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DraftStreet: Back for more playoff fantasy action

I just can’t quit you Fantasy Football.

I did take a week off to recharge my juices in Week 17. But now that wild-card weekend has rolled around, I’m back in the saddle for some playoff fantasy action.

Andrew Luck (AP Photo)

The game of choice for me this week is, like Fantasy Source colleague Brad Pinkerton, DraftStreet pick’em. Make sure to check out his picks as well and let us know whose team you think is better.

Of course, you could always show us that you’re the real expert. Create your own team for either Pick’em, Draft or Salary Cap at DraftStreet. You can play for free or win cash. Whatever you do, don’t sit out this first weekend of playoff action.

Tier 1: Aaron Rodgers, Andy Dalton, Andrew Luck, Nick Foles

The choice: Luck. He had a decent game in tough circumstances when the teams met two weeks ago at Arrowhead Stadium. I like him to improve at home. Meanwhile Rodgers faces a tough defense while in Cincinnati the weather conditions could be awful. Finally, Foles faces an underrated pass defense this week.

Tier 2: Philip Rivers, Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick

The choice: Kaepernick. In two meetings with the Packers, the Green Bay defense has shown no ability to contain Kaepernick. In last year’s postseason he passed well and ran all over them. In Week 1 this year, he put up over 400 yards in the air. The extremely cold conditions are concerning, but until they show they can stop him, I will trust Kaepernick against the Packers.

Tier 3: Jamaal Charles, LeSean McCoy

The choice: McCoy. Chip Kelly has shown no reluctance to attack an opposing defense’s weakness this year. Much like the Bears two weeks ago, the Saints are solid against the pass but struggle against the run. While you can’t really go wrong with either guy, I think McCoy will see more work in a slightly easier matchup.

Tier 4: Jimmy Graham, A.J. Green, Eddie Lacy, DeSean Jackson, Jordy Nelson

The choice: Green. I’m a bit concerned by the weather, but it’s hard to argue with the matchup. Green is arguably the best of these guys anyway, and he’ll get a Chargers secondary that allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.;

Tier 5: Randall Cobb, Anquan Boldin, Giovani Bernard, Frank Gore, T.Y. Hilton

The choice: Boldin. In Week 1, Boldin went off against the Packers because he exploited Green Bay’s defense that was focused on keeping Colin Kaepernick in the pocket. I’m banking the Packers again try to make Kaepernick beat them with his arm, and that he can.

Tier 6: Vernon Davis, Keenan Allen, Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead, Marques Colston, Michael Crabtree

The choice: Allen. There are three excellent matchups here in Davis, Colston and Crabtree. There’s also a red-hot Ryan Mathrews, albeit facing a tough front seven. But Allen has been so good this season, I feel like he’ll find a way to get his.

Tier 7: Pierre Thomas, Marvin Jones, Riley Cooper, Antonio Gates, James Jones, Donald Brown

The choice: Brown. I hate Thomas’ matchup this week and Gates has scared me all season, so it comes down to Brown versus the wide receivers. All have a boom-or-bust nature to them, but the Chiefs run defense isn’t that good (they allowed 4.3 yards per carry, ninth most) and Brown scored a pair of touchdowns against them two weeks ago. I’ll take my chances with him.

Tier 8: Darren Sproles, Eddie Royal, Dwayne Bowe, Trent Richardson, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Bengals defense/special teams

The choice: Bengals defense/special teams. I don’t like any of the tier 8 choices a whole lot. I’ll take the chance the Bengals defense will get enough sacks and turnovers on Philip Rivers to outscore some players who are a little too bust rather than boom for my taste.

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