It's time to gear up for your fantasy football playoffs. Depending on your league settings, you likely want to pick players who are both fantasy football scoring machines and are on teams that are expected to do well. That means that everyone who has been riding on the Tebow bandwagon might have to jump ship soon. Here a list of quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends I will be targeting this January:
Quarterback
Everyone should know the big three by now – Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady – and these are the guys you are going to want behind center. For the fantasy playoffs, Drew Brees is my number one quarterback. After him, my decision between Rodgers and Brady depends on their matchup next weekend. If the Patriots draw the Bengals or Broncos, go with Brady. If the Patriots play the Steelers, go with Rodgers.
Brees has been on an absolute tear lately. He finished the season as our top rated quarterback (60.2) and passer (59.3). His last three weeks, he has totaled a rating of +19.5. Brady and Rodgers have combined for a +5.3 PFF rating in their last three games. Since week 15, Brees has thrown 14 touchdowns, 1,108 yards, and the list goes on and on.
The best part about Brees in the fantasy playoffs is that he plays on Wild Card weekend in what is expected to be a shootout against the Lions. If the Saints win that game, they travel to San Francisco for a game against the 49ers. The Saints, if they win, should be favored in their first two playoff games, maximizing what Brees can do for you.
If you play in a league with two quarterbacks, you're going to need another option this weekend. None of the AFC quarterbacks should tickle your fancy, so keep it in the NFC. Your options after Brees are Matthew Stafford, Eli Manning, and Matt Ryan. Manning and Ryan have been dicey this season, so give me Stafford. Both Stafford and Brees can't win this weekend, but that's okay. You would end up dumping both Manning and Ryan next week in favor of Rodgers/Brady anyways. Stafford threw for over 5,000 yards this season, and is playing against the explosive Saints. If the Lions want to win, they will need to air it out often.
Running Back
Once the Divisional round rolls around, you need to pick up Ray Rice. Arian Foster is the biggest name available this weekend, but he has a tough matchup against the Bengals. When the Texans and Bengals squared off in week 14, Foster gained just 41 yards on 15 carries and he lost a fumble. If you are on in a salary cap playoff league, the running back position is where you can make some nice moves.
My favorite running back “sleeper” is Isaac Redman from Pittsburgh. With Rashard Mendenhall out and Mewelde Moore's status up in the air, Redman will get the start against Denver. Last week against Cleveland, Redman ran the ball 19 times for 92 yards and scored. It was his second straight week finding the endzone. The 19 carries also show that the Steelers are confident in giving Redman a full workload. With Roethlisberger's injury added in the mix, Redman is a great, cheap running back.
If you decide to skip out on Foster, the Saints have some intriguing options at running back for the playoffs. In case you haven't figured it out by now, I'm expecting the Saints to at least reach the NFC Championship game. Darren Sproles is my favorite back in New Orleans right now. With a shootout brewing this weekend and a receiving touchdown in four of the last five games, Sproles could be another great cheap running back.
The other Saints running back, Chris Ivory, ran 19 times for 127 yards and a touchdown in week 17. Ivory is going to be the main back again this weekend, but the Saints have such an affinity for passing that choosing the Saints' running back that actually runs the ball is a little risky. Regardless, Ivory is a possibility this weekend. If he produces anything like last weekend, you'll be glad you picked him up.
Wide Receiver
There are plenty of great options at wide receiver this postseason. Without clearcut options like at the quarterback position, the receivers in these playoffs will make or break your team. Once the Divisional round comes, you're going to want to pick up Wes Welker. My favorite options for Wild Card weekend are Calvin Johnson, Victor Cruz, and Marques Colston. Hakeem Nicks, Mike Wallace, A.J. Green, Andre Johnson, and Roddy White are all possible plays as well.
It's hard not to love Calvin Johnson after what he accomplished this season. He was our top rated receiver witha +28.9 PFF rating and led the league in yards and touchdowns. His 151 targets and 96 receptions were both third-most in the NFL. He has four touchdowns in the last three weeks and is primed for another big game this weekend. The biggest problem with Johnson is that the Lions are not expected to win one, let alone two, playoff games.
Victor Cruz had seven games with over 100 yards receiver this season and 10 games with at least 90 yards. He won't score a 99-yard touchdown every week, but he has proven that his big-play abilities are for real.
Tight End
This category doesn't need too much explaining. For this weekend, you are going to play Jimmy Graham. Next weekend, you are going to have to choose between Graham and Rob Gronkowski. I would put Gronkowski over Graham, simply because of his sheer dominance (+29 PFF rating) and 17 touchdowns. You can't really make the wrong choice here, though.
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