5 Flex-Spot Sleepers Worth Rolling with in Championship Week

Looking for some flex-spot players that can carry you to the championship?

With this being Week 16, it will be the week of many fantasy “Super Bowls." So you have to be very calculative with your lineup decisions this week. A lot of factors like injuries, matchups, weather, game plans, streaks, etc. have to be examined before you hit the submit button.

In these critical times, a lot of thought also has to go into who will be your flex-spot plays (if your league is set up that way).  If you didn’t know, a flex spot is either an extra running back (aside from your starting two), wide receiver (aside from your starting two) or, in some cases, a tight end. The decision on who your flex-spot player will be is often the difference between winning and losing.

So, with championships on the line, a flex play could be the difference between championship glory or second-place agony. That being said, here are five possible flex-spot plays that could be worth rolling with this week.

Danny Amendola, St. Louis Rams

He isn't a beacon of health, but when Amendola suits up, he is one of the most productive—while, at the same time, underrated—wide receivers in the game.

Amendola picked up where he left off last week (returning from a two-week absence) when he recorded six receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings. This week, Amendola and the Rams will be going up against an anemic Buccaneers passing attack. The Bucs allow a league-high 310.6 passing yards per game while also giving up 27 touchdowns through the air.

Expect Sam Bradford to look for Amendola early and often on Sunday.

Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos

After Willis McGahee went down with a season-ending injury, Moreno has been quite the revelation for the Broncos.

Upon assuming the position as lead back in Week 12, Moreno has rushed for 391 yards (twice over 100 yards in his last two contests) and two touchdowns (with both in the last two weeks). That’s some steady production. Moreno gives the Broncos a more balanced offense, and he’ll continue to be an integral part of the Broncos’ game plan.

Moreno should have himself another quality week, as he and the Broncos will face the Browns at home. The Browns can be exploited on the ground, having allowed on average 120.6 rushing yards per game and a total of 13 touchdowns on the ground.

Justin Blackmon, Jacksonville Jaguars

Blackmon could be an effective option at wide receiver when the matchup is right. This could be one of those weeks when Blackmon posts a solid stat line.

Just last week, Blackmon had six catches for 93 yards against the Dolphins. Blackmon’s opponent this week, the Patriots, have been vulnerable to giving up big passing plays, as they rank 29th against the pass (allowing 270.7 yards per game). This contest is likely to get out of hand and that may force the Jags to have to air it out. Expect the Pats to pay more attention to Cecil Shorts, leaving Blackmon open to do some damage in some single-coverage looks.

Vick Ballard, Indianapolis Colts

Ballard is quietly stringing together a couple of quality performances to end his rookie campaign.

The rushing workload for the Colts has fallen on the shoulders of Ballard now that Donald Brown is out for the year with a season-ending injury. Ballard has not disappointed in his stead, rushing for 240 yards and a touchdown in his last three games.

Ballard and the Colts will be taking on a wounded and beaten-down Chiefs squad that has nothing to play for. The Chiefs have been carved up on the ground this year, allowing 136.4 rushing yards per game (27th in the league).

Expect Ballard to get a heavy dose of carries, as there is a good chance this game could be a lopsided affair in favor of the Colts. Therefore, Ballard could be called upon to grind out the clock in the second half.

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers

Don’t look now, but Williams is effectively ending his season on a high note.

In his last four games, Williams has 237 rushing yards while also recording five receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns. As long as Jonathan Stewart remains out—and at this point he is being listed as questionable—Williams could be a useful flex play.

This weekend, Williams and the Panthers will entertain the Raiders at home. Williams will be given every opportunity to run amok on the Raiders, as they allow 122.5 rushing yards per game (21st in the NFL).

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