Gridiron Experts

Week 14 Start’em Sit’em: Playoff Version

Every Fantasy Football league is different, but we have to assume that 50% of all leagues skip week 17 and begin their fantasy playoffs now. Going with our version of digging deep and avoiding the obvious starters, Gridiron Experts playoff forecast gives a shotgun version of each game for who to look out for and who could be a potential sleeper. Keep in mind we are not about to insult your fantasy football intelligence by posting obvious situations as our goal is to zone in on these perfect match-ups and offer advice that might make your life a little easier.

**Fantasy Tip** Whether you are a gambling man or not, the Vegas lines do offer insight into how the betting world thinks a game will go down. Sometimes it can help you in fantasy football make that deciding factor. I’m talking about the over/under,  nobody is more accurate at nailing the exact score of game than Vegas. So if the over/under is high…they think it’ll be a high scoring game hence lots of Fantasy points,  like wise for a low Over/Under. Just something to think about, remember nobody puts more time into predicting games using things like; weather,match-ups, injuries and team history than Sportsbook makers.

Pittsburgh at Cleveland (Over/Under 33)

• Our Thoughts: The Steelers are in one of the worst losing skids in quite some time. Pittsburgh is going to want to bounce back fast, but with Hines Ward banged up the running game could take over most of the workload. Cleveland ranks near the bottom of the league in rushing yards, giving up on average 154 yards a game. The Browns also have allowed 14 rushing TD’s and Mendenhall is hitting 5.0 yards per carry. Although, Ben Roethlisberger did pass for 417 yards and two touchdowns  in Week 6 in a 27-14 win. Either way, the Steelers should win big on the road, most if not all Steelers have value on Thursday night.

• Must Starters: Rashard Mendenhall

• Sleepers: Mike Wallace

• Weigh Your Options Before Starting: Pittsburgh Defense

• Do Not Start: Any Cleveland Browns

Green Bay at Chicago (O/U 41.5)

• Our Thoughts: This game should be closer than many will be expecting. They are calling for light snow Monday but if it rolls in early Rodgers numbers might take a small hit. Nothing to worry about for most of the regular starters but the 3rd stringers and backups should remain on your bench.
• Solid Match-Up: Greg Jennings, Matt Forte,
• Sleeper: Ryan Grant, Jermichael Finley
• Weigh Your Options Before Starting: Jay Cutler

Denver at Indianapolis (O/U 44)

• Our Thoughts: Peyton Manning hasn’t really faced any tough opponents lately, so it’ll be hard to predict this one. The Broncos have two versions of themselves and guessing who’s going to show up each week is difficult for fantasy owners. Denver has combined for 70 points in their last two games but only had 34 points in the previous three games; Are the Broncos tuning are corner? or are they just streaky from week to week. We see a defensive battle early on, with each team feeling each other out with safe throws and relying heavily on the run game. Players like B.Marshal and R.Wayne have-to be in you line-up, but could easily see double coverage this week and cause for low numbers.
• Solid Match-Up:Pierre Garcon, Knowshon Moreno, Both Defense’s
• Sleeper: Correll Buckhalter,
• Deep Sleeper: Austin Collie,

Buffalo at Kansas City (O/U 37.5)

• Our Thoughts: This is the game of zero fantasy value. There is nobody that great on either side of  the ball worth risking. That includes Terrell Owens, T.O has burned us more than saved us in sleeper picks and we recommend avoiding him if you cab. All fantasy players in this game get average marks.

NY Jets at Tampa Bay (O/U 37)

• Our Thoughts: This is a game where our advice at the top about the over/under can give you a hint to how Vegas see’s this one shaping up. Unlike the high Falcons & Saints O/U, this match-up between the Jets and Buc’s has what looks to be a 17-10 type game. Both teams offense’s have been struggling and aside from Thomas Jones I can’t see too many other must starters. Start Jones and leave the rest on the bench.

St. Louis at Tennessee (O/U 41.5)

• Our Thoughts: Gold mine for Running Backs! You couldn’t  ask for a better match-up than Chris Johnson against the Rams.
• Solid Match-Up: Vince Young- He has proven to be a great fantasy option lately. VY has thrown for a TD in each of his last 4 games and always picks up yards on the ground.
• Sleeper: Kenny Britt, Titans DEF
• Deep Sleeper: WR Brandon Gibson,

Washington at Oakland ( O/U 35.5)

• Our Thoughts: Another boring fantasy game, both teams are playing well but nothing really calls out as a must starter. Jason Campbell has been on fire as of late, but the cross country trips messed with the Bengals and Eagles…are you really going to take a shot with Campbell in the playoffs? If you have no other option than expect maybe 200 yards and 1-2 touchdowns. But he could just well crash and burn like other road teams from the east.

