4 Fantasy football waiver wire gems just in time for the playoff

Fear not Fantasy football owners there are still productive players available on the waiver wire available. These are my top sleepers who are probably still out there.

Tight End Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers

Miller hit a season highs of eight catches and 86 receiving yards in Week 13 against the Ravens. He has been a major part of the Steelers’ passing offense over the last three weeks. He’s averaged seven receptions for 66.6 yards on a total of 25 targets during that span. He also has a good matchup in Week 14 against a Dolphins defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends.
Tight End Brandon Myers, New York Giants

Coming off a great performance against the Redskins (5 catches for 61 yards, 1 td), Myers is poised to offer production solid production to a fantasy owner looking to fill a space. He has been targeted an average of five times over the last three games, and he’s become a quality red-zone target for quarterback Eli Manning with touchdowns in back-to-back games. Fantasy owners who don’t own great tight end can use either of the two listed here to fill the gap.

Wide Receiver, Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks

Baldwin isn’t dominant, but he is a serviceable receiver who has grown into a good fantasy option. He’s been impressive in recent weeks with three touchdowns in his last four games. Baldwin caught four passes for 77 yards and a touchdown in Seattle’s victory over the Saints.. Baldwin is worth a start as a flex option or replace an injured receiver.

Wide Receiver, Brian Hartline, Miami Dolphins

Hartline has been inconsistent this year, but he gave a breath of life to his season during Thanksgiving week with nine catches for 127 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets in Sunday’s game against the Jets. Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill targeted Hartline 41 times over the last four games. With Miami still alive in the AFC wild card playoff race, expect Tannehill to continue targeting his veteran receiver.

These aren’t players to lead your playoff push to the championship, but they can certainly help any fantasy owner survive and advance. Making it to the championship doesn’t have to be pretty. Winning is pretty.

You gotta know when to fold’em (week 14 fantasy football sits)

Making it to the fantasy football playoffs is swell. The object is to survive and advance. Knowing whom not to play is just as important as whom to start. This is my list of week 14 players to sits for the week.

Quarterback, Andrew Luck

You read it right. Since losing his number one target Reggie Wayne, Luck has struggled. He has failed to throw multiple touchdowns in each of his last four games including a miserable week 12 showing against the Titans when he didn’t throw any TD’s. He faces the Bengals this weekend who have surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points (9.2 PPG) to quarterbacks at home, so Luck is a risk I’m not willing to take in week 14.

Wide receiver, Anquan Boldin

If the fact that Boldin is playing the Legion of Boom isn’t enough, then the fact that San Francisco 49er’s QB Collin Kaepernick has struggled against elite defenses should seal the deal. Against Carolina he produced less than 150 yards of total offense.  Statistically, the Seahawk defense is better than the Panthers. Boldin is a bad play here because he plays into the strength of Seattle’s defense.

Running back, Zac Stacy

Stacy is a feature back and it goes against what I generally like when a feature back is available. Stacy has the unfortunate luck to be play the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix stadium. That’’s just a bad day. It’s tough to bench a player like Stacy. Just keep in mind that the Cardinals have been tough at home against the run. In fact, no defensive unit in the league has allowed fewer fantasy points (10.3 PPG) to opposing running backs at home.

Tight end, Coby Fleener

Fleener has been hot this year, but he is running into the buzzsaw that is the Cincinnati defense. Without Reggie Wayne to take attention away from Fleener he becomes one of the primary weapons to take away from Luck. Add to that no team in the entire league has allowed fewer fantasy points (2.5 PPG) to tight ends at home this year.

Titans defense

Playing Peyton Manning and the Broncos is bad enough, but the game is in Denver and that gives me pause. This is not a safe start even if Denver were playing in Tennessee. The Titans had some fantasy value earlier. The unit hasn’t scored seven fantasy points in a single game since Week 6.

Defense wins championships (in fantasy football too)

Fantasy football playoffs are here and it is time to find the right defense to give your team the best chance to win. These are my top five projected defenses for week 14 to carry you to the championship and bragging rights.

5. Baltimore Raven

The Baltimore Ravens rank 10th in the NFL in total defense with 329 yards allowed per game and seventh in scoring defense with 19.6 points allowed per game. At home the Ravens will stifle the inept Minnesota Vikings offense. The Vikes have allowed 34 sacks and have 24 turnovers.

4. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks face the 49ers in week 14. In the 2 losing slide 49ers quarterback struggled against defenses that had a strong front seven. The Seattle Seahawks lead the league in total defense (284.5 ypg allowed) and rank second in scoring defense (15.5 ppg allowed). They have 34 sacks and 27 takeaways and just shutdown the New Orleans Saints.

3. Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals rank seventh in total defense (316.3 ypg allowed) and eighth in scoring defense (20.6 ppg allowed). They have 34 sacks and have forced 23 turnovers. The Cards face the St. Louis Rams with a nicked up running back Zac Stacy.  The Rams rank 25th in total offense (323.6 ypg) and 16th in scoring offense (23.3 ppg). The Rams have allowed 29 sacks and have 15 turnovers.

2. Denver Broncos

After facing several high-octane offenses the Broncos get a break this week and play the Tennessee Titans. The Titans rank 19th in total offense (334.9 ypg) and 21st in scoring offense (22 ppg). Tennessee has been sacked 28 times and has 18 turnovers.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers get a chance to improve their defensive numbers this week playing the woeful Miami Dolphin offense. The Dolphins rank 26th in total offense (321.9 ypg) and 24th in scoring offense (21 ppg). Miami has allowed a league-high 45 sacks and have 19 turnovers.

Top players to watch during week 14 fantasy playoffs

It’s time for fantasy football playoff and if you are in a league that doesn’t have a playoff it’s just time to grab the right players. The at this time of year the difference between winning and losing is know who to play and who to sit. This is my breakdown of players putting or keeping in your starting lineup.

Quarterback

Patriots, Tom Brady

This is sounds like a resounding duh, but the first half of the season hasn’t been very Brady like. The last four games of the season set up perfectly for the Patriots well oiled machine to wrack up points. Gronk is getting his grove back and Vereen is a better threat out of the backfield than Danny Woodhead. It won’t be record setting, but Brady is back and he will be a great starter for any fantasy owner looking to make a playoff push.

Running Back

Colts, Donald Brown

Teams that use dual backs usually aren’t great choices fantasy team looking to win in the playoffs. Since the Trent Richardson experiment has played out it’s now Indianapolis Donald Brown is the hot hand. He will get the bulk of the carries and any contender looking to make a splash in fantasy playoffs he is a good pickup or play if you have him.

Wide Receiver

Ravens, Torrey Smith

Smith’s schedule the rest of the way is rather enticing. He gets the Minnesota Vikings (allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers), Detroit Lions (third most) and New England Patriots (20th most—sixth most in the past five weeks). If that is not enough, he is Flaaco’s main target and usually a consistent deep route runner.

Tight End

Panthers, Greg Olsen

Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski are great, but most of us don’t have these guys. If you do it’s a no brainer to start the because they are both prime targets. Greg Olsen is a great pickup or start for the playoffs because has become Cam Newtons safety blanket. The Panthers are pushing to win the division and look for Olsen to be a big part of their success.

Defense

Cleveland Browns

Cleveland is where talent usually goes to die, but at least for this season the Browns are serious about play pass defense (ranked 5th) and stopping the run (ranked 5th). Even though the Browns are an overall 4th ranked defense in the league they still give up 24.6 points per game. Don’t let that scare you away from using them in the playoffs. The Browns have forced 23 turnovers this season.

 

 

Everything you always wanted to know about fantasy football

It doesn’t matter what kind of fantasy football league you are in they all have the common goal of winning. Everyone from the experienced to the beginner needs the latest fantasy football information necessary to create, field and navigate a successful campaign.

Creating a fantasy team

This is where it begins. Fantasy football is not just a hobby it’s a way of life. Every football season gives armchair quarterbacks everywhere the opportunity to lead their fantasy teams into battle. Before any of that can happen that team must be given life.

The draft

To say the draft is important is an understatement. You don’t have to ace it, but it certianly doesn’t hurt to put in a good effort. Since the draft is random the more prepared you as player the better your chances at finding success. Whether your league is a keeper league or new draft each year team owners have to take seriously the draft.

Waiver wire

While you don’t have to hit the ball out of the park in a fantasy football draft to win the season, you must understand how to pick up players through the waiver wire or trades to succeed.

Trades

In fantasy football trades can be the lifeblood of a team’s success or failure. No trade is a sure thing, but they are key to filling in team weakness. Make it a priority to know your team as well as your opponent’s teams too. You never know if you can find a trade which will provide value for you and your opponent.

Winning consistently

Fantasy football is about being consistent. The draft is just the beginning. The fun is finding trades and waiver players who will carry your team to the finish line. Winning a championship might not give you neat trophy or a cash bonus, but it feels good to be the best. Championships give you bragging rights and among friends there is no greater prize.

Bad fantasy football bets

While I will give my friends grief for losing in fantasy football it is best to keep the game simple. For those looking to add gambling, do so wisely. Not all bets are created equal.

