The fantasy playoffs kick off this week so I'm introducing a new column to get you fired up and ready to go. Here are my top five predictions for the fantasy playoffs. Joe Fortenbaugh
For today’s column I figured I would switch things up and write about something more topical. With the fantasy playoffs set to kick off in most leagues this week, I am holding an open forum for all readers. Here are my top five fantasy predictions for the upcoming playoff run. I want to hear your feedback, but there is one catch today: in order for you to leave a comment, you have to give me at least one of your own predictions as well. And as always, you are more than welcome to bash anything I say. Two pieces of business: first, has everyone registered for the Super Bowl ticket giveaway yet? It’s free, and you have to do virtually nothing to register. Click here to take care of it.
Second, as I mentioned earlier this week, the National Football Post and The Hardcore Fantasy Show on Sirius Satellite Radio are teaming up to bring you a college “Bowl Game Pick Em Challenge.” All you will have to do is simply leave your prediction in the comments section when I post an article on game day. Now we can separate the guys who really know their stuff from the pretenders (I’m sure I’ll get at least 75% wrong, so just pick against me if you want a shot at winning).
FANTASY PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
1. Philly Will Break Your Heart: After the 48-20 smack down the Birds handed Arizona on Thanksgiving last week, many fantasy owners may be feeling good about Donny Mac and B-West down the stretch. Don’t. While the 414 yards of offense and eight touchdowns between McNabb and Westbrook on Turkey Day may give you reason to believe, Philadelphia is about to run into a brick wall. Their remaining schedule features some of the NFL’s nastiest defenses, with upcoming road games against the Giants (3rd in total defense) and Redskins (6th), and a Week 17 showdown at the Linc with the beloved Cowboys (9th). While they are a good start on Monday night in two weeks against the Browns, the other three games spell trouble. I speak from the heart when I tell you that as an Eagles fan, I am not looking forward to the final four games.
2. B-Marsh Is Ready For Lift Off: After a torrid start to the 2008 season, Brandon Marshall has cooled off and fallen out of the top 10 for fantasy wide receivers. Marshall has only scored 1 TD in his last 8 games, has not eclipsed 100 yards receiving since week 3 and has only one 10+ reception performance on the year. However, there is no need to panic fantasy owners, because Marsh has got your back. Broncos’ quarterback Jay Cutler looks to have broken out of his short slump and is back to slingin’ the rock like he did earlier in the year. In addition, Denver’s final four games come against some lackluster passing defenses including Kansas City (25th), San Diego (31st), Buffalo (14th) and Carolina (12th). While the Broncos appear to have a firm grasp on the AFC West, they will most likely be playing out their season at 100% in the hopes of drawing the weaker of the two wild card teams in the first round of the playoffs.
3. Forte Edges Out CJ & Silky Smooth: Just for clarification, I referenced Chris Johnson as “silky smooth” a week ago when clearly that moniker is better suited for Double S Steve Slaton. Now that we have resolved a matter of national importance, back to our fantasy analysis. The top three rookie running backs are going to be in a fight to the finish to determine which of them has the best overall fantasy season. As of now Forte leads Slaton and Johnson 185-160-153, respectively. However, if you start all three of them with a clean slate heading into the final four weeks, I still have to give the edge to Forte based on the matchups. While all three should close out 2008 on a very strong note, the remaining defensive matchups favor Forte:
Forte Slaton Johnson
Jacksonville (20th) Green Bay (27th) Cleveland (26th)
New Orleans (19th) Tennessee (12th) Houston (23rd)
Green Bay (27th) Oakland (29th) Pittsburgh (1st)
Houston (23rd) Chicago (6th) Indianapolis (25th)
*ranks indicate RUSHING defense
4. Sit Daniels Until Schaub Comes Back: It took me a good ten minutes to come up with this title, and it is still a piece of crap. However, the one thing it does is get my point across in crystal clear fashion. Sage Rosenfels has been absolutely killing Owen Daniels’ statistics, so it’s time to implement plan B until Matt Schaub decides to suck it up and get back on the gridiron. Since Schaub’s injury (not including the Minnesota game), Daniels has only caught 7 passes for 80 yards and NO scores in FOUR GAMES. Prior to Schaub’s injury, O.D. had four games in which he caught for 66 yards or more. Until Matty returns to action, Daniels is just wasting fantasy space on your roster. Hopefully you snagged Dustin Keller as insurance a few weeks ago. If not, let me know who your options are and we’ll figure it out.
