For many of my fellow ff fanatics, this week will see the real playoffs begin. The bye weeks are over and the playoff bottom feeders have been weeded out. This deep into the season, match-ups will play a pivotal roll in deciding the outcome of a game. In fact, you can almost say that match-ups are even more important than top end talent. Take week 14, the 'wild card' weekend of fantasy football, there were quite a number of second tier players that erupted for good points thanks to match-ups, outshining their 'higher stature' brethren.
Lets look at a few of the standouts...
RB Ryan Grant, GBP (vs CHI): 26 pts 144 yds, 2 tds
RB Ray Rice, BAL ( vs DET): 25 pts 219 yds, 1 td
RB J. Charles, KC (vs BUF): 24 pts 181 yds, 1 td
P Rob Bironas, TEN (vs STL): 19 pts
TE F. Davis, WAS (vs OAK): 17 pts 50 yds, 2 tds
QB Jason Campbell, WAS (vs Oak): 18 pts 222 yds, 2 tds
As opposed to...
WR Randy Moss, NE (vs CAR): -1 pt 1 rec 16 yds and a fumble
QB Carson Palmer, CIN (vs MIN): 9 pts 94 yds, 1 td
WR Roddy White, ATL (vs NO): 4 pts 2 rec 41 yds
WR Reggie Wayne, IND (vs DEN): 4 pts 4 rec 43 yds
RB Steven Jackson, STL (vs TEN): 4 pts 47 yds
As you can see above, the second round talent with the better match-ups fared better than some of the first round players facing tougher teams. So the conclusion is that no matter how good you think your teams are, the reality is that a simple thing like a schedule could keep your pro bowl laden team from winning the championship.
Start of the Week!
QB Matt Shaub, HOU (at STL): Shaub has been one of the most prolific quarterbacks in football this season and by extension, the Houston offense has been explosive. This week, they face a team that allowed 47 points to the Titans in week 14. Look for Shaub to light it up.
Looking good for week 15...
Quarterbacks: Phillip Rivers (SD, vs CIN), Tom Brady (NE, at BUF), Ben Roethlisberger (PIT, at GB)
Running Backs: Thomas Jones (NYJ, vs ATL), Ray Rice (BAL, vs CHI), Jamaal Charles (KC, vs CLE)
Wide Receivers: Anquan Boldin (ARI, vs DET), Brandon Marshall (DEN, vs OAK), Marques Colston (NO, vs DAL)
Tight Ends: Vernon Davis (SF, at PHI), Antonio Gates (SD, vs CIN)
Kickers: Rob Bironas (TEN, vs MIA), David Akers (PHI, vs SF)
Defenses/Special Teams: Ravens (vs CHI), Cardinals (at DET)
