The final arena, the last duel, the last frontier, the Final Countdown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Fantasy Super Bowl is here! Congratulations to you for making it. All the hard work has paid off. The hours spent preparing for the draft, getting through the injuries, the constant of picking up new players each week. Analyzing matchups, setting the correct lineups, making the correct trades etc. This is HARD WORK, don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. When you make to this stage, you have worked hard in making sure you have fielded the best team possible each week and you have been successful at it.
But there is one more step to take, one more road to travel and that is to WIN the Fantasy Superbowl. Gain the bragging rights over friends, family, girlfriends, wives, grandparents, your next door neighbor Larry Bookavich or Old Uncle Beppy. It’s all about winning this week and finishing the journey. So let’s get it done!!!! Any specific questions , you’re free to email me at SteveDeAngelo@gmail.com
Disclaimer: Kickers and defenses are left out each week and we try to leave the most obvious players out.
Note: From top to bottom, the players listed below are in order of effectiveness. If they are ranked first in the start category they are the best option. If they are ranked first in the sit category they are the worst option and so on and so forth.
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QB’s Start ‘Em
Phillip Rivers @ Detroit
Rivers is getting hot for fantasy owners at the perfect time, although some owners have been bounced already because of his poor play early on this season. But he’s on top of his game now with 8 TD’s and 0 Int’s in his last four games. The Chargers are still alive in the division and will playing their hearts out against Detroit in what should be a high scoring affair. Look for Rivers to finish with solid numbers, possibly going over the 300 yard mark with 2-3 TD’s.
Matt Ryan @ New Orleans
Here is another QB who struggled early on and now is putting it altogether as the season winds down. “Matty Ice” has been melting that Ice lately as he has been ON FIRE of late with 11 TD’s in his last 4 games! Ryan has been Money! And he will continue to be money in this spot, on Monday Night indoors against the Saints. This game could be played in the 30’s and Ryan will be tossing the rock all night. Expect a 300 yard game with 2-3 TD’s from Ryan as he connects with Julio, Roddy and Tony G. Also sprinkle in a little Harry Douglas in there!
Tim Tebow @ Buffalo
Of course Timmy Tebow is gonna be in here. Has this guy let you down all year? The answer is NO! So make sure to stick with him once again and be confident in your decision. Tebow should be able to find running room as well as passing lanes in this matchup against the poor Buffalo D. Get Tebow in your lineups and don’t expect anything less than 18 fantasy points with an upside of 30-35 points. I see him finishing somewhere in the middle with around 22-24 points.
Sit ‘Em
Joe Flacco vs Cleveland
Just can’t trust Flacco here, he has been inconsistent all year while the Cleveland Secondary has been consistent ranked #3 in defending QB’s. This will be a Ray Rice type of game, avoid Flacco.
Christian Ponder @ Washington
Ponder has been a littly sloppy lately failing to throw for more than 200 yards in last two outings and throwing 4 interceptions as well. This is not an easy matchup, the Skins have been pretty decent against the pass all year ranked 14th in defending QB’s. We saw what they did to Eli Manning and their passing game last week, forcing Eli into three picks with no TD’s. Also with Adrian Peterson healthy and off the injury report, look for him to be the centerpiece of the offense once again. Can’t trust Ponder right now, been to erratic.
Carson Palmer @ Kansas City
This is gonna be a tough one for Palmer going on the road in Arrowhead in a game which should have a lot of juice, since technically the Chiefs are still alive in the AFC West. The Chiefs are coming off containing the best QB in the NFL in Aaron Rodgers for 3 quarters and playing a hell of a game on defense. Their secondary is underrated and seem to be even more inspired now with Romeo Crennel now the head coach. Look for Palmer to put up decent numbers but to struggle for the most part. There is a chance he could totally fall flat on his face so you want to look for other options.
