Fantasy Island: Knee Deep In Playoff Goodness

by KD Drummond on Dec 17, 2011 11:35 AM CST in Trolling the Universe

Welcome to the 2011 Fantasy Playoffs. I know some larger leagues started theirs last week, but the format I like best allows four teams in, and that means Week 15 and 16. If you've made it this far, or you're a trooper and still playing in your league's consolation bracket, kudos to you.

At this point, all you need is your resources. So let's get at it.

RESOURCES

Felix Jones a Top 6 running back option this week? Yahoo! Position Rankings

Recommending Rex Grossman? You're kidding, right? Nope. ESPN's Five In Depth

Matthew Berry likes Tim Tebow and Andy Dalton this week. Really. ESPN Love/Hate For Week 15. He also says stay away from Gore and Mendenhall if you can. CBS' Dave Richard also gives his opinions on Start'Em Sit'Em.

Have a loaded roster and trying to decide which of your studs gets some playing time? CBS Sports Top 150 PPR plays

KFFL takes a look at the best WR plays for Week 15.

Rotoworld's Evan Silva's Matchups:

Dallas @ Tampa Bay

The collapsing Bucs defense has been trounced for an average of 35 points a game over the last five weeks, including last Sunday's 41-point embarrassment in Jacksonville. The Cowboys won't struggle to pour on points Saturday night. While Felix Jones was one of fantasy's biggest early-season disappointments, he couldn't have asked for a more favorable matchup in his return to Dallas' feature back job following DeMarco Murray's year-ending injury. Over their last seven games, the Bucs have been steamrolled for 1,219 yards and 14 TDs on 236 carries (5.17 YPC). Jones will be an every-down back against Tampa because his lone backup is 34-year-old Sammy Morris, who signed off the street Tuesday. Make room for Jones in your fantasy lineup this week.

The Bucs' offense has fallen off to the point that no player on the roster can be played confidently during fantasy semifinals week. LeGarrette Blount would be the best option, but he's squaring off with Dallas' top-eight run defense in a game Tampa Bay threatens to trail early. It's no secret that Blount is worthless when opponents force the Bucs into comeback mode, and it doesn't help that the 247-pound power back's production has gone in the gutter with 93 yards on his last 30 carries (3.1 YPC). Blount is never a terrible bet for a short touchdown, but he certainly has the look of an underwhelming RB2 Saturday night. The aforementioned Jones would be a more appealing bet.

Follow the jump to see who made the playoffs in the BTB leagues.

BTB LEAGUES

FEAR THE STAR		FEAR THE STAR RELOADED		FEAR THE STAR REVOLUTIONS		FEAR THE STAR ANIMATRIX		DYNASTY
Team Name	Record	Team Name	Record	Team Name	Record	Team Name	Record	Team Name	Record
Road Warriors	10-4	Fergie3108	11-3	Ron Mexico's Pharmacy	12-2	Olivia's Daddy	12-2	Rackham	11-3
KD Wins. Always.	10-4	FantasyFootball101	8-6	Motherwell Manstars	11-3	El Diablo Vaquero 2	11-3	mindmuggaz fc	11-3
Magic	10-4	Static	8-6	Team Jamery	10-4	The Dynamic Duo	9-5	BEAST3N	11-3
The Hams	9-5	Ironmen	8-6	Ballz Deep	9-5	The Right Kind	8-6	Stellar Immortals	10-4

INJURIES

Detroit RB Kevin Smith is starting, Big Ben returned to limited practice from his high ankle sprain and looks to be a go. Kyle Orton and Matt Hasselback are expected to start. Saints RB Mark Ingram is not expected to play. Patrick Willis is not going to play, so adjust your 49er defense accordingly.The Patriots list Danny Woodhead, Wes Welker and Deion Branch as questionable, but what's new about New England's injury report? Devin Hester rolled an ankle in practice and missed Friday's workout. Beanie Wells and Greg Olsen practiced fully and should start. QB Sam Brandford is out, and Kellen Clemens will get the start.

