Week 15 Waiver Pickups

And this is why we have fantasy. For those times when a real loss dealt to your home team dismays and disappoints you. The hype of Monday Night Football, the Patriots matchup, and the possibility of securing better playoff positioning just magnified the game, and the defeat. Fortunately for Houston Texans fans, there’s comfort in knowing your team is 11-2. And knowing your team is not the Jets, Jaguars or Chiefs.

We also have fantasy so we can play pretend GM. And, of course, prove we’re smarter than all our friends. Anyone who had David Wilson is smart in my book. And anyone who had Nick Foles, nice job by you. The Philly quarterback fared better than elite arms Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning and Drew Brees. Even Phillip Rivers came alive with nearly 25 fantasy points. Atta boy, Phil.

Week 2 of the fantasy playoffs is upon us. In most leagues, a win here puts you in the semi-finals, and closer to that coveted fake trophy. A loss has you wondering why you ever played this silly little game. Ah, fantasy football.

Good luck to all who are still in the hunt for the championship. Here are a few guys for consideration as your round out your roster. As always, feel free to hit me up on twitter @erinskelley with your questions.

David Wilson, RB, New York Giants – All his fumbles are forgiven after rushing for 100 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Perhaps even more impressive is his special teams performance with extra special stats, giving him 327 all-purpose yards for the day. My first thought – why did the Saints continue kicking to him? My second thought – make him yours. Ahmad Bradshaw is likely out for Sunday’s contest vs. Atlanta, and perhaps even longer. Consider Wilson the starter. He’s speedy. Act quickly. Available in 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Josh Gordon, WR, Cleveland Browns – Don’t overlook the Browns for your fantasy fishing, and certainly not Josh Gordon, who reeled in eight receptions for 86 yards against the Chiefs on Sunday. In two weeks, Gordon has over 200 yards and a touchdown. He’s a must-start in the WR2 or WR3 slot. This week, he faces a delectable Redskins defense that yields the second most fantasy points to wide receivers. Available in 51 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Bilal Powel, RB, New York Jets – Powel is on a hot streak with four touchdowns in his last four games. Powel, who has worked himself into a timeshare with Shonn Greene, rushed for 77 yards on 20 carries against the Jags on Sunday. Powel will reap the rewards this week when the Jets take on the Titans, who surrender the second most fantasy points to running backs. Available in 91 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos – Moreno continues to impress, as he contributed with 32 carries (yes, 32!) for 119 yards on Thursday. Hard to believe Moreno was just collecting dust on the inactive shelf prior to week 12. He’s destined for continued success on Sunday when the Broncos face a run-friendly Baltimore defense. Available in 32 percent of Yahoo! leagues.  (If Ray Lewis is reading this, I was just kidding with that defense remark. Baltimore is the best.)

Ben Tate, RB, Houston Texans – Yeah, it was garbage time, but important garbage time for Tate – and the fantasy community – to see how his recovering hamstring would hold up. In mostly fourth-quarter action, Tate rushed eight times for 46 yards as the Pats routed the Texans. Once the playoff/home field race shakes out, Tate becomes a starting option. Arian Foster, who leads the league with 298 attempts, will likely get some rest as post-season preparation. Consider Tate the next man up. Available in 68 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Golden Tate, WR, Seattle Seahawks – In Seattle’s 58-0 embarrassment over the Arizona Cardinals, I’m not sure why Tate mustered only six lousy yards. But don’t let this stop you from grabbing him. Prior to last week, Tate recorded four touchdowns in four games. This week, he faces the pass-friendly Bills, who yield the seventh most fantasy points to wide receivers. Available in 58 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Check out his QB Russell Wilson too. Also widely available (69 percent). Also a good play.

On a side note, Ben and Golden are not related, according to my trusty Internet search.

Erin Skelley joins Texans Radio every week on SportsRadio 610. Follow her on Twitter @erinskelley. She’ll babble fantasy to anyone who will listen.

Gasp... Live TV Debut

I made a brief TV appearance on Monday before the Texans-Patriots Monday Night Football game. As part of KHOU-Channel 11's 30-minute special, I gave a little fantasy football advice. Props to the makeup lady for airbrushing my face!

Week 14 Waiver Pickups

Hear a popping noise? That’s the cork soaring off my bottle of celebratory champagne. The fantasy playoffs are upon us, and cheers to my team, Lil Bow Wow, as my team of misfits clinched a playoff berth. Technically, I secured a spot two weeks ago. And technically, I drank champagne then too. OK, sparkling wine.

Congratulations to all the fantasy footballers whose dreams came true! As you march into the playoffs, it’s time to get serious. Don’t wait until Sunday at 11:45 a.m. to set your lineup. You know who you are. And so do I. You tweet me at 11:55. Don’t deny it. There’s a timestamp.

But other than being punctual and more attentive (and nicer to your mother), just be yourself. Don’t go changing your strategy. Don’t get cute. Don’t start a third-string tight end with Owen Daniels on your bench. And don’t second-guess. Unless, of course, your first guess is wrong.

My point is simple. You obviously did something right to get this far. Just keep up the good work. And keep doing whatever you’ve been doing. But I was serious about the last-second desperation tweets. Don’t do that.

In special playoff form, here are this week’s waiver picks:

Brandon Myers, tight end, Oakland Raiders – Is it because he’s a Raider? Is that why you’re overlooking him? Raiders have feelings too, you know. And this Raider is one to admire. I know scoring can be spotty for tight ends, but Myers remains a steady target for Carson Palmer. On Sunday, tying a Raiders’ single-game record for the most receptions, Myers hauled in 14 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. If he’s available, get him. Available in 47 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers – Don’t go Green. At least not here. Alex Green will continue to take a backseat to Starks, who toted the ball 15 times for 66 yards, and added 16 more in the air. Starks has proven to be the more superior rusher, and will continue to get the nod. Available in 78 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Donnie Avery, WR, Indianapolis Colts – It’s like Peyton Manning never left, as it’s still nice to be a receiver in Indy. This week’s Andrew Luck-y player is Avery, who reeled in five catches for 91 yards, including two touchdowns – one, the game winner vs. Detroit. This week, the Colts take on the Titans, who are bad against the pass (and the run too). Not likely that Avery will repeat a performance like Week 13, but do you need a receiver who can get you 50-60 yards? Check him out for the WR3 spot. Available in 79 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Golden Tate, WR, Seattle Seahawks – Four touchdowns in four games. Not bad. Consider the Seattle wideout a good start at WR3, even facing a formidable Arizona pass defense. Week 15 is Buffalo. Nice. Available in 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Cleveland Browns DEF – Yes, Cleveland. Kansas City has surrendered the most points to defenses. Good plug-n-play. Available in 73 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Justin Forsett, RB, Houston Texans – Even with 64 yards on 14 carries last week, Forsett is unlikely to see as much playing time this week against the Patriots. Not realistic to think anyone will just run out the clock against Tom Brady. So, why is he on this list? Thinking ahead, my friend. Stash and save. Available in 98 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Bryce Brown, RB, Philadelphia Eagles – How is this guy still available anywhere? If he’s not on your team, stop whatever you are doing and claim him. I am serious.

Erin Skelley joins Texans Radio every week on SportsRadio 610. Follow her on Twitter @erinskelley. She’ll babble fantasy to anyone who will listen.