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Congratulations, you made it to your Super Bowl, this is what it is all about. All the research, pickups, lineup decisions, etc, come down to this moment. Regardless of what happens this week, you have had a very successful season and have done a great job managing your team. I hope you all of you that are reading this take care of business this week and finish the deal. Thanks for reading everybody and I hope to see you all back next season. Also, I would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This is truly the best time of the year.
You won’t see the obvious names on here, that would be pointless. Maybe occasionally to give you a reminder, but rather we are looking to identify some guys that you may be on the fence with and encourage you to either start or sit them. Matchups will be broken down, stats will be used, some projections will be provided and some “gut” feeling will be mixed in. But when it comes down to the come down, it’s your “gut” you need to roll with.
*Players listed in order of projected effectiveness in the start ‘em category and ineffectiveness in the sit ‘em category.
Quarterbacks
Start ‘Em
Andrew Luck @ Kansas City
Luck has been held under 200 yards passing in his last two games, but he’s going to break out of that against the Chiefs. The Colts are going to get a ton of opportunities with the ball since the Chiefs offense is so inept. Look for Luck to approach 250 yards with at least two TD’s.
Colin Kaepernick @ Seattle
Tough matchup here, but Kaepernick still is worthy of starting. He may be held to just one passing TD, but Kaep will likely approach at least 40 yards rushing and should be able to pass for over 200 making him a solid fantasy play.
Sam Bradford @ Tampa Bay
Danny Amendola returns and Bradford throws for 377 yards and three TD’s. Bradford should continue to wheel and deal against the Bucs horrible secondary, ranked dead last in points allowed to QB’s. Expect around 250 yards passing with at least two TD’s.
Sit ‘Em
Jay Cutler @ Arizona
The Cards are third best against QB’s and Jay Cutler is having a very mediocre season. While the Bears may get a ton of possessions in this game, Cutler can not be trusted.
Josh Freeman vs St. Louis
Freeman fooled all of us, it appears he is the average QB he has always been. I didn’t want to believe in this guy, but after he went on such a hot stretch mid-year I thought he had turned a corner. However, after last week where he could not even manage to produce a single point for the Bucs offense against the Saints defense, it is pretty apparent this guy does not have what it takes to take that next step. You can not turn back to this guy this week, not in the Fantasy Super Bowl.
Russell Wilson vs San Francisco
Wilson is having a stellar rookie season with 21 TD’s, just nine interceptions and nearly 3,000 yards passing. It’s pretty hard to recommend benching him this week after he accounted for four TD’s last week, but this isn’t the Bills, it’s the 49ers. Last time he faced them he struggled completing just nine passes, throwing for just 123 yards with no TD’s. He most likely will play better this time around, but there is a chance he could be held without a TD once again.
Running Backs
Start ‘Em
DeMarco Murray vs New Orleans
Murray being out for several weeks may have been a blessing in disguise for the Cowboys with Murray now being fresh and running hard as ever. This is just an excellent matchup for DM this week and I really forsee a monster game from him. His physical style matches up perfectly against this Saints defense. Murray should easily go over 100 yards and finish with at least 1 TD.
Vick Ballard @ Kansas City
Ballard now has the starting job all to himself and is taking full advantage of it. He is a fairly talented back and he should enjoy a nice game against the Chiefs. I expect him to find the endzone and approach and possibly have over 100 yards rushing. He ran for 100 yards against the Texans; he can easily do it against the Chiefs.
DeAngelo Williams vs Oakland
After years of just pure Fantasy Horribleness, DeAngelo Williams has once again returned to Fantasy relevancy. He is actually starting to run with purpose and is getting the job done for Fantasy Owners. Well, with Oakland coming up, you really can’t ask for a better matchup. Now, DeAngelo does still have the potential to burn you, but I think it’s safe to say he should finish with around 100 total yards in this game and has a decent chance to find the endzone. The Panthers offense is rolling right now and DeAngelo is going to continue to benefit.
Sit ‘Em
Bryce Brown vs Washington
LeSean McCoy owners, such as myself, wish he had come back sooner after Brown threw up two duds in a row; but with the news McCoy will in fact return this week, Brown needs to be on benches. I wouldn’t expect any more than 10 touches, but he may not even get that, the fumbling problems are going to cost him playing time in this game.
