Unless your league is crazy and plays in Week 17 (which, make no mistake, is crazy), this week is either the final one of the regular season or the first week of the playoffs. Consequently, it's not a time to get too cute by picking up obscure free agents and plugging them into your lineup.
I'm not sure any of these guys are plug and play options, but if you're in a pinch and looking at the waiver wire for potential help this week or depth down the stretch, here are a few guys you might be considering.
QB:
Matt Moore, Miami
After passing for one score and running for another against the Raiders, Moore now has six total touchdowns over the last three games and nine scores over the last five. He's not going to put up gaudy yardage numbers, so even against the disappointing Philly defense, Moore is just a QB2. However, he does have solid match ups against the Bills and Patriots the following two weeks.
RB:
Toby Gerhart, Minnesota
After a disappointing performance in Week 12, Gerhart bounced back with 91 rushing yards to go with eight receptions for 42 yards against the Broncos. There is some speculation that the Vikings will sit Adrian Peterson again next week, which would mean another heavy workload for Gerhart.
There obviously isn't much to play for in Minnesota, so rushing Peterson back simply doesn't make sense. Gerhart would have a chance to run against the Suh-less Detroit defense, making him at least a flex play again. Don't count on a repeat of the eight catches though.
Marion Barber, Chicago
Barber faces a Denver defense that has been decent against the run in recent weeks and won't have to respect the pass given what we saw from Caleb Hanie this week. Still, Barber had at least six fantasy points in standard leagues in five of six games heading into Week 13, so he's at least been consistent.
WR:
Johnny Knox, Chicago
I realize that starting any Chicago wide out as long as Caleb Hanie is the QB seems like a suicide mission, but Knox was the most-targeted Bears receiver on Sunday, finishing with five grabs for 53 yards. Chicago faces a Denver secondary that was embarrassed by Percy Harvin and the Vikings on Sunday. Knox is certainly a risky play, but there is some upside here.
TE:
Heath Miller, Pittsburgh
With just six catches and 63 yards over the past three weeks, this seems like a stretch, but the match up with Cleveland has traditionally been a good one for Miller. He has TDs in each of the past two games against the Browns and has scored five times in their last eight match ups. He also has at least 50 yards in six of their last seven games against each other. As with so many of these guys, there is risk involved, but at least in this case, history is on your side.
DE:
Denver
The Broncos gave up more points than in recent weeks, but they did manage to create three turnovers and score a defensive touchdown against the Vikings. Von Miller should be back next week against a Bears offense missing Jay Cutler and Matt Forte, which as we saw on Sunday is not exactly a juggernaut.
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