By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

As the playoff time begins, it’s important to solidify your backups in case your starters get some late-season rest. This will probably be the case for those of you who have Frank Gore on your team, as he hasn’t been at full-strength for a while.

Fortunately, his backup Kendall Hunter should provide some production, and you should consider picking him up. The Niners already locked up the NFC West and are now playing for playoff seeding, so even though their games are still meaningful, Gore doesn’t necessarily need to have big days these last few weeks. He’s been the team’s workhorse for several seasons now, but Hunter showed he is a capable runner himself this season.

Hunter’s stats aren’t impressive (82 carries for 322 yards and two touchdowns), but he has made the most of his chances during his rookie season, and when Gore was struggling early this year, there was even talk of Hunter cutting into Gore’s carries. Gore ultimately proved he could handle a starter’s workload, but Hunter has still gotten consistent reps and has caught 11 passes for 149 yards, demonstrating that he can use his quickness as a receiver as well.

Hunter has probably not made many headlines on the national scene, but you should capitalize on that and pick him up if he is available in your league. Chances are Gore will not receive 20 carries a game, and any reps he doesn’t get should go to Hunter. He’s solidified himself as the No. 2 running back in San Francisco, and his value should be at its peak now that the 49er starters could rest in preparation for the playoffs.

One of the most challenging aspects of the fantasy playoffs is figuring out which starters to bench. If Gore is on your team, read up on his updates and pick up Hunter as insurance. If Gore looks like he’ll play, you’ve still got one of the league’s best on your team. If he doesn’t play, you’ll put yourself in the best position to get points he would normally pick up by starting Hunter.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

After the 2009 season, we highly recommended Vikings receiver Percy Harvin for you to pick up in the 2010 fantasy draft.

He followed up his rookie season with another great year in 2010, and he has really emerged as one of the NFL’s most dangerous playmakers this season. Those of you that have him on your team have been reaping the rewards as of late. After not getting in the end zone through the air for the first 10 weeks of the season, Harvin has caught four touchdowns in the past three weeks, including two in the Vikings’ 35-32 loss to the Broncos on Sunday. Harvin had his best receiving stats of the year in that game, catching eight passes for 156 yards. He has clearly become a favorite target for rookie quarterback Christian Ponder. Harvin has caught at least six passes in the last four games, and has a touchdown in the last three. He’s at 59 catches for 710 yards and four touchdowns for the year, and going off of his recent production, he should end this season with career-high totals in all those categories.

Combine his receiving skills with his kick return abilities, and you’ve got yourself an elite scoring threat. He’s run back one kick return for a touchdown this season, and got his name in the record books with a 104-yard run in week 12, which is the longest non-scoring play in NFL history. He also has a rushing touchdown this season, so he can really impact a game in many ways.

There are quite a few playmakers in the NFL who can score at any time in one particular situation. Whether it’s a deep-threat receiver or a kick returner who can take it the distance at any time, these types of players are pretty common. The player who has all these qualities, however, is rare. Consider Harvin in that class. After three years of playmaking as a receiver and kick returner, it’s time to put Harvin in that elite group of guys who must be accounted for by both defenses and special teams. Darren Sproles is probably the only other player who fits this mold, but other than him, there really isn’t anyone else who can put up solid offensive numbers while also returning kicks with the best of them.

If you didn’t draft Harvin this season, make sure to get him next year and for many years to come. You won’t regret it.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

The Raiders have an offense ranked ninth in football. Ranking higher than teams such as Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. Yet numerous players on their team are available in the majority of fantasy leagues.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/877397-key-in-on-raiders-athletes-for-waiver-wire-additions

By Zack Cimini

 notjustagame23@gmail.com

As your numerous fantasy drafts of the summer come to a close, your probably strategizing even more for this last one. There hasn’t been too many affects injury wise, as in years past. There are some glaring holes at certain positions though, making it critical that you do not wait too long to draft a certain player.

One area that will have a down year comes at the quarterback position. The last few years owners may have become accustomed to the high yardage and multiple touchdown throws from a high amount of quarterbacks. You could plug in your second tier quarterbacks and get decent results. This year though should be different and shift back to years past.

There are too many quarterback changes around the league . Rookies in Cam Newton and Andy Dalton. Second year starters in Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy. Veterans that have struggled throughout their career but remain starters; Alex Smith, David Garrard, Tavaris Jackson, and Chad Henne. On top of those guys you have the erratic quarterbacks such as Ryan Fitzpatrick, Eli Manning, Joe Flacco, etc. that will drive fantasy owners crazy.

So unlike in prior years where we could and would wait to draft a quarterback late, this isn’t the year to do so. You do not want to have to rely on Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, or Jay Cutler as your starter. They’ve proven both sides of the spectrum from a fantasy standpoint. You have to secure yourself one of the top eight to ten quarterbacks, there are no buts about draft strategy to argue this.

