Looking at alternatives for RG3

Man, the timing for the Robert Griffin III news couldn't have come at worse time.

Well, I guess it could, since there's still time to make alternate plans.

But still, RG3 carried teams this year.

Now, owners are left scrambling for a starter at quarterback.

Hopefully, you backed up RG3 with someone you can plug in this week.

If not, you're probably looking at some players you never thought would be starting in the playoffs.

Here's how I would rank some left out there:

• Brandon Weeden: Could hook up with Josh Gordon for a long TD.
• Carson Palmer: Garbage time works for him.
• Chad Henne: Faces former team. Has both Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon.
• Sam Bradford: Chris Givens is emerging, plus Danny Amendola should play.
• Jake Locker: Has some weapons on offense. 
• Kirk Cousins: Not sure what to expect from him.
• Ryan Tannehill: He's struggled, but he faces the Jags.
• Christian Ponder: Do you get points for handing off to Adrian Peterson?
• Mark Sanchez: Don't trust him, but he's better than the next two.
• Brady Quinn: Nah.
• Ryan Lindley: Maybe you're better off taking a zero?!

Good luck.

Can't decide on a lineup question? Here's what I do

It's the playoffs and you need a win. I get it.

But what if you still have a lingering lineup choice?

Here's what I look at:

First, check the over/under for the game involving the players in question. I go with the one with the highest over/under.

Second, I ask myself, "Who could I stand losing with?"

Silly, I know. But let's say I'm deciding between Josh Freeman and Matt Ryan at QB this week.

I'd rather make the wrong choice with Ryan than try to be a genius and start Freeman and lose because of it.

Good luck this week.

Could Dez be a decoy?

Yep, Dez Bryant is supposed to line up at wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A healthy Dez would be a juicy matchup against a depleted Steelers' secondary.

Unfortunately, Bryant is risking further injury by playing with a broken finger.

Bryant said he wouldn't play if the playoffs weren't on the line, so hats off to him for putting it on the line.

I'm just wondering one thing: What if Dez is a decoy against the Steelers? I haven't heard that angle.

His legs are healthy. He can run all over the field while Miles Austin and Jason Witten get all the love from Tony Romo.

I'd sit Bryant this week. The downside is too great.

Who do you trust? Fantasy football playoff edition

I still can't put my finger on this fantasy football season. I guess that means it's been one crazy ride.

Hopefully, you've made your way through the landmines and injuries of the season and found the playoffs.

Looking back, I really lucked out this season in getting Robert Griffin III in all three of my leagues. It wasn't by design, it's just how it happened. And, he was drafted as my backup in all three leagues as well.

With RG3 leading the way, it should be no surprise that I made the playoffs in all three leagues.

Here's where I stand:

14-team straight redraft: Third place overall, second overall in scoring. I had Michael Vick as my starting QB but switched to RG3 after two weeks and didn't look back. I cut Vick last week and picked up Brandon Weeden as my backup. I've been putting up the points despite having Darren McFadden and DeMarco Murray on my bench with injuries for the second half of the season. Eric Decker has worn out his welcome; I just can't trust the guy at this point. I've had Jason Witten since the start of the season, and he currently ranks third at TE in our PPR format.

12-team, one keeper: Second place overall, first overall in scoring. I secured a bye Monday when the person I was battling with lost by three points. It helped that he had Santana Moss. Of course, the week before, I lost by 1.5 points with James Jones getting me zero targets. It's a PPR, so that really hurt. As for my roster, I entered the season with Calvin Johnson as my keeper. I then drafted A.J. Green and Rob Gronkowski with my first two picks. Not bad -- until Gronk got hurt. I picked up Philip Rivers and RG3 back-to-back during the draft, and I started Rivers in Week 1. After that, it's been RG3, baby.

8-team, five keepers: Second place overall, first in scoring. I was heavy on running backs, so I took Tony Romo with my first pick (drafted sixth, so Trent Richardson and Doug Martin were gone). I snagged RG3 soon after. I traded for Matthew Stafford midseason, so I've been going with him and RG3 as my two starters at QB. Otherwise it's been a heavy dose of Arian Foster and LeSean McCoy (Bryce Brown, too).

As I set my roster in one league and scan waivers in the other two since I have byes, I have my eyes on T.Y. Hilton, Danario Alexander, Knowshon Moreno, Vick Ballard and Jonathan Dwyer.

I'm forgetting about the likes of Decker, Denarius Moore, Jermichael Finley, Steve Smith, Jacquizz Rodgers (at least at home, check out his splits) and Shonn Greene.

Good luck this week.

Got a question? Follow me on Twitter @ green_rick.