• Not A Bad Match-Up For: Zach Miller, Redskins D/ST

New Orleans at Atlanta (O/U 50.5 )

• Our Thoughts: The Falcons playoff hopes are flashing before their eyes. A win against the Saints would slingshot them back into the race along with adding extra confidence to a banged up .500 team. We’re not saying ATL wins (Free Picks Friday), but you can bet they’ll be playing like it’s their last game on planet earth. Despite the ass kicking the dirty birds took last week, Roddy White was targeted 20 times and had an excellent day. Who ever is starting at QB should be firing at will, so don’t over think the Falcon’s WR’s this week.   ** Fantasy Tip** You always want to start great receivers in must win games when the team is a huge underdog. If (when) the Saints get the lead the Falcons willing be throwing all day for a comeback, and even to keep a lead if they get one.
• Must Starters: Roddy White, Tony Gonzazlez, Robert Meachman,
• Sleepers: PT Cruiser, Matt Ryan (If he plays)
• Weigh Your Options Before Starting: Any Falcon RB’s

Miami at Jacksonville (O/U 44.5)

• Our Thoughts: The Wildcat vs the Jaguars in front of a couple thousand fans, hurry Tebow save the franchise. This game should test both defense’s in a very important wildcard must win contest. Key Stats: Jaguars Pass Def Rank: 23rd-Dolphins Pass Def Rank: 24th
• Solid Match-Up: David Garrard
• Sleeper: Mike Sims-Walker

Detroit at Baltimore (O/U 39.5)

• Our Thoughts: Well, you can’t bench Calvin Johnson…can you? -Hell No! go down swinging and never overlook a fantasy match-up. The Lions are in tough on the road, but aren’t as screwed as you think. The Ravens are only average against the Pass this season and take way too many dumb penalties, which could set up the Lions in easy scoring situations.
• Must Starters: Calvin Johnson, Ravens DEF,
• Solid Match-Up: Todd Heap
• Sleeper: Kevin Smith
• Weigh Your Options Before Starting: Raven Wr’s

Seattle at Houston (O/U 44.5)

• Our Thoughts: The Texans and Seahawks decided to meet in the middle at 5-7, the Texans can’t stop losing while the Hawks have won 2 in a row. Both teams have huge holes on defense, with decent offense’s than can rack up great fantasy points.
• Not A Bad Match-Up For: Mat Hasselbeck, Justin Forsett,
• Sleeper: Ryan Moats

Cincinnati at Minnesota (O/U 43.5)

• Our Thoughts: Looks to be a great game, but maybe a fantasy nightmare. Favre and Palmer are weekly starters but face tough, smart defenses. The Vikings will bounce back with a vengeance this is weak, you may want to rethink some of your fantasy Bengals.
• Must Starters: Visanthe Shiancoe

• Solid Match-Up: Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin
• Sleeper: Bengals D/ST

Carolina at New England (O/U 43.5)

• Our Thoughts: The Patriots are 1-5 on the road this year…amazing. Good news is this game is at home and against one of the more bendable defense’s in the league. The Patriots should run the score up out of anger over losing last week.

• Solid Match-Up: Laurence Maroney,

• Sleeper: Jonathan Stewart, Steve Smith

San Diego at Dallas (O/U 48.5)

• Our Thoughts: One of the best games of the week, Fantasy green light across the board.
• Must Starters: Felix Jones,
• Solid Match-Up: L.Tomlinson,
• Deep Sleeper: Malcom Floyd

Philadelphia at NY Giants (O/U 44.5)

• Our Thoughts: This is going to be a grudge match. The Eagles embarrassed the Giants in Philly and will have an anger New York crowd in their ears all game.  Eagles QB Donovan McNabb has won 10 of the past 14 starts vs. the Giants, including playoffs and should try to stretch the field again on the G-Men. Although, the re-match may be won or lost on the ground, Jacobs and McCoy should have big weeks.
• Must Starters: LeSean McCoy, Brandon Jacobs, Steve Smith, Kevin Boss
• Sleepers: Jason Avant,

Arizona at San Francisco (O/U  44)

• Our Thoughts: We saw this game in a different light a week ago, the Cardinals surprised the Vikings and the 49er’s lost to Seattle but we thought this one was going to be closer and be for the division. Fantasy owners get the green light on all night games this week as this game should be high scoring and loaded with fantasy points
• Must Starters: Vernon Davis, Tim Hightower,
• Weigh Your Options Before Starting: Michael Crabtree
• Sleeper: Alex Smith

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