For more up-to-date injury news, stay glued to Rotoworld.com

As always, we open up the comment section for your lineup questions. Ask away.

Tweet Comment 39 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Ugh. Help.

I am only starting 2 WRs Austin and..

Titus Young/Meachem/Simpson/Nelson/Know?

I am leaning towards Titus maybe Simpson?

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player and 2012's Superbowl MVP
"No one gives us the right, we take it." L. ~SPN

by thebigham on Dec 17, 2011 11:50 AM CST reply actions

I think Nelson is the obvious choice there.

'Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.'

by Unique on Dec 17, 2011 12:09 PM CST up reply actions

How is that obvious?

No one has been in a worst funk than the Bills offense.

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player and 2012's Superbowl MVP
"No one gives us the right, we take it." L. ~SPN

by thebigham on Dec 17, 2011 12:18 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, I didn't know which Nelson you were talking about.

I thought you meant Jordy Nelson.

Out of those… I think Young would be the favorite. But there is nobody else avaliable on the wire? James Jones?

'Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.'

by Unique on Dec 17, 2011 12:29 PM CST up reply actions

Ha I wish Jordy haha

hmm james jones hes probably picked up.

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player and 2012's Superbowl MVP
"No one gives us the right, we take it." L. ~SPN

by thebigham on Dec 17, 2011 12:32 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah I guess Ill stick with Titus

I shouldn’t need WR2 regardless but who knows.

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player and 2012's Superbowl MVP
"No one gives us the right, we take it." L. ~SPN

by thebigham on Dec 17, 2011 12:34 PM CST up reply actions

Need some WR/Flex advice...

First round of the playoffs for me…would appreciate some sage advice regarding who I should start at WR2 and Flex.

I have Santana Moss against NYG, Dwayne Bowe against GB and our very own Laurent Robinson. I think the first two have very favorable matchups vs not so great pass defenses, but a lot will obviously ride on the success of the QB play. At the same time I feel like benching Robinson would be a mistake, but it seems he is due a not-so great game after being on fire for the past few weeks…

I also have Ryan Grant at RB vs KC that I could throw in the flex spot, but not very confident in a good performance from him.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

by Rebel11983 on Dec 17, 2011 11:54 AM CST reply actions

I would start Moss and Grant

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player and 2012's Superbowl MVP
"No one gives us the right, we take it." L. ~SPN

by thebigham on Dec 17, 2011 11:56 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks for the advice Ham...

My opponent has R. White, so after his 25.5 point game I’ve been scrutinizing my match-ups probably more than I should be to try and eek out all the points I can get…

by Rebel11983 on Dec 17, 2011 1:47 PM CST up reply actions

I agree on Robinson

Robinson has established a pattern(at least in my league)

since taking over for Miles in week 8:(this is PPR BTW)

Week-8 22.30

Week 9- 14.20

Week 10- 22.30

Week 11- 13.40

Week 12- 27.90

Week 13- 11.20

Week 14- 27.70

I am sure you notice the pattern here..if it holds then LR should be good for a 10-15 point total this week. which is good WR2/Flex numbers

If you need more than that I wouldn’t play him but if that is all you need he would be a great play this week

Now Bear in this is in my league yours may be different scoring thus LR may have different numbers…..

Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT

Now, if somebody doesn’t agree with that, that’s cool. I also don’t agree with the fact that I don’t have $10 million in my bank account. But the fact that I don’t agree with it doesn’t make it any less true.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 23, 2010 12:00 AM PST

by I am Ironman!!! on Dec 17, 2011 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

Great minds and all that...

My league is not PPR, so those 27 point games are like 19 in my league, but the pattern is the same…

8 16.30
9 9.20
10 19.30
11 9.40
12 19.90
13 7.20
14 19.7

I try to look more at matchup strength than trends…but that one jumps off the page at you. At least if I make it to the final, LR should be due for a 19 point game, heh.

by Rebel11983 on Dec 17, 2011 1:42 PM CST up reply actions

right but now Miles is back..

