It’s the fantasy football semi-finals, and that means it’s literally do-or-die for your season. With that in mind, you likely have a good idea about whether you need a solid performance or a home run out of your quarterback. If you have the cajones to still be streaming, congrats. If you’re a Matt Stafford owner and are doing it out of necessity, condolences. Just like the rest of the year, here are three quarterbacks available in more than 50% of leagues, with one available in fewer than 10% (though today I cheat and make it 12%).
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Colin Kaepernick at Atlanta (33% owned)
Kaepernick has equal chance of getting 5 points as he does 35 points, but his boom potential is what makes him a good play for the underdog in a matchup. If you’re going to lose even if your quarterback gets 20 points, and need to swing for the fences to get 25 or more, Kaepernick is a good play. The 49ers had some bizarre play-calling when they played with the lead last week, which shouldn’t be a problem. The Falcons are the league’s best offense, and they’re going against the league’s worst defense. Kaepernick is going to need to throw a ton against the team that has yielded the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Joe Flacco versus Philadelphia (29% owned)
Flacco has played extremely well in his last two games, in what were marginal matchups against the Steelers and Patriots. He took Pittsburgh and New England for 705 yards and six touchdowns in those matchups. He takes on the Eagles and is likely to continue his hot streak. The Eagles have allowed sixteen or more fantasy points to six of the last seven quarterbacks they’ve faced, and are much worse on the road than at home. Away from Philadelphia, they have allowed at least 17 fantasy points to every quarterback but the Brian Hoyer/Jay Cutler two-headed monster. Those are also the only games they haven’t yielded at least two passing scores away from Philly.
Sam Bradford versus Indianapolis (12% owned)
My big cheat because I can’t put Matt Barkley or RGIII down here. Bradford has not done great recently, but has an amazing matchup against the Colts at home. Indianapolis has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, and that is after shutting down Bryce Petty and Brock Osweiler in back-to-back weeks. Before facing those two, they allowed at least two passes in eight-of-nine games.