By Thomas Albano
This is it, fam; you’ve made it to the championship. First of all, congratulations on making it this far. It’s a struggle and journey just to get to this point. But now, which players will get you over the hump? Which will be the difference between winner and first loser? Find out here in the final 2018 edition of Take the Field, Ride the Pine.
Take the Field: RB Derrick Henry
- 408 yards and six touchdowns on 50 carries — that’s what Derrick Henry has put up combined in his last two games against the Jaguars and Giants.
- Henry has been the maker of fantasy playoff runs, or the breaker for those who left him on the bench at the start of the playoffs, or for those owners who ended up facing him.
- Four running backs have either scored or gained 100 yards in the Washington Redskins’ last five games, which means another potential big day for Henry is there. Props to those who waited it out with him.
Take the Field: QB Baker Mayfield
- Mayfield has managed to put up around 15 points in each of his last three outings, which included a tough matchup against the Texans.
- The Bengals have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing QBs this year, and nine have scored 22+.
- It’s not a guarantee for Mayfield to be the secret lethal weapon he may be needed as for some, but considering what happened the last time the Browns and Bengals faced off this season, it should be a fun day offensively for Cleveland.
Take the Field: QB Russell Wilson
- Despite a loss to the 49ers, Wilson put up around 20 points, which he’s averaging around in home games this year.
- The Chiefs have allowed 21 points or more to quarterbacks over the last four games.
- Expect a shootout in Seattle.
Ride the Pine: WR D.J. Moore
- Cam Newton has been shut down for the rest of the season, and that does no solid favors for this rookie.
- Moore has been a decent WR2/3/FLEX in PPR formats, but he hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 11.
- What Taylor Heinicke will bring to the table is greatly unknown. Moore is too risky of a play in a fantasy championship.
Ride the Pine: TE Kyle Rudolph
- In a year where tight ends are a major premium, Kyle Rudolph has absolutely struggled.
- Rudolph has no touchdowns since Week 3, and he has been held to single-digit point values in nine of his last 10 games (poor standard players).
Ride the Pine: QB Josh Allen
- Yes, it’s clear the Patriots aren’t the strongest team, but Allen has basically nobody around him.
- Allen is great with his rushing, but if he’s forced to throw, it could be a bad day considering Buffalo’s inability to catch and the potential Allen turns the ball over due to Patriot pressure.
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