Fantasy football: How to manage receivers in your league's playoffs

Let’s make a pass at wide receiver situations in the NFL that you can take advantage of or avoid.

By Bill Piotrowski / The Blade
Wed, 04 Dec 2019 20:02:00 GMT

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The fantasy football playoffs have started in your league, or you’re one week away.

If you’ve advanced or are on the precipice of qualifying for the postseason, let’s make a pass at wide receiver situations in the NFL that you can take advantage of or avoid.

■ If you’re still holding on to Indianapolis’ T.Y. Hilton, keep holding on. It looks like he won’t play this weekend, but he’s not shut down for the year. Hilton is a must play when healthy, so keep an eye on the situation. Though Zach Pascal has been a boom-or-bust from week to week, he’s your most reliable play.

■ The Detroit Lions are on their fourth quarterback, but David Blough put up some healthy numbers in last week’s loss to Chicago. Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones, Jr., caught touchdown passes last week and are good flex options. Golladay is fourth in the league in fantasy points among wide receivers, so use him over Jones.

■ It looks like Minnesota’s Adam Thielen might miss more time, so Stefon Diggs should be in your lineup. No one else is worth a look on the Vikings, though tight end Kyle Rudolph will be the beneficiary with additional targets. Monitor Thielen’s availability and play him when he comes back.

■ Jarvis Landry is having a better season that Odell Beckham, Jr., with Cleveland, with Landry near the top of the list with double-digit targets over the past month. Since the Browns have a favorable schedule over the next few weeks, get both of these players in your lineup.

■ Sterling Shepard has been busy the past two weeks for the New York Giants, seeing 16 passes thrown his way. He had a touchdown last week, so it’s safe to play him and Darius Slayton. They could help you in the WR2 or flex position.

■ Julian Edelman is the only receiver you want on New England, especially if Tom Brady will be airing it out against Kansas City this week and has a good matchup against Cincinnati in Week 15. With Mohamed Sanu and Phillip Dorsett banged up or unproductive, Edelman is a great No. 1 option for you.

START ‘EM

Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been putting up good numbers since he took over the starting job in October. He is a smart play against an Oakland defense that has given up the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.

Devonta Freeman hasn’t done much this year, but the Atlanta running back played well on Thanksgiving and is healthy. He should find the end zone for the first time this year against a Carolina team that gives up a lot of rushing yards.

It’s also time Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams gets his first touchdown of the season. He’s had two 100-yard games in the past month, and Jacksonville’s defense is underwhelming. Look for a big game from quarterback Philip Rivers and Williams.

Since Gerald Everett is questionable to play for the Los Angeles Rams, grab Tyler Higbee and get him into your lineup. He had 107 yards last week, all in the first half, and Seattle gives up a lot of fantasy points to tight ends. Play Higbee while he’s hot.

SIT ‘EM

Arizona is going up against a tough Pittsburgh defense, so keep quarterback Kyler Murray on your bench. He had a bad game at home last week, and this one won’t be much better.

Jonathan Williams’ run might be over as the Indianapolis back crashed down to earth with a 14-yard game last week against the Titans. Tampa Bay has the second-best run defense in the league, and Marlon Mack is close to returning. Bench Williams.

Baltimore wide receiver Marquise Brown disappeared last week, and playing Buffalo’s suffocating defense won’t help your case to play him this Sunday. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson won’t have a lot of time to throw, so he’ll probably tuck and run more.

Jared Cook has been solid this season, but the New Orleans tight end could have a tough time against San Francisco this week. If you have a better option, keep Cook on your bench.

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