Stock piling at running back like the glory days should be heightened. Coaches around the league are going to force feed the ball to their running backs. With decreased experience and snaps due to the lockout, quarterback play is going to be behind regardless of experience. Running the football is a skill that doesn’t require extensive snaps. It’s a skill you either have or you don’t.

Gems on the waiver wire at running back will surely be had. Do not be stuck in a situation where you are loaded at running back and have faulted at quarterback. You’re going to need those consistent points of a solid quarterback to get those decisive wins. It’ll be the difference in a couple of extra wins, or the lame excuse of if I started this player, I would have easily won.

Get on board the proper way. Analyze the market like stocks. It’s a bad year for quarterbacks, and they’re going to have plenty of growing pains. The tier of guys that could excel beyond expectations are young guys that we haven’t seen take that full next step. The Matt Staffords, Josh Freemans, and Sam Bradford. Some of you out there are going to risk it enough to have a jumbled mess at quarterback.

Don’t be like the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, Bengals, Panthers, 49ers, and Redskins. In abysmal situations at quarterback and undecided with their situations.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

The lockout doesn’t halt leagues that are continuous, as is the case with dynasty leagues. Owners get to nag each other for an entire year. There is literally no off season. After the NFL Draft, that’s when things become even more interesting. Owners sense who they want with their projected rookie draft picks, and are willing to give up certain players. It’s all projection based, where the hit/miss can fall back hard just like an NFL teams busted pick.

Numerous trade offers are likely filling your inbox. As tempting as they may be, draft picks, multiple player deals, etc. Do not get too entangled that you get Atlanta Falcon’d. Remember you’ve built your team up over several years. The factor waiver wire athletes still pop up each year out of no where. Your key areas that you need help in, aren’t going to fall in place with one trade. Positioning yourself over a two to three year period like a true general manager does, can be the better route. Unless you absolutely outsmart an opposing owner, do not get to over zealous in making a move.

Here are some players that you can leverage well to boost your team, whether with draft picks or necessary depth.

Quarterbacks

Josh Freeman- Freeman is the new big deal. He had a breakout year and seems undaunted as an every week NFL starting quarterback. He developed last year with rookie wide receivers, and a running game that didn’t come on until undrafted rookie, LeGarrette Blount took the job. The Tampa Bay organization believes in him, and he has been a catalyst in many fourth quarter come backs.

Mark Sanchez- As the season progressed, the heat on Sanchez started to wane. Reason being, he was starting to look like a legitimate starting quarterback. He was making proper adjustments under pressure and reading defenses quicker than he had been. Was he just in a stretch of games that he was playing well, or has he transformed to the next step?

Kyle Orton- Rumors are surrounding that Orton could be dealt. to possibly the Arizona Cardinals. A scenario like that could make Orton a top seven to ten fantasy quarterback. What he did as a Bronco just last year, makes him a steady quarterback that a dynasty league owner could be looking for.

Running Backs

James Starks- With Starks you have a few positives that you can entice owners into falling for. He is on a Super Bowl winning team with the best quarterback in football. Towards the end of last season he became the dependable factor back. Even if Ryan Grant returns, he’ll likely be relegated in carries and for measures to protect his health.

Ahmad Bradshaw- The Giants had something clicking when Jacobs lost his full time carries, and Bradshaw took on the bulk. The only problem with Bradshaw is that his fumbles picked up past the midway point of the year. Still, the Giants did nothing in the draft to make you think that Bradshaw’s job will be threatened. Teams in dire need of a second running back on their team, would and will settle for Bradshaw.

Matt Forte- As a dynasty league owner hopefully you stuck it out with Forte, and didn’t trade him for nothing last off-season. Now Forte is back near the top in terms of his involvement with the Bears offense. Not many running backs will get the carries and receptions as Forte does. Will he be worn down or can Mike Martz utilize him even more?

Wide Receivers

Anquan Boldin- Boldin is a veteran but he will be entering just his second season as a Raven. Any time an athlete of Boldin’s caliber makes a switch of teams, it’s going to take time to readjust. Flacco and Boldin seemed to be hit/miss all season last year. If they were on, Boldin had a field day. If not, Boldin went MIA in the fantasy point total column. This year should be different, as Flacco should be much more consistent.

