NFL Divisional Playoffs Start/Sit

You don’t really have many options in the fantasy playoffs, so I’ll break down guys I like and guys I don’t like in this weekend's games.

Quarterbacks
Love:
Kurt Warner: I’m not sure any QB lights it up this weekend, as we’re left with some very tough defenses.  That said, Warner is going to throw the ball plenty. 

Edge was a nice story last week, but Carolina won’t be caught off guard.  The Old Guy is gonna have to bring it.

Like:
Eli Manning: I’m not enamored with Eli against the Eagles, but he should be productive.  If he can throw for 200 yards and a score or two, you should be happy.

Donovan McNabb: He’s certainly familiar with the G-Men.  I’m confident the Giants will bring the heat and put pressure on McNabb.  He and Westbrook should take advantage of that pressure on some screen plays.

Philip Rivers: I don’t love the matchup with Pittsburgh, but this guy can sling it.  Sproles isn’t getting that loose on the Steelers and they’ll need to throw often.

Jake Delhomme: They are going to supply a heavy dose of the ground game, but with Steve Smith at his disposal, he should put up solid numbers.

Ben Roethlisberger: If he can stay upright, he should be able to produce against San Diego.  I’m sure he’s thankful that Shawne Merriman isn’t lining up against him. 

Hate:
Joe Flacco: I expect the same formula as last week for the Ravens.
Kerry Collins: I wonder if he got any sleep after seeing the way the Ravens dispatched of Chad Pennington and the Dolphins.

Running Backs
Love: 
DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart:  The playoffs are a different animal, and Arizona isn’t as soft as I once thought, but this duo will have their way with the Cards this weekend.  I see both of them having 50+ yards and a TD.  DeAngelo will have the better game.

Brian Westbrook: Westy always has a big game up his sleeve when he takes on the Giants.  He’s the No. 1 reason I think the game will be close.

Brandon Jacobs - This dude is a beast.  He’s rested.  I’d be shocked if he didn’t punch one in against the Eagles. 

Like:
Le’Ron McClain: Tennessee will provide a much stiffer test than Miami, but McClain should still be a decent fantasy back this week.

Willie Parker: With Big Ben a hit away from the clipboard, the Steelers should introduce their brand of playoff football to San Diego.  Heavy on the ground attack.

LenDale White: I think his physical running will be utilized against the Ravens this week.  I can see a one-yard plunge.

Hate:
Chris Johnson: Unless he breaks a long one, I don’t see him racking up the yards against the Ravens.

Darren Sproles: He was the hero last week, but Pittsburgh will be ready for him.  I don’t know how well he’ll hold up to their physical play.

Edgerrin James/Tim Hightower: When the Cards leaned on Edge in Week 17 it wasn’t just because it was a meaningless game.  They were preparing their Playoff gameplan.  Carolina won’t be surprised and Edge and Hightower shouldn’t be big factors.

Wide Receiver
Love:
Larry Fitzgerald: He’s simply one of the game’s finest.

Steve Smith: He’ll be a tough cover for Arizona.

Hines Ward: He’s such a physical WR.  He should be able to muscle his way to a nice game against San Diego.

Like:
Muhsin Muhammad - Muhsin should benefit from all the attention Williams, Stewart, and Smith will garner.

Santonio Holmes: Holmes has played better down the stretch.  He should be a solid playoff WR2 for fantasy teams.

Derrick Mason: A solid, not spectacular, game is what I’ve come to expect from Mason
Kevin Curtis. He should snare some passes to take the pressure off of Westbrook. 

Hate:
Domenik Hixon: Not feeling it this week for Hixon.  I think it will be a steady diet of Jacobs and Ward.  One Giant WR will have a decent game, but it’s risky to pick which one.

Vincent Jackson: If he couldn’t catch a pass against Indy, what’s he going to do against Pitt.

Justin Gage: I don’t like his chances against a tough Baltimore D.

Tight Ends
Love:
Antonio Gates: He’s so hard to cover.  Even when banged up.

Bo Scaife: Scaife is probably the second best TE left in the playoffs.

Heath Miller: Heath is solid, and San Diego isn’t good at stopping TEs.  Bodes well for Miller owners.

Like:
Kevin Boss: Could take advantage of some play action.

Brent Celek: If L.J. Smith is out again, Celek could have his number called quite a bit.

Hate:
Todd Heap: One catch for 31 yards against Miami.  He stinks.

Leonard Pope: Seriously, do they have a TE in the desert?  Stephen Spach caught three passes, but that was a fluke.

Jeff King: Five catches in his last four games.  Yuck.