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Fantasy Football: Predicting Head-to-Head Playoff Match-ups

By David Harrison

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 03: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 3, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 03: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 3, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Michael Crabtree v Tyreek Hill

Tyreek Hill just had a 185-yard two score explosion against the New York Jets…in a loss. Don’t you love fantasy football? Because if you had Hill, you probably won!

Michael Crabtree was last seen punching the helmet of Aqib Talib and getting ejected in the first quarter of one of the most crucial games of my fantasy season. And yes, Crabtree was my starting receiver. I still won, so I forgive him. I’m sure he cares.

So now, we have two receivers who have recently exploded on the field of play. Only one was positive. So, who is going to come out on top of this match-up this weekend? It’s going to be Crabtree.

In games where Hill has gone for 80-yards or more in offense, he’s followed it up with a performance of 50-yards or more just once.

If you play him, you’re looking for big plays, not tons of catches. In fact, he has zero games with ten catches this season, and only one in his career. Not saying ten is a reasonable number for receivers to regularly hit, just saying he’s not a possession guy. He is however, coming off of three straight games with six or more catches in each.

Crabtree on the other hand, is coming back with something to prove, and playing another AFC West rival.

Marcus Peters won’t be there, and Amari Cooper might not either. The Chiefs secondary has not been what we thought it would be, and missing Peters just adds to the strife.

Crabtree will be Derek Carr’s best option, and the one who gets the most work between he and his cross-sideline rival.

"Scott Smith from Buccaneers.com joined the Locked on Bucs podcast this week! Check out what he had to say."

Kyle Rudolph v Greg Olsen

I am a true fan of Greg Olsen the player, not the Panther. His team is in playoff push mode, and facing perhaps the best team in the NFC this season when the Minnesota Vikings come to visit.

They have Kyle Rudolph who has been one big reason the Vikings offense has found such great success despite missing two starting quarterbacks.

At the end of the day, I have to lean in Rudolph’s favor here for two reasons.

The first being defense. Minnesota’s defense is tough and effective. Like championship caliber effective. Carolina’s is better than advertised, but not great.

Bigger than that though, is health. Greg Olsen isn’t healthy. He hasn’t been all year. In fact, he’s only played in four games this season, and left Week 13 without recording a single statistic.

My heart goes out for him, but he’s just not reliable in 2017.

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