Fantasy Football: Playoff Challenge Picks and Group with Prizes

With the weekend quickly approaching and a pair of playoff games tomorrow, it’s time to get your Playoff Challenge fantasy football picks locked in and ready to go for Wild Card Weekend which kicks off with the Chiefs at Colts Saturday afternoon followed by a night game in Phily as the Eagles host the Saints. Sunday, the Bengals host the Chargers and the Packers host the 49ers.

As you make your picks for this week, make sure you get entered into our NFL.com group which has over 300 entries now. We’ll be giving out sweet FanSided shirts to the top five finishers, and if we can get more people signed up we’ll give out even more swag. The NFL.com game is free to play and simple to understand. I wrote up a basic primer which you can find by clicking here.

Here are my picks for the week with a quick explanation of why I’m rolling with these players on my roster:

QB- Russell Wilson-Seattle Seahawks: I’m not convinced that Peyton gets out of the AFC, but I don’t think anyone is going to Seattle and beating the Seahawks. When you figure in Wilson’s rushing yards and touchdowns, I think he’s the best play since I’m confident he’ll get to the Super Bowl and I’ll have him on a 4x multiplier for the big game. I realize he won’t get me any points this week on his bye, so don’t fry me in the comments section. The way the game works, having him on my roster this weeks starts the multipliers going meaning I’ll get 2x his points next week, 3x his points in the NFC Championship (if he makes it), and 4x his points in the Super Bowl. Since I’m confident Seattle will be there, I’ll take Wilson and the zero this week.

RB-Marshawn Lynch-Seattle Seahawks: See above comments on my confidence in the Seahawks. Lynch will be brining beast mode to my roster all playoffs long.

RB-LeSean McCoy-Philadelphia Eagles: McCoy is my one of my only two players actually on the field this week as he and the Eagles host New Orleans. He’s the key piece to the Eagles attack and will get plenty of carries and catches Saturday night. He’s a popular choice, but one I think will definitely pay off.

WR-Demaryius Thomas-Denver Broncos: Thomas and the Broncos do have a great chance of getting to the title game, so I’ll stash him this week.

WR-Julian Edelman-New England Patriots: If the Broncos do hit a speed bump and end up not in the Super Bowl, I think the Patriots will end up representing the AFC. Edelman catches so many passes and is a Tom Brady favorite in the red zone, so he’ll pay off in the long run even though very few owners have him this week. The reason I have these two receivers is that the Seahawks receivers are tough to get a good read on especially with Percy Harvin still lurking. I think one of these two teams will play the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, and whoever it is, I’ll have their top receiving option.

TE-Jimmy Graham-New Orleans Saints: Graham is the only elite option in the playoffs since Gronk is out injured. However many weeks he plays, I want his production since I think he’s way more reliable than the other TE options in the playoffs.

K-Matt Prater-Denver Broncos: Kicking at altitude with multipliers is the way to go.

D-Seattle Seahawks: Since I’m putting my faith in the at QB and RB it makes sense to have their elite defense, at home, for their whole playoff run.