The fantasy football playoffs are here, for most of us at least, and if you are playing this week it usually means your team was not good enough to earn a bye. Which means you probably have room for improvement or the need to tweak your lineup. Be sure to check out my recommendations to help you through this week. Feel free to hit me up on Twitter at @mikekelleydlp with any additional sit/start questions you might have. Or you can join my Facebook Group, Dynasty League Problems and be a part of the conversation.

NoHalftime START of the Week:

RB Spencer Ware (K.C.)

While Ware is having a very solid season he only has one 100 rushing yard game this season and I bet you can guess who it was against. That’s right the Raiders. It is also the only time he went over 20 carries in a game. The last time he faced the Raiders he had 24 carries for 131 yards and a touchdown. Well eight weeks later the Raiders are still pretty bad against the run. Ware should have no problem finding plenty of room to run on Thursday night. Despite his poor running average the last two weeks, he should rebound nicely with his second game over 100 rushing yards and at least one trip to pay dirt. Get you fantasy playoff game off to an early start and use Ware to build a nice lead going into the Sunday slate of games.

NoHalftime SIT of the Week:

QB Marcus Mariota (TEN)

What a season Mariota is having. Depending on your scoring system he should be ranked right around a mid level QB1. Unfortunately this week he goes up against the Bronco’s who have been shutting down quarterbacks all season long. This will by far be his toughest challenge since week one against the Vikings. I would not be surprised if he is held under 200 yards passing and its completely possible he is kept out of the end zone as well. Either way that little hot streak he was on going into his week 13 bye should not continue coming out of it. Hopefully you held onto your QB1 that has been sitting on the bench while your rode Mariota’s hot hand, because you are going to need him this week.

Quarterback

START Philip Rivers (S.D.)

The Panthers have been lit up by opposing quarterbacks this year, and this week should be no exception for Rivers. Overall the year has been a little on the down side for Rivers, but he has a great opportunity to finish the season strong with four great match ups and it starts this week against the Panthers. This could be a kick while they are down kind of game. The Panthers looks horrible last Sunday night and could be suffering from a hangover from that embarrassment on national TV. Rivers could throw for over 300 in this one and could throw three touchdowns as well. If you have Rivers I would ride him right on through the fantasy playoffs, and hopefully right into a championship.

Other STARTS:

• Derek Carr (OAK)
• Jameis Winston (T.B.)

SIT Tyrod Tayler (BUF)

Taylor has spent most of the year as a low end QB1. Since his week 10 bye week though he has not done as well. In those three weeks he is averaging 174 passing yards a game and has only thrown one touchdown with two interceptions. The only thing that has save him in that time frame is his 107 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Without those runs he is a single digit scoring QB in all of those weeks. While it’s not the Steel Curtain of old, I would still not want to count on Taylor this week.

Other SITS:

• Blake Bortles (JAC)
• Ryan Tannehill (MIA)

Running Back

START Jeremy Hill (CIN)

When Gio went down a lot of people were high on Hill, and now after two pretty disappointing games, that were only saved by a touchdown in one and six receptions in the other, people are starting to doubt him. To be fair those two game were against the Ravens, best against the run, and the Eagles who are also a top run stopping defense. This week though Hill faces one of the worst run defenses in the league, the Browns. Last time against the Browns Hill only had 9 carries, but ran for 168 yards and one touchdown. I would be surprised if the Browns don’t see a heavy dose of Hill, which should help Hill break 100 yards this week with at least one touchdown.

Other STARTS:

• DeMarco Murray (TEN)
• Matt Forte (NYJ)

SIT Any Jaguars RB (JAC)

I don’t care if it’s Chris Ivory, T.J. Yeldon, or Denard Robinson do not risk your fantasy playoffs on one of these guys. Not only has Jacksonville as a whole disappointed this year, this week the face the Vikings who have done very well at making good opponents look disappointing. Just do yourself a favor and stay away from any running back in Jacksonville.

Other SITS:

• LeGarrette Blount (N.E.)
• Jay Ajayi (MIA)

Wide Receiver

START Amari Cooper (OAK)

In the almost two years now that Cooper has been in the NFL, his fantasy owners have been frustrated with his up and down play. To be fair though, I think the problem is more game plan than Cooper. If teams are going to double him Carr has no problem looking to other receivers. While it’s frustrating to fantasy owners it is smart football. Well this week I am fully expecting Cooper to be a big part of the game plan. This week is extremely important to the Raiders if they want to win the division and possibly get a bye. The last time he faced the Chiefs he had 10 receptions for 129 yards, and the Raiders will need a repeat perforce if they want to knock off the Chiefs in Arrowhead on Thursday night.

Other STARTS:

• Mike Evans (T.B.)
• Pierre Garcon (WAS)

SIT Davante Adams (G.B.)

For as good a year as Adams is having he is very dependent on touchdowns. Over 26 percent of Adams PPR points are via the eight touchdowns he has scored. Most of your top wide receivers are around 20 percent of the their points via the touchdown. Which means your top wide receivers will still score 15 – 17 points without a touchdown and Adams will score 10 – 12 points without one. This week Adams faces the legion of boom, who has been limiting wide receivers for years, not just this year. So with poor touchdown potential I am not looking in Adams direction for a start this week.

Other SITS:

• Terrelle Pryor (CLE)
• Steve Smith (BAL)

Tight End

START Jason Witten (DAL)

Witten loves playing the Giants. In 27 regular season games he averages over 5 receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown every other game. In PPR that is an average of 13 points per game. I know the last few weeks have not been kind to Witten, but this week the Cowboys will need him to contribute if they are going to pull off a big win in New York on Sunday night. I am looking for Witten to haul in six receptions for around 50 yards and if his owners are lucky a touchdown as well.

Other STARTS:

• Jimmy Graham (SEA)
• C.J. Fiedorowicz (HOU)

SIT Dwayne Allen (IND)

Allen was worth 29 points in PPR leagues last Monday night. But lets put this in perspective. He had 4 receptions for 72 yards and three of the receptions went for touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns I am not sure he was even guarded as he just walked into the end zone. Without getting into the end zone Allen has yet to break double digit points in PPR leagues in a given week. The Texans won’t forget to guard him so I don’t expect anything near what he did last week.

Other SITS:

• Jared Cook (G.B.)
• Martellus Bennett (N.E.)

Defense

START Cincinnati Bengals

If you have been watching football at all this year, you already know why you should start the Bengals against the Browns.

Other STARTS:

• New York Jets

SIT Los Angeles Rams

After a heart breaking lose to the Chiefs, the Falcons need to bounce back and prove they won’r crumble under adversity. I am expecting the Falcons to pour it on against the Rams

Other SITS:

• Buffalo Bills

Michael Kelley is a member of the Going For 2 team. You can check out his website Dynasty League Problems for more writings or find him on Twitter @mikekelleydlp spreading fantasy knowledge for the masses.

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