Opinion Corner: Season winding down

For some of you, this is the last week of the regular season, and for others there’s two more weeks until fantasy football playoffs. With the trading deadline come and gone, there’s only the waiver wire left to ensure your roster is ready for the next few weeks.

Don’t assume that there is no need to beef up your bench because you’re sticking with your starters the rest of the way. Injuries can happen at anytime (just ask Rob Gronkowski and Bill Belichick) and your team needs to be prepared to handle injuries.

If you’ve got Mike Wallace on your roster, go to the wire and pick up another receiver. Although Big Ben is desperate to get back on the field this Sunday, there’s no guarantee he won’t get reinjured.

Sticking with the Steelers, be careful with their running backs. Their splitting carries and reports early in the week stated that Jonathon Dwyer would be starting and Rashard Mendenhall would be 3rd string.

Brandon LaFell of the Panthers is worth adding at wide receiver if he’s still available in your league. Overall, he’s had an inconsistent year, but he’s had big games the previous two weeks and could benefit your team if, and when injuries occur.

Unless head coach Mike Tomlin states that there’s a starting back and that he’ll get the bulk of the carries, don’t gamble on any of the backs on their roster.

If he’s still available, Bryce Brown should be added to your team. He’s definitely not a one game wonder. For any of you that have been following the Eagles (not sure why you would?) you know that Brown has shown potential in his backup role. With McCoy out, you know that he won’t let this opportunity go to waste.

As far as starting goes this week, there’s a few wide receivers who should get back on track. Eric Decker of the Broncos should put up big numbers once again. If he’s been in and out of your line up, this week should be an easy start.

Another receiver that should have a solid performance is Michael Crabtree. The 49ers travel to St. Louis and regardless of who’s starting at quarterback, Crabtree should rack up some yards and even take one into the end zone.

Sticking with the Rams and 49ers game, Chris Givens is a sleeper this week. He’s had multiple big plays this year and with Steven Jackson coming off a 139-yard performance, Givens should have some room to operate in the secondary.

A wide receiver that you may want to bench (depending on your roster) is Vincent Jackson. Jackson and the Buccaneers continue to impress, but their matchup against the Broncos doesn’t bring much promise. The secondary in Denver should be well prepared for Josh Freeman and Jackson.

A far as running backs go, Darren McFadden may be back in the lineup and if this is the case, wait to see what the coaches decide to do here. If they state that McFadden is the starter, I wouldn’t hesitate to go with him against Browns.

If there is no clear indication of what McFadden’s role will be, I’d keep him and Marcel Reece on the bench. Neither will put up big numbers if they are sharing the workload.

Cam Newton should continue to light up the stat sheet as well this week. Newton is coming off of a stellar performance in Philadelphia and this week the Panthers travel to Kansas City, enough said.

Marshawn Lynch had a difficult time finding room to run in Miami and it doesn’t get any easier this week in Chicago. For the Bears, Forte is banged up and if he is out, go with Michael Bush if he’s on your bench, or on waivers.

The week starts off in Atlanta where the Falcons and Saints will have another highlight filled game. Look for both Falcons receivers to make big plays, and for the Saints Jimmy Graham and Lance Moore should put up big numbers.

For those of you frustrated with Eli Manning’s Jekyll and Hyde performances, start him as he should continue with where he left off last week. I’d also go with Victor Cruz this Sunday as it should be a shoot out in Washington.

As far as the Redskins go, Alfred Morris and RG3 should be safe starts. Stay away from Redskin receivers as RG3 doesn’t play favors.

Stevie Johnson in Buffalo will prove to be a good start as well with the Jaguars in town. He’ll prove to be a great start in PPR leagues as he’ll pull in a lot of catches and should be able to rack up yards.

Jamaal Charles should be starting at running back if he’s on your roster. Charles was over the 100-yard bench mark last week and the Panthers run defense should have a difficult time handling Charles’ power and speed. Even if you’re desperate, stay away from any other Chief, including Dwayne Bowe as Quinn doesn’t look Bowe’s way as often as Matt Cassell did.

Beanie Wells made his return last week and ran in two into the end zone and this weeks game between the Jets should provide him with the opportunity to bust out for some big runs. Start Wells, but don’t rely on him to help you out in the playoffs as the Chargers face the Seahawks and the Bears in weeks 14 and 16.

With the Packers being embarrassed last Sunday night, Aaron Rodgers will be looking to get revenge against the Minnesota Vikings and Randall Cobb should benefit from Rodgers revengeful ways. Jermichael Finley should also help owners out at the tight end spot.

Usually the 49ers run defense would cause managers to bench their back if he was facing San Francisco, but I’m looking to Steven Jackson as a sleeper this week. Jackson will have his first back-to-back solid outings and I wouldn’t let the 49ers scare me into benching him this week.

Michael Turner didn’t have as many carries as owners would have liked last week, but he did run one into the end zone. Part of the reason for Turner having to share carries is the fact that the Falcons wanted to run outside more last week because of Tampa Bay’s run defense. Against the Saints, the Falcons will go back to running up the middle and Turner should get the bulk of the work.

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Jessy Sandhu is the founder of Fantasy Moves; you can follow him on Twitter @FantasyMoves.

Tags: sports, fantasy, football