We’re in the fantasy home stretch now.  Three more weeks until the playoffs start.  In most leagues, the trading deadline has past and, if you’re like us, you’ve burned through a good portion (if not all) of your free agency bucks.  Thus, the only way to make your team better is through the waiver wire.  And that’s why you’re here.  And that’s why we love you.

If you followed our sage quarterback advice last week, you likely won your league, as Kirk Cousins threw for a career high 4 tds, en route to a thrashing of the Saints.  Who’s going to propel you to victory this week?  Read on.

Mark Sanchez, QB Philadelphia (5% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

Wait, I have to play? I just signed to be the pretty backup.

Yes, this week marks the return of a former starter that will lead his NFC East team to the playoffs.  But it’s not Tony Romo.  It’s Mark Sanchez.  Sure, he’ll always be remembered for the Butt Fumble, but we think he actually has some value this week.  Hear us out.

Never gets old.

Don’t let Tampa’s 6^th rated total defense fool you…they rank 26^th in points allowed, giving up over 26 points per game.  Philly scores nearly 24 points a game, and we actually think that Sanchez is better suited for Chip Kelly’s gimmicky, revolutionary, keep-it-in college offense.  Sanchez should easily be able to dink and dunk his way to 250 plus a score.

Keshawn Martin, WR Patriots (11%)

Next up.

We have no idea who Keshawn Martin is (generally, our knowledge of the Patriots is limited to Spygate, Deflategate, and all other cheating scandals) but we do know this:  he plays offense for the Patriots.  This means he is a typical, Bill Belichick plug and play offensive player (see Jonas Gray, James White, Aaron Dobson).  Julien Edelman’s out?  No problem, as the Pats can just throw Martin in, who’s essentially built like an Edelman clone.  Plus, the Patriots play the Bills this week, which means that Brady will throw for about 600 yards, and we’ll get to see some awesome tailgating from self-respecting, alcoholic, passionate Buffalo Bills fans.

Martin’s got a tight hammy, so keep an eye on him.  But if he plays, we like him to be the next in a (very long) list of Patriots players that have torched the Bills.

Matt Jones, RB Washington (58%)

Good player + horrible team = decent fantasy results.

Jones saw has ownership skyrocket overnight, and he’s now owned in 58% of leagues.  That’s still pretty low for someone who’s established themselves as the #1 running back.  Good news is that Jones is the best offensive player on the team.  Bad news is he’s on the Redskins, so that’s not really hard to achieve.  Jones should see a heavy workload against the Panthers.  It’s not a great matchup, but Washington really has no other options.  Jones should see double digit carries, plus 5-7 catches, which increases his value in PPR leagues.

Also, the Redskins have a decent schedule down the stretch, which means Jones is in line for some quality starts.

Alright, no foreplay today.  Let’s get right to the action.

Cole Beasley, WR Cowboys (13% owned in Yahoo! leagues)

FREEBIRD!!!

White slot receivers are en vogue this week, as the best one of all time was just signed by the Rams.  But you’re league probably doesn’t get points for concussions, so you should stay very far away from Wes Welker.  However, Cole Beasley is turning into a Welker clone, minus the brain injuries (for now).  Cole exploded last week, hauling in 9 passes for 112 yards and 2 scores.

Sure, he looks like a roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd, but Cole can provide you with some value this week and down the stretch.  With Dez back, he commands a constant double team, which opens up the slot.  And, with Tony Romo coming back soon, his value will continue to increase.  The Cowboys have a great matchup against Tampa Bay this week.

Theo Riddick, RB Detroit (21%)

PPR stud.

In a PPR league, Theo’s a no brainer.  He ranks #3 in receptions by a running back (and with Devonta Freeman and Danny Woodhead both on byes this week, he’ll be #1 again after tomorrow).  He’s averaging over 5 catches per game.  We like him to be above that tomorrow.  Also, his rushing attempts are on the rise, meaning Theo is being used more on 1^st and 2^nd downs.

Kirk Cousins, QB Washington (26%)

Operation: Start every QB that plays the Saints.

Why do we like Kirk Cousins this week?  It’s simple.  It’s all about the matchup.  The Redskins play the Saints this week.  Here are the stats of the last two QBs to play the Saints:

Marcus Mariota – 371 yards, 4 tds, 0 ints.

Eli Manning – 350 yards, 6 tds, 0 ints.

That’s really all you need to know.  Given the matchup, we think Kirk is a Top 10 QB this week.  That’s right.  Don’t say we didn’t tell you.