2V’s Conference Championship Fantasy Football Rankings

2V’s Conference Championship Fantasy Football Rankings

It’s the last week of multi-game NFL weekends for six-plus months, so fantasy football fans need to enjoy it, savor it, and drink it all in so it can tide you over through the offseason. I’d say the “enjoying” part would be tricky from a fantasy perspective given the defensive pedigrees of the remaining teams, but if the Jags and Steelers can both go over the Vegas total in the same game and the Vikings can exorcise 50 years of demons in 14 glorious seconds… hey, then just about anything can happen. Here’s a rundown of this week’s fantasy options as you tweak your playoff fantasy rosters and set your DFS lineups for the Conference Championships.

Photo by Keith Allison

QUARTERBACKS
Choose your narrative: Tom Brady and three bums, the 2015 Rams quarterback depth chart meeting in the NFC title game… they’re all there. Blake Bortles has the best matchup on paper, but in a battle of wits between Bortles and Bill Belichick I know where I’m pushing my chips. Brady has seen (and conquered) elite defenses before, so he’s the obvious call. And in the “Fisher Bowl”, where 7 meets 9, final numbers might depend more on each team’s respective ground games and pass protection.

1. Tom Brady, NE
2. Case Keenum, MIN
3. Blake Bortles, JAC
4. Nick Foles, PHI

RUNNING BACKS
The Patriots’ array of pass-catching running backs will be heavily employed this week against Jacksonville’s stout pass defense, but touches will depend heavily on Rex Burkhead’s availability. The Jags’ preference will be to run Leonard Fournette heavily, but the combination of Belichick schemes, game script and his health status make him a bit of a risky play. The Vikings only split their touches two ways against a strong Philly D, while the Eagles trisect (or worse) their backfield. It’ll be a week for playing hunches based on how you think the games will flow.

1. Dion Lewis, NE
2. Leonard Fournette, JAC
3. Jerick McKinnon, MIN
4. James White, NE
5. Jay Ajayi, PHI
6. Latavius Murray, MIN
7. T.J. Yeldon, JAC
8. LeGarrette Blount, PHI
9. Chris Ivory, JAC
10. Corey Clement, PHI
11. Kenjon Barner, PHI
12. Rex Burkhead, NE

WIDE RECEIVERS
It’s tough to see Brandin Cooks having much success against the Jags’ elite cornerbacks, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Danny Amendola working inside and underneath racked up another double-digit catch outing. Even if Minnesota’s offensive line doesn’t give Case Keenum a ton of time, both Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs are capable of turning short throws into big plays. Flip the script and Alshon Jeffery will have his hands full with Xavier Rhodes, but Nelson Agholor’s speed could prove problematic for Trae Waynes. I don’t anticipate Jacksonville asking Blake Bortles to win this one through the air, and even if catch-up necessitates throwing there’s hardly a reliable standout among the Jaguars’ receiving corps.

1. Adam Thielen, MIN
2. Stefon Diggs, MIN
3. Danny Amendola, NE
4. Marqise Lee, JAC
5. Brandin Cooks, NE
6. Alshon Jeffery, PHI
7. Chris Hogan, NE
8. Nelson Agholor, PHI
9. Keelan Cole, JAC
10. Jarius Wright, MIN
11. Allen Hurns, JAC
12. Torrey Smith, PHI
13. Dede Westbrook, JAC
14. Mack Hollins, PHI
15. Michael Floyd, MIN
16. Matthew Slater, NE

TIGHT ENDS
Last week Gronk scored 14.1 fantasy points (20.1 if you’re in full PPR mode); if you combine all of the remaining tight ends still alive in the playoffs, they totaled 10.6 points (21.2 PPR). Do with that information what you will.

1. Rob Gronkowski, NE
2. Zach Ertz, PHI
3. Kyle Rudolph, MIN
4. Trey Burton, PHI
5. Ben Koyack, JAC
6. Brent Celek, PHI
7. Jacob Hollister, NE
8. James O’Shaughnessy, JAC
9. Marcedes Lewis, JAC
10. David Morgan, MIN
11. Duane Allen, NE

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
This doesn’t feel like a place to look for fantasy points. In the NFC you have to expect conservative game plans for the “backup” quarterbacks against their respective elite defenses. In the AFC, the Patriots field the least productive fantasy defense but they face Blake Bortles; conversely, Jacksonville throws its defense up against Tom Brady.

