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Takeaways: What You Need To Know For The Rest Of The Fantasy Playoffs

by Scott Engel | 7:15 pm, December 10th, 2012

Congrats! You’re still in the hunt. Here’s some hints to keep you there.

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1.1. Defense can win championships

Fantasy Football always puts a heavy emphasis on the offensive skill positions, but in Week 14, the Seahawks defense posted more points than any other Fantasy player. NFL.com credited the ‘Hawks with 41 points after they caused eight turnovers, scored twice, totaled three sacks and shut the Cardinals out (10 point bonus) for the highest Fantasy scoring output by a defense in seven years.

2.2. Mike Wallace loves Ben Roethlisberger

The Steelers WR instantly came back to life with the return of his starting QB. It’s been an up and down year for Wallace, but he totaled 112 receiving yards and scored twice with Roethlisberger back, and his outlook looks quite strong for the rest of the Fantasy playoffs.

3.3. David Wilson is ready for prime time

The Giants rookie finally saw more extensive playing time in Week 14 and had the breakout game that he seemed to be due for much earlier in the year, rushing for 100 yards and two TDs. With the injury-prone Ahmad Bradshaw just not capable of handling a heavy workload, Wilson has earned at least enough work to make him useful as a flex.

4.4. Danario Alexander is unstoppable

Even after what seems like an endless litany of knee surgeries, Alexander has risen from the scrapheap to re-emerge as a must-start WR2 in Fantasy. He scored two TDs against the Steelers, further proving you cannot bench him as long as he is healthy and playing.

5.5. Drew Brees is stumbling

The New Orleans superstar had another spotty outing, throwing only one TD pass and two interceptions in a loss against the Giants. Brees seems to be pressing lately with the defense and running game not giving him enough support.

6.6. Jimmy Graham is frustrating

Most tight ends are unreliable nowadays, but Jimmy Graham seems to be more aggravating than most, considering his owners spent a high draft pick on him. Graham delivered yet another ho-hum outing in Week 14, totaling just 56 receiving yards. Defenses are lending extra defensive attention to Graham, and have managed to keep him in check in recent weeks. Regardless, you obviously have to keep starting him.

7.7. Kenny Britt is looking good

Britt was underwhelming and inconsistent for most of the year, but he had been showing signs of regaining his better form in recent weeks. Kenny finally looked like “True Britt” in Week 14, totaling 143 receiving yards. He's a WR3 going forward.

8.8. Chan Gailey hates C.J. Spiller

It is apparent that C.J. Spiller is the most explosive playmaker on the Bills offense, yet he never seems to get enough touches to make the most of his potential. Spiller only had eight touches for 52 total yards in a loss to the Rams. Fred Jackson, however, is now lost for the rest of the year with a knee injury, so Spiller should see a lot more work during the rest of the Fantasy playoffs. That is, unless Chan Gailey starts developing a fancy for Tashard Choice...

9.9. Even the best have off weeks

Unfortunately, during the Fantasy playoffs, your best players sometimes have an off week. A.J. Green was a perfect example in Week 14, totaling only 44 receiving yards and dropping a potential TD pass. No player explodes every week, and you’ll never have a perfect lineup in any Fantasy game.

10.10. You can win it all with Jamaal Charles

The Kansas City running back is the most dependable high-output player no one is talking about right now. Charles has rushed for 100 yards in three of his past four games and scored on an 80-yard run on Sunday. He's heating up even more at a very important time of the year.

11.11. Brandon Marshall is in championship form

Right now, there may not be a tougher WR to defend in the league than Brandon Marshall. He is getting double-teamed and mugged every week, yet he still finds ways to make spectacular and key catches. Marshall has three consecutive 10-catch games and has reached 160 yards in two consecutive games, and may be the best WR in Fantasy right now.

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