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It’s playoff time, and outside of a few names, you must, must start your studs. The guys that got you here are too good to be benched, but there are a handful of circumstances where they most definitely can.
Looking at you, Andrew Luck.
Playoff time drives owners crazy, and most maintain a very conservative approach. However, in deeper leagues or if you are the major underdog in your matchup, there may be a time to take a chance on a bit of a lottery ticket in order to win. My sneaky starts continue, good luck in your efforts in bringing home a title.
Montee Ball vs Tennessee Titans: Ball, who many thought would be the Denver running back to own in fantasy, has reemerged lately as at least a flex play. Coming off the best performance of his young career (13 carries, 117 yards), Ball was in a timeshare with the ailing Knowshon Moreno. You can’t expect Ball to see almost 15 carries again this week, but Moreno has been outstanding this season, and Denver will need him healthy during their playoff run. Moreno has been a horse, carrying the ball 79 times over the last three games. I think they continue to give Ball plenty of looks as they rest up for the second season. That bodes well for his fantasy outlook, especially this week in a favorable matchup. Tennessee is inside the top-five in fantasy points allowed to running backs, and they’ve also allowed surrendered 16 scores on the ground, the second-most in football. Denver could very well be out in front in this game, which could result in a ton of work for Ball. I like him as a flex.
Andre Holmes @ New York Jets: I wrote an entire article on Holmes for this week, so you know I love the guy. Emerging as Matt McGloin’s favorite target in the passing game (16 targets over last two games) and has looked very strong. A physical, athletic guy who goes up for the ball, Holmes will have an opportunity to make some big plays this week against a struggling Jets secondary. Over the last three weeks, the Jets have surrendered four touchdown passes of at least 30 yards, including a 43-yard bomb and a 66-yarder. Antonio Cromartie continues to give up big plays, while the Jets as a unit are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to wideouts. This unit has also coughed up 12 pass plays of at least 40 yards.
Nate Burleson @ Philadelphia Eagles: I love “The Pizza Guy” this week. And yes, I am patenting that as his new nickname. Besides Thanksgiving’s stinker, Burleson has been good in PPR leagues, catching 6, 7, 6 and 7 balls each game he’s played. Detroit passes the ball so much, and with Calvin Johnson drawing so much attention, there’s always opportunity for Burleson in this offense. I like his matchup a lot against an improving, but still weak Eagles secondary. Opposing number two receivers have crushed Philly, allowing six secondary wideouts to finish as top-12 options. This game should be a very high-scoring affair, and I like Burleson to benefit quite a bit.
Robert Woods @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Woods had a quiet return to the lineup last week against the Falcons, but Week 14 should be kinder to the rookie wideout. He’ll be back in the swing of things even more, and, of course, the matchup is a favorable one. The Buccaneers have struggled defending receivers this season, allowing 30.47 points per game to the position (13th). Wideouts have also found the end zone 16 times on the season. If Darrelle Revis plays, he’ll shadow Stevie Johnson (the two have history), which will present Woods with terrific opportunity. Opposing number two receivers have succeeded against Tampa. Over the last five weeks, guys like Rishard Matthews, Ted Ginn, Nate Burleson, Harry Douglas and Doug Baldwin have all eclipsed double-digit fantasy points against the Bucs. Woods has terrific chemistry with fellow rookie EJ Manuel, so I like their chances of hooking up this week.
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
