Fight to the Bell: Round Two of the Fantasy Football Playoffs

I am a lucky guy. Not lucky enough to win the lottery, or find $20 on the ground, or even get more food than I ordered at McDonald’s. But boy did I luck up in fantasy football so far.

My running back core is Michael “The Burner” Turner, DeAngelo “The Savior” Williams, and Chris “Dash” Johnson. I know, I know. How in the hell did you land all of those studs?

We won’t get into any particulars but this was a pretty good auction draft. First off, I had the second-best record in the league, and secondly, my wide receivers were garbage. Plus, these guys were actually off the board as fast as your regulars, L.T., Peterson, and Barber, but wow have they produced.

Sensing that my luck was about to turn, the last few weeks I went into battle mode. I dove into heavy training with checking on stats, my matchups, playoffs week schedules, potential suspensions, past games performances, and all the fantasy articles available to read.

After three days, I was in Pacquiao mode. (Side note: Oscar, please retire. We love you. Stick to promotions. Pacquiao beat the brakes off you. That was the fight of the year, nothing even close, but for the wrong reason. Who doesn’t like to see a train wreck, even if it was the Little Engine that Could taking on Amtrak?)

I’m back. After my research, here are a list of key guys for Week 15 that probably are still available of the wire or on someone’s bench that may be bribed with a back room deal of Hooters wings.

Anthony Gonzalez – WR – Colts

The Colts play Detroit. Enough said. The only hope is that they don’t get up too fast too early. And if they do…

Dominic Rhodes – RB – Colts

Does anyone trust Addai to finish a game anymore? Rhodes was a great re-hire for the Colts and should be on your fantasy team also.

Le’Ron McClain – RB – Ravens

Sticking with the AFC, this mammoth of a man strikes the fear of Bettis into opposing defenders and rightfully so. McClain had 63 yards and a TD last time versus the Steelers and it is in the Ravens best interest to keep this game slow and ugly.

Maurice Morris – RB – Seahawks

The Seahawks have been terrible this year, but there is one team in there division that is worse—the St. Louis Rams. Morris didn’t play the first matchup against the Rams and expects to pad some numbers this week. Joining him will be...

Deion Branch – WR- Seahawks

Branch is finally started to mold into the form that Seattle hoped after getting him from the Patriots a few years ago. Branch caught his first two TDs of the year last week and it seems that he is on the same page as Seneca Wallace.

Reggie Williams/Dennis Northcutt – WR – Jaguars

Somebody has to catch the ball now that Matt Jones has finally been suspended. Other that Jones-Drew, Garrard has no other choice but to find one of these two on the field. The Packers gave up 400 yards last week to the Texans.

Shaun Hill – QB – 49ers

Hill has caught on with the Singletary Revolution in the Bay. With Miami next on the slate, and a banged up Frank Gore, look for the 49ers to go Mad Martz and spread the Dolphins out with four wide out sets all day.

Jeff Garcia – QB – Buccaneers

Garcia doesn’t have gaudy numbers, but he is consistent. With 10 tds and only 3 interceptions, Garcia won’t kill you, but he more than likely won’t blow you away either.

Vernon Davis – TE – 49ers

Now that Davis is back in good standing with the coaching staff and the team, look for them to get him more involved in the offense. Look for some bootleg rolls his way and maybe even a few isolation fade routes matched up against big mouth of the south, Joey Porter.

Sleepers

Malcolm Floyd –WR (SD), Cadillac Williams – RB (Tampa), Mark Clayton – WR (Baltimore), Darren Sproles – RB (SD), Davone Bess – WR (Miami)