The Playoffs are a cold winter time. It’s win or go home, and even after a great season, your fate can depend on a player or DST that has to score for you. Hopefully, you advance, and that is all that matters – Survive and Advance. You are one win away from cash.
Week 14 Review
Studs
- Henry Is A Beast – Seems like 2018 again, as RB Derrick Henry has carried teams to the Semis. In Week 14, Henry gained 109 yards for 2 TDs. He is as solid as they come.
- Unreal Ekeler – The 2nd RB in LA is really the more productive back, and in a quarter, the little RB went nuclear. He put up 213 combined yards and a TD on just 12 touches including an 84 yard TD.
- Mixon Went Off – Where has this been all year, but RB Joe Mixon turned 26 touches into 186 yards and a TD. Better late than never.
- The Winston Rollercoaster – As a Winston owner, the TB QB is a don’t watch player. This week was “good Jameis” with 456 yards passing, 4 TD passes and a rushing TD, so you can overlook the 3 INTs including one for a pick 6. Hey, if you advanced with him, you gotta play him.
- Sanders Incredible – Sure, Jimmy G threw for 4 TDs and was great, but WR Emmanuel Sanders was great – 157 yards on 7 catches and a TD, plus a 35 yard TD pass. Great trade for the 49ers.
- Ertz Is Back! – TE Zach Ertz has had a bad year for the Eagles, but tonight with all the WRs hurt for PHI, Carson Wentz targeted him 13 times resulting in 9 catches, 91 yards and 2 TDs.
Duds
- ARod Stunk – QB Aaron Rodgers has not lived up to the billing this year, and in the playoffs, he sucked for you. 195 yards and 1 TD, plus 16 rushing yards is not what you wanted. He cost me a win.
- Wilson Didn’t Do It – QB Russell Wilson has been incredible, but the Rams D and the bad SEA WRs limited Wilson to just 245 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT, at least he added 28 rushing yards.
- Kamara Not Good – RB Alvin Kamara has disappointed all year, but in a game where NO scored 46 points, he only mustered 43 yards on 17 touches and a fumble. No thanks.
- Sutton Slowed – After many weeks of consecutive production, this week was a stinker in a game where his QB threw for over 300 yards, WR Courtland Sutton only had 5 catches for 34 yards.
Injuries: Huge injuries this week going into Week 15 – WR Mike Evans, TB – Hamstring (Doubtful); WR Calvin Ridley, ATL – Abdominal injury (Out for the season); QB Lamar Jackson, BAL – Bruised thigh (Questionable for Thursday); TE, Mark Andrews, BAL – Knee (Doubtful); RB Derrius Guice, WAS – Knee (Out); RB Rashaad Penny, SEA – ACL (Out for Season); RB Josh Jacobs, OAK – Shoulder (Missed Game -Questionable); QB, Patrick Mahomes, KC – Hand (Questionable); WR, Devante Parker, MIA – Concussion (Questionable); RB, Derrick Henry, TEN – Hamstring (Questionable).
Week 15 – 4×4 – Waivers, Good Match Ups, Caution Players and DSTs
Waivers
- Drew Lock, QB, Denver – Sure, he is a rookie, but he is playing the Chiefs and he looks good. If you need someone, then you could do worse.
- Deandre Washington, RB, Raiders – If Jacobs is indeed as hurt as he says, then someone has to step up. Washington did it with 96 yards and a TD. The Jags have mailed it in. So….
- Darius Slayton, WR, Giants – Hard to ignore what this kid is doing. Plus, Eli Manning loved this dude on MNF. He is a really good route runner, and why not get him in if you need a replacement for Evans.
- Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams – With Everett out, Higbee gets more run. The Cowboys are struggling, so he could be a good streamer.
Last Week: RB, Derrius Guice got hurt; WR, James Washington – 4 for 33 not great; WR, Deebo Samuel – 5 for 76 yards and 33 yards rushing; TE, Jack Doyle – 2 for 27 in a 35 point output…..
Good Match Ups
- Derek Carr, QB, Raiders – Yeah, he stinks, but the Jags have given up, and it’s the final home game in the Black Hole. I expect them to go out a winner and in style.
- Raheem Mostert, RB, 49ers – This kid is taking this backfield, and the Falcons have played better but not good enough to stop this running game.
- Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks – Carolina is a sieve at this point. Plus, no Penny gives Carson all the carries.
- Terry McLaurin, WR, Redskins – The Eagles can’t cover a thing, and McLaurin is really solid. Haskins likes him, too.
Last Week: RB, Ronald Jones – 59 yards on 15 touches – meh; RB, Le’Veon Bell – missed game with the flu?!?; WR, James Washington – 4 catches for just 33 yards; WR Brandin Cooks – I guess Brandin Cooks sucks – Woods is the guy.
Caution Players
- Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings – The Chargers are good on defense, and Kirk will need to be really good under pressure. I’d sit him, if I had other options.
- Aaron Jones, RB, Packers – The Bears will stop the run and make Rodgers complete passes downfield. He could be involved in the passing game, but this is a non-Aaron Jones game.
- Devin Singletary, RB, Bills – One of my favorite rookies this year, he has been great, but the Steelers don’t play. It’s going to be tough sledding.
- Amari Cooper, WR, Cowboys – Cooper will draw Jalen Ramsey, and the Rams are actually trying to win, unlike the Cowboys.
Last Week: QB, Kyler Murray – 194 yards, 2 TDs and 3 INTs – no rushing yards; RB, Alvin Kamara – see above; RB, Tevin Coleman – 3 rushes for 6 yards; WR, Kenny Goladay – good game, 6 for 58 and a TD.
DSTs To Play
- Lions – Yep, very scary, they aren’t good, but Jameis will turn the ball over and often for pick 6s.
- Seahawks – The Panthers have mailed it in, too. Plus, the Seahawks need to win to keep pace with SF.
- Ravens – A no brainer here, but the Ravens may not have their QB and they will need to ball out on D.
- Raiders – They are terrible, but the Jags have given up with their last home game. I see a motivated group here.
Last Week: Chargers – 10 points and 2 Sacks, no TOs, though; Browns – 19 points, 2 sacks and 1 TO, but a TD; Vikings – 7 points, 5 sacks, 2 TOs – good day; Titans – 21 points, 2 sacks, 1 TO and a TD.
Good luck getting in the Finals!
Wegs