It’s playoff time in the wonderful world of fantasy football. For those of you still in the hunt, here is your weekly fantasy report from TouchdownLA, starting with some value pick-ups off the waiver wire that could be the difference between a championship season and a failed bid.
Waiver Wire – Playoff Spotlight
Jabar Gaffney – WR – Washington Redskins
Week 14 vs New England Patriots
6 receptions for 92 yards and a TD.
Gaffney is available in over 50% of ESPN leagues and 45% of RTsports leagues. Redskins QB Rex Grossman, a former Florida Gator just like Gaffney, loves the veteran wideout and on Sunday against New England it showed when he played more offensive snaps than any other wideout on the team. Jabar’s stats took a hit during the brief mid-season Jon Beck era, but since Grossman’s return he has two big-yardage games to go along with two trips to the end zone. There’s clearly a chemistry between the two and Gaffney is a solid pickup for the fantasy playoffs. Washington has the Giants next, who Gaffney and Grossman burned for a TD way back in Week 1.
Cincinnati Bengals Defense
Week 14 vs Houston Texans
3 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 20 points allowed.
Even in losses the Bengals defense has been outstanding this season, and their schedule the rest of the way makes them a very tempting pickup and play. Up next for the Bengals are the St. Louis Rams and their abysmal offense that currently ranks 28th in passing and 26th Jin rushing. After that Cincinnati gets the Cardinals who rank in the bottom third of the league in both passing and rushing as well. The Bengals are in the middle of a tough battle for an AFC Wildcard spot and both of these soft match-ups are must win games. If your defense has been disappointing you all season, then the Bengals could be worth a flier.
Bounce Back Candidates
Calvin Johnson – WR – Detroit Lions
Week 14 vs Minnesota Vikings
3 catches for 29 yards. 1 rush for 11 yards.
It finally happened, Megatron had a bad game. It was his first of the year, and the dismal stat line has much more to do with game plan than game performance. Coach Schwartz after the game insinuated that there was something in the Vikings defensive scheme that they didn’t like and that it simply didn’t make sense to throw the ball to Calvin more. The numbers back this up. Johnson was targeted only four times the entire game, but was effective and did catch three of those. Johnson is as close as it gets to a sure thing, especially with the Raiders up next up. Oakland has spent the last two weeks getting demolished by the Dolphins and the Packers. The Lions will be able to score frequently on Sunday. If you need me to tell you that you should start Calvin Johnson I suggest you stop reading this immediately and start drafting some sort of fantasy resignation letter.
Next Page: Four More Players Who Will Rebound Big
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