Late Season Roster Suggestions
Are you on the bubble trying to make it into your league’s playoffs? Well, here are a few guys who have favorable schedules coming up who you would want to target in trades if your deadline hasn’t passed yet or players you will want in your lineups in the near future. There are also players here that you would want to immediately trade to your buddy or just keep out of your lineups.
Favorable Schedules
Chad Ochocinco, WR, Cincinnati Bengals. Chad hasn’t topped 70 yards or even thought about trying one of his celebration dances over the past three weeks. The reason is simple, he has taken on two top defenses in Baltimore and Pittsburgh and last week got shut down by none other than Oakland’s Nnamdi Asomugha. Over the next two weeks Ochocinco will be “kissing the baby” all day long versus the NFL’s worst, Cleveland (Week 12) and Detroit (Week 13). So “child please” do whatever you need to do to get Chad on your team, even if that means offering a one dollar bribe. The Bengals’ playoff schedule (Vikings, Chargers, Chiefs) is also pretty decent. Viking pass defense isn’t great and Kansas City is one of the best match-ups in the biggest week of the season. The Chargers are a pretty tough match-up for Chad but I like his other match-ups enough that you’re just going to have to take it like a man.
I also like Carson Palmer, Bengals D/ST, and Cedric Benson as guys who can get you some goodies these next two weeks. Benson if healthy should thrive versus the Chiefs and Chargers both top 10 in rushing yards allowed.
Thomas Jones, RB, New York Jets. Mark Sanchez isn’t getting it done. So when you can’t pass, you run which is good news for Thomas Jones. He has been very solid lately scoring fantasy points in the mid-teens these past two weeks, but he is ready to explode. In the next two weeks he has Carolina (25th against the run) and Buffalo (31st). He also has a nice little playoff schedule with Tampa Bay who is the worst run defense, and Atlanta (9th) both on his schedule. I love the matchups and I love Thomas Jones, who has been one of the most underrated running back in fantasy over the past two seasons.
Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers. He hasn’t had 300 yards since week three and he is coming off a very quiet game against the Broncos. Look for two big games in Weeks 12 and 13 as he takes on two of the worst defenses in the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns and he should have no trouble tearing them up. Rivers has already had success against Kansas City in Week 7 when he had 3 TD tosses. Dallas, Cincy, and Tennessee is a pretty tough playoff schedule but the Chargers will be fighting for a playoff spot and Rivers has proven that he can have success against any defense in the league.
Rough Roads Ahead
Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys. Hopefully someone in your league still has Miles Austin fever and will give you top receiver value for him. Over the past three weeks he has been one 49 yard touchdown away from being useless. Week 12 he should see some Asomugha vs. Oakland and then will go against the leagues second best pass D in the New York Giants. If you are fighting for the playoffs don’t expect to get much out of this two week wonder. It doesn’t get any better in the playoffs either facing the Chargers, Saints, and the Redskins who are among the top pass defenses and haven’t allowed many aerial touchdowns. Finally, you can’t forget that Tony Romo doesn’t exactly have the best track record in December.
Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears. Forte has been one of the biggest disappointments of the fantasy football season, and his owners go into every week hoping that this is the game that he will start to turn it around. He has shown small flashes whether it is on the ground or catching passes out of the backfield, but they have all been short lived in a sea of disappointment. Over the final five weeks of the fantasy football season, Forte goes against a top five pass defense four times. He still could have a pretty big name value being a first round pick and might be appealing to someone in need of a running back. Khalil Bell also opened a few eyes this past week and could steal some more carries down the stretch. I don’t think Forte is a guy you want coming down the stretch. If there is still time, trade him for one of my buy low running backs and don’t look back.
Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants. Coming off of his best fantasy performance of the season against one of the worst pass defenses in Atlanta, Eli has a tough road ahead. He plays three of his final five versus top five pass defenses (Broncos, Panthers, Redskins) and also has the Eagles who he averages just 178.6 yards against in his last 3 appearances. He shouldn’t be someone that you are starting on a weekly basis unless you are desperate and even if you have to give up someone good, I would look to try to improve your quarterback situation.
