Now is THEE time, it’s the time you’ve been working hard towards since the summer by studying depth charts, following beat reporters all over social media, listening to podcasts, spending time with analysts/experts/gurus on the radio when it comes to fantasy football. It’s officially the fantasy football playoffs people! Are you ready?
If you’ve made it through the regular season and are one of the however many teams to reach the playoffs, congratulations you’ve earned it.
Now, I know not all of you had the season you were hoping to and find yourself in the toilet bowl, and I appreciate you still being here with me fighting until the final match-up is complete, you’re a winner in my book.
The bye weeks are over and other than injuries we’ll have a full complement of pieces at our disposal. In case you are dealing with injuries or illness let’s take a look at what’s available this week on the waiver wire.
Here’s how I see things this week for players to pick up.
As a rule of thumb, I won’t suggest any player who is over 50% rostered so you might have a realistic shot at actually acquiring them.
Quarterbacks
Jimmy Garoppolo, SF vs. ATL (14% Rostered in ESPN Leagues)
The San Francisco 49ers offense is beginning to roll and it had to do it through the air as Elijah Mitchell missed the game last week due to injury and Jimmy G stepped up in a big way. It certainly helps to have Deebo Samuel back in the mix and with a match-up coming against the Atlanta Falcons I’m looking at Garoppolo as a streaming option this week. The Falcons also rank 31st against opposing QBs this season.
Running Backs
Rashaad Penny, SEA at LAR (9% Rostered, ESPN)
I had a choice this past Sunday between one of the random New York Jets running backs filling in or Rashaad Penny and of course when looking to make these tough decisions I left it to my girlfriend, who doesn’t play fantasy football, for the final say and she absolutely nailed it imploring me to pick up Penny and thank goodness she did. Penny FINALLY had a solid game, it seems we’ve been waiting for him to have a game like this since he was drafted in 2018. He’s got a difficult match-up this week against the Rams who rank 14th against opposing running backs but James Connor just had a nice game against them on Monday Night Football, let’s roll with Penny moving forward.
David Johnson, HOU at JAX (35% Rostered, ESPN)
The Houston Texans are a flat out mess and while I don’t like much fantasy-wise for them there might be some opportunity for running back David Johnson who was activated on Monday from the COVID/Reserve list. Rex Burkhead and Royce Freeman have been handling the running back duties and not well so if Johnson is a full go this week he’ll probably have a good shot at opportunities this week.
Craig Reynolds, DET vs. ARI (0.5% Rostered, ESPN)
We weren’t sure who was going to head the Detroit Lions running back room this past Sunday with Swift and Williams out but it ended up being Craig Reynolds which nobody really saw coming as he was very little rostered. If neither of the starting backs are available this week you can look Reynolds’ way once again for some opportunity.
Wide Receivers
Russell Gage, ATL at SF (45% Rostered, ESPN)
The Russell Gage train is legit about to leave the station and this might be your final chance to get on the train as he’s finally found some consistency as he’s hit double-digit fantasy points in each of the last four weeks. In addition, the volume has been there as he’s averaged just over 8 targets per game during that stretch as well.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET vs. ARI (11% Rostered, ESPN)
The Detroit Lions came into this season with a major question mark at the wide receiver position but Amon-Ra St. Brown has begun to be the answer to that question emerging as the Lions top receiver. Over the previous two weeks he’s absolutely exploded and has the eye of QB Jared Goff with 24 total targets along with 18 receptions and has averaged about 20 fantasy points per game.
K.J. Osborn, MIN at CHI (26% Rostered, ESPN)
The Minnesota Vikings suffered got back on track last week on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers and rookie K.J. Osborn stepped up in a big way for us filling in for injured teammate Adam Thielen with three catches for 83 yards and a long touchdown reception to get you 17+ fantasy points. The Vikings play on Monday Night Football this week and some feel there’s a chance Thielen will play but with a high ankle sprain I’d be surprised so I’m rolling with Osborn once again.
Tight End
Rickey Seals-Jones, WSH at PHI (16% Rostered, ESPN)
There is a ton of value and opportunity here for Rickey Seals-Jones with Logan Thomas down and out. I know he struggled last week but he’s got a great match-up this week against the Philadelphia Eagles who rank dead last against opposing tight ends. Book it, Seals-Jones with a solid game this week.
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