By The Fantasy Trader, NFL Draft Bible
There is one playoff opponent that cannot be controlled and that is Mother Nature. The weather affected games in New England, Pittsburgh, New York and Cleveland last week. The reason my team is going to the Super Bowl is because I found the nerve to bench Tom Brady for Kurt Warner. The decision was the hardest one I ever had to make in fantasy and I finally pulled the trigger at 12:50. My team won by 13 points. Brady put up a 3 and Warner a 23. The playoffs bring out the owner in you. Are you a loyalty owner or a survival owner? Here are a few guys that are putting that question to the test.
WR Roddy White– was a waiver wire steal this year and has served as the missing ingredient to a bunch of fantasy playoff clubs. White has had weeks of 27 and 30 points and faces the 27th ranked defense in the Arizona Cardinals. Must start right? White managed just one catch for four yards last week. He has not clicked with quarterback Chris Redman. I say start him and hope that last week was more of the Buccaneers doing than White’s inability to get open.
QB Tony Romo – is dating Jessica Simpson. Who cares? Do you really think she is distracting him? I am sure Tony has done just fine throughout his dating life. Now his thumb injury is another story. Romo owners are concerned and I have seen him benched for quarterbacks like Brett Favre and David Garrard. You need to stay the course with Romo. I expect a big day from him and TO against the weak Panthers passing defense.
RB LaMont Jordan – will help try and mend the hearts of Justin Fargas owners. The problem here at that Dominic Rhodes is back and the possibility of sharing carries exists. Jordan came out with 3 straight 25 point weeks in a row and disappeared. I would not get involved in the running back situation in Oakland.
WR Isaac Bruce- is showing there is still something left in the tank. Bruce had 4 catches for 72 yards last week and gets a depressing Steelers secondary this week. I guarantee that Anthony Smith will not start. This could be Bruce’s last home game and he should go out with a bang. He is an ideal choice as a third WR or flex option.
RB Clinton Portis- has a real hard time getting any love from his owners. He fell in the draft because of previous injuries. He was supposed to eventually lose his job to Ladell Betts, but the man just keeps producing. This week the decision revolves around facing the number 1 ranked defense against the run. The Vikings are tough, but I say go with loyalty on this one. Start Portis over any wide receiver.
QB Carson Palmer- threw for 6 TD and scored 37 fantasy points the last time he faced the Browns. Since the weather has turned ugly, Palmer has been in a free fall. I would not expect the same results against the Browns this time around. The Bengals have show little life as of late and Cleveland needs this game. This time we take survival and Mother Nature over loyalty.
TE Tony Scheffler- is the hottest tight end not named Jason Witten. Scheffler grabbed seven balls for 100 yards and a TD last week against the Texans. He seems to be Jay Cutler’s next choice after Brandon Marshall. Without a secondary WR, teams have started to clamp down on Marshall, leaving Scheffler open. He should also benefit if the Broncos are without Daniel Graham or Brandon Stokley this week.
WR Steve Smith- has been one of the biggest fantasy busts this season. In his defense he has had Vinny Testaverde and David Carr throwing him passes all season. He had eight catches with Matt Moore at the helm. Look for Smith to reward the owners who have been waiting since week 6 for a TD.
RB-Brandon Jacobs- with never replace Tiki Barber with his ability to catch the ball, but he runs like a horse. Jacobs should have a big day against the Bills 22nd ranked run defense. The Giants really need this game and with tough weather condition in Buffalo look for Jacobs to handle a heavy load.
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