Information is power as fantasy ends

CONGRATULATIONS! Come on, if you’re a regular reader of this column, it’s more likely than not you took home your league’s championship last week. But maybe you also play in one of those odd leagues continuing to play into Week 17, or you’re playing a daily game for some extra cash. There are two weeks — 1 and 17 — at the extreme ends of the season where information becomes even more of an advantage. There are things to know and analyze that you’re just not going to get if you’re the average player. That’s why we win and they lose, so the advantage is amplified here. With some NFL teams laying off and some going for playoff position, there’s a lot going on with sports medicine as well, so let’s check a couple situations: Remember that moment where

Aaron Rodgers was laying on the turf last week and Lambeau Field went dead silent? It’s a reminder of the fact Rodgers might be more important to his team than any player in the league.

Randall Cobb is going to be a gametime decision, but I don’t think he will be effective if he does go. The Packers will continue to cobble together an offense based around Rodgers abilities with the hopes they can fix the supporting cast this offseason.

Washington’s season might come down to health. DeSean Jackson,

Rob Kelley and Jordan Reed could be difference makers, but none of them are fully healthy. Jackson and Kelley are likely to play, but the question is how much the medical staff was able to get them back to function and whether they’ll be able to stay functional in what is sure to be a very physical matchup. Reed remains a game-time decision after suffering a severe shoulder separation a couple weeks back. All three may play, but the production remains a huge question, which certainly will affect how Kirk

Cousins plays. It has been the year of the back, if you’re really into the NFL. Think about how many players have gone under the knife this year for back injuries.

Tyler Eifert and DeMarcus Ware are just the most recent, but J.J. Watt,

Rob Gronkowski and several more have been kept off the field and are in for extended rehabs because of similar injuries. Almost all are at the same low level in the spine (L5-S1) except for Gronkowski, who previously had two surgeries at that level.