Start Em’
Ben Roethlisberger QB, PIT, has been playing great lately as he has thrown multiple touchdowns in each of his last 2 games, while throwing for an average of 392 yards/game. The Steelers are on the road this week against the Atlanta Falcons. This matchup will prove to be a good one for Big Ben, as the Falcons are ranked last in the league in pass defense. This game looks to be a shootout which means that Roethlisberger will have plenty of pass attempts, which should lead to a high fantasy scoring day. Prediction: 25 pts; 350 yds and 2 TDs
Joique Bell RB, DET, has scored over 20 fantasy points in each of the past 2 games. Bell has been used a significant amount over the past 4 games as he has had at least 17 carries in each. This week Bell will face the 23rd ranked run defense in the Minnesota Vikings. Bell will have multiple opportunities to score since he is 4th in the league for most carries inside the opponent’s 10 yard line. Prediction: 14 pts; 80 yds and 1 TD
Odell Beckham Jr. WR, NYG, is only the 4th wide receiver since 1960 to total 100 fantasy points in the first 9 games of his career. OBJ has had over 100 yards in 2 of his past 3 games, with 3 touchdowns in those games. This week OBJ will face a weak Redskins secondary that is ranked 28th against the pass. Washington has allowed the 7th-most fantasy points per game to opposing receivers, since week 9. Prediction: 15 pts; 90 yds and 1 TD
Sit Em’
Colin Kaepernick QB, SF, has struggled in the past 2 games, throwing only one touchdown to 4 interceptions. Kaepernick has also thrown for under 200 yards in each of the past 2 games. Kaepernick will once again have difficulties as he plays on the road against a tough Seattle Seahawks secondary. On Thanksgiving Kaepernick put up only one fantasy point against the Seahawks. You can expect Kaepernick to be handled by the Seahawks. Prediction: 10 pts; 160 yds, 1 TD, and 1 INT
Frank Gore RB, SF, is another 49er that has struggled recently, and specifically against the Seahawks. Gore has been held out of the end zone in 4 straight games and has averaged only 47.6 yards per game in the past 3. Gore was able to muster up only 28 yards on 10 carries in his last game against the Seahawks. The Seahawks have allowed only 12.8 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Prediction: 5 pts; 50 yds
Pierre Garcon WR, WAS, has had only 3 touchdowns on the season and has had only 2 double digit fantasy point outings this season. Robert Griffin III is expected to start this week which is bad news for Garcon. With RG3 at quarterback, Garcon has averaged only 3 receptions for 26 yards with no touchdowns. Garcon has played poorly against the Giants, averaging just 48 yards/game and no touchdowns, in the past 3 meetings with New York. Prediction: 5 pts; 50 yds
Top Players by Position
QB
Andrew Luck, IND: Is the top scorer in fantasy football. Has 12 TDs and only 2 INTs in 5 career games against Houston. Prediction: 30 pts; 360 yds and 3 TDs
Aaron Rodgers, GB: Is second among QBs for fantasy points per game. He has thrown only 3 INTs on the season, with none of them coming in the past 5 weeks. Prediction: 26 pts; 280 yds and 3 TDs
Peyton Manning, DEN: His touchdown streak ended last week, so it is only fitting that he makes up for it this week with a handful of touchdowns. Prediction: 26 pts; 280 yds and 3 TDs
RB
Le’Veon Bell, PIT: Joined legendary Walter Payton as the only other player in NFL history to total 200 yards in 3 consecutive games. Prediction: 19 pts; 130 yds and 1 TD
Jamaal Charles, KC: Has had 465 yards and 8 TDs in the past 3 games against Oakland. Prediction: 16 pts; 100 yds and 1 TD
Arian Foster, HOU: Has averaged 130 total yards/game this season with 12 TDs. Prediction: 16 pts; 100 yds and 1 TD
WR
Antonio Brown, PIT: Faces the Falcons who have allowed the 2nd-most receiving yards to wide receivers this season. Prediction: 17 pts; 110 yds and 1 TD
Calvin Johnson, DET: Has averaged 152 yards/game and totaled 3 TDs in the past 2 games. Prediction: 15 pts; 90 yds and 1 TD
Demaryius Thomas, DEN: Has scored 5 TDs in his past 5 games against San Diego. Prediction: 14 pts; 80 yds and 1 TD
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Good luck in your playoff game and check back next week for more fantasy football advice!
Collegian Sports Reporter Alec Grimes can be reached at sports@collegian.com and on Twitter @GrimesAlec.
