LestersLegends.com » fantasy football rankings


.
Here are the Lester’s Legends team defense rankings for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
.
1.  Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston:  The only match-up of the four that I can see both teams staying under 30 points. I give the Ravens the edge because they are playing at home and have more experience. The Ravens ranked third in yards (288.9) and points (16.6) allowed per game.
2.  Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens:  Houston is no pushover on defense either. They ranked second in yards (285.7) and fourth in points (17.4) allowed.
3. New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos: Tebow is coming off a brilliant game, but the Broncos have the lowest scoring offense (19.3 pgg) of the remaining teams. Belichick saw Tebow once so look for a better game plan this time.
4. New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers: The Niners racked up the least amount of yards (310.9 ypg) of any of the playoffs teams. If their defense can’t slow up Drew Brees they could be forced out of their comfort zone.
5. Green Bay Packers vs. New York Giants: Eli is playing unbelievable football right now, and he isn’t afraid to play on the road. It’s a coin toss between the Packers’ D and the Giants’ D, but I’ll give the Pack the edge because they are playing at home and they force so many turnovers.
6. New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers: I wouldn’t be surprised if the Giants pulled off the upset. They are as hot as anyone right now. Their defensive line is a force to be reckoned with. Ultimately I think Rodgers will end up picking their secondary apart.
7. San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints: I love the Niners’ defense, but not this week. The Saints are on a roll and I just don’t think they can be slowed down. This is a battle of the second-highest scoring team against the second-lowest scoring allowed team. I think the irresistible force overtakes the immovable object in this one.
8. Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots: The Broncos have a rock solid defense and they have the ingredient (pass rush) that presents the biggest challenge to New England. In the end, I think Brady’s methodical style will be too much. You simply can’t slow down Welker, Gronk, and Hernandez.
.
.
Also check out:


.
Here are the Lester’s Legends kicker rankings for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
.
1.  David Akers vs. New Orleans Saints:  Set the NFL record with 44 FGs. Had 19 more points than the next kicker. The Saints allowed 27 FGs this year.
2.  John Kasay @ San Francisco 49ers:  Kasay is that next kicker with 147 points (28 FGs, 63 PATs). The Niners allowed just 22 FGs, but the Saints are a lock to put points on the board.
3.  Mason Crosby vs. New York Giants:  Ranked fourth in scoring behind 24 FGs and 68 PATs. The Giants allowed 25 FGs. This one figures to be a pretty high-scoring affair.
4.  Stephen Gostkowski vs. Denver Broncos:  Ranked third in scoring behind 28 FGs and 59 PATs. The Broncos allowed more FGs (32) than any other playoff team. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots put 30+ points on the board.
5.  Neil Rackers @ Baltimore Ravens:  Can you see a trend here? Rackers finished tied for fifth in scoring behind 32 FGs and 39 PATs. The Ravens allowed 28 FGs. I think this game will be the lowest scoring of the weekend, but there could be more FGs in this one than the other games.
6.  Billy Cundiff vs. Houston Texans: Cundiff finished 11th (28 FGs, 38 PATs) in scoring despite dealing with a calf injury. The Texans allowed 30 FGs.
7.  Lawrence Tynes @ Green Bay Packers:  Tynes ranked just 24th with 100 points (19 FGs, 43 PATs). The Packers allowed just 22 FGs.
8.  Matt Prater @ New England Patriots:  Prater ranked 30th among kickers with just 87 points (19 FGs, 30 PATs). The Pats allowed the second fewest FGs (20) in the league.
.
.
Also check out:


