It's come to the point where even Peyton Manning isn't even immune to the fantasy anxiety meter for Thursday night. He seemed like a lock for a huge night against the Raiders last week, but ended up with just over 14 fantasy points. Even me, the fantasy fraidy-cat, played Manning with confidence and it nearly cost me.
So with the final Thursday night game upon us, there is only one guy who is an absolute lock to play this week, and it's wide receiver A.J. Green, who is coming off his worst game of the season. He had too many drops against the Cowboys last week, so let's hope he has his stuff together this week because there is no way you can bench him.
Aside from the fact you never bench your studs, realize Green has scored at least eight fantasy points in five consecutive road games. But you don't need any more reasons, right?
But how about a look at some of the other big-name stars from Thursday Night Football?
And without further ado...
Andy Dalton
Red Dalton was on a roll until recently, now he's sort of slumped with just two touchdowns and three interceptions in his last two games. The Eagles defense provides a favorable matchup, but I'm not going to put my fantasy playoffs into the hands of a quarterback who has struggled in recent weeks.
Fantasy anxiety meter: 80 percent
BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Fantasy anxiety meter: 40 percent
Andrew Hawkins
The Eagles have allowed 18 touchdown passes with no interceptions in the last seven games. The Eagles have allowed 29 touchdown passes in their last 14 games. I like those numbers for A.J. Green. But if you need a sleeper receiver, Hawkins could come through for you, but still, it's a huge risk on Thursday night.
Fantasy anxiety meter: 80 percent
Nick Foles
The rookie out of Arizona was second among fantasy quarterbacks with 31.94 fantasy points in Week 14. And his fantasy points have increased in the last three games. But the Bengals defense is rather tough, with just two total pass touchdowns in the last five games.
Fantasy anxiety meter: 100 percent
Rank's 11 Sleepers
With the fantasy playoffs in full swing, Adam Rank's list of sleepers starts with a rookie QB. No, not that one. More ...
Bryce Brown
Brown scored more than 26 fantasy points in two of his last three games. But his one game was a rather disappointing one last week, when he completely disappeared against the Buccaneers. He had 12 scrimmage yards! That's it. The Bengals have allowed less than 100 rushing yards in three consecutive games, and just one rushing touchdown in their last four road games. I just don't like this one.
Fantasy anxiety meter: 80 percent
Jeremy Maclin
Maclin had a huge game against the Buccnaeers in Week 14, but the Bengals have allowed the fifth-fewest points to fantasy receivers this year. There must be better options for you.
Fantasy anxiety meter: 80 percent
So there you have it, nobody looks like a great fantasy play this week. So you can probably expect this one to be a 45-41 shootout or something just to spite all of us because the fantasy gods like it that way.
For the record, you can submit your fantasy questions to NFL Fantasy Live, Michael Fabiano or me on Twitter. But realize, NFL Fantasy Live has 90,000 followers, and Fabiano has nearly 100k. Me? Just four. See, the odds are better I will answer your question, so hit me up both via Twitter or via Facebook (oh wait, I told you to stop going to Facebook). Go instead to Google+. Also be sure to catch the latest "Dave Dameshek Football Program."