5. Dallas Will Implode: That’s right, I said it. Everything may look all lovey dovie after Romo came back and led the ‘Boys to three straight wins, but dark clouds are on the horizon. The Cowboys have the good fortune of traveling to Pittsburgh this weekend, hosting Big Blue and Baltimore in weeks 15 and 16, and then traveling to Philly for the annual T.O. love fest to close out the year. Once the Steelers get done pounding on Dallas at Heintz this Sunday, the Cowboys are going to return home to get beaten up by the Giants. Sometime thereafter I fully expect Owens to start running his mouth, his teammates to get pissed off, and Wade Phillips to lose control of the locker room, thus, setting up a Philadelphia upset special in Week 17. You heard it here first.
Devo: i think so. I was at the Philly game and Arizona just looked cold and tired. Warner will bounce back
Hey Joe, what do you think Addai's prospects for the rest of the year are? Is he worth trading for? Will they try to get him back into game form prior to the playoffs? Or is he in a share with Rhodes?
I don't really like any of the Cowboys fantasy matchups but a loss at Philly will NOT happen. Dallas will get their 10th win and sneak into the playoffs that weekend. You can just go ahead and sell your tickets to some Dallas fans right now.
Sleeper fantasy play if you don't go to week 17 in your league is the Colts D. They've got Cinn., Det., and Jax coming up the next three weeks.
hey joe. i have OD and he has killed me each week. zach miller is out there. is he worth grabbing and starting this week? they are saying shaub will be starting this week but i can take a chance needing a win to make the playoffs. also im thinking of starting thigpen over rivers. the raiders pass defense is remembering how to play defense. im starting d-will and addai with mjd riding the pine. last question pick one: s holmes or breaston. st louis is on the western side of the mississippi. just saying it is not an east coast game. as for a prediction the super bowl will not have a team from nyc.
Joe,
First, I registered for the ticket give away. But, you already promised me that we were going together so I don't really see the point.
Second, I predict that one of those rookie runningbacks will not even play in 2 of his teams final 4 games. Either CJ is going to be sat down as the Titans coast to the playoffs or Forte will get hurt because of too many touches. I think SS will be fine. But, hey, you grouped them together and so am I to say that one of them is going to become real useless real quick.
Third, Steven Jackson is going to be a top 5 back from here on out and LT is going to miss his first start in a long time. Count it.
KD: i love addai's schedule for the rest of the season...i think he has big potential.
BROO: i like the slepper prediction on the Colts D. I watched their game on Sunday and noticed they struggled putting pressure on Anderson (outside of the forced fumble), but the schedule is great.
Also i know you are a cowboys fan, so enjoy your winning streak while it lasts. you cant feel good about the upcoming schedule
Anthony: i'd lean towards breaston, but i remember this pick backfiring on me before. in addition, if schaub comes back, you're good. if not, is there anyone better than Miller? I dont like the oakland offense, although this thursday is a good matchup.
Joey: must have been drunk when i promised that. however i will be in tampa for a week leading up to the game, so be sure to look for my blogs. they should be filled with rambling jibberish.
I love the predictions. i like it when people go out on a limb a little bit. nice job
I like their chances for 2 out of 4 to get to 10 wins. That may not be enough to make the playoffs this year though. If they fold up in Philly I'll be the first one calling for Wade to get the axe. He and Reid can go fishing together next year.
Hillis or BWest this week?
your thoughts on s jackson down the stretch?
Joe,
I also want to predict that everything is going to go great for the Cowboys from here on. Basically, everything you said about them imploding is not going to happen.
I base this claim on the fact that everything that I have rooted for this year has not worked. I hate the Cowboys. The football teams I root for are Texas A&M, Michigan, and the Texans. The only team I really root against is the Cowboys. So, I am more certain now than I ever have been that they are going to do some damage down the stretch and in the playoffs. But, I hope you are right.
Hi Joe,
Read your other column and see you like Bess, but not more than Hixon. Do you like Hixon better than Desean Jax or Kevin Walter?
youre right about breaston. i start him he gets no love. i bench him he gets 100 yds/td. cant win with him. im leaning towards holmes b/c we play in a ppr league. as for available te: shiancoe, boss, d grahram, m bennett, and d lee.
H-Town, come on man, Boys have enough haters out there without fellow Texans getting in on the act, too. Us Texans up here by the Red River have no ill will towards that scarlet clad team in the Bayou. I did have to adjust the color on my set last night though...
BROO: its crazy to say, but Hillis has the much better matchup. After Reid and Phillips get done fishing, they can go hit the all you can eat buffet together as well
Bill: his schedule is very favorable, but the thigh injury concerns me. however, i do think he has some solid potential down the stretch
Joey: i know exactly what that feeling is like. im hoping in this instance your gut comes through for ya!
