A few weeks ago, it was almost unimaginable that managers would ever see the final game of the fantasy season. However, as hard as it may seem to believe, the championship round has arrived. Congratulations to everyone that is playing for all the marbles! At the same time, even the best roster could use a last minute tuneup. We at Belly Up Sports have been here every step of the way and we intend to complete the journey! Come along as we dive into this fantasy waiver pickups championship edition.

Running Backs

Salvon Ahmed, Jr, Miami Dolphins, 23.4% owned

Coming off of a shoulder injury, Salvon Ahmed not only returned to the field, but blew the doors off the Patriots Sunday. Making his first appearance since week 11, Ahmed must have looked like a blur to New England. Ahmed rushed 23 times for 122 yards and a touchdown, including a scamper of 31 yards. His yards per rush average of 5.3 was outstanding by any measure.

Not only can Ahmed run with the football, he has shown that he is versatile as well. Against Denver, Ahmed caught five of six targets. The best news of all is that the next opponent is Las Vegas. The Raiders have shown that they don’t know how to play defense down the stretch. Opponents have scored 180 points against them in the last five games, a 36 point average.

The Raiders got rid of their defensive coordinator, but it didn’t help against the Chargers and probably won’t against the Dolphins, either. It is unusual that a running back that piles up 122 yards against New England is this widely available. Don’t let him slip past on the wire. Ahmed is the priority transaction on this waiver pickups championship edition.

Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys, 21.8% owned

Perhaps the Cowboys don’t need Zeke after all. Because of an injured calf, Ezekiel Elliot missed his first career game against San Francisco Sunday. No worries, as Tony Pollard didn’t miss a beat. Pollard ran 12 times for 69 yards against the 49ers. More importantly, Pollard scored two touchdowns, including a beautiful 40 yard score in the fourth quarter. He averaged an outstanding 5.8 yards per carry on the day.

Pollard also showed up huge in the passing game as he caught six of nine targets for 63 more yards. His yards per catch of 10.5 is huge for a running back. Sunday was the second straight game Pollard has hit end zone pay dirt. No one knows what the status of Elliot will be next Sunday against Philadelphia, but even if Zeke does play, Pollard has clearly demonstrated he is a central part of the offense as well. If running back help is needed, claim Pollard for the championship round with confidence.

Other Recommendations- Leonard Fournette was dropped by quite a few owners during the past few weeks. It certainly would be worth an owner’s time to see if he is available in their leagues with the toothless Lions on deck. Fournette did score two touchdowns against Atlanta, after all.

Cordarrelle Patterson was highlighted in the first round playoff edition. He didn’t do much against the Vikings but could be worth a look with the Jaguars up next. Jacksonville has been helpless on defense this season as they are last in the league in total yards allowed and next to last in rushing yards allowed. The entire Chicago offense, even as poor as they’ve played this season, is in a great spot against them.

Wide Receivers

Jalen Guyton, Los Angeles Chargers, 1.6% owned

No question, the wide receiver injury news is a must read for anyone looking for starters among the Chargers’ pass catchers. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams both played but were banged up during Thursday’s game against the Raiders. Allen caught just one pass and Williams caught two. Almost out of nowhere, Jalen Guyton stepped in and had a nice game against Las Vegas.

Guyton was targeted six times, coming away with four catches for 91 yards. The targets were his second highest of the season and his catches tied for his most. The 91 yards were his highest of the year. His average yards per catch was a stunning 22.75. No doubt, his 53 yard catch in overtime that almost was a game winning touchdown was the highlight of the game.

The Chargers’ injury report bears close inspection this week. Even if Allen and Williams both are fully cleared, perhaps fantasy owners noticed what the Bills did to the Broncos on Saturday. Denver is the next opponent on the schedule. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Los Angeles go to multiple wide receiver sets to maximize the talents of QB Justin Herbert. That possibility makes Guyton a worthy stash on this fantasy football waiver pickups championship edition.

Tyron Johnson, Los Angeles Chargers, 2.6% owned

Perhaps a fantasy owner isn’t high on Johnson, above or he was claimed by another manager first. No need to worry, as another Chargers’ receiver is widely available on the wire. That receiver is Tyron Johnson. Johnson also took advantage of the limits of Allen and Williams against the Raiders Thursday night. Herbert targeted him five times, resulting in three catches for 61 yards and a score for Johnson.

In the last two games, Johnson has 12 targets and nine catches and has a touchdown in each contest. He and Herbert are developing some nice chemistry as the season winds down. As noted above, Denver was demolished by the Buffalo passing game and there is no reason to think that the Chargers won’t do the same. Johnson and Guyton are presented as options on the wire. Both are worthy of a stash this week.

Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers, 25.9% owned

As everyone is aware Allen Lazard has had some injury problems this season. When he returned to the field, his play hasn’t inspired anyone. However, that looks to be changing after Saturday’s game between the Packers and Panthers. Surprisingly, Davante Adams produced just 42 yards and six yards a reception. On the other hand, quarterback Aaron Rodgers targeted Lazard six times for five catches and 56 yards.

Those totals are the highest for Lazard since week three. The Titans are the next opponent for Green Bay and It would appear that they are not the best matchup a passing game could go up against. However, we all know what Rodgers is capable of and Lazard went wild against New Orleans in week three with six catches for 146 yards. Another performance like that is certainly not out of the question and lands Lazard as one of the primary claim candidates out there.