.
Here are the Lester’s Legends wide receiver rankings for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
.
1. Hakeem Nicks @ Green Bay Packers: Nicks is healthy and it’s showing. He torched Atlanta for 115 yards and two scores and he’ll be active against the Packers.
2. Marques Colston @ San Francisco 49ers: Colston has been red hot averaging 108.4 yards and a TD in his past five games.
3. Jordy Nelson vs. New York Giants: Jordy has six TDs in his past four games. With 15 TDs on the year, he’s a dangerous weapon.
4. Wes Welker vs. Denver Broncos: Was quiet in the first meeting (four catches, 41 yards), but we all know what he’s capable of.
5. Victor Cruz @ Green Bay Packers: Only catch two passes for 28 yards last week, but had seven catches for 119 yards in the first meeting with the Packers. I expect we’ll hear from him in this one.
6. Demaryius Thomas @ New England Patriots: Thomas went off last week, joining Calvin Johnson in the 200-yard club. He had seven catches for 116 yards in the first meeting with New England. Tebow will likely have to open things up again.
7. Andre Johnson @ Baltimore Ravens: Did he do enough last week to ease my fears? With 90 yards and a TD I’d say yeah.
8. Michael Crabtree vs. New Orleans Saints: Averaged 77.0 yards in his past seven games.
9. Greg Jennings vs. New York Giants: Jennings has been out since Week 14, making him a bit risky, but he’s dangerous if healthy. He had 94 yards and a score in the first meeting with the Giants.
10. Mario Manningham @ Green Bay Packers: I think Cruz eats into Manningham’s production this week, but Manningham remains a solid play.
11. Robert Meachem @ San Francisco 49ers: Exploded for 111 yards and a TD last week. Inconsistent, but the way Brees is playing you can’t count him out.
12. Anquan Boldin vs. Houston Texans: Will his knee allow him to bounce back? Looks like it, but I wouldn’t rush to trust him.
13. Eddie Royal @ New England Patriots: Has the quickness to exploit New England’s shoddy secondary.
14. Torrey Smith vs. Houston Texans: Boldin’s return should free things up for Smith.
15. Deion Branch vs. Denver Broncos: He is not consistently part of New England’s game plan with Welker, Gronk, and Hernandez seeing most of the looks. Branch knows how to deliver in the playoffs though.
16. Devery Henderson @ San Francisco 49ers: Not a good sign when Brees throws 43 passes and you only get two targets. He did catch them both though, taking one to the house.
.
.

Also check out:


.
Here are the Lester’s Legends running back rankings for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
.
1.  Arian Foster @ Baltimore Ravens:  This is going to be a physical battle. Arian Foster is the best back remaining and he can produce running and catching the ball.
2.  Ray Rice vs. Houston Texans:  Rice is a special back as well. He can get a ton of total yards and has a good nose for the end zone. This game is going to be about running the ball and defense.
3.  Darren Sproles @ San Francisco 49ers:  Sproles is the perfect fit for the Saints offense and it shows each and every week. He’s too quick and powerful to be contained.
4.  Frank Gore vs. New Orleans Saints:  The Niners are going to have to use ball control to slow the Saints. At the end of the day, Alex Smith will have to make some throws, but the Niners will try to rely on Gore and the defense.
5.  Ahmad Bradshaw @ Green Bay Packers:  Brandon Jacobs was the guy last week. This week they’ll need Bradshaw’s more upbeat style.
6.  Willis McGahee @ New England Patriots:  He was barely used last time.  The Pats’ offense could easily make that the case again this week.
7.  Ryan Grant vs. New York Giants:  The Pack will look for a balanced attack to keep the G-Men honest. Grant closed the season strong averaging 101.3 total yards in his last four games.
8.  Brandon Jacobs @ Green Bay Packers:  He was solid in the first meeting with eight carries for 59 yards and a score. Bradshaw will be the feature back, but Jacobs will definitely play a big role.
9.  Stevan Ridley vs. Denver Broncos:  Averaged 70 yards in his last three games. The Patriots back most likely to succeed.
10.  Pierre Thomas @ San Francisco 49ers:  Hard to roll with a backup RB, especially against a team that doesn’t give up many rushing TDs (three on the year).
11.  BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs. Denver Broncos:  It’s always a tough call to know which Patriots RB will have the best game. The Firm is a risky option.
12.  Ben Tate @ Baltimore Ravens:  Definitely second fiddle to Foster, but he is very capable of breaking a big play.
13.  Kendall Hunter vs. New Orleans Saints:  Gore had time to rest. Hunter will only spell him provide Gore stays healthy.
14.  James Starks vs. New York Giants:   He hasn’t played since Christmas so he’s a risk.
.
.

Also check out:


.

