With the arrival of the fantasy playoffs here in Week 14, a number of things will have you tinkering with your roster to the point at which your significant other will urge you to see a doctor regarding your newly emerging obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Whether you lost Alvin Kamara to a concussion Thursday or your opponent started Michael Thomas and Mohamed Sanu or the website that houses your league projects you to lose this week’s match-up, you’re going to start digging deep to find those “upside plays” that may give you an advantage. You’ll hear several names matched up with the word potential, but be careful. There are several wolves out there, hiding in sheep’s clothing.
One of the most popular names from the waiver wire is Texans tight end Stephen Anderson. Last week, when starter C.J. Fiedorowicz left with a concussion, Anderson went on to see 12 targets, of which he caught five for 79 yards and a touchdown. Fiedorowicz has since landed on injured reserve, and with Anderson now the starter, everyone adding him expects a repeat performance.
Can he post similar numbers this week? The 49ers have allowed five touchdowns to tight ends over their past six games, so it certainly looks promising. But what about the return of Will Fuller? After a three-week absence, Fuller, who averaged six targets per game with seven touchdowns in a six-game span, is going to garner the attention of quarterback Tom Savage. Anderson will still see some work, but Fuller might cut into his targets. Also, considering Anderson’s 41.7 percent catch rate from last week, how many passes do you really think he comes down with this week?
Fantasy owners continue to salivate over the four touchdowns and six red-zone touches for New England running back Rex Burkhead, but are we to expect the trend to continue, or are we now concerned over the return of Chris Hogan? Prior to the four-week absence, Hogan led the team with 11 red-zone targets through eight games and likely will return this week still one of Tom Brady’s favorites.
In Philadelphia, Zach Ertz cleared concussion protocol, so you can kiss that Trey Burton pick-up goodbye. Same with the Tion Green add in Detroit now that Ameer Abdullah is back at practice. And so long, Peyton Barber. Doug Martin is back and the Buccaneers have 35.75 million reasons to hand the ball to him.
Finding that hidden gem who helps bring home the title is one of the most coveted things in fantasy. We all want to catch lightning in a bottle. Unfortunately, too many fail to realize it’s the rarity and not the norm.
Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 4-6 p.m.
