On the one hand, I'm in the top 12 percent or so of this competition. On the other hand, since this is kind of my job, I should be doing better. I need one really good, bountiful, kick-butt kind of week. Maybe this will be it.
You can enter under Your Stuff at the top right of the screen. It's similar to our old SuperLeague competition, except you're prevented from using sure-fire, slam-dunk superstars.
Quarterback: Nobody is blacked out. I'm facing Tom Brady in an important playoff matchup, so realistically I hope he does poorly. But more realistically, I accept that he'll march the offense up and down the field on the Dolphins. So I'm starting him, and also starting Russell Wilson at San Francisco, doubling down after his early-season dud against this same defense.
Running back: I'm tempted to use one or both of the Saints running backs. I've been doing so in one league since about Week 4 or so, and that team is thriving. But instead I'm going with two clear lead backs in good matchups: Kareem Hunt against the Bills, and LeVeon Bell against the Packers. Both guys have disappointed lately as scorers, but I'm not afraid -- I say they're due.
Wide receiver: Antonio Brown is blacked out. But there are some great ones available, like Julio Jones against Tampa Bay, A.J. Green against the Browns, and Mike Evans against Atlanta. I considered Doug Baldwin, and may well go that route. But maybe Seattle will actually try to run the ball against San Francisco, reducing the passing. Hmm, maybe I should replace Wilson with Ben Roethlisberger, too. Or am I overthinking it?
Tight end: I went to the Evan Engram well one time too often last week. I won't make that mistake this time (plus I'm posting this Friday, after the Thanksgiving games have been played). I'll go with Rob Gronkowski (he's not blacked out, you kind of have to, right?) and Zach Ertz.
Kicker: Call me kooky, but I'm going to go with the two guys currently on pace to break the all-time scoring record for kickers. Greg Zuerlein and Stephen Gostkowski.
Defense: If Defense wins championships, right now we're looking at a Jaguars-Ravens AFC Championship Game. Yeah, I know, that's not gonna happen. But they're the two defenses I'm starting this week.
Good luck to the rest of you.