Fantasy Football Championships: Ride or Die Week 16
Dec 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) leaves the field after the game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterbacks to Ride With:
Andrew Luck, @Dal- You think this is an easy call, but it isn’t. Andrew Luck has carried a lot of us out there into championship-ville but his last two outings were nerve racking. In Cleveland it took until the fourth quarter before he got anything going and ended up with a decent game but not anywhere near his recent standards. In the last four weeks he’s not scored twenty twice. Are you scared? Well.. Don’t be. Dallas is noted for allowing big games to QB’s. In the same last four games Dallas is allowing 25 FP/G. The combo of both the Colts and the Cowboys needing this game leads Luck into one of those supe powered games he was having back in September and October.
Mark Sanchez, @Was- I find it hard to believe many of you are here because you had Mark Sanchez in your starting line-up. To be fair, I know of at least one person who has Sanchez in the championship. I like his odds. Sanchez had is best game at home but he also had his worst game there as well. He’s on the road this week where he’s averaging over 22FP/G. Washington has allowed the second most points to opposing QB’s and they did just allow three touchdowns to Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giants. He is still playing for a job next year so look for him to have some decent statistics.
Alex Smith, @Pit- Honestly, I know it’s trendy to pick him as a sleeper or underdog. I try to steer away from him at all costs. There’s someone in a league that I know made the championship using both Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson all season. This week, he’s going with Smithand it’s really not a bad move. If you’re in a real need, I mean a real need at quarterback then Smith is probably the best you’re going to do. He’s thrown for two TD’s in three of his last four games. Smith has also almost surpassed 300 passing yards in the last two weeks. The Steelers have allowed the 6th most points to the position, and at least Smith knows how to run the position. He can smartly get you a solid 20-25 points this week.
Matt Ryan, @NO- He’s been on fire lately. Three straight weeks over 25 fantasy points, all over 300 yards with at least two touchdowns. If the Falcons are going to win this division they are going to have to win this game. The Saints are the fifth worst team agaisnt the pass and since the Falcons are putting it all on Matty Ice, you can ride him into a trophy party.
Quarterbacks to Die With:
Robert Griffin III, vsPhi- There is no way you can convince me to do this. Even if I need that QB, even if Peyton Manning mysteriously doesn’t play I would not leave my title hopes in the hands of this man. These words still aren’t as harsh as his own coaches’. Like the younger Gruden I don’t have a lot of faith. Maybe some new scenery would do him some good. My roster isn’t the place.
Peyton Manning, @Cin- It’s the post season, so why would I want Peyton? I understand, he’s the best regular season quarterback. He has trouble at times in the playoffs. I think its because teams amp up and play there best when they face him. Defenses can’t slack like they might do in other match ups. He demands the best out of players, both on his team and against. He hasn’t scored 20 fantasy points since week 12. That’s the scariest stat I saw. In the last three games he has 585 yards and three touchdowns. That doesn’t look all that bad, but when you consider the fantasy points it was 16, 2 and 15. Those don’t win fantasy match ups, let alone championship ones. The Bengals by the way are the third toughest defense to pass on..Update: He didn’t practice on Thursday and the team said is was his thigh. Pretty sure he goes here, but it is cause for concern.