Bad Choices and Better Alternatives for the Fantasy Playoffs: Part 2

We've already covered the bad choices and better alternatives for your fantasy playoffs at the quarterback and running back positions. Now it's time to look at wide receivers, tight ends, defense/special teams and yes, even kickers.

Wide Receivers

Bad Choice: Terrell Owens, CIN. T.O. has struggled in recent weeks, catching just 10 balls for 144 yards in his last three games combined. He particularly had difficulties against the elite Jets secondary in Week 12. After facing another elite secondary when he takes on New Orleans in Week 13, Owens has Pittsburgh, Cleveland and San Diego on tap. Two of those secondaries should be able to take T.O. out of the game plan.

Bad Choice: Percy Harvin, MIN. The quick second-year player has been dealing with several health issues over the last few weeks, and it's led to a couple poor fantasy performances in Weeks 11 and 12. The Minnesota pass offense as a whole has played terribly this season, and the Vikings must face the Giants, Bears and Eagles in the fantasy playoffs. I'm not confident Harvin will be worth using in any of those games.

---

---

Bad Choice: Chad Ochocinco, CIN. See Terrell Owens above.

Bad Choice: Randy Moss, TEN. Sorry Randy, I give up.

Bad Choice: Donald Driver, GB. He hasn't been fantasy relevant since Week 4. Time to give up on him.

Bad Choice: Roy Williams, DAL. He hasn't been fantasy relevenat since Week 5. Bye bye.

Better Alternatives: Jabar Gaffney and Eddie Royal, DEN. Gaffney has been solid if not spectacular this season, while Royal came through with a big 13.4-point performance in Week 12. Both have great matchups in line in December, when Denver faces Arizona in Week 14 and Houston in Week 16. I can't wait to use one of these guys in my fantasy championship.

Better Alternative: James Jones, GB. He had three great games and one stinker in Weeks 7-11, then couldn't post a big line against Atlanta in Week 12. Still, insiders rave about his talent, and with trips to Detroit and New England on tap in Weeks 14 and 15, Jones should have another breakout performance or two before the season is through.

Better Alternative: Jacoby Ford, OAK. The rookie has been hard to stop in two of his last three games, scoring three TDs over that span while posting two 120-yard games. He has a dream matchup in Week 14 against the Jaguars, where he could contribute to several first-round playoff upsets in leagues. He'll then face the Broncos and Colts.

Better Alternative: Danario Alexander, STL. After reporting no problems with his surgically-repaired knee in Week 12, Alexander is set up to be a solid fantasy contributor the rest of the way. He should have a very good Week 13 against the Cardinals, and while I wouldn't trust him in Week 14 against the Saints, he could have a couple big games against the Chiefs and 49ers in Weeks 15 and 16.

Tight Ends

Bad Choice: Dustin Keller, NYJ. With Mark Sanchez working with a couple talented receivers, Keller's fantasy production has fallen off the map. He hasn't scored since Week 4, and he has just 19.5 fantasy points in his last five games. With the Jets' rough schedule, I'm passing.

Bad Choice: Heath Miller, PIT. The Steeler tight end has scored just once this season, and he's yet to top 60 yards. With the Pittsburgh O-line needing all the help it can get, it's unlikely Miller will see a spike in production anytime soon.

Better Alternative: Tony Moeaki, KC. He has favorable matchups against the Chargers and Titans in December, and with defenses keying in on Dwayne Bowe and the KC running game, Moeaki should be able to snag a few more TDs before the season is through.

Better Alternative: Owen Daniels, HOU. Joel Dreessen has been a nice find filling in for Daniels, who is expected to be ready for a matchup against Baltimore in Week 14. The Texan TE has a great chance at big games in Weeks 15 (Tennessee) and 16 (Denver).

Defense/Special Teams

Bad Choice: Tennessee Titans. While the Tennessee D/ST has been a top-five unit this year, they've struggled in recent weeks. In the fantasy playoffs, they have three games against top-six offensive units in terms of fantasy points allowed to D/STs. Don't consider using them at all after Week 13.

Bad Choice: Chicago Bears. Another top-five D/ST, Chicago also has some poor December matchups, facing the Patriots in Week 14 and the Jets in Week 16. A tilt with Minnesota in Week 15 does look tasty, but don't consider using them in Week 14.

Bad Choice: New Orleans Saints. The defending champions must face St. Louis, Baltimore and Atlanta during the fantasy playoffs. Those three offenses rank in the top seven at limiting points to D/STs. I'd ditch them after Week 13's game against the Bengals.

Bad Choice: Minnesota Vikings. If you haven't dropped them yet, I don't know what to tell you.

Better Alternative: Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs have been a top-12 D/ST this year, and I really like their matchups in Weeks 14 (Washington) and 15 (Detroit). They also get the Seahawks at home in Week 16.

Better Alternative: Indianapolis Colts. They haven't been anything but ordinary this season, but the Colts get to face Kerry Collins, David Garrard and Jason Campbell in the fantasy playoffs. You could definitely do worse.

Better Alternative: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins. Cycle these three defenses throughout the playoffs, and you'll be facing Jimmy Clausen in Week 14, Derek Anderson in Week 15 and Drew Stanton in Week 16. Now that's a recipe for success.

Kickers

Bad Choice: Nick Folk, NYJ. The Jets kicker has to play in New York (well, New Jersey), Pittsburgh and Chicago in December. The team has also considered bringing another kicker in. That means it's time to ditch Folk.

Better Alternative: Josh Brown, STL. Brown has connected for multiple FGs in eight of his 11 games and multiple extra points in nine of 11 games. He's coming off his second three-FG, three-XP game of the season, and he'll play Weeks 15 and 16 at home in the dome.