LestersLegends.com presents NFL Divisional Playoffs Start/Sit.
You don’t really have many options in the fantasy playoffs so I’ll break down guys I like and guys I don’t like in this weekends games.
Quarterbacks
Love:
Kurt Warner – I’m not sure any QB lights it up this weekend as we’re left with some very tough defenses. That said, Warner is going to throw the ball plenty. Edge was a nice story last week, but Carolina won’t be caught off guard. The Old Guy is gonna have to bring it.
Like:
Eli Manning – I’m not enamored with Eli against the Eagles, but he should be productive. If he can throw for 200 yards and a score or two, you should be happy.
Donovan McNabb – He’s certainly familiar with the G-Men. I’m confident the Giants will bring the heat and put pressure on McNabb. He and Westbrook should take advantage of that pressure on some screen plays.
Philip Rivers – I don’t love the matchup with Pittsburgh, but this guy can sling it. Sproles isn’t getting that loose on the Steelers and they’ll need to throw often.
Jake Delhomme – They are going to supply a heavy dose of the ground game, but with Steve Smith at his disposal, he should put up solid numbers.
Ben Roethlisberger – If he can stay upright he should be able to produce against San Diego. I’m sure he’s thankful that Shawne Merriman isn’t lining up against him.
Hate:
Joe Flacco – I expect the same formula as last week for the Ravens.
Kerry Collins – I wonder if he got any sleep after seeing the way the Ravens dispatched of Chad Pennington and the Dolphins.
Running Backs
Love:
DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart: The playoffs are a different animal and Arizona isn’t as soft as I once thought, but this duo will have their way with the Cards this weekend. I see both of them having 50+ yards and a TD. DeAngelo will have the better game.
Brian Westbrook – Westy always has a big game up his sleeve when he takes on the Giants. He’s the #1 reason I think the game will be close.
Brandon Jacobs – This dude is a beast. He’s rested. I’d be shocked if he didn’t punch one in against the Eagles.
Like:
Le’Ron McClain – Tennessee will provide a much stiffer test than Miami, but McClain should still be a decent fantasy back this week.
Willie Parker – With Big Ben a hit away from the clipboard, the Steelers should introduce their brand of playoff football to San Diego. Heavy on the ground attack.
LenDale White – I think his physical running will be utilized against the Ravens this week. I can see a one-yard plunge.
Hate:
Chris Johnson – Unless he breaks a long one, I don’t see him racking up the yards against the Ravens.
Darren Sproles – He was the hero last week, but Pittsburgh will be ready for him. I don’t know how well he’ll hold up to their physical play.
Edgerrin James/Tim Hightower – When the Cards leaned on Edge in Week 17 it wasn’t just because it was a meaningless game. They were preparing their Playoff gameplan. Carolina won’t be surprised and Edge and Hightower shouldn’t be big factors.
Wide Receiver
Love:
Larry Fitzgerald – He’s simply one of the game’s finest.
Steve Smith – He’ll be a tough cover for Arizona.
Hines Ward – He’s such a physical WR. He should be able to muscle his way to a nice game against San Diego.
Like:
Muhsin Muhammad – Muhsin should benefit from all the attention Williams, Stewart, and Smith will garner.
Santonio Holmes – Holmes has played better down the stretch. He should be a solid playoff WR2 for fantasy teams.
Derrick Mason – A solid, not spectacular, game is what I’ve come to expect from Mason
Kevin Curtis – He should snare some passes to take the pressure off of Westbrook.
Hate:
Domenik Hixon – Not feeling it this week for Hixon. I think it will be a steady diet of Jacobs and Ward. One Giant WR will have a decent game, but it’s risky to pick which one.
Vincent Jackson – If he couldn’t catch a pass against Indy, what’s he going to do against Pitt.
Justin Gage – I don’t like his chances against a tough Baltimore D.
Tight Ends
Love:
Antonio Gates – He’s so hard to cover. Even when banged up.
Bo Scaife – Scaife is probably the second best TE left in the playoffs.
Heath Miller – Heath is solid and San Diego isn’t good at stopping TEs. Bodes well for Miller owners.
Like:
Kevin Boss – Could take advantage of some play action.
Brent Celek – If L.J. Smith is out again, Celek could have his number called quite a bit.
Hate:
Todd Heap – One catch for 31 yards against Miami. He stinks.
Leonard Pope – Seriously, do they have a TE in the desert? Stephen Spach caught three passes, but that was a fluke.
Jeff King – Five catches in his last four games. Yuck.
