Happy New Year!! Welcome to 2021, which seems like a continuation of 2020 thus far. Probably best to just expect the next decade to be a pretty crazy ride. Anything can happen!!! Sort of like these NFL Playoffs, Anything can happen, well except the Bears, Skins, and a few other teams making the SuperBowl. Either way this should be a great playoff with a new format of 7 teams from each side making it, with only one bye team, which is the Packers and Chiefs. The best postseason league by far is the March Madness players pool, but the NFL is 2nd and I imagine as the years go, postseason leagues will become much more popular. You can host your own league on FantasyPostseason.Com or MyFantasyLeague.com, which is where I am currently running mine, but both sites are suffice, with MyFantasyLeague giving you more detail, but it’s a bit more complicated to run as a commissioner. Site hosted leagues are on NFFC.com, Myffpc.com and UnderdogFantasy.com. All three sites have great contests, I am participating in all three as well, going ALLLLL In. NFFC and Myffpc you pick the players you want, while UnderdogFantasy has actual drafts.
If you are doing a draft, you want to stack the team you think is going to the Superbowl or teams that are going to play the most games. You can stack up to 4 maybe even 5, but then you really need to be confident. I think if you plan on winning, you need at least 2 or 3 players in the Superbowl to take it down. Let’s get to the Rankings with a little analysis after each group.
QB’s
- Aaron Rodgers
- Josh Allen
- Patrick Mahomes
- Drew Brees
- Tom Brady
- Lamar Jackson
- Ben Rothlisberger
- Russell Wilson
- Ryan Tannehill
- Philip Rivers
- Taysom Hill *If He qualifies at QB
- Jared Goff/John Walford
- Mitch Trubisky
- Baker Mayfield
- Alex Smith/Tyler Heinicke
- Jacoby Brissett
Aaron Rodgers has been on absolute fire all season and I think the Packers are going to the SuperBowl. Certainly the 2nd round matchup with the Bucs is tough (Packers got beat up in the Reg season matchup) and so will a potential matchup vs the Saints or Seattle, but I think Rodgers is playing better than any QB and will get back to the SuperBowl.
Josh Allen has an extra game with a chance to go to the Superbowl, so I give him the slight edge over Mahomes and I think they can also take down the KC in the Championship game.
Brees and Brady should both play two games at least, while Lamar could lose to the Titans, but could go off like he played two games, so he’s solid at 6 I believe. Ben will play two games so he’s secure at 7 and in front of Russ, because Seattle has a tough 1st round matchup vs a solid Rams D, which could upset them. Seattle could also make a run and get by the Saints, so Russ could prove to be a great value. Tannehill could play two games as well. If Hill qualifies at QB, he gets the next spot, because I have Goff, Mitch, Baker, Smith, all playing just one game, where Hill will get two or more.
RB’s
- Alvin Kamara
- Aaron Jones
- Derrick Henry
- Clyde Edwards Helaire
- Chris Carson
- Ronald Jones
- J.K. Dobbins
- Jonathan Taylor
- Devin Singletary
- Jamal Williams
- Le’Veon Bell
- James Connor
- Nick Chubb
- David Montgomery
- Latavius Murray
- Leonard Fournette
- Zack Moss
- Nyheim Hines
- Antonio Gibson
- Cam Akers
- Kareem Hunt
- Gus Edwards
- Zack Moss
- Rashaad Penny
- Malcolm Brown
- J.D. Mckissic
- Darrell Williams
- Benny Snell
- A.J. Dillon
- Carlos Hyde
- Jaylen Samuels
- Darwin Thompson
- Darrell Henderson – OUT Wildcard
- Jordan Wilkins
- LeSean McCoy
- Ty Montgomery
- Anthony Sherman
- Michael Burton
- Mark Ingram
- Ke’Shawn Vaughn
- Jeremy McNichols
- Patrick Ricard
- Darrynton Evans
- Anthony McFarland
- Justice Hill
- Artavis Pierce
Kamara may only play two games, but he should smash in both. Aaron Jones could surpass him, but Jamal Williams can always be a thorn, although the Packers may lean more on Jones in the postseason. Henry is third, but with a one and done, he could very well bust. I think Helaire will have a good postseason, hopefully KC will use him more as a WR, which I think may happen. Carson and Jones should both advance and Taylor and Dobbins have a good shot to advance, if they do, they will be great picks. Singletary is interesting, he could play 4 games, but not produce much, or he could play 4 games and give you some good pop, the former is more likely. Jamal Williams, Bell, Murray, Fournette all solid backups with teams that can make a run. Good selections there. If the Colts win, Nyheim Hines will be a great pick, for where he will go, he will be a good value regardless. Zack Moss and Rashad Penny could have bigger roles than anticipated, especially Penny who came back recently. If you’re draft is deep like mine you may need little FB action with Sherman, Burton or Ricard. Ricard would prob be the best pick of the bunch.
