If you have a fantasy team with Robert Griffin III at quarterback, and you somehow still are alive in your league’s playoffs, you likely have a solid second option that has allowed to recover from RG3’s steep drop in production. Or maybe you are in a league with a bunch of bozos. But chances are, you weren’t relying on Griffin to carry you to a league title.
On the other hand, maybe your team has been doing a weekly roll of the dice at QB. Perhaps you have been shuffling some combination of Matt Ryan, Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Andy Dalton, etc. Perhaps you have survived the pedestrian season of Tom Brady or have endured the loss of Aaron Rodgers. In other words, you’re looking for QB help in the middle of the fantasy playoffs.
You could find help with Kirk Cousins.
Regardless of how the Redskins have put themselves in such a predicament, here they are — replacing RG3 with a QB2. And Cousins has upcoming matchups against a porous pass defense this week at Atlanta and next week at home against an even worse Cowboys unit (followed by a Week 17 clash on the road against the Giants, if your league is run by bozos who decide a champion in the unpredictable playing-time minefield that is Week 17).
In limited action, Cousins has not looked like a game-changing QB, but he also hasn’t spit the bit. He has played like a QB who can have success against week defenses, which he will face, though not looked good enough to trust against strong defensive teams, which he will not see the rest of the way.
If there is any truth to the gossip and player-reaction analysis that has oozed out of D.C. in recent weeks — that Griffin has been a divisive figure in the locker room — then maybe the team rallies around him (think: perhaps the offensive line deciding to block a defender or two on occasion).
But even if that is not the case, the new Redskins signal caller has an opportunity to provide fantasy stats that could disrupt the playoffs. Even if you don’t have faith in Cousins, at least have faith in the garbage defenses he will be throwing against.
BIG WEEKS
Matt Flynn, QB, Packers, at Cowboys
Dallas has allowed 10 passing TDs in its past four games, and the Cowboys have yielding four TDs in the air in one game four different times this season.
Shane Vereen, RB, Patriots, at Dolphins
Judging by last week, Vereen looks to be primary beneficiary of Tom Brady targets in absence of TE Rob Gronkowski. He is an every-week start the rest of the way, particularly in PPR leagues.
Roddy White, WR, Falcons, vs. Redskins
Getting plenty of targets are amassing strong yardage in past two weeks. Lackluster Redskins defense should yield TD opportunities. But monitor status of his knee.
Charles Clay, TE, Dolphins, vs. Patriots
Has provided steady production under the radar. Best Miami receiving option outside of Brian Hartline. (What does that say about Mike Wallace?)
SMALL WEAKS
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers, vs. Bengals
Big Ben has been rolling of late — 11 TDs and no INTs over past four games. But the Bengals have not been kind to opposing QBs, giving up huge fantasy days just twice all season.
Chris Johnson, RB, Titans, vs. Cardinals
Shonn Greene appears to officially have taken over goal-line duties. That means Johnson — whose yards per game often are dismal — is only good for long TDs, which are happening far less often. Cardinals have toughest defense vs. opposing fantasy RBs.
Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals, at Titans
Tennessee has been sneaky good on defense against fantasy WRs. Gave up three TD passes to WRs last week vs. high-powered Broncos, which were first scores allowed since Week 2.
Buffalo, DEF/ST, Bills, at Jaguars
On surface, this looks like good matchup for Bills — Jags give up 30th most points to opposing fantasy defenses. But the bulk of those points came early in the season. Jags have just one turnover in past three games.