent production may be hard to count on. If you’re looking for a weekly home run threat, he’s probably your man.
Kenny Stills (41% Y!): Since Brandon Cooks went down with an injury, Kenny Stills has been money and has more than picked up the slack. Stills dropped a 5/162/1 line on the Steelers Sunday as Drew Brees targeted him 6 times. Many in the industry thought that Marques Colston would be the one to benefit from the Cooks injury, but Stills has been the one to step up. The speedster is now a weekly WR2 and should be owned across the board.
Robert Woods (6% Y!): Woods is a bit of a wild card. Over the past two games, Woods has had a 13/189/1 line with 18 targets. With opposing teams being so concerned with stopping Sammy Watkins, Kyle Orton has had to resort to throwing the ball elsewhere. Woods is looking like that guy, ad he was targeted 7 times on Sunday. Since being taken by the Bills in the 2013 draft, Woods has had to deal with terrible quarterback play in Buffalo. Not void of talent, this could be the chance for him to show the league what he can do.
Tight End:
Jordan Reed (49% Y!): Reed finished week 13 with 9 receptions and 123 yards on 11 targets. Colt McCoy seems to like throwing to him and there has never been a question of ability here. If healthy, he’s a player you want to start, especially considering the dearth of talent at tight end. As long as he is on the field, he’s a TE1 and could continue to produce very good numbers for the remainder of the season.
Jordan Cameron (54% Y!): Cameron has sat the last 5 weeks with a concussion. But the good news is that he practiced all week and could practice again this week which should put him on track to return in week 14. With Johnny Manziel presumably taking over the offense, Cameron could put up great stats with a dynamic signal caller under center. As with Reed, Cameron is a TE1 when he is on the field and could be good to go for a fantasy playoff run.
Photo cred: http://goo.gl/cir1CA
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Doug Moore is a fantasy football contributor at The Sports Script. Follow him on Twitter @DMM0822!