Ahead of the Curve: Playoff Preparation Edition

Written by Lisa Danhof

Fair Warning: I’m not clairvoyant. I don’t even play one on TV. That said, it really doesn’t take a crystal ball to anticipate some changes for your team. So, with a bit of deductive reasoning, logic, and historical evaluation you can finally stop reacting and start anticipating. For once you won’t be sniped at the waiver wire, but actually be ahead of the curve.

Jabar Gaffney: NE WR 8.8% owned.
Gaffney was a sleeper candidate for many shrewd fantasy football owners at the beginning of this season. Unfortunately he got off to a slow start and is now down to less than 10% owned. After reviewing his stats for the last two weeks: 12 catches, 174 yds, 1TD, perhaps he deserves a second look.

Gaffney has a tough week 13 matchup against the Steelers but then starts the first round of most league playoffs in week 14 against Seattle, who is 30th against the pass. Both he and QB Matt Cassel seem to be getting hot at just the right time.

Mark Bradley: KC WR 24.1% owned.
Bradley has been very consistent over the last five weeks, grabbing at least three catches each game and averaging about 50 yards per game while scoring three touchdowns. In weeks 14-16 the Chiefs face Denver, San Diego and Miami who are 25th, 32nd, and 28th against the pass respectively. You’ll be hard pressed to find more favorable playoff matchups.

Davone Bess: MIA WR 0.4% owned.
Admittedly, Bess is the longest shot of the three I am mentioning here, but someone besides Ted Ginn Jr. has to catch what Chad Pennington is throwing and is looking like it will be Bess. In last week’s game Camarillo left with a season ending knee injury and Bess stepped up and had his best game as a pro, catching five passes for 87 yards.

Some easy matchups in the playoffs don’t hurt his cause either. In the upcoming weeks the Dolphins face Buffalo (16th against the pass); San Francisco (29th); and Kansas City (27th).