The playoffs have finally arrived.
Let's cut right to the chase and get down to business.
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NFL
START
Jamison Crowder, WR, WSH (@ PHI) - Crowder is a stud: He's scored or tallied at least 88 yds in seven straight games, averaging about 7.5 targets per game in that span. He's Kirk Cousins' most reliable target in a pass-heavy offense going against a Philly D that has really fallen on rough times, especially vs. WRs. Yes, please. (Tony Andracki)
Andy Dalton, QB, CIN (@ CLE) - Most weeks I would stay away from "Big Red", but the Cleveland Browns are the one exception. The winless Browns allow the second-most points to opposing fantasy QBs, and Dalton has been a model of consistency as he's averaging 21.2 points per game this season. Go the safe route and stick with Dalton. (Scott Krinch)
Todd Gurley, RB, LA (vs. ATL) - The Falcons allow the third-most points to opposing RBs, but more than anything, they are getting killed out of the backfield - a whopping 94 catches for 779 yards, 5 TDs and no other team is even close. Gurley has obviously struggled this year, but he's clearly getting targets and touches and regardless of game flow, may be able to attack the Falcons through the passing game. (Andracki)
Brandon Marshall, WR, NYJ (@ SF) - This is a great matchup - the Niners among the worst vs. WRs and a terrible D overall - and yes Bryce Petty throwing is scary, but with no TE in NYJ, I have to imagine the inexperienced QB is gonna lean heavily on the reliable veteran in the passing game and that's Marshall here. (Andracki)
Malcolm Mitchell, WR, NE (vs. BAL) - Mitchell has come out of nowhere to lead the Patriots in snaps at the wide receiver position the last two weeks wth 86 percent (vs. 49ers) and 85 percent (vs. Rams). Mitchell has gained the confidence of Tom Brady as the future Hall of Famer has targeted his rookie wideout a tad under 8 times in three straight games. Look for Mitchell to continue his hot stretch against a leaky Ravens secondary. (Krinch)
Thomas Rawls, RB, SEA (@ GB) - Remember Rawls' late-season rise in 2015? It's happening again. The second-year back rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 13 victory. The Seahawks plan to increase Rawls' carries against a Packers defense which has allowed 100-plus rushing yards in three out of its last four contests. Rawls is a firm RB1 this weekend and for the remainder of year. (Krinch)
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SIT
LeGarrette Blount, RB, NE (vs. BAL) - I'm sitting every run-first RB vs. BAL each week. The Ravens run D is the best in the NFL and they've allowed a stable of RBs to top 20 fantasy points (PPR) just one time since Week 2. Blount has been a stud in 2016, but he's strictly a run-first guy and gameflow probably won't dictate a bunch of carries to run out the clock with a big Pats lead. (Andracki)
Devontae Booker, RB, DEN (@ TEN) - You can close the book on the rookie running back. The Broncos' addition of veteran Justin Forsett to their backfield raises major red-flags for Booker who is only averaging 2.8 yards per carry this season. Expect to see a timeshare going forward in Denver with neither back presenting much upside against a solid Titans run defense. (Krinch)
Blake Bortles, QB, JAX (vs. MIN) - Copy and paste what I wrote last week and the week before and the week before that. Bortles shouldn't be rostered on any fantasy team right now. His numbers in the first three quarters are comically bad, and hoping for garbage time points isn't the route you want to take in a playoff matchup. (Krinch)
Marcus Mariota, QB, TEN (vs. DEN) - The Broncos are such a good pass defense, they actually have two more INTs than TDs allowed (12 to 10). Five times this season, Denver has held an opposing QB without a TD pass and seven times has held a QB under 200 yards. I love Mariota overall, just not this week in must-win games. (Andracki)
Jordan Matthews, WR, PHI (vs. WSH) - Matthews has just one touchdown since Week 3, and has been hampered by injuries as of late. With the possibility of being shadowed by Redskins corner Josh Norman and possibly being slowed down by an ankle injury, I can't find any reason to play Matthews this week. (Krinch)
Dak Prescott, QB, DAL (@ NYG) - A common misconception about Prescott is he adds fantasy value with his legs and yes he has 5 rush TDs, but in the games he doesn't score a rush TD, he averages just 1 extra fantasy point per game on the ground. The Giants, coincidentally, have not allowed a QB to rush for a TD yet and have given up an NFL-low 44 rushing yards to QBs. With two straight games under 200 passing yards and only 1 TD in each outing, this just reeks of a disappointing outing for Prescott. (Andracki)