Fantasy Playoffs Approacheth

Another week and the NFC South standings are still gridlocked. Of course, that is due to another 0-4 run by the division. It is embarrassing to think that one of those four teams, and it could be ANY of them, will host a playoff game. Even the Raiders would not be out of the running if they were in that division. On the flip side, EVERY team in the AFC North could lose all of their remaining games and would most likely have a better record than the eventual NFC South champ.

Speaking of the Raiders, I was not shocked in the least that they beat the Chiefs. That type of game has happened far too many times already this season not to expect it to continue. This week looks like it could be the Bengals turn to lose a game that, on paper, they shouldn't. Fortunately, we also get some good games in the mix as well, such as Miami-Denver, Dallas-Giants and San Diego-St. Louis.

A few notes from Week 12:

• Jeff Fisher was able to call another perfect fake punt and put his team in position to win at San Diego. Unfortunately, QB Shaun Hill had a mental misfire and tried to force a game-winning pass into heavy traffic instead of playing conservative and settling for a game-tying field goal, at the very least.
• Thanks to a record-setting snowstorm, the people of Detroit got a reminder that they should be happy that their Lions still have hope for the season, even after getting drilled in Foxboro, by getting to watch a true NFL aberration in the New York Jets perform for them for free.
• OK, I am done writing off Cleveland. They have been chosen as a Team of Destiny this season. I do find happiness that they committed to QB Brian Hoyer and stuck with him all season instead of giving into the Johnny Manziel hype. At least they beat Denver in that regard (reference of Denver creating the ruckus back in the Tim Tebow fervor).
• The slate of Thanksgiving games this year will provide plenty of drama with a lot on the line in each game. It rarely works out like that so that is something to be thankful for this year.

With December and fantasy football playoffs right around the corner, it is time to make that last waiver wire claims that could put you over the edge for getting paid.

QB: Ryan Tannehill (MIA) - it has been a love/hate relationship with Tannehill this season but he is turning is more good games than bad lately. He had a stellar performance in Denver last week, accounting for 4 scores, and gets the Jets this week. With many other QBs struggling, yes, we are looking at you Jay Cutler, Tannehill is a nice fill-in this week if available.

RB: Latavius Murray (OAK) - the Raiders finally showed a sense of intelligence, not sure if it was purposely or not. However, they finally got Murray into the offense and he showed why Darren McFadden and MoJo will not be wearing black-and-silver next season. As long as he is healthy, he is their feature back for the remainder of the season.

RB: LeGarrette Blount (NE) - last week was a new low for Bill Belichick and his ability to crush fantasy football owners. Maybe it wouldn't have went down like it did if Jonas Gray did not miss a team meeting, but to completely bench him and put faith in malcontent Blount was unjustified. Blount owners who had him as a handcuff to La'Veon Bell and dropped him after he was released by Pittsburgh were almost as furious as Gray owners.

RB: Dan "Boom" Herron (IND) - much like the Raiders, the Colts made a long overdue change in their backfield as well. Herron has been wasted on the bench while Trent Richardson has plodded his way to next-to-nothingness since being acquired from Cleveland. TRich will still get some carries, but Herron figures to be the main back in Indy going forward.

WR: Charles Johnson (MINN) - it is not easy to start a Vikings' WR right now, but, if you have to, it appears that Johnson is your man after back-to-back good games. He is not going to produce Mike Evans' numbers, but he did put up 3/52/1 this past week and has Carolina and the Jets next on his schedule as fantasy playoffs arrive.

WR: Jarvis Landry (MIA) - another solid week for Landry as Miami's WR2 as he delivered with 7 catches for 50 yards and 2 scores! Miami is playing very well on offense, particularly in the passing game.......and they get the Jets this week.