Mulligan’s Fantasy Forecast, Week 16
If you’re fortunate enough to actually need any information I might provide to you at this point in the season to help you win then you’ve also probably been a little lucky. To get this deep into the fantasy football season requires a healthy amount of research and luck. That point was proved when I sealed a spot in my league’s championship game this week because Adrian Peterson was a last minute inactive and the team I was playing against just so happened to need a few points out of him to get the win. Cheap? Lucky? You bet. But if I wasn’t smart enough to start LeGarrette Blount as my flex, it wouldn’t have mattered. So it was truly part research, part luck.
Good match-ups
Mike Sims-Walker vs. Redskins defense: Sure, Sims-Walker’s two-touchdown performance last week against the Colts could prove to be a fluke. After all, he hasn’t caught more than four passes for gained more than 48 yards receiving since Week 8. But we know that Sims-Walker is capable of big games. It’s possible that, with the Jags taking on the NFL’s second-worst pass defense (the Washington Redskins) at home this week, Sims-Walker could be in line for one of those big ones.
Marshawn Lynch vs. Buccaneers defense: Frustrated Lynch owners may be on the cusp of reward as Lynch will draw one of the NFL’s worst run defenses, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this week. The Bucs are giving up 4.9 yards per rush this season, worst in the NFL. Lynch managed 5.0 YPC against a solid Falcons defense last week. I expect a nice game from him and would start him without hesitation.
Not so good match-ups
Chad Ochocinco vs. Chargers defense: Ochocinco didn’t even start last week’s game against the Browns and ended up with just two catches for 36 yards. There were long stretches of the game where Ochocinco found himself on the sidelines as well, leading to speculation that Cincinnati is determined to take a look at all of their receivers with the team being eliminated from playoff contention. Throw in the fact that San Diego is allowing the fewest passing yards per game this season and Ochocinco would be on my bench this week.
Maurice Morris vs. Dolphins defense: Say what you will about Miami’s offensive struggles but their defense has been one of the best in the NFL this season. The Dolphins allow just 18.6 points per game and own the league’s sixth best run defense, giving up just 96.6 yards per game on the ground. None of this is good news for Maurice Morris this week.
Waiver wire watch
Donald Brown, RB, Colts: Brown carried the load for the Colts on Sunday, rushing for 129 yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars. He gets Oakland’s defense next, which is even worse than Jacksonville’s, and as long as Addai and Hart remain sidelined, Brown makes for an O.K. flex start this week if you really need him.
Kyle Mulligan is a contributing sports writer for the Observer. He welcomes your feedback and can be reached at kjmulli@gmail.com.