1. Patriots DST, NE
2. Vikings DST, MIN
3. Eagles DST, PHI
4. Jaguars DST, JAC

PLACEKICKERS
It’s relatively easy to place Gotkowski and Lambo; you don’t beat Tom Brady kicking field goals. With the NFC kickers it may boil down to which offense is more efficient in the red zone… and which kicker is more comfortable kicking outdoors.

1. Stephen Gostkowski, NE
2. Jake Elliott, PHI
3. Kai Forbath, MIN
4. Josh Lambo, JAC

2V’s Divisional Round Fantasy Football Rankings

2V’s Divisional Round Fantasy Football Rankings

Entering the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, it comes as no surprise that fantasy-friendly matchups are hard to come by; the adage “defense wins championships” still exists for a reason. Here’s a rundown of this week’s fantasy options as you tweak your playoff fantasy rosters and set your DFS lineups.

QUARTERBACKS
The most fantasy-friendly matchups belong to Marcus Mariota, Tom Brady and Case Keenum; clearly, one of these things is not like the other. Conversely, no team allowed fewer fantasy points to quarterbacks than the Vikings, but I’ll still take Drew Brees getting his in that environment over other the remaining alternatives.

1. Tom Brady, NE
2. Drew Brees, NO
3. Case Keenum, MIN
4. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
5. Matt Ryan, ATL
6. Marcus Mariota, TEN
7. Nick Foles, PHI
8. Blake Bortles, JAC

RUNNING BACKS
The last time Le’Veon Bell faced Jacksonville he only saw 15 carries–but he also had 10 receptions; you know one way or another he’ll get his. Tougher to say that about the Saints’ dynamic duo of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, as no team allowed fewer fantasy points to running backs than the Vikings (say, haven’t we heard something like that before?). You have to think Derrick Henry will be the weapon Bill Belichick decides to take away in the Titans/Patriots game, but New England may not have the personnel to do so. Unfortunately we saw little evidence that the Eagles would cover for Nick Foles by leaning more heavily on the ground game so it’s tough to project a feature-back workload for Jay Ajayi.

1. Le’Veon Bell, PIT
2. Leonard Fournette, JAC
3. Alvin Kamara, NO
4. Derrick Henry, TEN
5. Devonta Freeman, ATL
6. Dion Lewis, NE
7. Jerick McKinnon, MIN
8. Jay Ajayi, PHI
9. Mark Ingram, NO
10. Tevin Coleman, ATL
11. Latavius Murray, MIN
12. Rex Burkhead, NE
13. LeGarrette Blount, PHI
14. James White, NE
15. Chris Ivory, JAC
16. DeMarco Murray, TEN
17. Corey Clement, PHI
18. T.J. Yeldon, JAC
19. Stevan Ridley, PIT
20. Derrick Coleman, ATL
21. Kenjon Barner, PHI
22. Zach Line, NO
23. C.J. Ham, MIN
24. Tommy Bohanon, JAC

WIDE RECEIVERS
Antonio Brown at 100 percent makes him a lock for the top spot, even against the vaunted Jacksonville pass defense–you know, the one he took for 10-157 earlier in the season. On paper the Tennessee wide receivers have far and away the easiest fantasy matchup, but with no reliable go-to among their outside targets none crack the top 12.

1. Antonio Brown, PIT
2. Brandin Cooks, NE
3. Adam Thielen, MIN
4. Julio Jones, ATL
5. Michael Thomas, NO
6. Chris Hogan, NE
7. Stefon Diggs, MIN
8. Alshon Jeffery, PHI
9. Mohamed Sanu, ATL
10. Ted Ginn, NO
11. Nelson Agholor, PHI
12. Dede Westbrook, JAC
13. Corey Davis, TEN
14. JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT
15. Danny Amendola, NE
16. Torrey Smith, PHI
17. Eric Decker, TEN
18. Marqise Lee, JAC
19. Brandon Coleman, NO
20. Martavis Bryant, PIT
21. Rishard Matthews, TEN
22. Allen Hurns, JAC
23. Justin Hardy, ATL
24. Jarius Wright, MIN
25. Keelan Cole, JAC
26. Nick Williams, ATL
27. Kenny Britt, NE
28. Taylor Gabriel, ATL
29. Jaydon Mickens, JAC
30. Willie Snead, NO
31. Andre Roberts, ATL
32. Phillip Dorsett, NE

