Strategies
The 2014 NFL season wraps up this week as fantasy owners get one last shot at cashing in. Typically in years past the final week of the regular season is a difficult one to build rosters based on team’s resting for the playoffs. That won’t be the case in many situations as we have plenty of teams around the NFL fighting for playoff positions, division titles and home field advantage.
In the NFC division only the Dallas Cowboys have won their division while both the North and West divisions have two playoff teams. The NFC South will come down to the final week of the regular season as the 6-8 Carolina Panthers travel to Atlanta to take on the 6-8 Falcons for the division. In the North the Green Bay Packers host the Detroit Lions for the North title while the Seattle Seahawks need a win to take home the West title.
Over in the AFC conference we still have one wild card team left open and only the AFC North division left to crown a champion. The teams remaining in contention include the Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. The Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts have all secured spots.
Now this opens up the door for some competitive football around the NFL for fantasy owners to cash in. Here are some of the key players we like in week 17 of the 2014 NFL season.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: The Packers quarterback has been brilliant at home this season and we expect that to continue as he looks to deliver an NFC North Crown to the fans. On the season Rodgers has completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,108 yards and 23 touchdowns at Lambeau. This also opens the door for both Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson at the receiver position.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: Roethlisberger eclipsed the 30 touchdown mark for the second time in his NFL career and those numbers should keep rolling against the Cincinnati Bengals. This game has the potential to determine who will win the AFC North division.
Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens running game has not shown up over the past few games but that should change against a Cleveland Browns team that has allowed the most rushing yards in the NFL. Look for Gary Kubiak to work Forsett early and often to set up the big play passing ability of Joe Flacco.
Jamaal Charles, Kansas city Chiefs: This game this week against the San Diego Chargers could not the Chiefs out of any chance to make it to the playoffs. Look for Andy Reid to get creative and get Charles involved more in the short game passing attack to utilize his speed in the open field.
Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers: The Panthers rookie has put together a tremendous rookie season and now has a chance to help his team make it to the playoffs with a win over the Falcons. This is a great opportunity for Cam Newton and the passing attack to make some big plays against an Atlanta Falcons defense that has allowed a league high 4,504 yards receiving.