Fantasy Football: Playoff Pickups

So yesterday, we normally would have run our rundown, talking about who is up and all that good stuff. Instead, we decided today to go with guys that you need to grab for this week, as well as some starters that might be in line for a good benching.

It's the semifinals or the finals in most leagues this week, and these are the decisions that pay off. 

Guys to Grab

• All the Dolphins- Davone Bess, Chad Pennington, Ted Ginn, and Ricky Williams are all going to draw the Chiefs. Sure, Kansas City can put up points, and tend to play better at home, but they give up their fair share of opportunities. Bess is a big sleeper play in PPR leagues. He'll find a way to end up with six catches. Pennington should throw for two and won't make a mistake. Ginn is a big play threat every time he touches the ball, and I just have a feeling on Williams.
• Le'Ron McClain - Dallas hasn't done well in their secondary all season, but they struggle with bigger running backs. McClain fits that bill. He's not exactly an RB2, but as a flex option, he remains attractive. Use him there.
• Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton- As just stated, the Cowboys have a pretty weak secondary. I wouldn't go out of my way to start Joe Flacco in this one, but his receivers could come up with a few big plays. Clayton has been good for one a game, and Mason is a reliable target.
• Dan Orlovsky - Look, you have to be really desperate and absolutely hate the other guys you would play. Fact is, the Saints can't stop the pass and Danny-boy has a good enough arm to throw for a couple touchdowns just because of Calvin Johnson.
• DeShaun Foster - Frank Gore could be out again, and that would mean Foster gets the bulk of the work. He ran well against the Dolphins, putting up over 100 total yards. The Rams are not as good as the Dolphins. You do the math.
• Cedric Benson - The Browns allow a lot of points to running backs, and Benson is coming off a decent game. He's a reach play, and it should be in deeper leagues as a flex option, but you could use him in an injury situation.
• Pierre Thomas, Lance Moore - With the status of Reggie Bush still uncertain, Thomas is going to continue to see the bulk of the work. Even with Bush healthy, that's likely going to be the case. Moore continues to get consistent work, and his matchup against Detroit is outstanding.
• Tashard Choice - He was used like Felix Jones last week, and I think that even against the Ravens he should put up decent numbers to warrant being a flex play in nearly all formats. He's earned the touches, that's for certain.
• Steve Breaston - I can't tell you how excited owners should be for the Cardinals playing against such a weak secondary. Breaston should be in for a great game, as there is no way the Patriots can play regular nickel coverage. That means Deltha O'Neal on the field. And that's a good thing for Breaston owners.
• Leon Washington - Against Seattle, he's going to get enough touches to make himself a worthy play in deeper leagues. I'd even anticipate a score.
• Shaun Hill and Seneca Wallace- Two other quarterbacks that could get the job done if you don't like the matchups you've been dealt. I like Hill better than Wallace, but you can throw on either opponent these guys will face.

Guys That Should Grab Some Pine

• All Your Steelers and Most Ravens - The problem with this game is that both the defenses are just way too good to start fringe players against.
• Vincent Jackson - It just isn't going to happen against Tampa Bay on the road. Jackson is going to be a product of the struggles Philip Rivers will likely have going against such a solid defense.
• Maurice Morris - I don't see the Jets allowing this guy to run all over them like they did Marshawn Lynch. It's a hunch, but I could understand putting him in the play column as well.
• David Garrard - He's still without any decent weapons at wide receiver, and that's going to pull down the stats for most quarterbacks.
• Frank Gore and Brandon Jacobs - I don't think that they'll play even if they end up healthy. Gore has the better shot, but Jacobs will be held out until he's fully ready to go.

Cardiac Kids

These guys will give you a heart attack if you play them and they fail, but it will kill you to bench them.

• Chris Johnson and LenDale White - They're going against the Pittsburgh run defense. The game might be at home, but the two have been shut down by better run defenses, including the Jets and Bears.
• Michael Turner - The Vikings will be without one Williams, but they are still tough against the run, and this game is more important to them than it is the Falcons (in my opinion).
• Ryan Grant - The Bears have shut down some good running backs, and Ryan Grant has been in as up-and-down a season as could be imagined. Keep him reserved if you have better options.
• Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes - I don't like either of these guys going up against a ball-hawking secondary on the road against Tennessee. The Steelers will have more success running the ball because of Albert Haynesworth being out, throwing it isn't going to do the job.
• Clinton Portis- Philly has done a solid job against the run the last few weeks, albeit against opponents who aren't as good as Portis. With Washington in a tailspin, I'd look for another option. Portis isn't 100 percent healthy, and this matchup could burn owners.

Back tomorrow to preview the early games!