RB’s Start ‘Em
Reggie Bush @ New England
If you aren’t a believer in Reggie by now, shame on you! Maybe this will make you a believer! This dude has been straight lighting it up for the past month and a half now. He has proved a lot of the doubters wrong, by running between the tackles successfully and taking on an everydown type of role. This is by far and away the best he has played in his career. I see no reason why he can’t keep it rolling here against New England, ranked 19th in defending RB’s Even if they get down early, Reggie will play a factor in the passing game. I see Reggie going over 100 total yards in this game with 4-6 catches and a possible score.
CJ Spiller vs Denver Broncos
I have always been a fan of Spiller and I’m glad he has finally gotten a true chance to succeed. Spiller has gone over 100 total yards in two of his last three games with 2 TD’s in that span. He also has 15 catches as well in that frame. No matter what the score, Spiller can be a factor. But this game should be a slow moving, low scoring battle, with Spiller getting quite a few carries against the Denver D ranked 23rd in defending RB’s. Start him with confidence, this dude is legit.
Rashard Mendenhall vs St. Louis
Mendy has had an off year with just one 100 yard game all season. He has also hasn’t really taken advantage of good matchups. But this is one where you just have to use him against St. Louis who have been putrid against the run this year. Also Big Ben could be out, leaving it to Charlie Batch who should be handing off plenty to Mendenhall. Look for Mendy to find the endzone this week.
Willis McGahee @ Buffalo
Willis should be fine for the game against Buffalo in what sets up to be a nice matchup for him. Buffalo is 3rd worst at defending the RB positionand the Broncos will be able to pound the run throughout the game. There is some concern about Lance Ball giving Willis some rest, but there is a good chance McGahee gets near 100 yards in this game and finds the endzone.
Sit ‘Em
Peyton Hillis @ Baltimore
Hillis had a productive game last week against Arizona, but this week it’s a whole different story. If you can, you need to bench Hillis. In his last outing against Baltimore he was held under 50 yards rushing.
Steven Jackson @ Pittsburgh
See Peyton Hillis, Brutal matchup for Jackson, avoid at all costs. His offense may see the redzone once all game.
Donald Brown @ Houston
Brown had a monster game last week rushing for 161 yards and a score, but temper expectations against Houston on Thursday Night Football. Wade Phillips has this Houston D ranked 2nd best in defending the RB position. Don’t get giddy and start Brown Thursday night, look for a safer option if you have it.
Something to think about: Benching Marshawn Lynch
We all know how good Lynch has been this year, he’s been a must-start practically every week, even proving to be matchup proof against the studly Ravens D by running for over a 100 yards with a score against them. But the 49ers D is a different animal. This D hasn’t allowed a rushing TD ALL YEAR! Why would we expect Lynch to see the endzone? I agree with the Motto go with what got you there, but If I owned Marshawn and had a guy like CJ Spiller or even a Kevin Smith, I would bench Lynch. I just don’t trust anybody against that 49ers D, especially if Patrick Willis returns, which is possible.
WR’s Start ‘Em
Brandon Marshall @ New England
Ok this is fairly obvious. We know how bad New England’s secondary has been and how their offense dictates their opponents to throw early and often. Marshall will produce nicely in this game, let’s just hope he doesn’t drop any TD’s this week!
Julio Jones @ New Orleans
Jones has come alive with 3 TD’s in the last two games and looks to be fully recovered from the hamstring injury. Matt Ryan is on full go right now and he should connect with Julio in this game. Very good chance Jones finds the endzone for a third straight game, get him in your lineups.
Demaryius Thomas @ Buffalo
I’ve recommended him earlier in the season and been burnt, but Thomas is now finally showing some consistency. Tebow looks better throwing the ball and Thomas has now overtaken Decker as his favorite target. Favorable matchup here against Buffalo, Thomas makes for fairly safe play in the Super Bowl. I’m thinking 5 catches for 80 yards with a possible score.
Nate Washington vs Jacksonville
Washington has had a career year in 2011. Matt Hasselbeck finds him often and that shouldn’t change this week against Jacksonville and their secondary which has been decimated by injury. They have now lost five Corners. Look for Washington to put up very nice numbers in this matchup.
