Here we are in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs and there are fantasy football studs that you should have on your fantasy football team. The first game of the weekend pits the (10-6) Baltimore Ravens versus the (12-4) New England Patriots on Saturday at 3:35 central time.
New England vs. Baltimore Ravens Fantasy Football Studs
The fantasy football match up to watch in this game is the 9th ranked New England pass offense versus the Baltimore Ravens' 23rd ranked pass defense.
- Tom Brady should throw for about 240 yards with about 2 touchdowns.
- Rob Gronkowski should have about 5 catches with 70 yards receiving with the possibility of a
Rob Gronkowski could have a big game on Saturday.
touchdown.
- Justin Edelman should have about 6 catches with 70 yards receiving with the possibility of a touchdown if he is able to play since he has missed the Patriots last two games due to a concussion and has been limited in practice this week, but the feeling is that he will be able to play Saturday.
- Brandon LaFell should have about 4-5 catches with about 60 yards receiving with a chance of a touchdown. The problem with LaFell is that his status is listed as questionable with toe and shoulder injuries. Since the Patriots had last week off because of the bye, LaFell should be able to go.
Joe Flacco, Justin Forsett, and Steve Smith have the chance to be fantasy football studs on Saturday.
- Joe Flacco should be able to throw for about 230 yards with a chance of 2 touchdowns.
- Ravens running back Justin Forsett should rush for about 75 yards with a chance of a touchdown. He should also be able to catch 2-3 passes for about 20 yards.
- Wide receiver Steve Smith should catch about 4-5 passes for about 65 yards receiving.
Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks Fantasy Football Studs
This is the late game on Saturday at 7:15 central time and pits the (7-8-1) Carolina Panthers versus the (12-4) Seattle Seahawks.
This game features the Seattle Seahawks defense, which is probably the best defense in the NFL. The Seahawks rank 3rd versus the run and 1st versus the pass.
Offensively the match up to watch is the top ranked Seahawks running game featuring Marshawn Lynch versus the 16th ranked Carolina run defense. The Panthers will slow Lynch down some, but he should have a good day.
Possible fantasy football studs are:
- Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch should rush for about 80 yards with a chance of a
Marchawn looks to have a big game and lead his team past the Panthers
touchdown. Lynch should also catch 2 passes for about 20 yards.
- Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen should catch about 5 passes for about 60 yards.
- Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin should catch about 5 passes for about 60 yards with a chance of a touchdown.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers Fantasy Football Studs
This is the first game on Sunday and begins at 12:05 central time in Green Bay. The cold weather could slow the offenses down some, but it should only be cold with not a lot of wind getting in the way. The high on Sunday in Green Bay is supposed to be 13 degrees with a low of -3 degrees.
This game pits the (12-4) Dallas Cowboys versus the (12-4) Green Bay Packers.
There are two key match ups in this game when speaking of fantasy football. The first key match up will be the 2nd ranked run game of the Dallas Cowboys versus the 23rd ranked run defense of the Green Bay Packers.
The other key match up is the Green Bay Packers 8th ranked pass offense versus the Dallas Cowboys 26th ranked pass defense.
Possible fantasy football studs are:
- Dallas Cowboy running back DeMarco Murray should rush for close to 100 yards with a chance at a
DeMarco Murray looks to lead the Cowboys past the Packers in the frozen tundra on Sunday.
touchdown. Murray should also catch 2-4 passes for about another 20-25 yards.
- Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo should pass for about 200 yards with a touchdown or two.
- Dallas Cowboy wide receiver Dez Bryant should catch about 4-5 passes for about 80 yards with a good chance at a touchdown.
- Green Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers should pass for about 250-260 yards with a good chance of 1-3 touchdowns. The bad news on Rodgers is that he has been hobbled with a calf injury, but he is listed as probable and will definitely start the game.
- Green Bay Packer wide receiver Jordy Nelson should catch 4-6 passes for around 90 yards with a good chance at a touchdown.
- Green Bay Packer wide receiver Randall Cobb should catch 3-5 passes for about 80 yards with a decent chance at a touchdown.
- Green Bay Packer running back Eddie Lacy should rush for about 70 yards with a chance of a touchdown. Lacy should also catch 1-2 passes for about 20 yards.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos Fantasy Football Studs
This is the late game on Sunday, beginning at 3:40 p. m. central time in Denver.
This game features the (11-5) Indianapolis Colts versus the (12-4) Denver Broncos.
These two teams appear to be pretty evenly matched and I don't really see either on of these teams having a big advantage over the other in any area.
Denver should be able to run the ball like they have all year, but the Colts could slow down their passing game some.
Denver's stout 2nd ranked run defense should really stifle the Colts 22nd ranked running game, which could really hurt their passing game as well if they are unable to keep the Bronco defense honest and off balance.
Possible fantasy football studs are:
- Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas should catch 4-7 passes for about 100 yards with
Demaryius Thomas looks to be a fantasy football stud on Sunday vs. the Colts
a chance at a touchdown
- Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders should catch 4-6 passes for about 80 yards.
- Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas should catch around 3 passes for about 30 yards, but his real value is that he has a decent shot at scoring a touchdown.
- Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning should throw for about 250 yards with 2-3 touchdowns, but there is a good chance that he will throw 1 interception.
- Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck should throw for about 25o yards with a good chance of 2 passing touchdowns, but there is also a good chance he will throw at least one interception.
- Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T. Y. Hilton should catch 3-5 passes for about 80 yards and a small chance at a touchdown.