Keke Coutee, Houston Texans

Despite a huge week 13 in which he caught eight of nine targets for 141 yards, Keke Coutee is still readily available in fantasy. That probably has much to do with the fact that Houston faced two strong defenses in Chicago and Tennessee the last two games. However, that is certainly not the case this week as the Texans face Cincinnati. Perhaps you saw how the light hitting Cowboys lit up the Bengals for 30 points? Expect Houston to post similar stats this week.

As for Sunday’s game against the Colts, Coutee showed he isn’t a one trick pony as he caught five of seven targets for 53 yards and a touchdown. The targets were tied for second on the team. Coutee has shown he and Brandin Cooks can coexist as Cooks has been targeted 15 times in the last two games and Coutee 19 in the past three. Any receiver that has Deshaun Watson throwing them passes demands fantasy attention.

Other recommendation- Russell Gage of the Falcons is coming off a game in which he caught five passes for 68 yards and a touchdown against the tough Buccaneers’ defense. It doesn’t get any easier with a visit to Kansas City upcoming, but he could be worth a look to an owner in a pinch.

Tight Ends

Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills, 1% owned

Fantasy regulars are well aware of the disastrous state the tight end position is in the NFL right now. If an owner has a highly productive tight end should feel fortunate. For those that do not have that luxury have to do the best they can. To that end, take a look at Buffalo’s Dawson Knox. In the first half against Denver, Know caught two of four passes for 36 yards and a touchdown.

Knox experienced a stinger and did not return to the game in the second half. He could have done so, but it was hardly necessary because the Bills were up big and cruised to a 48-19 win. Knox has come on of late, catching a touchdown in three of his last four games. He also had four catches each against the 49ers and Pittsburgh, two of the better defenses in football.

That means that Knox could have a better game against New England, their next opponent, than one might expect. In any case, as is well known, there aren’t many, if any, options on the tight end wire. Knox could help an owner in a pinch and that’s why he is included on this waiver pickups championship edition.

Jordan Atkins, Houston Texans, 3.5% owned

Jordan Atkins has the same advantages as Coutee above. Namely, the Bengals are up next and he has Watson as his quarterback. Against the Colts, Atkins caught five of six targets for exactly 50 yards, It was the second straight week that Atkins was targets six times.

His yardage was more than his previous two weeks combined and third highest of the season. He hasn’t scored a touchdown since week one. It feels like luck will smile on Atkins against Cincinnati and he will find the end zone. Add it all up and Atkins could just be the tight end to own this week to any owner facing an otherwise black hole in their lineup.

Other recommendation- Cole Kmet didn’t set the world on fire against the Vikings Sunday with only two catches for 12 yards. As previously noted, there just aren’t a lot of options at tight end at this stage. Kmet could be worth a look with the Jaguars looming like the paper tigers they are up next.

Quarterbacks

Most teams playing for a championship probably don’t need a quarterback. However, there are a few players with excellent match ups this week that demand attention.

Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears, 21.4% owned

Recommended at the beginning of the fantasy playoffs, Mitchell Trubisky really has his game rolling at the right time. Despite an interception, Trubisky had a strong performance against Minnesota, completing 15 of 21 passes for 202 yards. He also had 34 rushing yards on eight carries. The rushes were his highest total of the season and more than his last two games combined. Trubisky has eight TD passes in his last four games. And he has completed over 70% of his passes in his last three.

Even of more interest to any fantasy owner looking to add Trubisky is that the Bears’ running game was on full display Sunday. David Montgomery ran all over the Vikings with 146 yards and two touchdowns. That kind of rushing attack will open passing lanes. The best news was saved for last- the Jaguars are up next. If an owner has any need at quarterback, Trubisky can help fill it. Who would have thought that would be the case at the beginning of the season?

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles, 21.3% owned

Anyone that questions whether or not Jalen Hurts is an NFL caliber starting quarterback can now sit down. Hurts need present no other evidence after his break out performance against Arizona on Sunday. He demonstrated he can throw the football, which was the biggest concern about him. Hurts completed 24 of 44 passes for a massive 338 yards and three touchdowns.

Everyone knows Hurts can run with the football and he did just that against the Cardinals. He rushed 11 times for 63 yards and a touchdown. That’s now 29 rushes for 169 yards in his last two games. Hurts is averaging almost six yards a carry. Add it all together and Hurts is the complete package.

The next opponent is critically important as well as the Eagles will take on the Cowboys. The Dallas defense has looked better in recent games, but still allowed 33 points to the 49ers, a team not known for its offense. Hurts could be a difference maker in the championship round and no one could possibly expected that when the season began.

Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns, 26.6% owned

The last quarterback to discuss is Baker Mayfield. He has returned from the abyss in spades over the past four weeks. In those games, Mayfield has thrown 10 TDs and one interception. Against a top flight defense that gave Russell Wilson fits in the Giants, Mayfield only had five incompletes on the day. Mayfield finished with 27 completions in 32 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns.

After disappearing from the planet from weeks 11-13, Mayfield is the confident signal caller for a playoff caliber team. And the subject of match ups that has been a focus of this waiver pickups championship edition applies here as well. The Jets just won the biggest shocker of the NFL season against the Rams, but don’t look too much into that. They are still the Jets and Mayfield should have his way with them.

All three of the quarterbacks discussed here can help a fantasy team, even at the championship stage. An owner just needs to decide which player to go after and make the move.

Thanks all for joining me for this fantasy football waiver pickups championship edition. Again, congratulations to all that made it to the final round! As always feel free to leave a comment or suggestion on the players that should be added to or removed from the list. I welcome input. Have a great fantasy football championship week!

In addition, Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Picks for all the latest NFL and sports news!