Fantasy owners forced to adjust

The fantasy playoffs are upon us, yet the cruel hand of fate continues to strip NFL teams of their best players. You can’t “dance with who brung you” if that player is wearing a cap and civvies on the sideline. And if your league has closed free agency, it is time to call up your fantasy depth and start crossing fingers.

Careful what you wish for

Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals has long been criticized for losing in the playoffs, but this year that likely won’t be an issue. Dalton broke the thumb on his throwing hand and probably is out for the rest of the fantasy season.

Second-year quarterback AJ McCarron stepped in for his first real game action and threw for a credible 280 yards and two scores in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But he also tossed two interceptions, including one returned for a TD. And he was facing one of the NFL’s worst secondaries.

McCarron starts in a tougher venue when he visits the San Francisco 49ers this weekend and then has to play at the Denver Broncos in Week 16, when most fantasy league championships are decided. He had success finding A.J. Green (six catches, 132 yards and a touchdown), but all other Bengals disappointed. Green is worth a start Sunday, but consider Marvin Jones, Giovani Bernard, Jeremy Hill and Tyler Eifert downgraded for the rest of the season.

Next sleeper up …

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is one of many disappointments this season. But at least backup Thomas Rawls has more than filled the void. On a three-game scoring streak, Rawls broke an ankle vs. the Baltimore Ravens and has been lost for the season. So who’s next?

DuJuan Harris moves up to the starting role, while Fred Jackson remains the third-down back. Harris is a fifth-year journeyman who previously played for the Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Seahawks acquired Bryce Brown this week for depth, but Harris will be the early-down rusher for the fantasy playoffs. He gained 42 yards on 18 carries against the strength of the Ravens defense. He’ll be even better for the next two weeks at home against the weak rushing defenses of the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams.

Top fantasy playoff matchups

When the playoffs mean one and done if you lose, combining talent with a favorable schedule becomes critical. Consider these players and how their Week 15 and Week 16 opponents rank against their position:

TE Julius Thomas, Jaguars: He is quietly on a four-game scoring streak, though his yardage has remained low in all but the softest matchups. That is exactly what he is facing the next two weeks when he plays the Atlanta Falcons (25th) at home and the New Orleans Saints (32nd) on the road. Thomas led the Jags with seven targets last weekend.

TE Benjamin Watson, Saints: Though he has scored just once and averaged 54 yards over the last three games, Watson should end the season with a bang. He has received the most targets for the Saints in two of the last three games and faces the Detroit Lions (28th) and the Jaguars (30th) next. The loss of running back Mark Ingram has made Watson even more important as a receiving outlet.

QB Matthew Stafford, Lions: After passing for five touchdowns Thanksgiving Day, Stafford threw for a pair of TDs against the Packers and Rams and gained moderate yardage. He’ll finish the fantasy season on the road against the Saints (32nd) and against the visiting 49ers (14th) to take advantage of their biggest defensive weakness.

QB Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins: He has topped 300 passing yards in two of his last three games. Cousins will host the Buffalo Bills (19th) and finish out the fantasy season at the Philadelphia Eagles (31st), who allowed him 290 passing yards and two touchdowns in Week 4. He has added DeSean Jackson since then and now has a healthy Jordan Reed.

Jaguars running backs: T.J. Yeldon sprained his knee Sunday, and his status won’t be known until later in the week. But the Jaguars host the Falcons (32nd) and then hit the road to play the Saints (31st). That’s as good as it gets. In the event Yeldon cannot play, Denard Robinson will take advantage of that great schedule. After Yeldon left the game Sunday, Robinson ran 14 times for 75 yards and one score. Both players are capable receivers as well.

RB Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers: The Panthers rested Stewart for the second half of a blowout against the Falcons with a minor foot injury, one that was brushed off as insignificant. But the Panthers rushing offense ends up on a very nice two-game stretch at the New York Giants (27th) and at the Falcons, whom they just dismantled at home. Stewart gained 75 yards and scored a touchdown on 10 rushes before he left, and Fozzy Whittaker gained 34 yards on eight runs and scored in relief. The two road games should minimize the chance anyone sits out.

RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings: He’s an obvious fantasy starter, but recently facing the Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals depressed his stats significantly. That’s about to end. Peterson plays the visiting Chicago Bears (14th), who allowed him to gain 103 yards on 20 carries in Week 8. Week 16 pits him against the visiting Giants (27th) while the Vikes battle to remain in the playoff race.

WRs Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, Redskins: While neither player has been a great fantasy start this season, their final two games make them worthy of consideration. The Redskins host the Bills (26th) in what could become a shootout. Week 16 is a trip to visit the Eagles (32nd). Garcon recorded seven catches for 55 yards and one score in the Week 4 meeting with Philly while Jackson was out with his injured hamstring. Jamison Crowder had seven catches for 65 yards in that game.

WRs Golden Tate and Calvin Johnson, Lions: This has been a disappointing season for both wideouts, but the final stretch is far more promising. The Lions play in New Orleans, where the Saints (19th) have been more than accommodating, and finish the fantasy season hosting the 49ers (23rd). The receiving duo have recorded a total of seven touchdown receptions over the past three weeks, so this is an opportunity for a nice finish to a bad year.

WR Jeremy Maclin, Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs don’t often pass, but when they do Maclin usually is the primary target. He has scored three touchdowns over the last three weeks and winds down the fantasy season on the road against the Ravens (28th) and at home vs. the Browns (25th).