TIGHT ENDS
Playoff teams tend to defend tight ends well; in fact, only one remaining team ranked in the top half of the league in fantasy points allowed to the position. Fortunately for Gronk, it was the Titans–as if he needs additional help.

1. Rob Gronkowski, NE
2. Zach Ertz, PHI
3. Delanie Walker, TEN
4. Kyle Rudolph, MIN
5. Austin Hooper, ATL
6. Jesse James, PIT
7. Marcedes Lewis, JAC
8. Josh Hill, NO
9. Trey Burton, PHI
10. Vance McDonald, PIT
11. Levine Toilolo, ATL
12. David Morgan, MIN
13. Jonnu Smith, TEN
14. Jacob Hollister, NE
15. Michael Hoomanawanui, NO
16. Ben Koyack, JAC

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
Another reliable facet of playoff teams: they don’t give up much in the way of D/ST fantasy scoring. Again, only one team ranks outside the stingiest dozen clubs in that regard–and again it’s to the benefit of the Titans. Of course, the Nick Foles-led Eagles might be more prone to turnovers than the Carson Wentz-led version if Philly insists on having Foles throw 38 passes a game like he’s been doing.

1. Patriots DST, NE
2. Jaguars DST, JAC
3. Vikings DST, MIN
4. Steelers DST, PIT
5. Falcons DST, ATL
6. Eagles DST, PHI
7. Saints DST, NO
8. Titans DST, TEN

PLACEKICKERS
Yet again the most favorable fantasy matchup plays to the Patriots’ favor, as the Titans have allowed a point and a half more per game to opposing kickers than any other squad left in the postseason. After that, it comes down to which offenses are good enough to move the ball on these stout remaining defenses yet not quite able to punch it into the end zone. When you’re counting by threes instead of ones, that’s when the kicker points start adding up.

1. Stephen Gostkowski, NE
2. Kai Forbath, MIN
3. Will Lutz, NO
4. Matt Bryant, ATL
5. Jake Elliott, PHI
6. Chris Boswell, PIT
7. Josh Lambo, JAC
8. Ryan Succop, TEN

John Tuvey Week 1 Fantasy Football Rankings

John Tuvey Week 1 Fantasy Football Rankings

Quarterbacks
1 Aaron Rodgers at Jacksonville
2 Drew Brees vs. Oakland
3 Andrew Luck vs. Detroit
4 Russell Wilson vs. Miami
5 Matthew Stafford at Indianapolis
6 Derek Carr at New Orleans
7 Ben Roethlisberger at Washington
8 Kirk Cousins vs. Pittsburgh
9 Cam Newton at Denver
10 Brock Osweiler vs. Chicago
11 Carson Palmer vs. New England
12 Blake Bortles vs. Green Bay
13 Eli Manning at Dallas
14 Tyrod Taylor at Baltimore
15 Robert Griffin III at Philadelphia
16 Jimmy Garoppolo at Arizona
17 Andy Dalton at NY Jets
18 Matt Ryan vs. Tampa Bay
19 Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Cincinnati
20 Jameis Winston at Atlanta
21 Philip Rivers at Kansas City
22 Alex Smith vs. San Diego
23 Dak Prescott vs. NY Giants
24 Joe Flacco vs. Buffalo
25 Marcus Mariota vs. Minnesota
26 Jay Cutler at Houston
27 Blaine Gabbert vs. Los Angeles
28 Shaun Hill at Tennessee
29 Trevor Seimian vs. Carolina
30 Carson Wentz vs. Cleveland
*****
31 Ryan Tannehill at Seattle
32 Case Keenum at San Francisco
33 Sam Bradford at Tennessee
99 Geno Smith vs. Cincinnati
99 Josh McCown at Philadelphia
99 Mark Sanchez vs. Carolina
99 Paxton Lynch vs. Carolina
99 Tony Romo vs. NY Giants
99 Teddy Bridgewater at Tennessee
99 Nick Foles at San Francisco
99 Jared Goff at San Francisco
99 Colin Kaepernick vs. Los Angeles

