Hopefully you made it through your first playoff matchup alright, and I’ll assume you did since you likely wouldn’t need any waiver advice otherwise. This is it though, all that prep, drafting, scouting – it’s time to lock down that win and hoist fantasy gold over your head.
Last week, we saw readily available players like Derek Carr and Kyle Orton post 20+ fantasy points, while guys like Jarius Wright and James Starks outscored some of the most widely owned studs. There’s plenty of points available on the waiver wire this week, let’s take a look.
Quarterback Targets:
Kyle Orton (Owned in 13 percent of Yahoo leagues): Orton had to make a lot of throws against Denver, attempting 57 passes, and ended up posting another strong fantasy line as a result as he put up 355 yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown. Expect a similar situation when Green Bay comes to town this week.
Green Bay is not a bad defense by any stretch but they do force opposing passers to throw a lot to try to keep up with their prolific offense. We just saw it with Matt Ryan, who threw for four touchdowns on Monday night. On the season, the Packers have also allowed 18+ fantasy points to guys like Russell Wilson, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady, but also the likes of Geno Smith and Teddy Bridgewater.
Orton has been solid this season, posting at least 15 fantasy points in six of his nine starts.
Johnny Manziel (22 percent): Even though Manziel didn’t get the start on Sunday, Brian Hoyer did not make much of an argument for the starting job as he completed just 14 of his 31 pass attempts for 140 yards and two picks. This time around, it will be Johnny Football time.
He’ll face a Cincy defense giving up the 11th most opponent passing yards and the sixth most opponent rushing yards. The Bengals saw Cam Newton go off for a 17-107-1 line on the ground alone a couple months back and have also allowed Jake Locker to rush six times for 50 yards.
Manziel makes his fantasy money on the ground and could certainly make up for any potential rookie struggles with a few well-timed runs.
Running Back Targets:
Kerwynn Williams (3 percent): Williams came out of nowhere on Sunday to carry the ball 19 times for 100 yards against a tough Chiefs run defense. Marion Grice poached a couple of red zone carries but didn’t do anything with them, and Stepfan Taylor didn’t make much of an impression.
Seemingly it’ll be on Williams to carry the workload for a Cardinals offense that is now without its starting quarterback and running back for the rest of the season. While his matchups against the Rams and 49ers aren’t the most appealing for the playoffs, neither were the Chiefs. Williams isn’t likely to put up RB1 numbers but if your running back position has been decimated by injuries and ineffectiveness, Williams is a solid late-season add that is still available virtually everywhere.
Jonathan Stewart (40 percent): Outside of Williams there isn’t really much deep-league RB help available on the waiver wire. Perhaps Stewart is still available and makes for a strong running back pickup if DeAngelo Williams misses Carolina’s tilt against a shoddy Tampa defense on Sunday.
The Bucs are in the bottom 12 in terms of rushing yards allowed and fantasy points allowed to running backs. Stewart, meanwhile, used his solo day against New Orleans to put up 155 yards and a score on 20 carries. If Williams is out once again with his hand injury, look for Stewart to run all over Tampa.
Wide Receiver Targets:
Marquess Wilson (1 percent): With Brandon Marshall out for the year with rib and lung injuries, the Bears need the 6-foot-3 seventh-rounder to step up and prove his worth down the stretch. I’m not too confident about his matchup against Detroit in Week 16 but his game against the Saints this week makes him a strong one-week add.
The Saints give up the third most passing yards and the third most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. While Alshon Jeffery, Matt Forte, and Martellus Bennett may all benefit from Marshall’s absence, Wilson is the deep league play here.
Marqise Lee (4 percent): Lee has finally emerged in the Jacksonville passing game after some rookie struggles, and has now been targeted eight times in each of his last two games, coming up with 142 yards and a score.
Lee’s usage is where it needs to be and he has good matchups over the next two weeks. Baltimore gives up the second most passing yards in the NFL and the most fantasy points to opposing wideouts. Without Haloti Ngata in the mix, they’re even less threatening, if possible.
After that he’ll see a Titans defense that allows the 12th most passing yards in the NFL and have given up huge days to DeAndre Hopkins and Odell Beckham over the last two weeks.