Beanie Wells vs Chicago
Beanie went off for three TD’s last week against Detroit, but please don’t start him against the Bears. This has 15 carries for 40 yards written all over it. Stay away.
Jonathan Dwyer vs Cincinnati
Dwyer is still technically the starter, but isn’t seeing many carries with just 15 in his last two games and is not playing at a high level. He has scored in two of his last three games, but against the Bengals tough front four he needs to be avoided.
Wide Receivers
Start ‘Em
Steve Smith vs Oakland
After a extremely slow start to the season, Steve Smith has been heating up the last few weeks as Cam Newton’s play has stepped up. Smith has two 100-yard games and two TD’s in his last three games and has an excellent matchup against Oakland. Smith could have his best game of the season.
Cecil Shorts & Justin Blackmon vs New England
Both are strong options in a game where the Jags are going to be throwing the ball all day long. Cecil Shorts is the better option from Blackmon, but both should be able to put up respectable numbers and get it done for your Fantasy Squads. Look for Shorts to hit 100 yards and Blackmon to near that mark as well.
Michael Crabtree @ Seattle
Crabtree continues to be targeted heavily by Kaepernick every week and he needs to be in your lineups in the Fantasy Super Bowl. Crabtree has 23 targets, two 100-yard games and two TD’s in his last three games.
Sit ‘Em
Josh Gordon & Greg Little @ Denver
I would steer clear from both of these guys this week, especially Little, with the Browns facing Champ Bailey in coverage and the Broncos pass rush. After a slow start, Denver has creeped it’s way all the way to seventh best at defending the WR position.
Larry Fitzgerald vs Chicago
Tip for next year: Avoid WR’s who play with horrible QB’s. Fitzgerald has been a disaster this season with the likes of John Skelton, Kevin Kolb and Ryan Lindley throwing him the ball. Despite the name and although you may be desperate this week, try to steer clear from Fitz against the Bears.
Danario Alexander @ New York Jets
Danario killed owners last week by putting up the infamous doughnut, but if you were lucky enough to advance despite his performance, you need to look at benching him this week. Antonio Cromartie has done an excellent job all season on No. 1 WR’s and he should be able to contain Alexander.
Tight Ends
Start ‘Em
Greg Olsen vs Oakland
Like they do with every other position, the Raiders also let up a ton of points to Tight Ends, ranked 4th worst. Olsen has been extremely steady the past six weeks with four 50 yard games and and four TD’s. Start him with confidence.
Dennis Pitta vs New York Giants
I faced Dennis Pitta in two leagues last week who went off for 100 yards and two TD’s and you can guess how that turned out. Unbelievable. But Pitta needs to stay in your lineups as Flacco will continue to look his way, especially in the redzone. Pitta has 19 targets and three TD’s in his last two games.
Antonio Gates @ New York Jets
Being a Jet fan, I know how bad they have been historically at covering Tight Ends. Their LB’s just don’t have the speed or athleticism to keep up with the athletic Tight Ends of the league. Gates finally got back into the endzone last week and I expect him to put up respectable numbers against the Jets. Look for around 60-70 yards with a possible score.
Sit ‘Em
Joel Dreesen & Jacob Tamme vs Cleveland
These guys hurt each other’s value and it’s hard to predict which one will have the bigger impact each week. Regardless, both have been mediocre all year. The Browns are also 5th best at defending the Tight End position.
Kyle Rudolph @ Houston
After scoring in three consecutive games, Rudolph hasn’t scored and has just 23 yards receiving in his last two games. Christian Ponder is playing pretty awful at this point in the season and Rudolph isn’t going to contribute for you team unless he scores. He’s way too risky to use, look for something more consistent.
IDP’s
Start ‘Em
London Fletcher @ Philadelphia
Fletcher has had another strong season with 52 tackles for the Skins and now faces the Eagles who are allowing the most points to LB’s.
Wesley Woodward vs Cleveland
Woodward has been a force for the Denver defense all season and is a great play against the Browns who are allowing the 8th most points to Fantasy LB’s.
Sit ‘Em
Cortland Finnegan @ Green Bay
Bad matchup for Finnegan who will be squaring off against the talented Packers WR’s and Aaron Rodgers who is extremely smart with the football.
Richard Sherman vs San Francisco
Sherman will be limited this week as the 49ers aren’t turning the ball over much and are allowing the 2nd fewest amount points to CB’s.
Fantasy Savvy 