Fantasy Football Weekly Rundown: Divisional Playoffs

After some exciting football during the wild-card round of the playoffs, four more teams have been eliminated from the chance of playing for football’s ultimate glory; of course I am referring to the Super Bowl.

Some will contend that the Stanley Cup is the greatest trophy in all of sports, but the Super Bowl is without a doubt the greatest spectacle that sports has to offer. An entire season of work comes down to one game.

Millions and millions of people will watch this game worldwide in countries you may have never even heard of. There are only eight teams left with the chance to be crowned Super Bowl Champions and an interesting thing heading into the divisional round of this year’s playoffs is that all four games will be a rematch from the regular season.

So, as we all try to put together the best possible line-up this week to try and catch Bruno Boys Cavigs for the top spot in the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Playoff Contest, please enjoy the divisional playoff round version of the Bruno Boys Weekly Rundown.

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Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans

If you have ever heard the term “smash mouth” football and wondered want it meant, all you need to do is watch this game to find out. The Ravens and Titans have two of the best defenses in the league. This will be one hard-hitting game, as both teams will rely on a solid running game and excellent defense to get into the AFC Championship game.

These two teams faced each other in a defensive battle in Week Five, as the Titans defeated the Ravens 13-10 in Baltimore and another low scoring battle should take place this week in Nashville.

Key fantasy football contributors: Baltimore Ravens – Rookie QB Joe Flacco has surprised many people this season, leading the Ravens into the second round of the playoffs. Flacco will not wow you with huge numbers though, especially in this game and is not a recommended start this week. The Ravens will rely on a solid running game led by Le'Ron McLain and Willis McGahee to help keep the chains moving.

McClain is a big, strong runner who is a huge red-zone threat and could post double figures this week as a low-end RB1 option. Consider McGahee no more than a low-end RB2 this week. WR Derrick Mason has posted an excellent season and is a WR2 option you can get at a lower price.

Veteran kicker Matt Stover has had a good year, and he is a solid start this week, as points will be at a premium. The Raven D/ST was worth 27 points last week in a win over the Miami Dolphins and is once again a top option this week.

Tennessee Titans – QB Kerry Collins replaced Vince Young early in the season and never looked back, but he is not going to put up huge fantasy numbers. He will once again lead a ball control offense that will rely heavily on the running game.

Rookie Chris Johnson and LenDale White are a very formidable one-two punch at running back. Johnson is the speedy back who is a threat to break a long run every time he touches the ball, while White is the power back who is a touchdown machine. Consider both backs as low-end RB1 or high-end RB2 options this week against a tough Ravens rush defense.

WR Justin Gage has been the team’s best receiver this season, but is not a recommended start this week. Kicker Rob Bironas should get some opportunities in this defensive battle and is a solid start.

The Titans' D/ST is a very good play this week. They were one of the top units in football this season and coming off a bye week should have a very good game.

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Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers

If you are a fan of offense (and most fantasy football fanatics are) this is the game to watch this week. The Cardinals will look to prove that they can go across country and win an important football game. Arizona lost several games this season when they had to travel to the East Coast, including a Week Eight loss to the Panthers in Carolina.

These two teams both have explosive offenses, but they have different styles. The Cardinals will use the passing game to help open the run and the Panthers will use a very good running game to help open up the pass. Either way this game should offer up some big fantasy football points.

Key fantasy football contributors: Arizona Cardinals – QB Kurt Warner should once again be in line for a huge game. He had 381 yards passing to go with two touchdowns and one interception in the Week Eight matchup with the Panthers. Look for a similar game from Warner this week as he does have some of the best weapons in football to pass to.

Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are two of the top wide receivers in the game. They both had double-digit outings in the Week Eight matchup and the only thing that could slow these two down this week is Boldin’s ailing hamstring. Both of these receivers are must starts this week, but Boldin’s hamstring is a concern and you should keep on eye on him right up until game time.

The Cardinals' third WR Steve Breaston has put together a solid season and he has sleeper potential at a low value. The Cardinals running game has showed some life lately, but both Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower should be considered low-end options this week. Kicker Neil Rackers is a solid kicker, but the Cardinals do not offer a ton of field goal opportunities. Keep the D/ST reserved in what should be a high-scoring game.

Carolina Panthers – The Panthers will look to control the clock with their running game and they have an excellent one-two punch to do that. RB DeAngelo Williams may have been the biggest surprise in football this season as he finished the year with 20 total touchdowns and over 1,600 total yards while sharing carries with rookie RB Jonathan Stewart.

