The fantasy football season is moving to the playoffs and that means fantasy owners can't miss on who to start or sit and heading into the schedule on Sunday, there are a number of names to watch out for, including Reggie Bush, Vincent Jackson, Julius Thomas, Michael Floyd, Rashad Jennings and Knowshon Moreno as well as Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson, Michael Crabtree and Doug Baldwin.
Bush has been one of the most productive backs in all of football, but he is dealing with a calf injury and has had some fumbling issues and now he likely will play on Sunday and is a START option. He had over 100 yards and a touchdown last week and had five catches for over 60 yards and he has 45 receptions this season already. Joique Bell could get some extra touches, but he should have a solid game. Rashad Jennings is dealing with a concussion suffered on Thanksgiving and he should be watched out for, as should Vincent Jackson who has been by far one of the best receivers in the league this season.
Michael Floyd has been one of the best receivers over the past few weeks and he looks like a go on Sunday and so does Carson Palmer and that boosts his value. Knowshon Moreno has been very productive this season and last week he got banged up and should be watched for now as well. Thomas missed time over the past couple weeks and he is expecting to return on Sunday and that's huge for the Broncos. Thomas has 45 catches this season and 10 touchdown and he hasn't had less than three catches in any of his last five games and he has four touchdowns in that span as well.
Some other look back analysis from the season and predictions: The Atlanta Falcons were being looked at as one of the favorites in the NFL after making it to the conference championship game last season against the San Francisco 49ers and the team had the chance to also be one of the best fantasy producers with players like Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White, Jacquizz Rodgers, Tony Gonzalez and Steven Jackson on the roster even though some of those names have been injured this season, including Jackson, White and Jones, who is now out for the year.
Last season Ryan was one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the NFL and with receiving options like Jones, White and Gonzalez, he is poised to have another big year. Last season Ryan finished with 32 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions, while he passed for over 4,700 yards and completed over 68 percent of his passes. Ryan is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFC and after adding Steven Jackson to the mix and getting rid of veteran Michael Turner, the running game could be more effective than it was last year, but with him injured it has not been as good.
After being a very big producer in previous seasons, Turner had just 800 yards rushing and now the Falcons add Jackson, one of the most consistent and worked running backs in the NFL. Rodgers should get more carries and will be involved in the passing game, making him a sleeper option in PPR leagues. Rodgers had 362 yards on the ground last season to go along with 53 catches for 402 yards and he could have even better numbers this season. Jason Snelling has been a big factor as well.
Ryan is thrilled about the return of Gonzalez and years after many in the NFL thought he would be washed up, the future Hall of Famer has been a steady and consistent as ever, making 93 catches for 930 yards and eight touchdowns and Ryan also targeted him 124 times, third most on the team. White put up the biggest stats with 92 catches for 1,351 yards and seven touchdowns, while Jones had a nose for end zone, leading with 10 touchdowns while making 79 catches for 1,198 yards and he could be even better this year.
White was questionable with an ankle injury in the preseason and has been dealing with it ever since, but the coaching staff says that he will be ready for the next game for Atlanta. The Falcons ranked sixth in the league last season in passing but the offense was not balanced, ranking 29th in rushing yards per game and adding Jackson should help get things more even for Ryan. The team opened the season with the Saints before playing the Rams at home and then travelled to Miami to play the Dolphins. The AFC East kick continued with New England at home and the Jets at the Georgia Dome for Monday Night Football before heading into a bye week.
