We are officially in Fantasy Football playoff season, and that means that if you’ve made it this far, it’s because you’ve read my articles and followed my advice, obviously. You’ve still got a chance to win money and if you listen to me, we’ll go far together kid. Plenty of gems on the waiver wire to snag now as we get serious in our Fantasy Football leagues with cold, hard cash on the line (and/or pride too). Let’s get to the nitty-gritty now.
Tyrod Taylor is coming off two straight three passing touchdown performances against a tough Kansas City team and a red-hot Houston team as well. Taylor looks to be over his shoulder injury and is putting up some great performances like he had earlier in the season. With a solid run game from LeSean McCoy, Sammy Watkins staying healthy, and even players such as Robert Woods kicking in to support, Taylor is poised to have a solid end of the season as the Bills have something to fight for in a playoff spot. Taylor’s next three games (PHI, WAS, DAL) all have below-average secondaries. This is the perfect scenario for Taylor as fantasy owners that need a quarterback after say, Philip Rivers or Ryan Tannehill continuing to struggle for them. He is a high-upside QB2.
Another AFC East quarterback on the rise is Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has been up two straight terrific performances in fantasy football. With over 660 yards passing and six touchdowns over that span, Fitz has been surprisingly efficient for those who have him. For those who don’t, he needs to be picked up and treated as a low-end QB1 on a weekly basis due to his weapons (Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker) being healthy and contributing every week. It doesn’t hurt that he has a solid run game supported by Chris Ivory, who can also catch out of the backfield. Get Fitz now as he is getting hot at the right time and could easily keep going.
James White had a breakout game on Sunday in the passing game (he only had two carries for four yards in the run game, so yes, he sucks in the run game) with 10 receptions, 115 yards receiving, and a touchdown. He was arguably the most productive player on New England’s offense on Sunday and this could be the start of something for him. The Patriots have seemed to abandon the run game when they are in a close game or playing from behind and focus more on the pass. White was used heavily in that scenario and considering all of the injuries the Patriots are dealing with on both sides of the ball, New England could keep having close games, keeping White relevant. He is a high-upside, mid-tier RB3/FLEX play in week 14 for PPR leagues.
Shaun Draughn clearly was made for San Francisco (yikes) and thus, has proven to be a reliable fantasy football player in PPR leagues the last four games with 22 receptions and at least 75 yards from scrimmage as well. Carlos Hyde is all but ruled out for the season and with Blaine Gabbert at quarterback (I just threw up a little), Draughn will continue to be a solid low-end RB2 in PPR leagues and needs to be owned on all fantasy teams and even started in most actually. Go get ‘im, he’s deserved it.
Both rookie wide receivers Dorial Green-Beckham and DeVante Parker had solid games on Sunday (DGB: five receptions, 119 yards, one touchdown and Parker: three receptions, 63 yards, one touchdown) for their respective teams and both are on the rise in fantasy football. For DGB, he is easily the best wide receiver in Tennessee and as he and Marcus Mariota continue to develop chemistry and considering the lack of a solid run game, DGB could be in for some more big games like this as Mariota has been producing well as of late and he has to throw to someone, right? And for Parker, he is now a starting wide receiver for the Dolphins and has scored in two straight games since Rishard Matthews (drop him) went down with broken ribs. Even if the Dolphins commit to the run more and pass less, Parker is still talented enough to take the top off of a defense and be a solid deep threat for Miami. DGB is a high-upside WR4, while Parker is a high-upside, mid-tier WR3. Both have chances to keep doing well and should be owned in all fantasy football leagues going forward.
Doug Baldwin has scored five touchdowns and over 200 yards receiving in the past two games. This needs no explanation, go grab him quick, he is en fuego.
Lastly, Austin Seferian-Jenkins is finally back after missing nine games with a shoulder injury and still finished tied for the 2nd most targets on Sunday with six. Jameis Winston continues to improve as a passer every week and with his full plethora (Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson, ASJ, and Doug Martin) healthy, Winston has the chance to put up great numbers going forward and ASJ could be a huge benefactor from that. He gets a chance to have a terrific game on Sunday against the Saints, and also considering the lack of solid tight end options these days outside of Greg Olsen (along w/ Eifert and Gronk when they come back), Seferian-Jenkins could slide in and have a top eight week and be a solid TE1 not only for week 14, but for the rest of the season as well.
That’ll do it for me this week, I’ve got to go bathe in the millions of dollars I’ve made from following my own fantasy football advice. Maybe if you listen to what I tell you, you can also do this. Until then, be jealous.