Week 11 fantasy sleepers: know who can save your season

Season is more than halfway done and there is no reason to fall short at the finish line. The difference between winning and losing can be as simple as picking up sleepers this late in the season. Here are my top five sleepers to get over the week 11 hump.
Bucs QB Mike Glennon vs. Falcons: Glennon isn’t an elite hook up that is going to set a team up for the long haul, but he is a serviceable Band-Aid. Especially in week 11 when Glennon is facing the hapless Falcons defense. In Week 7 he posted a 90.7 quarterback rating and threw for 256 yards and two scores. Expect this to be another good day.
Ravens RB Bernard Pierce vs. Bears: The Ravens rushing attack is horrific, but against the bears Benard Pierce the factor back to find earn points. The Bears are worst at stopping the run. Pierce isn’t the starter, but has been the hot runner. Look for his carries to increase and this match is prime for a breakout game.
Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. Raiders: Hopkins has averaged seven targets per game in Case Keenum’s three starts. He has eclipsed 54 yards receiving in each game, including one touchdown. The Raiders defense has given up over 1,700 yards to opposing wideouts.
Cardinals TE Rob Housler vs. Jaguars: Last week, If last week was any indication of potential Housler is great pick up. With 5 targets last week for 57 yards and a touchdown he is a great TE fix. Facing the Jaguars is a cake matchup.
Cardinals Defense/Special Teams vs. Jaguars: The Cardinals aren’t above average in category except stopping the run and fortunately they are facing the Jaguars. The Jaguars are inept in almost every offensive category. The Cardinals aren’t stopping anyone with a decent offense, but this is a great chance to grab points.

Making trades: the do’s and don’ts

 

 

http://gridironexperts.com/fantasy-trade-tips-playoff-pushing

Beat the fantasy bye week blues

It’s all fun and games until a bad bye week jumps up and bites fantasy owners in the butt. Nothing hurts more than losing a week because of bad preparation. Fantasy football is a game where one loss could be the difference of being the champion and listening to the champion brag. Every game is important and navigating the dreaded bye week is just as important as drafting the right players.

A bad bye week break is just as serious as player injuries. If they aren’t properly prepared for they can be the doom of a team. Solving a team’s bye week blues starts with recognition and preperation. Savvy owners know that next to picking the right players; checking the bye week is the most important thing in fantasy.

Team owners have to ask themselves, how do the bye weeks line up? Am I going to have to replace a lot of player production during one bye week or is it going to be spread out through my season? Which players am I going to have to replace? Start looking over your fantasy league early. Planning is the key.

Find and track players who are known to be productive. Look for players who are having surprising seasons. Pick up players through waivers and trades. The biggest mistake player’s make in fantasy football is thinking a team is complete once the draft is over.

It’s important to monitor your team as well as the rest of the teams in the league. Watch which players teams are dumping. One teams trash is another teams gold. A consistent team is one that knows which players are hot and have the potential to be hot.

Any team can win in fantasy football. Those that win it consistently aren’t special they are prepared. Winning starts with being ready for the ups and downs a fantasy football season can bring.

 

Hot reads: position by position top plays for week 9

QB Aaron Rogers, Greenbay Packers

The Chicago Bears are coming Green Bay and this is the perfect grudge match to take quarterback Aaron Rogers. The fact that these two teams don’t like each other is only makes it sweeter for Rogers taking it to the Bears 27th ranked passing defense. If you haven’t been playing Rogers this year now is the time for prime pickings. He is easily going to grab a projected 18 points or higher in most leagues.

RB Eddie Lacey, Greenbay Packers

This isn’t a big stretch. For many of the same reasons listed above Lacey is the best play at running back this week. The Bears 25th ranked rushing defense is primed for the picking. Lacey has become the primary ball carrier in Green Bay. With Rogers at Quarterback, Lacey will face few if any 8 or 9 man fronts. This is a breakout game opportunity for Lacey. He is a projected 15-point play this week.

WR Keenan Allen, San Diego

The Redskins have the 28th ranked passing defense and Allen has Phillip Rivers throwing him the ball. That is enough to make Allen a very hot read this week. The Redskins struggling defense and inconsistent offense will make Allen a prime target all day. Allen projects 12 points this week.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego

Antonio Gates is still one of the games premiere tight ends. Playing him against the Redskins makes perfect sense. Tight ends rarely take over games in fantasy football, but Gates will get several targets in the redzone. The Redskins have allowed tight ends an average of 60 yards a game. Expect Gates  to get that and possible a score or two. Gates projects a 13 points this week.

Defense Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are third in scoring defense and they play the Falcons. There is no love between these two teams. The Falcons are beat on the offensive line, have wide receivers injuries and the Panthers have a solid pass rush and great run defense. This should be a back alley beating. The sky is the limit here and the Panthers are projected to score 15 points.

Fantasy football: live dangerously

Even though the fantasy football community is diverse, the players who join leagues have one thing in common. They are all looking for accurate information.

I plan to introduce information that not only keeps fantasy footballers in the know, but also delivers it when players need it. Fantasy football is all about giving information to players in a timely fashion. There are hundreds of thousands of “fantasy football insiders” who give information, but there are very few who talk directly to fantasy players directly.

I want to use conversations to give information as well as gain it. Fantasy football players are a group that is consistently prepared to play weekly. I hope to increase my followers by having conversations that supply information fast and accurate.