So my wife reminds every year around every holiday of my mistake.
Well technically, Bobbi reminds me of my mistakes often, but this one in particular stands out.
It was a Fourth of July gathering at my sister-in-law's house and there was a plethora of food with a trifecta of desserts: brownies, Rice Krispie treats and cake.
I think cake is a waste of time (Bobbi and I didn't have a wedding cake outside of a small one to cut for pictures)and Rice Krispie treats, while often delicious can sometimes be too chewy. But brownies, that's a different story.
I like brownies like Homer likes donuts. I haven't found a brownie I haven't liked.
So the party is wrapping up and food is being put away and there's one brownie left. And it was from the middle, so no crunchy edges.
I asked around and since there were no takers, I took. As it turned out, it was a mistake.
Bobbi was still in the food eating game, albeit not in the room at the time, and I took the piece she was saving for last.
As I'm gulping down the final savory bits of one of the best brownies I've ever consumed, Bobbi comes up and smacks my arm, telling me she was saving that for her final bite.
I was officially that guy.
That story reminds me of the fantasy playoffs and some moves owners will make this time of year.
If you're out of the playoffs, some leagues will not allow you to pick up players, which is how it should be. Other leagues still let anyone make a move, regardless of status.
In my longtime league, we allow a week of waivers for all owners after the regular season ends (week 13) before the playoffs begin. So last week, while out of the playoffs, I picked up David Wilson of the NY Giants.
I did it for a couple of reasons. It wasn't to play keep away from the other six owners still alive, but rather as a potential trade piece or keeper piece come the offseason. You never know when a guy like Ahmad Bradshaw is moved on and Wilson suddenly becomes the starter. We don't allow waivers to happen once the full season is complete so this was a last chance to pick up a potential future piece.
Fast forward to the weekend, Bradshaw gets hurt and Wilson blows up with 100 yards, two rushing touchdowns and a return TD as well.
I was officially that guy.
So don't be that guy. If your league allows you to still make pickups and you're out of the playoffs, don't be that guy. Let the owners left fight it out.
So if you're still in playoff picture, continue reading.
We'll talk about the players who could impact your weekend's lineups.
Let's start with the aforementioned Bradshaw and Wilson. Bradshaw has a foot and knee injury that Giants beat writers are speculating will keep him out of Sunday's game against the Falcons. Wilson should be a top pickup based on his performance last week alone.
The other running back of note is Joique Bell, who we've discussed before in this spot. But with the Lions down three receivers now, he's been one of the beneficiaries. While he had two less carries than Mikel Leshoure, he was on the field for 43 plays versus 31 for Leshoure. He had five catches for 47 yards, which was second behind Calvin Johnson in catches on the day against the Packers last weekend. He's worth a flex play this weekend against the Cardinals.
Bilal Powell is another hot pickup but I'd caution against picking him up. While he had 19 carries for 78 yards and a score, Shonn Greene had 20 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown. The likelihood of the Jets doling out 39 carries to the two backs next week is not likely. They play a favorable matchup against the Titans but a fractured toe for Powell makes me believe Greene will get the bulk of the work over Powell.
I don't talk about kickers much but a decent one went down this past weekend when Robbie Gould suffered a leg injury. The Bears kicker was put on injured reserve and the team signed Olindo Mare.
Instead of picking up Mare, pick up Connor Barth, who is the fifth best kicker in fantasy and yet owned in less than 50 percent of leagues. Or Jason Hanson, who is owned in more leagues but still available in one out of three leagues. The Lions kicker may be old but he's scored the fourth most points among fantasy kickers.
Be that guy. Be the guy who makes the big move and upgrades his kicker this week. But only be that guy if you're still in the playoffs.
It may just lead you to your just desserts.
Aaron Korte is the A-T's fantasy sports writer.
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