Three Wide Receivers Poised For a Breakout Season

In a passing league, wide receivers are as important as ever around the NFL. Every team is looking for playmakers, and sometimes they can come out of nowhere. The 2015 season is almost upon us, and several players will have an opportunity to really improve on their numbers from year ago. Here is a look at three guys everyone should be looking out for in fantasy football money leagues 2015.

Martavis Bryant

 Pittsburgh has a lot of options, so a lot of people might not initially think of Bryant as a stand out in fantasy football money leagues 2015. However, this team is going to be trying to put up a lot of points this year, so there will be targets for him throughout the year. He made the most out of his very few receptions last year, as he finished with 546 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. He is definitely a big play receiver, and Ben Roethlisberger will be targeting him a least a few times a game.

Allen Robinson

It was a pretty solid start for Allen Robinson in his rookie season, but he did not play after week 10 due to a stress fracture in his left foot. Couple that with the fact that he plays with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it is easy to see why people do not always pay attention to him. However, he is a big possession receiver who can be a major red zone target for Blake Bortles in 2015. There are some hamstring issues surrounding him right now, but that might allow him to slip even more in fantasy drafts.

Stedman Bailey

The numbers last year for Bailey were not very good, as he finished with 435 yards and just one touchdown. There have been a lot of changes in St. Louis since the season ended, and Bailey is hoping that benefits him. He will be very reliant on new quarterback Nick Foles, but he certainly has the athleticism to turn into their best receiver down the road. For now, he’s a great mid-draft sleeper to consider.

Don't Crown a Super Bowl Champion Just Yet

We are down to an improbable four. However, far too many so-called gurus are ready to proclaim the New England Patriots, champions once again. Not so fast. First and foremost, the exciting divisional playoff weekend was stuffed with spectacular games. More importantly these games were phenomenal in terms of tension and upsets. Two games that very few people really saw coming were the Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos, and the San Francisco 49'ers vs. the Green Bay Packers.

If the Ravens, who were nearly 10 point underdogs, were able to pull off one of the most stunning road upsets in the history of the playoffs who is to say they can't repeat next week in Foxboro? There is a lot of animosity between New England and Baltimore going back to last year's heartbreaking AFC championship loss. There are 101 reasons why the Ravens have the right combination of talent and mojo to pull off the upset. Also, few people talk about the fact that New England has been playoff losers their last 4 postseason appearances. Of course this doesn't mean they are a bad team whatsoever. But it does make you wonder...


Not many suspected that the mighty, Aaron Rodgers would be bested twice by the same team. We were all wary of a suspect pass offense, and another read-option quarterback in Colin Kaepernick. However, how wrong us doubters were. He put up a searing 180 yards rushing, an all-time record for any quarterback in any game. Also, he routinely spread the ball to receivers and tight end Randy Moss, Michael Crabtree, and Vernon Davis. All of this confusion made the Packers appear to be a second class team. If the Patriots advance and the 49'ers advance, look for a strong run contingency from Kaepernick and the 49'ers. If executed properly, it could result in the 5th straight playoff loss for New England's beloved Pats...

And Then There Were 8.....

Is it always good for a team to be on the bye week? Not necessarily. In the past three playoff seasons, teams who didn't have a bye week had more wins and more momentum going into the final games of the season. Yes, it helps the team recover from injuries, but it seems as though the risks far outweigh the benefits. As coaches, and team management begin to understand this, look for teams to aim for a valuable #3 seed. This will never be something that no team/coach will ever admit, but it will be done.

Case in point: Many people didn't feel like Green Bay played their hardest football in the final quarter of the final game of the season, vs. the Minnesota Viking. They were playing for a bye, but came up short. The Packers appeared nonchalant and unmotivated to win. Were they strategically aiming for the #3 sport, or were they outplayed? Now that the league knows more about the practice, look for sanctions to be put into play.....

SGAAASVY3VBW

Why Adrian Peterson Getting Close is Enough

Is 9 yards short of the record a close enough call?

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In short, yes! The strategies of most NFL teams today are "West Coast Offenses". In other words, the strategy is either touchdown or check down to the running back. This north/south approach relies on a quarterback with an accurate arm, and talented wide receivers. However, all this does is discount the importance of a dynamic running back. Adrian Peterson, however, is one of the few exceptions in the league. He was able to become the centerpiece of the Minnesota Vikings, and waltz his team into a playoff spot. This is atypical of teams today who are reliant on the pass attack.

More importantly, when you compare Eric Dickerson's record to Adrian Peterson's attempt, it is clear that Adrian Peterson came dangerously close to breaking a record in which the odds were stacked against him. Dickerson had roughly 40 more rushing attempts to achieve his monumental number that Peterson did. What does that mean? Peterson, who is one year removed from a debilitating surgery, was one of the most efficient runners in history, averaging six yards per carry. This is a nearly unattainable number over the course of the season, eclipsing even the legendary Jim Brown's average.

