What’s up folks – hopefully you didn’t have as bad a fantasy week as I had. If it wasn’t the refs getting me down, it was the Cleveland Browns ability to properly tackle anyone. How they won that game is beyond me. All being said, I’m still basically a lock for the playoffs in most leagues I’m in, so now (in Week 12) I’m looking for great playoff match-ups with relatively unowned players, and some guys you might be able to snipe from your opponents in the last week before the trade deadline (if yours hasn’t passed yet). Here’s a few that strike my fancy. 

Ahmad Bradshaw: Not only do I think he’s probably the best all around back in New York (though obviously the Giants don’t think so, and that’s what matters), but Bradshaw looks to get a lot more carries going down the stretch. If the NFC keeps playing like they’re playing, and the Giants keep playing like they’re playing, some rest for their main horses will be in the cards for people like Brandon Jacobs and Plaxico Burress. Bradshaw may play tough defenses, but the Giants have shown that they can run on anyone. If Bradshaw gets 12-18 carries he’s a nice starting option down the stretch. 

Dominic Hixon: I feel the same way about Hixon that I do about Bradshaw. Super talented kid that, when he gets chances, does work. His secondary schedule is a little better than Bradshaw’s run defense schedule, and you know Plax will be the first Giant to get some time off. 

Peyton Manning: Everyone knows Peyton, but unlike previous seasons, these Colts are going to have to try to win until the end, and that’s great for Manning and his easy breazy schedule down the stretch. If you can get him, for the first time in a long time, he might be my favorite signal caller to own down the stretch. 

Larry Johnson: Interesting play here, but his Week 13, 14, and 15 schedule looks like this… Oakland (YAY!), Denver (AWESOME!), and San Diego (CHEER-E-O). Larry got lots of carries in his first game back, and there’s no reason to think that Herm goes away from him down the stretch. 

Pierre Thomas: The kid is a shot in the dark, because of Reggie Bush, Deuce and such – but he’s the best actual running back in New Orleans, and the Saints play the Falcons in Week 14 and the Lions in Week 16- and there’s a chance he could be the guy getting those looks toward the end of the season. Historically the kid is solid when he gets touches. 

Joey Galloway: Joey was held without a catch last week and hasn’t scored more than 5 fantasy points this year, not more than 3 since opening day – but you look at the Bucs schedule going forward and you have to see a shot at some light from the 37 year old receiver. Vikings, Lions, Saints, Panthers (tough match-up), Falcons, Chargers, Raiders… It seems like the tough part of the Bucs schedule is over, Galloway could be a nice pick-up if you need help at receiver. 

Warrick Dunn: Caddy Williams is getting some love and I hope the kid comes back and does good work for TB, but you have to be real, and WD40 is going to be the guy getting the load of the carries. You saw Joey’s Buc schedule above – Warrick’s is the same – a good pick up down the stretch. 

Brandon Jones: Justin Gage will be the cat added to everyone’s team this week, and that’s fine, but Jones is a nice option too, especially with the Jets coming up next week (Tennessee will probably have to throw on them) and then the Lions, Browns, and Texans immediately following. Kerry can throw the ball alright, and lately this team has been more balanced. 

Jerry Porter: If you feel like shooting at a small hoop, very far away, in the dark – Jerry might be your guy. The talent is there, he might steal a starting spot with Matt Jones looking to miss some games, and nobody else in Jacksonville has separated themselves from the rest of the receiving pack. Vikings this week, then the Texans, then the Bears and Packers – not great secondaries, he might be worth a shot. 

Gus Frerotte: Ugh, I know. But the Jags, Lions, and Cardinals all come to town in 3 of the next four weeks. Gus has his best games at home, and none of those secondaries scare me much. I’m sure the Vikings will be tied to Adrian Peterson, but some hook ups between Gus and Berrian are in the cards.