By Matt Papiernik, @Matt_Papiernik on Twitter
SteelerNation.com
As we move through December, the Fantasy Football playoffs have begun, and we need to understand who to plug into our lineups the rest of the year. This time of year, matchups play a critical role in deciding who to play, and many of the players who put up big points these weeks may surprise some people. Below are some of the players that are possible matchup winners that just might be still floating on the waiver wire, or that many wouldn't consider starting in such a high pressure situation. There's also some players you should probably avoid playing if you want a chance at winning your league.
On The Rise
Breshad Perriman, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Perriman is going to be Tampa's number two wide receiver the rest of the season, and they have a very favorable schedule the rest of the way as they play some weak secondaries (Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Atlanta Falcons).
Zach Pascal, WR, Indianapolis Colts
- Pascal is one of the only healthy wide receivers left in Indy, and he has proven he can carry the teams passing attack when needed. Even if T.Y. Hilton returns at some point this season, it is unlikely he will be at 100%.
Sony Michel, RB, New England Patriots
- Many people drafted Michel with high hopes this season, but the second year back has largely disappointed. However, that is likely to turn around over the last three games of the season. He is approaching matchups with two of the worst teams in the league (Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals) as well as going against a Buffalo Bills squad in Foxboro, whose weakness happens to be their run defense.
Patrick Laird, RB, Miami Dolphins
- Laird is definitely a risky play, but he is definitely one that could pan out. Laird has been the feature back for the Dolphins in recent weeks, and has two plus matchups in the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals lined up. Hopefully you don't have to roll him out in week 17 against the Patriots though.
Phillip Rivers, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
- Rivers hit a rough patch in the middle of the year, but he showed over the last two weeks that he still has something left in the tank. He has some easy matchups ahead against the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs that make him an enticing play.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Miami Dolphins
- Could "Fitzmagic" bring his magic to your fantasy team and bring you home a championship? With games against the Giants and Bengals up next, it is certainly possible. Also, while his week 17 matchup against the Patriots is less than ideal, he will likely be asked to drop back 40+ times that game, and New England will likely bench some key members of their secondary as their playoff seeding will likely be determined by then.
O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- While most people gave up on Howard several weeks ago, he has a very favorable schedule coming up, as well as a large amount of targets that came available with Mike Evans injury.
Falling Out of Favor
Mark Ingram, RB, Baltimore Ravens
- While Ingram was a great mid round pick by many to start the year, he has slowed down of late. Pair those average matchups and the potential to be rested down the stretch, Ingram is someone to forget about in the playoffs this year.
Tevin Coleman, RB, San Francisco 49ers
- Coleman has been listed as the starting running back in recent weeks, but he has looked like anything but that based on the box scores. He simply isn't getting on the field enough to trust playing down the home stretch.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Cleveland Browns
- Many people find it hard to sit people they invested a high pick on, but it is now time to place Beckham on the bench and make sure you find a safer option. Beckham is enduring the worst production stretch of his career, and it now comes out he is playing through an injury. Pair that with a matchup with Baltimore in some league's championship in week 16? Pass.
John Brown, WR, Buffalo Bills
- Brown has been a big play threat all year long as Buffalo's top receiver. However, he has two very tough opponents the next two weeks in the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, both who don't allow many big plays down the field.
Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
- Similarly to John Brown, Josh Allen has a rough stretch ahead of him at Pittsburgh and at New England. Allen's floor usually is pretty high, but his only single digit contest came against New England.
Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
- Andrews has been a pleasant surprise this season for fantasy owners who added him early in the season. However, he left last weeks game with an injury. Since the Ravens have a commanding lead on the first seed in the AFC, they likely will bring him along slowly, especially since they have very good depth at the position.
Austin Hooper, TE, Atlanta Falcons
- Hooper being healthy is a sight for sore eyes for fantasy owners. However, he is likely going to take a couple weeks to get back to 100%, and he has a brutal stretch of games in front of him.
I will continue to update this list over the next two weeks, as I am sure some players will fall off and get added to this list. Good luck to all of the members of SteelerNation in their upcoming fantasy football matchups!
Comment below and let me know what you think about the Love/Hate list, or if you have any fantasy football questions ahead of your playoff matchups!
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