Just because you don’t deserve something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to get it — like sending in a resume for a job for which you’re not qualified, asking for extra credit in a class that is kicking your butt, or qualifying for the sixth seed in the AFC playoffs.
Maybe you have spent the NFL season using some combination of Matt Ryan, Robert Griffin III,Colin Kaepernick or Tom Brady as your fantasy QB. It could be your team went belly-up as quick as the Packers once Aaron Rodgers went down. Perhaps waiting too long to draft a QB left you stuck with a platoon of Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, or Michael Vick and Andy Dalton.
Yet somehow you have cobbled together enough wins to put yourself on the cusp of the fantasy playoffs. Now you need just one more win, one last weekly miracle to allow you to keep playing.
On a waiver wire that likely includes nothing better than also-rans and backups, look no further than Josh McCown. The backup to Jay Cutler has at least one touchdown in all five appearances — which includes just three starts. Last week against a decent Rams defense he threw for 352 yards with two scores, though he did have an interception and a fumble, his first two turnovers this season.
This week he gets to play the horrible Vikings, who rank 31st in fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs. In 11 games, Minnesota has given up 23 TD passes. Just three times have they held the opposing team to just one touchdown in the air, and five times they have yielded at least 300 passing yards.
McCown is owned in just 31 percent of Yahoo! leagues and 14 percent at ESPN, so chances are he is available.
This is your chance to claim what is unrightfully yours, to go where you have no business being — the fantasy playoffs.
BIG WEEKS
Eli Manning, QB, Giants, at Redskins
He hasn’t had a monster game since Week 1, but if you’re hurting for a starter this week, you could do worse. Washington has given up at least one passing TD in every game but one, and has yielded four twice.
Bilal Powell, RB, Jets, vs. Dolphins
Starter Chris Ivory is dealing with an ankle sprain. Even if he plays, expect Powell to get plenty of opportunities against a Dolphins run defense has been in the spirit of giving all season.
Mike Wallace, WR, Dolphins, at Jets
Last week he looked like the receiver Miami dropped significant coin to acquire. The Jets have had deep-ball issues this season, which just happens to be Wallace’s specialty.
Martellus Bennett, TE, Bears, at Vikings
Bennett had his second-highest yardage total (76) along with two TDs in a Week 2 meeting with Minnesota. Vikings rank 31st in fantasy production by opposing TEs.
SMALL WEAKS
Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins, vs. Giants
RG3 has been productive almost exclusively in garbage time — making him a risky fantasy play before taking into account the fact Big Blue have held opposing QBs to single-digit fantasy outings in four of their past five games.
Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots, at Texans
Fumble problems and the return to health by backfield mates Shane Vereen and Brandon Bolden have combined to ruin Ridley’s fantasy value. It looks like he will be dead roster weight through the fantasy playoffs.
T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts, vs. Titans
Hilton has more games with single-digit production than not (7-4), and tallied just 44 yards and no scores two weeks ago vs. the Titans. Tennessee has the league’s stingiest defense in fantasy points allowed to opposing WRs.
Kansas City, DEF/ST, Chiefs, vs. Broncos
They didn’t touch Peyton Manning two weeks ago, and have since lost Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. After dominating the fantasy defense category to start the season, they have been abysmal the past two weeks.
The Decision
Drew Loftis and Steve Serby debate whom you should start this week:
Michael Floyd vs. Keenan Allen
Loftis: Floyd — He has nearly combined 300 yards in the past two games and has outscored teammate Larry Fitzgerald over their three contests since a Week 9 bye. Against an Eagles defense that awards the most fantasy points to opposing receivers of any team in the league, fully expect Carson Palmer to look Floyd’s way often while Fitzgerald is double-teamed.
Serby: Allen — Allen has forced his way into the Offensive Player of the Year conversation after shredding the Chiefs secondary (nine catches for 124 yards last Sunday), and the Bengals won’t have Leon Hall to cover him. The chain-mover has flourished, particularly over the middle, with defenses needing to pay attention again to TE Antonio Gates. But this is mostly a vote for Philip Rivers, who is among the elite, who has completed 70.8 percent of his passes, has thrown for 380 yards or more four times, has been sacked just 20 times, and who will trust his new go-to guy implicitly in a must-win game at home.
Last week: Serby 15 (Andre Brown — 127 rushing yards, 11 receiving yards), Drew 11 (Rashad Jennings — 73 rushing yards, 49 receiving yards)
Series: Tied, 6-6