10 Easiest Playoff Schedules: QBs, WRs, TEs
Because they are ready, here are my top ten easiest fantasy playoff schedules for passing games and what it all means. I'll be expanding on this later in the week.
1. Rams: @ Cardinals, vs. Seahawks, vs. 49ers
Impact: At this stage, it’s hard to trust anyone associated with the St. Louis passing game, no matter the schedule. Donnie Avery has faded badly
2. Vikings: @ Lions, @ Cardinals, vs. Falcons
Impact: Bernard Berrian has been hit or miss all season, but he’s set up well this month in warm weather games. Roll the dice because he’ll see a lot of single coverage.
3. Chiefs: @ Denver, vs. San Diego, vs. Dolphins
Impact: Tony Gonzalez should finish the season as the top-ranked fantasy tight end. Tyler Thigpen could fool the Chiefs into handing their future over to him with a strong finish. He can perform like a borderline QB1, but the league has started to figure him out.
4. Colts: vs. Bengals, vs. Lions, @ Jaguars
Impact: They aren’t quite the same old Colts, but they are still pretty good, stink bomb in Cleveland notwithstanding. Marvin Harrison becomes a WR3 option because of the schedules. Peyton Manning should rebound with two dome games.
5. Bills: vs. Dolphins, @ Jets, @ Broncos
Impact: Buffalo quarterbacks are hands off, regardless of opponents. Lee Evans should stay in lineups because of the strong schedule.
6. Jets: @ 49ers, vs. Bills, @ Seahawks
Impact: The Jets roller coaster does not care about matchups. It crushes the Titans, then gets handled by Denver. Brett Favre, Jerricho Cotchery, and Laveranues Coles may never be “safe” plays this season. But they have the right matchups coming up.
7. Packers: vs. Texans, @ Jaguars, @ Bears
Impact: Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings are getting it done against any competition. These matchups put Donald Driver into a WR3 slot.
8. 49ers: vs. Jets, @ Dolphins, @ Rams
Impact: Shaun Hill could be a sneaky play if you are a desperate, but the 49ers are generally not playoff-worthy.
9. Seahawks: vs. Patriots, @ Rams, vs. Jets
Impact: Matt Hasselbeck showed signs of improvement on Thanksgiving, but this is a mediocre group, including Deion Branch and Bobby Engram. John Carlson could be a sneaky tight end play if you need help.
10. Cardinals: vs. Rams, Vikings, @ NE
Impact: Arizona’s minor slowdown against the NFC East will be a distant memory as the Big Three Cardinals carry fantasy teams.
* Yes, I realize some defenses are better against the tight end than the wide receiver, etc. This should be used as a rough guide for infotainment purposes only.
Comments
Some defenses are better against the tight end than the wide receiver! What is the purpose of this information!?!?
(kidding)
I'm stuck with what I got as I kept Cutler and traded Warner for Colston and it has cost me 3 wins in my league that doesn't have playoffs - just straight regular season with total points as the tiebreaker. I am 1 game behind the leader right now but I would have clinched the league if I had not made the trade... (part of the problem was playing Colston over Moore as well, but that wouldn't have happened if I didn't have Colston). Sucks...
Posted by: Jesse | December 3, 2008 07:43 PM
should I trade reggie wayne for greg jennings and I have aaron rodgers as my qb??
Posted by: brian | December 3, 2008 08:47 PM
Interesting you say that the league has figured Thigpen out. It could have been a product of playing the OAK pass defense (who hit their defensive averages almost exactly), however I am more concerned about his inability to go beyond Tony G and D. Bowe.
Last 2 games, teams have allowed Tony G to roam free and shutdown Bowe with a top CB (Asamough, McKelvin and now Bailey coming up), they KNOW he is highely unlikely to go beyond Bowe to Bradley/Johnson/Franklin/Charles/Webb which makes defending him a little bit easier.
Since that is my analytical contribution, should I start Thigpen, Hill or Schaub in WK 14?
Posted by: Paul | December 4, 2008 07:36 AM
Stat Thigpen because Schaub probably needs at least a week to get up to game speed, again.
Posted by: Jonathan | December 4, 2008 09:41 AM
i agree start thigpen.
i got him and schaub/sage combo and want to see how he looks this week first. hill really isnt a bad play either tho. people are sleepin on him
Posted by: scott | December 4, 2008 12:51 PM
Whom would you start of these 3 in a non-ppr league
D.Bess Miami v Bills
D.Jackson Eagles v. Giants
D.Hixon Giants v. Eagles
Thanks all
Posted by: patrick | December 4, 2008 01:41 PM
Two quick questions because the rankings are so close...start Hill or Thigpen and Z Miller or Scheffler? Thanks all.
Posted by: Lou | December 4, 2008 02:24 PM