Fantasy column: Playoffs are over, now 1-day leagues are here

Published 5:00 am Friday, December 26, 2014

It’s all said and done now — another year of Fantasy Football has come and gone. But wait, it doesn’t have to be over yet.

That’s right, with these one-day-leagues on sites like Fanduel.com and Draftkings.com (among others), you can play all the way through the playoffs.

I certainly do not advise anyone to gamble ever. I do recommend that you take advantage of their free games. You can even create a private league and invite friends to play and see who is the best each week (also for free).

That being said, I hope that you won your championship, or scored the most points in your league and proved that you were truly one of the best, but if not, then remember there is always next year.

Just in case you were wondering, I played in two leagues (a 16-team and a six-team league) and won one while placing second in the other one, respectively. But for now, onto the week-17 one-day value players to grab. (This is what the article will look like for the rest of the season.)

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Expensive plays

QB: Tony Romo, DAL ($8,900) — Romo does have a high price tag this week, but it’s kind of like a Mercedes versus a Geo Metro — Sometimes you have to look and see what you are getting for the price. Romo has been great lately, and the Cowboys will be playing to try and get a first-round bye. Oh, and Washington is ranked dead last against the pass. I expect huge production from him Sunday.

RB: C.J. Anderson, DEN ($8,300) — The Broncos have a lot to play for in trying their best to lock up a first round bye. Since becoming the starter, Anderson has averaged 25 carries per game and get the Raiders (worst in the league versus running backs) this week.

WR: Dez Bryant, DAL ($8,900) — Bryant’s tag is steep this week as well, but if you need to know why I recommend Bryant, simply look above at the explanation for Romo. All those apply here, too.

TE: Jimmy Graham, NO ($6,700) — Tampa is 19th against opposing tight ends, and Graham is a stud, even with a few drops. If I am splurging at this position, he is my guy this week.

Decent Value

QB: Mark Sanchez, PHI ($7,400) — Sanchez is who I am probably playing Sunday. I know people talk like he is terrible, but his (Fantasy) numbers are above average, and honestly, so are his real numbers. This will be his closing argument to be a starter somewhere next year, and the weak Giants secondary should provide a nice backdrop for his closing act.

RB: Justin Forsett, BAL ($6,900) — Forsett continues to be a useful Fantasy commodity and gets a below-average Browns defense this week in a game the Ravens also must win.

WR: Kelvin Benjamin, CAR ($7,400) — In their first meeting this year, Benjamin took the Falcons for nine catches, 109 yards and a touchdown. In a must-win (that will probably be high-scoring) game, I expect Newton to look his way often.

TE: Jason Witten, DAL ($5,500) — Reference Romo and Bryant above. Oh, and $5,500 for Witten is close to a bargain bin price.

Bargain Bin

QB: Case Keenum, HOU ($6,000) — This matchup looks appealing because Keenum gets the Jacksonville Jaguars, but don’t be fooled by the defense’s perceived lack of ability. Their secondary is ranked 13th versus opposing quarterbacks this season, but they could always pull a Jacksonville, and Houston needs to win this game.

RB: Matt Asiata, MIN ($6,400) — Asiata has three touchdowns in the last two games to go along with seven receptions. I like him against a terrible Bears run defense.

WR: Jarvis Landry, MIA ($6,700) — I continue to stay on the Landry one-day bandwagon. He has zero “bad games” since Week 9, is dirt cheap and gets the terrible Jets secondary that he had eightcatches for 68 yards against a few weeks ago.

TE: Michal Rivera, OAK ($5,200) — Rivera continues to be a bright spot on a not-so-bright offense. He is dirt cheap, and last time he played the Broncos, he had six catches, 64 yards and a touchdown.

Zach Kilpatrick is a Fantasy Football columnist for The Meridian Star.