We did it! Well, at least I did it. Squeezed out a win in the first week of playoffs. Did you? I really hope you did. It’s always nice to root for the success of others. Unless those others suck, then who cares if they lose?
More on the point of football, Fantasy Football Semis are insane. They might be even more exciting than championship games, and I’ll tell you why. Most leagues have a payout for the top two teams. Some leagues have a payout for third place, but not all. A win in Semis guarantees money for most people. A loss in Semis is as good as not making the playoffs.
Don’t get me wrong; I’d rather make playoffs than not. But if you’re going to make the playoffs and then not even make it to the finals, was there really a point?
Oh god, I hope I win this week. I just talked myself into being an emotional wreck if I lose.
This is bad. Here are some players:
Running Back
Lynn Bowden Jr., Miami Dolphins (available in 72% of Yahoo! leagues)
I was so sure this guy was going to pop this year. He got traded from the Raiders to the Dolphins before ever playing an NFL game, and I signed him immediately. After a few weeks of him being irrelevant, I dropped him. Well, look who’s laughing now. Me. Because I was right, albiet 13 weeks early. Everyone in Miami is either hurt or on the COVID/IR list. Bowden has taken over the slot role in this offense and is listed as a running back on most sites. His production has increased each of the last two weeks, and he looks to have the makings of a league winner. Snag him, especially in PPR. I was off by 13 weeks, but I wasn’t wrong.
Jeremy McNichols, Tennessee Titans (available in 99% of Yahoo! leagues)
This would be a hilarious one to roll with. Like, c’mon. Jeremy McNichols? This guy was one of those players on Hard Knocks who you root for because they give him a grind of a storyline, but then he’s not actually that good. Here’s where things get interesting though. He’s Derrick Henry’s backup. Henry is TOO good. The Titans should conceivably build a massive lead on the Lions this weekend. The Titans would be smart to then rest Henry, as they’ll need their bruiser in the playoffs. What does that lead to? A big Jeremy McNichols day! Imagine starting a player in hopes that the player he sits behind gets rested. It’s a risk, but hey, if you’re desperate enough to read my articles you might as well take the risk.
Wide Receiver
Rashard Higgins, Cleveland Browns (available in 81% of Yahoo! leagues)
Higgins has low-key been fire in the last few weeks. I had no clue. I don’t typically like anyone in the Brown’s passing game, but you can’t argue with 12 catches for 183 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games. Those are very good numbers. Go for it.
James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers (available in 95% of Yahoo! leagues)
Ben Roethlisberger has been in the league since the early 1920s, and as such, what he says goes a lot of the time. Three weeks ago, Ben said they need to find ways to get Washington more involved. In the two subsequent games, Washington has found the endzone twice. Clearly, Ben has some influence on what happens for the Steelers, and if Diontae Johnson keeps having stone-hands, Washington could see his role increase even further as the season goes on.
Tight End
Dan Arnold, Arizona Cardinals (available in 98% of Yahoo! leagues)
In a fun change of pace, I actually have a real recommendation for this position this week. As a Cardinals fan, I’m obligated to watch them each week. It was very annoying hearing the commentators, for the first seven weeks of the year, gush about Arnold’s ability as a receiver. He never did anything. In the last few weeks, however, he’s blossomed. He has four touchdowns in his last four games, some of which have been very impressive grabs. If you need to stream a tight end, grab the guy Kyler has been looking for in the endzone.
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