Cooper: I would say i like Hixon the most right now. He has played great in relief of Plax and should only get better with the more playing time he gets. However, dont give up on DeSean. He has been having an impressive year
Anthony: I have players like that too. Its almost like the players performance is all based on whether or not your start them. if you do, you get nothing. If you dont, he'll blowup
anthony: check out boss
Did everyone not like the Houston uniforms last night?
B roo,
Its easy for you guys to root for the Texans because we aren't any good and are therefore no threat to the Boys' state dominance. Besides, given my track record this year, isn't it better if I root against them?
Joe,
Those red unis look nice with the white pants. The all red was a bit much.
The uniforms last night were awful, as was Kris Brown and Kevin walter combining for enough to beat me by a point last night....Predictions for the rest of the year, Terrible Owens doesn't have a hundred yards or a touchdown in any of the remainings games, LenDale White outscores Chris Johnson the remainder of the way, and Peyton Hillis finishes a top 5 running back from now until the end of the season.
Cedric Benson!! Especially if you play through week 17. Matchups against Indy, Was, Cle, and KC! I'm going to throw out 300 yards and four touchdowns for him. He's running hard and relevant in the passing game.
Hey Joe, thanks for the reply. I haven't given up on Desean Jax, but unfortunately I think the Giants win the game this weekend and therefore was going to start Hixon. If you cut out the emotional aspect, do you think I'm making the right call?
I would love to register to have a chance on those tickets, too bad its just open for US residents.. What happened to the Football Fans in the rest of the world?
:(
anyways, thanks for good post as always.
Joey: i gotta be honest, i kinda dug the all red. andre johnson looked like the a freakishly huge version of the Flash
Matt: nice picks buddy! im not a fan of hearing lendale outdoing CJ, but i like the picks...good call!
Scot: Cedric Benson? if that comes through im sending you an NFP workout shirt
Cooper: i'd agree. there was no need to throw the "giants win" pick in there, but i understand jk
gus: let me look into that for ya
Joe,
How much would you love to see Ken Dorsey go down, with minor injury of course, and Josh Cribbs take the snaps for the Browns this Sunday becuase Gradkowski wont be ready? Awesome.
Taking you up on your offer to help if OD is on the roster! Other options available in my league are: Todd Heap, Donald Lee, Jerramy Stevens, Tony Scheffler, Zach Miller...should I go on? In the playoffs now and obviously looking to do well!
Joey: you're right, that would be awesome. cribbs would be real hot on waivers
Kathryn: i'd say stevens and scheffler are your best options. Stevens has become a popular target for Garcia as of late. Todd Heap is a very good player, but his injury problems tend to make him a risky pick-up
Hey Joey F,
I had what I thought was a nice problem going into the year at WR. I have Randy and Santana Moss, Colston, and B-Marshall.
All year I have zigged when I should have zagged. Lately I have been starting Marshall and Randy Moss. Obviously you like Marshall the rest of the way but do I keep starting randy or go purely on match ups.
Play off predictions: Derrick Ward will out score Brandon Jacobs from this point forward.
joe are you nervous Chirs Laundy is going to start stealing your work next???
SWMO: I'd say be conscious of the matchups, but I like B-Marsh and Moss as your starting two. Randy will bounce back strong after that monsoon last Sunday.
I love the prediction. you guys have been giving me some good ones today. Ward has been a beast
Juice: He can feel free to steal my recommendation that you sit Peyton Hillis last Sunday. I'm not worried about anyone "borrowing" that one
Joe; I know this is not much of a prediction, but I think Kevin Smith and Pierre Thomas will have nice numbers Sunday! Thoughts?
Hey Joe,
Who would you start....McNabb, Thigpen, or Delhomme?
McGahee, J-Stew, or Cadillac (yep....i'm hurt'n at RB)?
Shockey or Carlson at TE?
Thanks,
KJ
Joe, The texans Red unis rock. They haven't lost with the RED. Let 'em wear them against the TITANS.
T.Jone, B.Jacobs Or D.Williams?? Pick 2 and Moss,Moore,D.Jax, S.Holmes?? (2). Thanks. Ketchup bottles ROCK...
joe, also on my rb, HAVE JACOBS, D.WILLIAMS, & T.JONES. Looking to trade Jacobs for Fitz???
| powered by TheSeats.com |
With the conclusion of Super Bowl...
It all comes down to this. It’s...
Super Bowl
Welcome to Week 3 of the National...
Championship Round
Dec 02, 2008
02:02 PM
The better question for the playoffs: Will Kurt Warner recover from that crappy game on Thursday, or is his magical season done with?