Marques Colston- Colston is a notch below where you would want him to be. Owners know he can be a strong force, but the numbers do not lie. The last three years he has been a number three fantasy receiver on most squads. Drew Brees is spreading the ball around much more, and it has hurt Colston. That, and the fact that Colston has battled through injuries and slowed down a tad. Extended rest through the lockout could boost a player like Colston. Proper rest, and reloading in the Saints offense, could produce Colston’s strongest numbers since 2007.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Two weeks left to pick from a wide selection of NFL games. Not only are games on Thursday, but Saturday games will occur as well. This is the part of the year where teams that are out of the playoff picture can be unpredictable. You have to be cautious when looking at those matchups. On the other hand young teams that are out of the playoffs tend to finish the season strong to build towards next year. We’ve got a couple of those teams that are underdogs as our picks this weekend.

Overall Record: 115-107-4

Last Week’s Record: 7-9

Arizona +7- One thing about Arizona is that they have been a decent team at home. Were not saying that translates to a win, but covering seven will be a possibility. Dallas hasn’t looked as strong as they did during Jason Garrett’s first few games as interim coach. Instead they’ve reverted back to poor defense and special teams miscues.

Detroit +3.5- Detroit is one of those teams that is an exciting young team building forward. If Stafford hadn’t been out with injuries this team could of easily won six or seven games. Miami has all types of issues. Quarterback, Chad Henne has struggled all year and the offense can’t muster points. 3.7 yards per carry combined between Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams isn’t going to cut it.

Philadelphia -14.5- We hate taking the bait of double digit points, but in this game we have too. Joe Webb will step back onto the field, and obviously isn’t ready for this type of situation. The defense just gave up over forty points to a Bears team that has been offensively challenged all year. We’ll bank on a Kevin Kolb appearance in this blowout.

Washington +7- Even with MJD being listed as out we still liked Washington in this game. Jacksonville’s been a team playing above their record for awhile. Sure they’ve managed to pull out some close wins, but they’re not a playoff caliber team. Too many holes defensively, and Garrard is a hot/cold quarterback.

San Francisco +2.5- The division will become interesting once the 49ers get this victory. Switching to Troy Smith this week was a smart move by Singletary. His legs and ability to extend the play will pose problems for the Rams defense. Over the last two to three games, Bradford seems to be entering a rookie slump period. The offense has had too many three and outs, and has lacked any spark via the pass.

Tampa Bay -6- Seattle just can’t slow down teams that have a top twenty rushing attack. Tampa Bay is borderline of that, but is coming of a devastating loss to the Lions. They won’t have two consecutive let downs. Raheem Morris is a well liked coach by the Bucs and his team will play to his standards this weekend.

New England -7.5- Buffalo covered a double digit spread earlier this year at New England. Home or away this Patriots team plays to the same beat. Their defense will respond after last week’s ripping by the Packers. The offense is never a question.

New York Jets +1- This is where the Rex Ryan defensive background will come to the fore front. All year the Bears have got away with the short route throws with no running game. That plays into the hands of the Jets. Jay Cutler is coming off a game where he actually threw some decent balls. If he gets pass happy this game could get ugly into the Jets favor.

Baltimore -3.5- You hate to lose that half point, but Baltimore has too repay this Browns team for what they did earlier in the season. Making a game of it when there shouldn’t have been a challenge. We believe this will be the game Baltimore clamps down defensively, after having a tough month.

Kansas City -5- Matt Cassel doesn’t throw the ball much every game, but when he does it’s usually a quality play. The team was out of sync the first quarter against the Rams, but started rolling off points with three consecutive drives for points. Tennessee’s beat down over the Texans was just a mirage. They’re a team embroiled with needs for change, while the Chiefs are looking at hosting a home playoff game.

Oakland +3- If you watched the Colts last week, once Collie exited with another concussion the offense lost all its rhythm. Manning just doesn’t have the chemistry with Blair White and others out there. Reggie Wayne is blanketed all day due to the fact that Dallas Clark is out. This will be a big upset as the Raiders will be able to run the football and put up points.

Denver +2.5- Yes, Tim Tebow will get his first win. Houston loves to try and dig themselves out of holes. Trailing big in more than a handful of games this year. This loss here could spell the end for Gary Kubiak.

Green Bay -3- The Packers are more than happy to have Rodgers back for this one, as they’ll have to air it out to win. This game won’t be a touchdown explosion affair that many would expect. It’ll have big plays but both defenses will be ready. Take the under in this one, and Green Bay pulling off a close win.

San Diego -7.5- Talk about another team that has decisions to make. Cincinnati has major ones. Quarterback Carson Palmer has had an awful season. At receiver they have an option for Chad Johnson, and likely have already parted ways with TO. It’s one of those games where the team steps onto the field and delivers a poor performance that symbolizes their entire year. Blowout city here.

Atlanta -2.5- This division is now Atlanta’s, and the NFC will have to figure out a way to end Matt Ryan’s phenomenal home streak in the playoffs. This team just wins at home, and they’ll get the season sweep over the Saints on Monday night.