Running Backs
1 Todd Gurley at San Francisco
2 Lamar Miller vs. Chicago
3 Adrian Peterson at Tennessee
4 Latavius Murray at New Orleans
5 Mark Ingram vs. Oakland
6 Ryan Mathews vs. Cleveland
7 LeSean McCoy at Baltimore
8 DeAngelo Williams at Washington
9 Rashad Jennings at Dallas
10 Eddie Lacy at Jacksonville
11 Ezekiel Elliot vs. NY Giants
12 Devonta Freeman vs. Tampa Bay
13 Doug Martin at Atlanta
14 Spencer Ware vs. San Diego
15 David Johnson vs. New England
16 Matt Forte vs. Cincinnati
17 Christine Michael vs. Miami
18 Frank Gore vs. Detroit
19 CJ Anderson vs. Carolina
20 Giovani Bernard at NY Jets
21 Carlos Hyde vs. Los Angeles
22 Jonathan Stewart at Denver
23 Justin Forsett vs. Buffalo
24 Duke Johnson at Philadelphia
25 Jeremy Hill at NY Jets
26 Isaiah Crowell at Philadelphia
27 James White at Arizona
28 DeMarco Murray vs. Minnesota
29 Ameer Abdullah at Indianapolis
30 LeGarrette Blount at Arizona
31 Chris Ivory vs. Green Bay
32 Jeremy Langford at Houston
33 Arian Foster at Seattle
34 Danny Woodhead at Kansas City
35 Thomas Rawls vs. Miami
36 Melvin Gordon at Kansas City
37 Charles Sims at Atlanta
38 Charcandrick West vs. San Diego
39 Theo Riddick at Indianapolis
40 Derrick Henry vs. Minnesota
41 Matt Jones vs. Pittsburgh
42 Terrance West vs. Buffalo
43 Rob Kelly vs. Pittsburgh
44 TJ Yeldon vs. Green Bay
45 Chris Thompson vs. Pittsburgh
46 Bilal Powell vs. Cincinnati
47 DeAndre Washington at New Orleans
48 Devontae Booker vs. Carolina
49 James Starks at Jacksonville
50 Cameron Artis-Payne at Denver
51 Darren Sproles vs. Cleveland
52 Robert Turbin vs. Detroit
53 Jay Ajayi at Seattle
54 Shane Vereen at Dallas
55 Bennie Cunningham at San Francisco
56 Ka’Deem Carey at Houston
57 Tevin Coleman vs. Tampa Bay
58 Chris Johnson vs. New England
59 Kenyan Drake at Seattle
60 Jamaal Charles vs. San Diego
*****
60 Alfred Morris vs. NY Giants
61 Paul Perkins at Dallas
62 Zach Zenner at Indianapolis
63 Jerick McKinnon at Tennessee
64 CJ Prosise vs. Miami
65 Mike Davis vs. Los Angeles
66 Tyler Ervin vs. Chicago
67 Travaris Cadet vs. Oakland
99 Lorenzo Taliaferro vs. Buffalo
99 Le’Veon Bell at Washington
99 Khiry Robinson vs. Cincinnati
99 Ronnie Hillman vs. Carolina
99 Dion Lewis at Arizona
99 Karlos Williams at Baltimore
99 Darren McFadden vs. NY Giants
99 Tre Mason at San Francisco

