Given that we are in the throes of a recession and have all watched our portfolios dwindle to a fraction of their previous enormities (ha), we'll start this column with the old footnote front and center: past performance does not guarantee future results. Fortunately, the Fanhouse compliance department is far more lax about fantasy football recommendations than they are about stock selections.
Hence, the idea today is to take a look at some of fantasy football's best performers over the past few years throughout weeks 14 through 16 - the fantasy playoffs - in order to help determine some valuable players down the stretch.
(Author's Note: I strongly believe that, due to clinched playoff berths often leading to key players winding up on the bench, week 17 should never be included in the fantasy playoffs. While I can understand the rationale of being so addicted to fantasy sports that it seems wise to extend the season one more week, it is not logical as the best fantasy teams often get hosed.)
Lee Evans - Believe it or not, Mr. Inconsistency himself is a pillar of consistency in the fantasy playoffs. In 2007, Evans nabbed two touchdown catches in week 14 and another one in week 16. In 2006, he caught a touchdown in all three weeks (and one in week 17). And finally, while in 2005 he busted somewhat with only one TD over the three weeks, in 2004 he caught one touchdown in both weeks 15 and 16 and added two more in week 16. Overall, that nets out to ten touchdowns in weeks 14 through 16 in four years. Plus, his trade value is slipping lately, so this is not a bad time to go after him in the secondary market.
Larry Fitzgerald - While I decided to leave Kurt Warner off the list - because despite nine TD passes during these key weeks last year, he also threw five interceptions in a single game - Larry Fitzgerald has dominated these late weeks regardless of Kurt's polarized performances. Fitty has hauled in ten touchdown catches since 2004 during the key fantasy weeks and has been known to drop a multi-touchdown game on more than one occasion.
Fred Taylor - Why are you laughing? Is 130 yards rushing per game and three touchdowns in three weeks not good enough for you? Well, that is exactly what Fragile Fred posted last season thourhgout the fantasy playoffs. Furthermore, Fred Taylor has scored, count 'em, 18 touchdown during these weeks since his rookie year in 1999. Not bad, eh?
Thomas Jones - Thomas Jones is on such a tear these days that it's hard not to worry a bit about his ability to keep it up come playoff time, particularly since he had so much trouble finding paydirt in 2007. Fortunately, consider 2007 the outlier, because Jones scored two TDs in 2006 and 3 TDs in 2005.
Andre Johnson - As if Andre Johnson owners were concerned, Johnson should only get better as the season wears on into the late weeks. Last year during the key weeks, AJ averaged over seven catches for 80 yards and scored in every game.
Peyton Manning - Ever wonder why Peyton owners rarely ever stray from him even if it means jumping on him 5 spots too early in the first round? It's because Peyton Manning wins fantasy trophies. Not that anyone cares, but I pulled home back-to-back double-handled gold cups in my league of utmost importance with Manning the past two seasons. This year, I'm struggling to make the playoffs, but guess who is sitting pretty in first place with a cushy schedule for the playoffs? Yep, team Peyton. In fact, I would be surprised if Manning doesn't three-peat. For the record, he averaged 272 passing yards per game with eight touchdowns in 2007 and another seven in 2006. This season Manning should be especailly strong as the Colts will be fighting for a playoff berth.
LaDainian Tomlinson - LdT owners have been reeling from the ups and downs of owning the so-called fantasy rock that is LaDainian Tomlinson. In fact, Tomlinson has not hit paydirt since week four. Fortunately, Tomlinson tends to step it up in weeks 14 through 16, crossing the goalline 13 times in weeks 14 through 16 since 2004 and notching 8 games with over 100 yards rushing. In other words, if history repeats, LdT will more than make up for an otherwise lackluster season when it matters most.
Steven Jackson - Finally, we have one last entry from team obvious. Even though Steven Jackson's sub 100% status raises huge question marks down the stretch, fantasy owners can take solace in knowing that in weeks 14 through 16, Steven Jackson produced 131 yards from scrimmage per game with 2 TDs in 2006 and 173 yards all-purpose yards per game and 6 touchdowns in 2007.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
We play a week 17 championship, becuase the best teams are also the deepest. It balances out teams that have one or two studs compared to teams that smartly play the waiver wire all season long.
RBD...that is a purely stupid explanation. Why should owning a stud player that happens to be on a playoff-bound team be a liability at season's end? The best fantasy owners are those with patience, knowledge, and admit it, a little luck. I've seen so many players pick up last week's one-game wonder and drop a future difference maker, and then end up with a .500 record. Playing in week 17, or even 16, is like intentionally going after an injury to take out the other team's star. Like a coward. Like Joey Porter.
You should really re-evaluate having a 17 week Fantasy season. I played in a league that way for years and we finally re-vamped this year. Much better, although - the strategy session is sure hell when you play Week 17.
How is Kurt Warner not on the fantasy list he threw 5 int in that game for a reason that's jus how that game was being played....how many has he thrown since....you don't know what your talkn bout...and fitz has dropped off and will continue cuz of all the double coverage