Here are the Lester’s Legends quarterback rankings for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
.
1. Drew Brees @ San Francisco 49ers:  Brees is playing out of his mind. Every week he seems to shatter records. Playing on the road will be a challenge, but he’ll be up for it.
2. Aaron Rodgers vs. New York Giants:  Rodgers was nearly flawless this year and should be on fire, but the way the Giants’ defensive line is playing keeps him out of my top slot.
3. Tom Brady vs.  Denver Broncos:  There just doesn’t seem to be a way to stop all of Brady’s weapons. Josh McDaniels was brought on board to make sure the offense isn’t compromised with Bill O’Brien splitting duties with Penn State. Risky move, but Brady and Belichick have what it takes to pull it off. The gamble is definitely worthy of a visit to the Best online sportsbooks.
4.  Eli Manning @ Green Bay Packers:  Eli is an elite quarterback, fantasy or otherwise. The Giants are going to put some pressure on the champs.
5.  Tim Tebow @ New England Patriots:  They meet again. Tebow proved himself all over again in the win over the Steelers. He should put up decent fantasy numbers with his arm and his feet. Just not enough to get the W.
6.  Alex Smith vs. New Orleans Saints:  The Niners defense will slow the Saints, but they will still likely score around 30. Smith is going to have to get Crabtree and Vernon Davis involved to stand a chance.
7.  Joe Flacco vs. Houston Texans:  Flacco has been there before, which keeps him out of the eight spot, but this game will be about Ray Rice.
8.  T.J. Yates @ Baltimore Ravens:  Houston’s recipe will be heavy run once again. Having Andre Johnson does help, but this is going to be a physical game.
.
.
Also check out:


.
Here is the Lester’s Legends fantasy football kicker rankings for the Wild Card Round.
.
1.  John Kasay vs. Detroit Lions:  Kasay finished second in the league (behind David Akers) with 147 points (28 FG, 63 PATs). The Lions were tied for sixth with 30 FGs allowed. This figures to be a high-scoring affair.
.
2.  Jason Hanson @ New Orleans Saints:  Hanson was tied for ninth in the league with 126 points (24 FGs, 54 PATs). The Saints allowed 27 FGs.
.
3.  Matt Bryant @ New York Giants:  Bryant was also tied for nith with 126 points (27 FGs, 45 PATs). The G-Men allowed 25 FGs.
.
4.  Neil Rackers vs. Cincinnati Bengals:  Rackers was tied for fifth with 135 points (32 FGs, 39 PATs). The Bengals allowed 22 FGs.
.
5.  Mike Nugent @ Houston Texans:  Ranked seventh with 132 points (33 FGs, 33 PATs). The Texans were also tied for sixth with 30 FGs allowed.
.
6.  Lawrence Tynes vs. Atlanta Falcons:  Finished with 19 FGs and 43 PATs. The Falcons allowed 23 FGs. I believe this will also be a high-scoring affair.
.
7.  Shaun Suisham @ Denver Broncos:  Finished with 23 FGs and 36 PATs. The Broncos tied for third with 32 FGs allowed.
.
8.  Matt Prater vs. Pittsburgh Steelers:  Finished with 19 FGs and 30 PATs. The Steelers allowed 22 FGs.
.
.

Also check out:

 


.
Here is the Lester’s Legends fantasy football team defense rankings for the Wild Card Round.
.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos: This is easily my favorite match-up of the Wild Card Round. Tebow seems to have lost his mojo and the Steelers’ physical play will make it difficult for him to reclaim it. I suspect they will limit his running ability, forcing him to beat them with his arm. I don’t see that happening.
.
2. Houston Texans vs. Cincinnati Bengals: The Texans have had a rock solid defense this year ranking fourth in scoring (17.4) and second in yards allowed (285.7). Wade Phillips will challenge rookie Andy Dalton and the Bengals , who rank 18th with 21.5 ppg.
.
3. Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Broncos have the pass rushers to get after the Steelers, who have allowed 42 sacks this year. Pittsburgh is tied for 21st with 20.3 ppg, just lost their starting RB, and have a less than 100 percent Big Ben.
.
4. Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans: Not only is Houston down to their third quarterback, he’s banged up. Andre Johnson is going to play more extensively and the ground game will move the chains.
.
5. New York Giants vs. Atlanta Falcons: I don’t love any of the NFC defenses. The offenses are just too good. Though I think their secondary will get picked apart, the G-Men have a great pass rush, which should get them some sacks and possibly force some turnovers.
.
6. Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants: The Giants are on fire, but Eli is known to throw a few picks. His WRs seem to cause more INTs than any other team.
.
7. New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions: I don’t think anyone can cover Calvin Johnson. Not from this planet anyway, especially with how good Stafford has been. The Saints have an opportunistic defense and could force a few turnovers.
.
8. Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints: The Lions have the tallest order facing the potent Saints offense. Not only do they score a ton of points, Drew Brees seldom makes mistakes.
.
.
Also check out:


Part of the USA Today Sports Media Group