WR’s
- Davante Adams
- Stefon Diggs
- Tyreek Hill
- Michael Thomas
- Chris Godwin
- Mike Evans
- John Brown
- D.K. Metcalf
- Tyler Lockett
- Emmanuel Sanders
- Diontae Johnson
- JuJu Smith Schuster
- A.J. Brown
- Corey Davis
- Chase Claypool
- Marquise Brown
- Antonio Brown
- Marquez Valdez Scantling
- Sammy Watkins
- Mecole Hardman
- Cole Beasley
- T.Y. Hilton
- Gabriel Davis
- Robert Woods
- Cooper Kupp
- Allen Robinson
- Jarvis Landry
- Alan Lazard
- James Washington
- Michael Pittman
- Demarcus Robinson
- Isaiah Mckenzie
- David Moore
- Marquez Callaway
- Zach Pascal
- Willie Snead
- Rashad Higgins
- Darnell Mooney
- Ray Ray Mcloud
- Miles Boykin
- Dez Bryant
- Josh Reynolds
- Cam Sims
- Cordarrelle Patterson
- Deonte Harris
- Byron Pringle
- Tyler Johnson
- Donovan People’s Jones
- Scotty Miller
- Lil Jordan Humphrey
- Steve Sims
- Devin Duvernay
- Marvin Hall
- Tavon Austin
- Equanimeous St. Brown
- Kenny Stills
- Anthony Miller
- Austin Carr
- Freddie Swain
- Van Jefferson
- Camron Batson
- Javon Wims
The Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams is the best in the business right now, looking like Montana to Rice. The Packers are going to the SB IMO, so Adams should be in for a giant postseason. Diggs silenced the haters that said he would be miserable in Buffalo and had a career season. He may meet Adams in the big game. I think Mike Thomas is going to be solid in the playoffs and get a lot of targets. He’s questionable to play vs the Bears, but I don’t think he’s missing this game. Mike Evans is going to be a gametime decision so pay attention to that, but he’s ranked like he will play. John Brown is back healthy and with the Bills going to at least the AFC Champ game, he should have a nice run in the playoffs here. Smith Schuster also didn’t practice today, but he should play, if not Claypool could take a big leap, along with James Washington. The Steelers should play at least two games. Cole Beasley practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, so he could be on track to play. He was ranked as if he was going to miss a game, so if he plays he jumps up. Corey Davis and AJ Brown both had good games vs the Ravens in their regular season matchup and both could advance. The postseason has a history of us seeing role players step up, so Gabe Davis could fit that ticket this year, along with guys like Marquez Callaway, Tyler Johnson, Sammy Watkins, Mecole Hardman, and David Moore. Deonte Harris is set to return for the Saints this weekend, he could be thrown back into the mix, pay attention any news regarding him. He’s capable of making splash plays not only as a WR but as a returner. The Bills signed Kenny Stills, it will be interesting to see if they use him in the playoffs. Isaiah Mckenzie however, has been a solid player for them and he will be a good late pick. Darnell Mooney is also in a boot, he’s questionable to play, although he’s ranked like he will. Kha’Darel Hodge is OUT with Covid.