Wide Receiver
1 Antonio Brown at Washington
2 Amari Cooper at New Orleans
3 DeAndre Hopkins vs. Chicago
4 Sammy Watkins at Baltimore
5 Odell Beckham Jr. at Dallas
6 Julio Jones vs. Tampa Bay
7 Brandon Marshall vs. Cincinnati
8 Doug Baldwin vs. Miami
9 Allen Robinson vs. Green Bay
10 Brandin Cooks vs. Oakland
11 Michael Floyd vs. New England
12 Eric Decker vs. Cincinnati
13 Dez Bryant vs. NY Giants
14 Jordan Matthews vs. Cleveland
15 Larry Fitzgerald vs. New England
16 AJ Green at NY Jets
17 Keenan Allen at Kansas City
18 Golden Tate at Indianapolis
19 Jordy Nelson at Jacksonville
20 Kamar Aiken vs. Buffalo
21 Michael Crabtree at New Orleans
22 Marvin Jones at Indianapolis
23 TY Hilton vs. Detroit
24 Mike Evans at Atlanta
25 John Brown vs. New England
26 Pierre Garcon vs. Pittsburgh
27 Demaryius Thomas vs. Carolina
28 Donte Moncrief vs. Detroit
29 Willie Snead vs. Oakland
30 Randall Cobb at Jacksonville
31 Allen Hurns vs. Green Bay
32 Mohamed Sanu vs. Tampa Bay
33 Emmanuel Sanders vs. Carolina
34 Alshon Jeffery at Houston
35 Tyler Lockett vs. Miami
36 DeSean Jackson vs. Pittsburgh
37 Anquan Boldin at Indianapolis
38 Markus Wheaton at Washington
39 Torrey Smith vs. Los Angeles
40 Julian Edelman at Arizona
41 Jeremy Maclin vs. San Diego
42 Terrelle Pryor at Philadelphia
43 Michael Thomas vs. Oakland
44 Jarvis Landry at Seattle
45 Stefon Diggs at Tennessee
46 Tavon Austin vs. San Francisco
47 Robert Woods at Baltimore
48 Tyler Boyd at NY Jets
49 Dorial Green-Beckham vs. Cleveland
50 Travis Benjamin at Kansas City
51 Corey Coleman at Philadelphia
52 Rishard Matthews vs. Minnesota
53 Will Fuller vs. Chicago
54 Jamison Crowder vs. Pittsburgh
55 Sterling Shepard at Dallas
56 Mike Wallace vs. Buffalo
57 Tajae Sharpe vs. Minnesota
58 Davante Adams at Jacksonville
59 Chris Conley vs. San Diego
60 Brandon LaFell at NY Jets
*****
50 Steve Smith Sr. vs. Buffalo
50 DeVante Parker at Seattle
50 Jermaine Kearse vs. Miami
60 Kevin White at Houston
60 Eddie Royal at Houston
60 Kenny Stills at Seattle
60 Philip Dorsett vs. Detroit
60 Braxton Miller vs. Chicago
60 Devin Funchess at Denver
60 Vincent Jackson at Atlanta
65 Marquise Goodwin at Baltimore
65 Rashad Greene vs. Green Bay
70 Ted Ginn Jr. at Denver
70 Danny Amendola at Arizona
70 Seth Roberts at New Orleans
70 Breshad Perriman vs. Buffalo
75 Tyrell Williams at Kansas City
75 Victor Cruz at Dallas
75 Nelson Agholor vs. Cleveland
80 Terrance Williams vs. NY Giants
80 Andrew Hawkins at Philadelphia
80 Kenny Britt at San Francisco
80 Quinton Patton vs. Los Angeles
80 Kelvin Benjamin at Denver
85 Cole Beasley vs. NY Giants
85 Albert Wilson vs. San Diego
85 Brian Quick vs. San Francisco
90 Cody Latimer vs. Carolina
90 Chris Hogan at Arizona
90 Laquon Treadwell at Tennessee
90 Justin Hardy vs. Tampa Bay
90 Jeremy Kerley vs. Los Angeles
100 Jarius Wright at Tennessee