With all of these factors taken into account, it is clear that although Peterson fell short in terms of final numbers, true football fans do not discount the performance Peterson put on in 2012. After the game he appeared unaware in his interview that he was only 9 yards from shattering the record. He will play next week against the same team, the Green Bay Packers. He will undoubtedly rush for greater than 9 yards at that time and he will undoubtedly be heralded by many as potentially the greatest running back of all time.

Injuries Abound in Week 14....

How do Injuries Affect Your Fantasy Playoffs?

Several of the key injuries that took place this week will undoubtedly make you think twice about starting them. Many key running backs are involved in tight divisional races. Consider the injuries on the following players:

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Ahmad Bradshaw, Running Back, New York Giants After showing some flashes of brilliance he once again hurt his knee and Coach Tom Coughlin is uncertain as to his ability to play next week.

Donald Brown, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts This powerhouse was a big contributor to Andrew Luck's success as a rookie. Brown's injury placed him on the injured reserve for the rest of the year

Fred Jackson, Running Back, Buffalo Bills If you're a fantasy owner you know how Jackson has top ten running back potential. After a Grade 1 knee sprain. The Bills coaching staff shut Jackson down for the season

Dez Bryant, Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys Since his Thanksgiving performance, Dez has been unstoppable. A fractured index may not keep him off the field, but it will surely hurt his ability to catch

Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Washington Redskins After an MRI revealed a sprained knee, Griffin was given the option to practice. Griffin tweeted that he feels great and ready to go for Sunday. RG3 owners can only hope that his knee can sustain the running!

Good luck in your fantasy playoffs, and other football related endeavors!

NFL Fantasy Analysis for Week 14

What Running Backs Are Good For Your Lineup Week 14

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Perhaps you have made it to the coveted second round of your fantasy playoffs? Continue your playoff run, and take it to the next level by making all of the right calls!

Darren McFadden is scheduled to make his return to the Raider's starting line-up. Back up tailback, Michael Goodson should be back, also. What does this mean? There will be very few touches for Marcel Reece who was doing a great job bearing the load in Oakland.
Next, be sure to get C.J. Spiller in your lineup, if you have him. This Bill's running back has been seeing fewer carries because of the presence of a healthy Fred Jackson. However, like the new hybrid-style running back, Jamaal Charles, he knows exactly how to get large chunks of yards per carry. Also. With Bill's receiverStevie Johnson out with a strained hamstring, look for the Bill's to try to use Spiller in the screen game.
A surprising start on our list is Ahmad Bradshaw. The fiesty Giant's running back has only had a few breakout moments this season. However, after coming off a heartbreaking Monday night loss vs. the Redskins, Bradshaw will have a chance to gash the run-friendly N.O. Saints this week!

Who should you think twice before starting?

Although Dolphin's running back, Reggie Bush has had what some would call a fantastic year, he is facing a very stout San Francisco defense. This is one of the top run-defending defenses, and they are coming off a shocking overtime upset vs. St. Louis. Look for the 49'ers to load the box on Bush.
New England sensation, Stevan Ridley has had an outstanding season. We know the Texans are looking to make a statement game against the powerful New England offnese. J.J. Watt, and Brooks Reid are talented enough to contain the explosive Ridley from making long runs.
Abandon all hope you had leading up to the season that Ryan Matthews would have an amazing season. He has fallen far short of expectations this year. The Charger's are now relying on Philip River's arm to get them through the game.

Whoever you start, always check the match-ups, and last minute reports here for the latest news regarding fantasy, injuries, and NFL Highlights!

Injuries to Consider From Week 13

Consider the following injured NFL players

This week led to a lot of injuries for players at many positions. For example, Wide receiver Sidney Rice received a vicious hit that left him dazed and barely able to stand at the end of last week's Bears vs. Seattle game. He is doubtful for next week's game.

Next, Jordy Nelson,Green Bay's stand out receiver is out for next week's game after sustaining a serious hamstring injury. Coach, Mike McCarthy claims the injury is not very serious, but he probably won't play.

Terrell Suggs, the defensive tackle sustained a torn bicep, and is uncertain about next week's game.

Dustin Keller, the Jet's tight end has an ankle injury that coach, Rex Ryan, hopes will not put a damper on his ability to play next week.

After scoring his first touchdown of the season, Bear's wide receiver,Earl Bennett was treated for concussion-like symptoms. He tweeted that he is doing just fine, but Bear's coaching staff will likely be cautious about using him next week.

Philadelphia Eagle's QuarterbackMichael Vickis still out with a concussion. He was just demoted, according to head coach, Andy Reid. Nick Foles, the rookie quarterback is now the starter in Philadelphia.

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With all of these injuries, it will be easier to decide who should start on your fantasy teams

Also, it becomes easier to predict the playoff picture moving forward. For instance, stand out linebacker,Brian Urlacher, may miss the rest of the season with a strained hamstring. This is significant because there are still tough divisional opponents which are scheduled for December. He is a key player on Chicago's defense and his presence will be sorely missed.