TE’s
- Travis Kelce
- Robert Tonyan
- Mark Andrews
- Rob Gronkowski
- Eric Ebron
- Jared Cook
- Dawson Knox
- Jonnu Smith
- Logan Thomas
- Austin Hooper
- Cole Kmet
- Jimmy Graham
- Camron Brate
- Tyler Kroft
- Jace Sternberger
- Trey Burton
- Tyler Higbee
- Jacob Hollister
- Greg Olsen
- Gerald Everett
- Jack Doyle
- Harrison Bryant
- Mo Allie-Cox
- David Njoku
- Will Dissly
- Adam Trautman
- Anthony Firkser
- Lee Smith
- Deon Yelder
- Vance McDonald
- Nick Keizer
- Tanner Hudson
- Marcedes Lewis
- Geoff Swaim
- Josh Hill
Tight End is sort of a mess in this postseason, but Kelce is a lock at the #1 spot and Tonyan and Andrews are right behind. Gronk, Ebron and Cook could all have a nice run. Cole Kmet is going to be a good player in this league as he has overtaken Graham in recent weeks. Jonnu is still a threat for GL work and they can beat the Ravens so he’s higher than a guy like Hooper who is very likely one and done. Jace Sternberger should return after the bye from his concussion and he could play 3 games so that’s the reason he’s so high. Along with Jace, Cameron Brate and Tyler Kroft are backup Tight Ends who could find the endzone. The Colts and Seattle both have 3 man Committees at Tight End, they all sort of cancel each other out, but will give you something. Deon Yelder and Nick Keizer play behind Kelce, so they are desperation picks.
Kicker
- Harrison Butker
- Tyler Bass
- Mason Crosby
- Will Lutz
- Justin Tucker
- Ryan Succop
- Chris Boswell
- Jason Myers
- Rodrigo Blankenship
- Stephen Gostkowski/Sam Sloman
- Matt Gay
- Cody Parkey
- Cairo Santos
- Dustin Hopkins
NFL Postseason drafts are the only place Kickers don’t go in the last couple rounds, as Owners are looking for extended points. You will see a guy like Butker or Bass go in the middle to late rounds, once the pickings get very slim, or even slightly before. Kickers are much more valauble in Postseason drafts.
Defense
- Packers
- Kansas City
- Buffalo
- New Orleans
- Tampa Bay
- Pittsburgh
- Baltimore
- Seattle
- Indy
- LA
- Washington
- Tennessee
- Chicago
- Cleveland
Similar to Kickers, the top Defenses will go even a bit earlier in these drafts. Tampa and New Orleans and Pittsburgh could very well do much better than my rankings indicate. Beware of Defenses that will lose you points, which very well could be Tennessee if they lose in their Wild Card game. Their defense has been atrocious of late. They are the worst defense in the Playoffs, but they still could play 2 or maybe 3 games.
Upset City
I can see the Colts beating the Bills, although I think the Bills win and could very well win the SuperBowl. Still, Indy is a very good team and this is not a walk in the park for Buffalo. They could easily beat the Bills. The Rams could also beat Seattle and after that maybe the Bears could upset the Saints, but it’s highly doubtful, Mitch is still the same Ol Mitch, despite his recent run. The Skins were a great story and they have a ferocious Dline but Brady is playing too well and gets the ball out very quick. I would love to see it and it’s possible, just not likely. I think Cleveland doesn’t have a chance, especially with all the Covid nonsense they are facing this week. Balt and Tenn can go either way, slight lean to Baltimore. You are going to need to add some players from the underdog teams, so it’s wise to take and possibly stack the ones with the most upside. The Titans, Ravens, and the Colts seem the strongest. The Rams would follow then the Bears, Skins and finally Cleveland. Also even if a team is likely one and done, don’t be afraid to get a guy who you know is going to score points. Lamar may go out in the first round, but he’s going to put up points against that Tenn D, same with Andrews, Dobbins and probably Marquise Brown. Allen Robinson, Landry, Chubb, Jonathan Taylor are others. Points win these tournaments and some of these guys that go out in the first round will outproduce guys who play 2-4 games. It’s good to keep players going into the next round, but 4 point outputs don’t help much.
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SuperBowl Prediction: Buffalo vs Green Bay.