We are talking about Playoffs! Fantasy Football Playoffs! This is arguably one of the greatest times of the year (if you made the playoffs). This mixed with the holidays and the new year, what else could you possibly want?
At this point, your rosters are set with the exception of an injury or unsuspected suspension (final week of Alshon Jeffery’s four-game suspension). A lot of the names below are probably your fourth or fifth WRs and you debate each and every week if they are worth a start. Sometimes you start them and they have a great week. Other times, they will throw up a zero and leave you questioning all of your choices. These are the names that give us a reason to believe that we should sit or start those players near the end of your bench. I mean, you picked them up or drafted them for a reason.
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It's Week 14 - Who Should You Start
Remember: These columns do not include your every-week starters. For this week, players like Mike Evans, Dez Bryant and Larry Fitzgerald are not considered. This article goes deeper than that.
Best Start Possible – Ted Ginn v. SD
While anyone on the Carolina Panthers not named Greg Olsen is tough to trust as a fantasy starter this season, Ginn is in the middle of his one of the best streaks of his career. Since finishing as a WR3 last season, Ginn got off to a very slow start this year. Over the course of nine games of the season, he recorded 29 receptions for 324 yards and zero TDs. In the last three games, he has 12 catches, 245 yards and three TDs (on 20 targets). To put his production in perspective, Kelvin Benjamin has seven catches and 1 TD (on 19 targets) and Olsen has 11 catches and zero TDs (on 19 targets) in the same time frame. Newton has been looking for Ginn, especially deep, and should have no problem doing so against the 25th-ranked pass defense of the Chargers.
Quality Start – Terrelle Pryor v. CIN
It is obvious position changes, especially on offense, are hard to accomplish. But, the biggest question, has any player that has made a position change ever had the production that Pryor has this season? And, he is doing it for the winless Browns that have started three different QBs. He averages almost 9.5 targets per game, turning them into an average of roughly five catches for 71 yards and 0.33 TDs each game. He is almost certain to top 1,000 yards on the season and he might be able to do so against the Bengals’ 16th-ranked pass defense. Cincinnati has not been as tough on defense as they have been in years past. With RG3 returning under center for the Browns, this is a game that should be funneled through Pryor.
Worst Start Possible – Michael Floyd @ MIA
This is one stressful player to own and start during the fantasy football season. But, can we look at the positives for a moment? Yes, he has 24 targets in the last four games. But, he only turned them into 12 catches, 171 yards and a TD. A line of 5-101-0 came in one game. He has been extremely inconsistent over the course of the past couple years and it has been obvious. For the second time in three years, his catch percentage will be below 50%. On the season, he only averages 2.6 catches for 35.7 yards. This does not really seem like someone you would be looking to start during the first round of the fantasy football playoffs. It is okay to let him potentially tear apart the Dolphins DEF while he sits on the bench. There is no telling if he will actually see more than five targets.
Not a Good Start – Pierre Garcon @ PHI
This has been somewhat of a rebirth year for Garcon and the entire Redskins offense. On average, the elder WR on the team goes for 4.9 catches and 59.5 yards per game (6 STD, 11 PPR). For a floor, a lot of fantasy owners can deal with that. Last week, for example, seven catches for 78 yards, without Jordan Reed. This week, Reed is potentially back. Kirk Cousins loves him some Reed, especially in the redzone. Garcon should be able to hit his, especially with DeSean Jackson a boom-or-bust and Jamison Crowder hot and cold.
Have a player or position question you would like me to talk about? Follow me on Twitter @JSorensen119 and let me know.