Carr, Ivory have brutal matchups

Both quarterbacks in Saints vs. Bucs should deliver

It’s fantasy playoff time for most leagues, so a bad matchup or a wrong lineup choice could end your season. Fortunately, we have these helpful hints.

STUDS

QB Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been fortunate to face easy matchups in recent weeks. A weakened Brees mustered 255 yards and a score against them in Week 2. Though he’s on the road this time, he comes in healthy and in better shape with his familiar offense.

RB Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins: The first week with new offensive coordinator Zac Taylor produced 113 yards ( 5.7 average) for Miller. Think they got the hint about running the ball? The New York Giants give up the sixth- most fantasy points per game to running backs.

WR T. Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts: Hilton snared seven of 13 targets for 67 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4 with Matt Hasselbeck under center. That’s close to his floor this time.

TE Scott Chandler, New England Patriots: A depleted wideout corps has led to Chandler scoring in three of his last four games. With Rob Gronkowski questionable to play with a knee injury, Chandler should see double- digit targets.

DUDS

QB Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders: Carr has thrown for at least 283 yards and two touchdowns in six of his last seven games. But he’ll slow down against the Denver Broncos, the toughest opponent for quarterbacks this year.

RB Chris Ivory, New York Jets: He’ll still carry flex value for playoff teams, but there isn’t much upside, especially with the way Bilal Powell has excelled via the pass in recent weeks. The Tennessee Titans have given up the fewest fantasy points to running backs this season.

WR Julio Jones, Atlanta

Falcons: Jones had another big day in Week 13 but questioned his team’s play calling in the red zone. He hasn’t scored in his last four outings. Now he’ll line up against imminent Pro Bowler Josh Norman … on the road, where the Falcons often stumble.

SLEEPERS

RB Duke Johnson, Cleveland Browns: Johnson yields between- the- tackles work to Isaiah Crowell, but he commands the receiving job out of the backfield. The rookie has seven games with at least four catches, including his last three.

QB Jameis Winston, Buccaneers: Quarterback against the Saints? Start him. They’re the biggest doormat against the position this year. Winston has one passing score in back- to- back games since his five- TD Week 11, but he’s also a threat with his legs, and he ran for a score last weekend.

RB Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions: With improved ball security, the rookie has regained a sizable role in this jumbled backfield. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry in Week 13 and has a chance to seize the opportunity again.

DERICK E. HINGLE, USA TODAY SPORTS Saints quarterback Drew Brees, above, has 15 touchdown passes over his last five games.