Sit ‘Em
Darrius Heyward-Bey @ Kansas City
Heyward-Bey has been great the past two weeks going for over 200 yards with a score, but the matchup gets REAL this week. Brandon Flowers is one on of the best corners in the league and will be assigned to Heyward-Bey. Also as noted above, I believe Carson Palmer struggles in this matchup. Heyward-Bey has been solid the past two weeks but I think he gets contained here and held under 50 yards, Flowers matches up with him perfectly.
Anquan Boldin vs Cleveland
Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns stout pass defense, Boldin and Joe Flacco’s inconsistencies all year, leave Boldin on the bench!
Hakeem Nicks @ New York Jets
It’s uncertain who Revis will be covering, but there is a good chance he could be on Nicks for a good portion of the game. The Jets secondary looked brutal last week, but they have been sound the whole year and I think they step up here and give Eli problems. Nicks is still a stud and needs to be considered, but if you have safer options you may want to keep Nicks benched.
TE’s Start ‘Em
Brent Celek @ Dallas
My bad for not suggesting this guy last week, that really was a golden start against the Jets who simply cannot stop the Tight End. Hopefully you got Celek in your lineups and watched him go off for 155 yards and a score. Look for more production this week against Dalllas who have their own problems covering the Tight End giving up the 4th most amount of points to the position. Celek has been on the fantasy radar for the past month and a half and you need to stick with him again this week, he will produce.
Dustin Keller vs New York Giants
I like this spot for Keller against the G-men. The Giants, like their NFC rival Dallas, have had problems covering the Tight End as well ranked 22nd in points allowed the position. Must win game for the Jets, they need to get Keller involved. Keller should have a fairly productive game with around 5-6 catches and 60-70 yards.
Anthony Fasano @ New England
Fasano has been a decent option for the past month or so and this is another matchup to consider him in. Again the Phins will be tossing the rock, Fasano has been targeted midfield and around the goaline, we saw him score last week, let’s ride him again.
Sit ‘Em
Jacob Tamme vs Houston
Looks like Dallas Clark will miss another game, but you can’t use Tamme here. This isn’t last year, keep him benched against Houston who cover the Tight End very well ranked 3rd best.
Heath Miller vs St. Louis
Miller had a nice game on Monday night against the 49ers, but I have serious doubts about him this week. It appears Charlie Batch may play and that most likely means the Steelers will be very run-heavy. Also I’m not sure Batch can get Miller the ball. Lastly, St. Louis is the best when it comes to defending the Tight End.
Brandon Pettigrew vs San Diego
Pettigrew has been better the last two weeks after slumping a bit, but I would be weary of him this week. San Diego ranks 5th best in defending the Tight End. Also, Stafford has been spreading it around to Calvin, Titus Young and Nate Burleson. At this point of the season, I don’t trust Pettigrew.
IDP Start ‘Em
James Harrison, LB Pittsburgh Steelers vs St. Louis
James Harrison, coming back from suspension is very mad right now and he’s going to take it out on the Rams. What a perfect matchup for Harrison as the Rams are allowing more sacks than any other team. Kellen Clemens will draw the start for the Rams at QB and he has terrible pocket presence. He will be a sitting duck when Pittsburgh throws blitzes at him. Look for Harrison to get 2-3 sacks in this game.
Aldon Smith, LB, DE, San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle
Smith was a animal on Monday night causing havoc on Big Ben all night. Look for Smith to add to his 13 sacks on the year as he is playing with a ton of confidence right now.
Jarius Byrd, S, Buffalo Bills vs Denver
Tim Tebow comes to town and that means plenty of tackle opportunities for Byrd and the Buffalo defenders. Byrd should get 8+ tackles easy in this matchup.
Sit ‘Em
John Abraham, DE, Atlanta Falcons @ NO
Abraham had 3.5 sacks last Thursday night against Blaine Gabbert, but it won’t be so easy against Drew Brees and his quick release. Keep in mind that was Abraham’s first multi-sack game since Week 1. Look for another option.
Jabari Greer, CB, New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta
Greer is a deflection machine, but has a rough matchup against two premier wideouts in Roddy White and Julio Jones. Matt Ryan has also been on top of his game. Leave Greer reserved.
Fantasy Savvy 