FF Rankings for your Fantasy Playoffs

This season has thrown many fantasy football owners for a loop.  Here at AVS, we are going to take a quick look at the top 5 fantasy players at each position going into the fantasy playoffs.  Our rankings will take into account stats thus far, injuries, and outlook for the rest of the season.  This is going to be a crucial read as you debate crucial start/sit decisions in the coming weeks.

QB Rankings:

  1. Peyton Manning (vs.Tenn, vs.SD, @Hou)
  2. Matthew Stafford (@Phi, vs.BAL, vs.NYG)
  3. Cam Newton (@NO, vs.NYJ, vs.NO)
  4. Drew Brees (vs.Car, @Stl, @Car)
  5. Tom Brady (vs.Cle, @Mia, @Bal)

Peyton Manning has to claim the top spot here, but buyer beware.  Peyton has a history of playing poorly in cold weather.  The first two fantasy playoff weeks will be IN Denver.  However, he has been way to dominant this year to be taken out of the number one QB in your fantasy playoffs.
I am a huge Lions believer this year.  Matt Stafford has played phenomenally this year and he has a nice schedule to finish the year.  Playing the Giants at home in what should be your “championship” week, has owners licking there chops at this matchup.
Cam Newton has been absolutely tearing it up as of late for the Carolina Panthers.  Cam has thrown a few interceptions in the past few weeks, but he easily makes up for those negative points with rushing yards.  Not only is he winning games for the Panthers, he is putting up numbers.
The only reason Brees isn’t higher is because he plays the number one pass defense TWICE in the last 3 weeks of the fantasy season.  That’s something that would certainly scare me a little with championships on the line.
Tom Brady is the QB for a team that may be the most improved since the preseason.  The offense finally appears to be gelling and the majority of Brady’s weapons have returned from injury.  Gronk makes plays every week and Julian Edelman has been Mr. Reliable.  Personally, I think Brady has the chance to be the number one QB over the next 3 weeks.

Sleepers @ QB:
Foles – Minny and Chicago last two weeks of year
Romo – Cowboys are playing for a playoff spot and will let Romo and Dez get them there

RB Rankings:

  1. Jamaal Charles (@Wsh, @Oak, vs.Ind)
  2. Matt Forte (vs.Dal, @Cle, @Phi)
  3. Adrian Peterson (@Bal, vs.Phi, @Cin)
  4. Marshawn Lynch (@SF, @NYG, vs.Ari)
  5. Knowshon Moreno (vs.Tenn, vs.SD, @Hou)

Jamaal Charles has been an absolute workhorse this year and has won fantasy regular seasons everywhere.  Charles has an EXTREMELY favorable schedule through the fantasy playoffs, and I’d kill to have him on most of my teams. Oh, wait.  I do.
Forte has been one of the best all-around backs in fantasy football this year.  The Bears have been utilizing him just as much as we thought heading into the year.  With the BAD Dallas defense this week, he should have a field day.  Then he goes on the road to Cleveland and Philly where the cold weather will make running games vital.
Adrian Peterson 3rd?!?!?!  I just think the matchups and outlook for Charles and Forte are TOO good.  Peterson is Peterson.  You can’t drop him any lower regardless of who he matches up against.  The Baltimore and Cincinnati matchups scare me to end the season, but again, he’s Adrian Peterson.  It really doesn’t matter who is stacking the box.
Against San Francisco and Arizona this year Lynch put up a combined 45 fantasy points.  These defenses don’t scare me when facing Lynch and his bag of skittles.  Don’t forget the game sandwiched in the middle is against the horrific NYG.
Knowshon Moreno is getting the same treatment as Peyton here.  A Peyton negative is a HUGE positive for Moreno.  Cold weather is Denver leads to inconsistent Peyton, and a big dose of the run game.  Defenses will not be able to stack the box against Denver, ever.

Sleepers @ RB:
Le’Veon Bell – hasn’t been under 80 total yards since October when he was still getting over his injury.  Pittsburgh is looking better and trusts the rookie to tote the rock.
Bush – Bush has been electric this year.  With the Lions pushing for a playoff spot, they will lean heavily on their best players
CJ Spiller – had a huge bounce back game last week.  A very favorable schedule makes this preseason top 5 pick a possibility to bring your team to the fantasy promised land
Chris Johnson – 70 total yards in last 6 games.  Jacksonville in championship week.

WR Rankings:

  1. Calvin Johnson (@Phi, vs.BAL, vs.NYG)
  2. Dez Bryant (@Chi, vs.GB, @Wsh)
  3. Demaryius Thomas (vs.Tenn, vs.SD, @Hou)
  4. Josh Gordon (@NE, vs.Chi, @NYJ)
  5. AJ Green (vs.Ind, @Pitt, vs.Minn)

I don’t think Calvin needs much explanation.  Owners see dollar signs in there eyes with him in the fantasy playoffs.
Dez is another guy that doesn’t need much.  A game against one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL during championship week is phenomenal for whoever has him.
Another slam dunk for fantasy owners.  He has had 100 yards and/or 1 TD in each of his last 6 weeks.  Regardless of the weather, it’s safe to say he has a great connection with Peyton Manning.
125 (1), 237 (2), 261 (2).  Those are the stat lines for Gordon’s yards and TDs in the last three games.  Absolutely ABSURD!!!  Gordon has ridiculous talent.  Playing the Jets in the championship week could be another 200 yard performance for him.  I’ve been a huge Gordon supporter all year and it’s finally paying off for my fantasy team when it counts.  He’s a game changer and will certainly have an effect on at least one fantasy game in the next 3 weeks by putting up a game of ridiculous numbers; trust me.
AJ Green will be relied heavily on by Andy Dalton in these next three games.  These games have fantasy playoff implications as well as NFL playoff implications.  Games against the Colts and Vikings could be money games for him.

Sleepers @ WR:
Alshon Jeffrey – Alshon is tough to read in the fantasy playoffs.  He has the ability to absolutely go off.  He also has the ability to be shut out.  It all depends on how much attention is shown to his counterpart, Brandon Marshall.  High risk, high reward.  Owners beware.  He could lose you a game, or win you a championship.
Michael Floyd – Floyd and Palmer have finally developed the connection I’ve been calling for all year long.  With all the attention headed toward Fitz, Floyd will get his looks.
Julian Edelman – The Pats are one of my favorite teams in the NFL.  They are a team that will consistently bring guys out of nowhere to fantasy stardom.  Brady is the reason for this.  Expect Edelman to have 25-30 catches over the next 3 weeks and 200-300 yards.  This is definitely a phenomenal 3rd WR to throw out there with the upside of a WR2.

From all of us here at Almost Varsity Sports, best of luck to all in your fantasy playoffs.

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