PALLISTER: Fantasy football difference-makers for rest of season

ANALYSIS/OPINION:

This would be the perfect time for a midseason awards column, but do you really need to hear that Andrew Luck and DeMarco Murray have been really good? You’re not going to bench Antonio Brown if I don’t talk about him again, right?

It would be more helpful to analyze a handful of players whose first-half contributions may have been overlooked and who could be fantasy difference-makers in the second half.

Jay Cutler, Bears QB

I’m sure you know he leads the NFL in Internet smoking memes, but did you realize he’s second in the NFC in touchdown passes (only Aaron Rodgers has more)? The danger is that the Bears have been unraveling lately, but Cutler threw three touchdowns during last week’s embarrassing loss to the Patriots. He may not win many games the next two months, but with a bad defense, a coach obsessed with passing and great weapons around him, Cutler will continue to put up fantasy points.

Ronnie Hillman, Broncos RB

Since Montee Ball was sidelined by a groin injury in Week 5, Hillman has been the exciting dual threat everyone who drafted Ball was hoping to see. In less than four games of work as the No. 1 back, he’s gained 421 total yards. His goal-line carries wii be limited, but he can make up for that as a receving threat in the NFL’s top passing offense. Hillman has had his chances before, but it seems he’s solidifying a major role this time.

Golden Tate, Lions WR

Detroit is an NFC contender because of its new receiver. With Calvin Johnson out the past few weeks, Tate not only has become a dependable option for Matthew Stafford, he has done so while putting up Megatron-type numbers. He has four 100-yard games in the past five weeks, including 150-plus and a touchdown in the past two games. The Lions rallied from a double-digit deficit in both of those games and Tate was the primary reason.

Delanie Walker, Titans TE

Despite the quarterback roulette in Tennessee, Walker has remained a consistent fantasy producer. He is tied for the team lead in receptions (35) and leads the team in receiving yards (475). Lackluster quarterback play prevents him from ever being an elite player at his position, but he has shown he can produce no matter who is throwing to him. He already has caught touchdowns this season from Jake Locker, Charlie Whitehurst and Zach Mettenberger.

Week 8 Lineup Crime: I started this part of my column because it seemed every week I’d make a move that cost me a victory (or at least a bunch of undue stress). I wish I had that problem now. I’ve gone winless the past two weeks, not because of any moves I’ve made, but because my lineups are so generally awful as to make right or wrong moot.

Week 9 Lineup Time: With the Bears, Packers, Lions, Falcons, Bills and Titans on bye, finding suitable fill-ins is more important than usual this week. Your best bets are: Mike Evans against the Browns, John Brown against the Cowboys, DeAndre Hopkins against the Eagles, Chris Ivory against the Chiefs, Travis Kelce against the Jets, Allen Robinson against the Bengals, Jeremy Hill against the Jaguars, Ryan Tannehill against the Chargers, Jerrick McKinnon against the Redskins, the Rams defense/special teams against the 49ers, Brandon LaFell against the Broncos, Zach Miller against the Raiders, Martavis Bryant against the Ravens and Odell Beckham Jr. against the Colts.