Consider Williams a must-start option this week who should score in double figures and could be the top play at RB this weekend. Stewart also has some value and should make a solid RB2 option against the Cardinals rush defense. QB Jake Delhomme put together a solid season.

He tends to try and force some big plays and will make a mistake, but if the running game gets going early Delhomme will make a solid QB2 this week as he will look for WR Steve Smith who is his favorite target. Smith put together another great season and is a great play as a WR1 this week.

Kicker John Kasay is a solid start, but keep the Panthers' D/ST reserved against the Cardinals.

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Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants

The Eagles and Giants will meet for the third time this season, with the road team winning the previous two outings. They are heated divisional rivals and this grudge match should be one heck of a football game as both teams have similar styles. Both teams have smart quarterbacks who will look to make minimal mistakes.

They will both likely rely heavily on the run and solid defense to win this game. New York of course is looking to defend their Super Bowl title from last season and Philadelphia would like nothing more then to end their reign. 

Key fantasy football contributors: Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles are led by veteran QB Donovan McNabb who has had a bit of an up and down season, but has played real good down the stretch and is a savvy leader who is a good game manager. Consider McNabb a low-end QB1 this week.

He does not have a true No. 1 receiver but does a very good job spreading the ball around. TE Brent Celek had six catches last week and is a bit of a sleeper in this game. RB Brian Westbrook is McNabb’s biggest weapon. Westbrook can do it both on the ground and through the air.

He is a RB1 option this week and should once again score in double figures. Kicker David Akers has been very good this season. He posted 14 points last week and should have another big game this week, but weather could be a factor.

The D/ST has been good this season, but are a bit of a risky start this week against a potent Giants offense.

New York Giants – QB Eli Manning is the reigning Super Bowl MVP, but he is not what you would consider a must start QB1. Like McNabb he is a savvy leader and good game manager. Manning will rely heavily on his running game to move the chains and help open up the passing game.

TE Kevin Boss will likely be his favorite target in this game. RB Brandon Jacobs has had two weeks to rest his sore knee and should be as healthy as he has been in a while. He is a solid RB1 option this week as he is always a threat to score in the red zone.

Backup RB Derrick Ward has proven to be a very good back in his own right and is a good play as a RB2 who you can get at a lower value. Veteran kicker John Carney was picked-up on waivers before Week One and all he did was make the Pro Bowl.

He does not have a “big” leg, but he is very accurate and with a good running game should get plenty of opportunities.

Like the Eagles, the Giants' D/ST was very good this season, but they are a risky start this week in this rivalry game.

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San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The San Diego Chargers are the surprise team left in these playoffs. After sneaking in the playoffs with an 8-8 record by beating the Denver Broncos for the AFC West title, they upset the Indianapolis Colts last weekend to advance to the second round.

Their reward though is a tough road matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers finished the season as the number two seed in the AFC playoffs and head into this game well rested. These two teams met in Week 11 in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers snuck away with an 11-10 victory in blizzard like snow conditions.

Key fantasy football contributors: San Diego Chargers – QB Phillip Rivers put together a very good regular season, but in the Week 11 matchup in snowy conditions he only managed a 44.4 passer rating, passing for 164 yards with two turnovers. The conditions in Pittsburgh this weekend will be bitter cold with snow flurries, which will make Rivers a risky start.

TE Antonio Gates should have a solid game as Rivers will likely target him often as an outlet receiver. WR Vincent Jackson put together a nice season but will be risky start this week. He did not record a catch last week, the weather conditions will be a factor, and he was arrested earlier this week on an apparent DUI.

There are better options at WR this week. RB LaDainian Tomlinson is questionable with a groin injury and may not play, so the Chargers will once again be forced to rely on his back-up Darren Sproles. Sproles put together a superb game last week against the Colts, but he is unlikely to repeat his 26-point performance as the Steelers had one of the top rush defenses this year.

Kicker Nate Kaeding is a solid kicker, but could find it a tough go in Pittsburgh this week. Keep the D/ST reserved.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Ben Roethlisberger is a solid play at QB this week. Sure he is coming of a concussion, but if he is cleared to play (and he likely will be) he should have a good game against the Chargers' 31st ranked pass defense from the regular season.

He threw for over 300 yards against San Diego in a blizzard in Week 11. Both Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes are solid plays at WR this week and Heath Miller is a great play as a TE1.

RB Willie Parker was plagued by the injury bug most of the season, but had two solid outings to end the regular season and with the bye week giving him additional time to rest he could be in line for a double-digit outing against the Chargers. Kicker Jeff Reed had a decent season, but there are better options at kicker this week.

The Steelers' D/ST is a must-start option, as they are one of the best units in football.

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