"Hot Garbage" Waiver Wire Week 16 ("Whaa Happen?" Edition)

Fantasy playoffs are in full swing and the waiver wire is for those teams who have roster issues going into THE BIG GAME in week 16 of the fantasy playoffs. Grab these players for optimum upside...

 

Monday Night Football Wrap-Up:

 

: What can you say about Ben Roethlisberger? He's tough, no doubt. However, playing on a bad ankle for the top playoff seed, may have potentially lessened the Steeler's chances of making a playoff run. Aldon Smith recorded multiple sacks, and Big Ben threw 3 picks with 0 TDs. I suspect with the road going through Foxboro (potentially), it would be wise to sit Roethlisberger vs. STL in week 16, and allow Ben to heal before they make a playoff push. It will be a situation to monitor closely, can it can potentially throw a wrench in the whole PITT WR situation with Charlie Batch under center (but at least he'd be healthy, so there's that).

Jumping ahead to week 16, I like Mendenhall to finally give hungry fantasy owners a tasty reward in the fantasy championship round, with a matchup with an improved, but still vulnerable STL run defense. Mendenhall looked good vs. SF at times, and and they are by far a more formidable run defnse. Look for Mendy to have a full workload if Ben sits. Downgrade the PITT WRs if Charlie Batch starts, but play them in the hopes that Batch can do enough to make them "flex worthy."

Alex Smith is my favorite pedestrian QB. Helped by a strond defensive performance, and 3 gieaways by Roethlisberger, it made his job easier. He faces a pretty tough SEA defense at home, so temper your expectations (if they weren't already) and play Crabtree, Davis & Gore with an idea that none will go off in a tough matchup.

 

"Flex Luthor" of The Week (16): KC DEFENSE- Sticking with my strong suit, and that's picking team defenses. It's a nice suit, pinstripes, a cool grey, red pocket square. Truthfully though, I like the Chiefs to finish strond after an emotional victory of the Packers in week 15, where Tamba Hali & Co. made life very uncomfortable for the best QB in football (in some folk's eyes). Carson Palmer brings his damaged "JUGS Machine" to KC, and I expect more of the same for Mr. Palmer. Multiple sacks and picks are in order for this one, and I'm going on record calling a pick six for Brandon Flowers. I'm getting bold as I get old. Powwww!

 

 

 

Sunday Night Late Game Wrap-Up:

 

: We knew Tebow would have a strong opening series, this is a given with the Patriot defense, but who saw a heavy gameplan against the worst secondary in the NFL? The Broncos were monstrous on the ground, peppering in some 20+ yard gains though the air, making Tebow once again, a FANTASY savior (cough,cough!) Demaryius Thomas was a Hot Garbage pickup last week, & his trend continues with a strong third consecutive week with 7/116 in PPR production. He's now Tebow's #1.

The loss of Deion Branch made for a strong showing by Aaron Herandez (9/129/1) & a tepid day for Gronkowski, who was limited to 4 catches. I think this was more gameplanning than it was the loss of Branch. Gronk will continue to beast going forward. What to make of Chad Ocho Cinco's first TD as a Patriot? Nothing. That was more about an uptick in reps due to Branch missing time. The Broncos keyed in on Welker (with Champ Bailey), and his numbers reflected as much (4/41).
The run game? Maddening I know. Ridley lead the way with 11 carries, Woody with 7, & BJGE with 10. It was more of a positive blend for reality than fantasy, & remains a situation to avoid.

 

: Not much to see here. Hillis came to life a little too late, Seneca Wallace looked decent, but he'll be back to the bench once McCoy is cleared medically, and Skelton can throw the deep ball, but didn't help out Fitzgerald owners this week, in a rare down week. Skelton & Co. face a much tougher test in week 16 vs. the Bengals who are vying for a playoff spot. Todd Heap's day? I'd need to see more before recommending him going forward.

 

: Brent Celek is happy to have Mike Vick back under center, who was his primary target with 5/156/1 on the day. Celek is a solid TE #1 going forward. Vick had another solid showing against a reeling Jets defense that clearly misses Jim Leonhard bottling up the middle of the field, that McCoy & Vick exploited. Both Vick & McCoy are no-brainer starts vs. a Dallas defense that can be had...especially in the 4th quarter.
What can I say about the Jets? Very little. An injured Sanchez gave way to Mark Brunell, the running game is anemic, and Santonio Holmes likes to celebrate after meaningless touchdowns when his team is getting smoked. Avoid this mess for fantasy at all costs.

 

: Apparently Joe Flacco didn't get Cris Collinsworth's memo about being "the team to beat" in the AFC, because "Ol' Bolts in Neck" was beat down by the Bolts. Flacco was sacked 7 times and threw two picks. Ray Rice was an afterthought in a game of catchup with the San Diego offense that could seemingly do no wrong. Ryan Mathews saw one of his biggest workloads yet, and scored twice, despite giving way to "The Chubby Vulture" Mike Tolbert in the red zone, who also scored one GL TD. Philip Rivers had a decent day (217/1TD) against a Ravens defense that looked uninspired to say the least. Ray Lewis (for those of you IDP &  Raven team defense owners), had a decent tackle total (10), but looked like he still isn't 100%, and was smoked on a few plays, and uncharacteristically missing tackles and getting blown up on blocks.  I think Sand Diego could be in for a letdown (both in reality and fantasy) when they visit Detroit in week 16, so temper your expectations. As for the Ravens, start Ray Rice and avoid everyone else when they host Cleveland in week 16.

 

Stay tuned on Tuesday for the MNF wrap, and the "Flex Luthor" of the week...

 

 

HOT GARBAGE:

 

QB: Kyle Orton/KC: Sure, he's playing with an injured hand, but he's available on the WW and he posted solid numbers. The visiting Raiders in Arrowhead certainly helps his chances in week 16. Add him & roll the dice if you're hurting at QB.

 

RB: Sammy Morris/ DAL: The crafty vet looked solid as a change of pace back to Felix Jones on Saturday night vs. Tampa Bay. Granted, his carries won't top 10-12 carries a game, but given the fragility of Jones in recent history, he could be a garbage time hero in this potent offense.

 

WR: Jabar Gafney/WAS & Steve Breaston/KC: Gafney now has two weeks of solid PPR production (over 6 catches in both games), & is getting plenty of looks from Rex Grossman. Next up for Gafney? The depleted Viking secondary. Get him on your roster. Steve Breaston benefitted from a weakish Green Bay secondary, but also from the return of a healthy Orton who can get this team vertical. Good early chemistry bodes well for Breaston, grab him for a solid matchup vs. Oakland in Arrowhead.

 

TE: Jared Cook/TENN: We've all loved the upside of Cook over the sat two years, but haven't seen it bear any fantasy fruit as of yet. He had a big PPR game with 9/103, and  hopefully he'll continue to see an uptick in targets. In a year of thin TE production, you have to give him some consideration .

 

***Stay tuned for the Sunday Late Game Wrap-Ups on Monday & the "Flex Luthor" of Week 11 on Tuesday morning...