Tight Ends
1 Rob Gronkowski at Arizona
2 Jordan Reed vs. Pittsburgh
3 Coby Fleener vs. Oakland
4 Delanie Walker vs. Minnesota
5 Greg Olsen at Denver
6 Gary Barnidge at Philadelphia
7 Travis Kelce vs. San Diego
8 Jared Cook at Jacksonville
9 Eric Ebron at Indianapolis
10 Jason Witten vs. NY Giants
11 Antonio Gates at Kansas City
12 Zach Miller at Houston
13 Dwayne Allen vs. Detroit
14 Julius Thomas vs. Green Bay
15 Zach Ertz vs. Cleveland
16 Kyle Rudolph at Tennessee
17 Vance McDonald vs. Los Angeles
18 Austin Seferian-Jenkins at Atlanta
19 Jacob Tamme vs. Tampa Bay
20 Martellus Bennett at Arizona
21 Clive Walford at New Orleans
22 Jordan Cameron at Seattle
23 Virgil Green vs. Carolina
24 Jesse James at Washington
25 Lance Kendricks at San Francisco
26 Charles Clay at Baltimore
27 Jimmy Graham vs. Miami
28 Will Tye at Dallas
29 Darren Fells vs. New England
30 Crockett Gillmore vs. Buffalo
*****
99 Tyler Eifert at NY Jets
99 Benjamin Watson vs. Buffalo
99 Ladarius Green at Washington
Josh Hill vs. Oakland
CJ Fiedorowicz vs. Chicago
Richard Rodgers at Jacksonville
Tyler Kroft at NY Jets
Maxx Williams vs. Buffalo
Dennis Pitta vs. Buffalo
Luke Willson vs. Miami
Jermaine Gresham vs. New England
Lee Smith at New Orleans
Mychal Rivera at New Orleans
James O’Shaughnessy vs. San Diego
Niles Paul vs. Pittsburgh
Jace Amaro vs. Cincinnati
Dion Sims at Seattle
Larry Donnell at Dallas
Brent Celek vs. Cleveland
Brandon Pettigrew at Indianapolis

Kicker (rank by Vegas implied total, attempts)
1 Stephen Gostkowski at Arizona
2 Mason Crosby at Jacksonville
3 Cairo Santos vs. San Diego
4 Dan Bailey vs. NY Giants
5 Matt Bryant vs. Tampa Bay
6 Randy Bullock at Dallas
7 Blair Walsh at Tennessee
8 Graham Gano at Denver
9 Chris Boswell at Washington
10 Steven Hauschka vs. Miami
11 Wil Lutz vs. Oakland
12 Justin Tucker vs. Buffalo
13 Caleb Sturgis vs. Cleveland
14 Brandon McManus vs. Carolina
15 Mike Nugent at NY Jets
16 Adam Vinatieri vs. Detroit
17 Chandler Catanzaro vs. New England
18 Nick Novak vs. Chicago
19 Nick Folk vs. Cincinnati
20 Matt Prater at Indianapolis
21 Dan Carpenter at Baltimore
22 Connor Barth at Houston
23 Dustin Hopkins vs. Pittsburgh
24 Roberto Aguayo at Atlanta
25 Patrick Murray at Philadelphia
26 Sebastian Janikowski at New Orleans
27 Jason Myers vs. Green Bay
28 Greg Zuerlein at San Francisco
29 Ryan Succop vs. Minnesota
30 Phil Dawson vs. Los Angeles
31 Andrew Franks at Seattle
32 Josh Lambo at Kansas City

Defense (note low implied opponent totals, sacks, opposing QB sack rate)

1 Vikings at Tennessee
2 Eagles vs. Cleveland
3 Broncos vs. Carolina
4 Texans vs. Chicago
5 Panthers at Denver
6 Seahawks vs. Miami
7 Rams at San Francisco
8 Chiefs vs. San Diego
9 Packers at Jacksonville
10 Giants at Dallas
11 Cardinals vs. New England
12 Bengals at NY Jets
13 Patriots at Arizona
14 Steelers at Washington
15 Browns at Philadelphia
16 Titans vs. Minnesota
17 Bills at Baltimore
18 Washington vs. Pittsburgh
19 Ravens vs. Buffalo
20 Jets vs. Cincinnati
21 Raiders at New Orleans
22 Colts vs. Detroit
23 Jaguars vs. Green Bay
24 Lions at Indianapolis
25 Bears at Houston
26 49ers vs. Los Angeles
27 Bucs at Atlanta
28 Falcons vs. Tampa Bay
29 Cowboys vs. NY Giants
30 Saints vs. Oakland
31 Dolphins at Seattle
32 Chargers at Kansas City