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player and 2012's Superbowl MVP
"No one gives us the right, we take it." L. ~SPN

by thebigham on Dec 17, 2011 1:46 PM CST up reply actions

I'd go Moss and Robinson

| Blogging The Boys | SBNation Dallas | Producer/CoHost Flood The Block Radio, TUE 7p RockTheFlow.com |
Follow @KDP10For10 Follow@BloggingTheBoys

by KD Drummond on Dec 17, 2011 4:53 PM CST up reply actions

I'm

In the semis. I keep going back and forth, can’t figure out who to start. Lloyd or D. Thomas? Arizona or Miami D? My gut says Arizona and Thomas.

by Dub_TC on Dec 17, 2011 12:05 PM CST via mobile reply actions

yeah sounds about right.

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player and 2012's Superbowl MVP
"No one gives us the right, we take it." L. ~SPN

by thebigham on Dec 17, 2011 12:19 PM CST up reply actions

I am actually debating whether to start Arizona's D or the 49ers.

'Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.'

by Unique on Dec 17, 2011 12:33 PM CST up reply actions

if Big Ben

sits … I think the Niners win cause they’ll shut down Mendenhall with ease. But sucky part is … you gotta wait til Monday.

by Dub_TC on Dec 17, 2011 1:24 PM CST up reply actions

Arizona

I’m wary of Thomas, but in a pinch

| Blogging The Boys | SBNation Dallas | Producer/CoHost Flood The Block Radio, TUE 7p RockTheFlow.com |
Follow @KDP10For10 Follow@BloggingTheBoys

by KD Drummond on Dec 17, 2011 5:57 PM CST up reply actions

Go with your gut.

by starmesh23 on Dec 17, 2011 12:17 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Could use some help..

Do you start SJax over beanie wells or Kevin Smith?

Also anyway you bench VJAX or Santonio Holmes for Jabar Gaffney?

Thanks Guys

by macdude on Dec 17, 2011 12:50 PM CST reply actions

I'd

start Beanie over SJax.

Also start VJax.

by Dub_TC on Dec 17, 2011 1:32 PM CST up reply actions

Ok so here is the my issue...

I am in two Leagues both are PPR- 12 team

in one league I am 10-3 playing the 6th seed(who BTW was the last team to beat me)

my conundrum is this:
my Lineup as of right now:

QB- Tim Tebow- vs NE
WR1- Miles Austin @ TB
WR2 Dez Bryant @TB
RB1-Felix Jones @ TB
RB2- Micheal Bush vs DET
Flex- Antonio Brown @ SF

My Bench:
Kevin Smith – RB @ OAK
Calvin Johnson- WR @ OAK
Larent Robinson- WR @TB
Toby Gerhart- vs NO
Jake Ballard- Was
Christian Ponder- NO

My Question would be Considering that CJ has been under performing the past few weeks should I leave him benched? Or put him in the starting Lineup? If I put him in who do I take out? Austin, Dez, or Brown

the second thing is do I start Smith or Brown at the Flex spot?

Third thing is Tebow or Ponder at QB?

Now for My BTB team (of which I am the most proud of, having finally grabbed the 4th slot after a long and trying season)

biggest issue I have is on Defense…and RB

Picked up Tennesse(@ IND) should I play them or stay with SF (even though they are playing Pitt(thus creating a slight conflict between my Flex(Antonio Brown) an my Def.

the other issuer is I am starting Blount…I really don’t have another Option at RB other than CJ Spiller or Toby Gerhart…..should I bench Blount, and hope that Gerhart or CJ have good games( if I am chancing it I would go with Gerhart)

I would Love ya’lls input as it as helped me on many occasions

by I am Ironman!!! on Dec 17, 2011 12:58 PM CST reply actions