Really Neat or Take a Seat: Week 15
The whole idea of “never bench your studs” is only true when you have an actual stud. Names will only get you so far.
Larry Fitzgerald is the perfect example. Sure, you got him in the second round. And sure, he’s one of the most talented receivers in the game. But there’s little reason to start him at this point in the season. And even if he blows up, you should feel all right about benching him. He’s dropped significantly over the last few weeks, and there are just too many upside plays out there.
If you’ve made the playoffs and are one game away from a championship with Larry Fitzgerald in your starting lineup each week, I’d love to see the rest of your squad. With fantasy football, you have to always be willing to take chances and not be afraid to bench unproductive players.
At the end of the day, this is no time to be silly with your lineup. It’s a serious, serious week for many fake footballers, which is why you’ll see a lot of studly names on my “take a seat” list this week. You need to play in the now and not just hope your Larry Fitzgerald-esque player will somehow, someway, turn it around after a year of disappointment.
Be smart and don’t over think your crucial lineup decisions this week.
Really Neat Week 15 Players
Josh Freeman is really neat.
Just when everyone thought the Saints were turning the corner after their great game versus Atlanta, Eli Manning throws four touchdown passes on them. Freeman failed us with his great matchup last week, but I expect him to turn things around against New Orleans.
Carson Palmer is really neat.
He may not get garbage time against Kansas City, but he should be taking advantage against the 26th ranked defense versus fantasy quarterbacks.
Andrew Luck is really neat.
It’s pretty crazy to see just how bad Houston has been against the pass as of late. Since Week 11 (4 games), they’ve given up 11 touchdown passes and quarterbacks have averaged over 300 yards through the air. Start Luck and hope the Texans continue their struggles.
Reggie Bush is really neat.
He’s getting a lot more action than Daniel Thomas in the Dolphins’ running game, and gets a great matchup against Jacksonville this week. The Jags have allowed over 136 yards rushing per game to opposing running backs over the last 6 weeks.
Bilal Powell is really neat.
Powell is slowly digging into Shonn Greene’s work load, and for Jet fans, that’s probably a good thing. Tennessee has given up at least 16 fantasy points to opposing running backs over the last 3 weeks, and Powell should be getting about a near 50/50 split in carries with Greene given the way things are trending. He’s a sneaky play this week.
David Wilson is really neat.
This is only if Bradshaw doesn’t play. If Ahmad does suit up, I’d make David Wilson nothing more than a flex play. But, if Bradshaw doesn’t play, Wilson could be an intriguing top-10 option against the bad Atlanta rush defense.
Knowshon Moreno is really neat.
If he ends up getting 30-plus carries again, Knowshon will be a top-15 running back this week. The Ravens rush defense has been below average all season long and have allowed a rushing touchdown in each of their last two games.
Dwayne Harris is really neat.
It’s kind of my gut call of the week, but if Dez can’t go, Harris should be getting some solid matchups against Steelers’ second and third string corners. Curtis Brown may get the nod as the second corner in Pittsburgh, and last week against San Diego, Brown gave up 6 catches on 6 targets. Keep an eye out on Dez’s health.
Marques Colston is really neat.
You’d expect the Saints to get in a pass-happy battle versus the Bucs, and Colston could end up getting his first 100-yard game since Week 5. If you take a look at team’s number one targets against the Bucs over the last couple of weeks, you’d see that Jeremy Maclin caught 9 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown and Demaryius Thomas caught 8 balls for 99 yards and two scores. Colston has a shot to be a difference maker this week.
Josh Gordon is really neat.
He’s becoming a must start in non-PPR formats, and this week he gets to face Washington – a team that’s not afraid to give up the deep ball. He could be a big play for your fantasy playoffs.
Benjamin Watson is really neat.
If you’re looking deep for a tight end, Ben Watson is your man. The Redskins rank dead last at defending the position, and Watson has averaged 4 receptions a game over the last 4 games. He’s a great play in deeper leagues.
The Lions defense is really neat.
No, the defense isn’t very good, but the matchup is. The Cardinals are coming off a brutal performance against Seattle, where they allowed the Seattle D/ST to secure 41 standard defensive points. Arizona has allowed double-digit points to fantasy defenses every week except one since Week 4.
Other Reall Neat Players: Cam Newton, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster, Doug Martin, Jamaal Charles, Trent Richardson, Ray Rice, Alfred Morris, CJ Spiller, Calvin Johnson, Demaryius Thomas, Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall, Andre Johnson, Roddy White, Victor Cruz, Jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzalez, Owen Daniels, Brandon Myers, Seahawks D/ST
Take a Seat Week 15 Players
Thursday Night Players should take a seat.
No, you’re not going to sit AJ Green, but I’m always scared of these Thursday Night games. It seems like things never go as planned. If you’re excited about the Bengals pass rushing against the Eagles porous offensive line, that’s fine, but I’d just temper my overall expectations from Bengals and Eagles this week. Nothing makes sense in those games.
Russell Wilson should take a seat.
Before you get excited about his matchup in Buffalo, take a look at the Bills’ recent numbers against fantasy quarterbacks. They haven’t given up multiple touchdown passes since Week 10, and haven’t surrendered more than 240 yards passing since then either. Russell Wilson, while improving, could have more trouble than many realize.
Colin Kaepernick should take a seat.
The Patriots secondary – and defense as a whole – has been playing much better over the last few weeks. The last time they allowed a quarterback to score more than 20 points on them was in Week 6, and over the last two games, they haven’t allowed a single touchdown pass (versus Tannehill and Schaub). If I had a better option, I’d sit the running quarterback.
Matt Ryan should take a seat.
The Giants defense, since coming off their bye 3 weeks ago, have faced Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Robert Griffin III. On average, the quarterbacks have yielded about 14 standard fantasy points. Given Matt Ryan’s recent struggles, I’d have a hard time starting him against the Giants, even if it’s a game in Atlanta.
New Orleans running backs should take a seat.
The Buccaneers haven’t given up 100 yards to the other team’s running backs since Week 8…against Adrian Peterson. You’re hoping for an end zone score if you start a Saints back, and who wants to rely on that in the playoffs?
Brandon Lloyd should take a seat.
There’s no reason to look deeply into the game Lloyd had against Houston. Versus San Francisco, Lloyd should return to his typical 2012 form.
Greg Jennings should take a seat.
I can’t trust him yet, and the Bears issues are against the run. The only game they’ve given up multiple touchdowns to receivers was two weeks ago against Seattle in overtime.
Jason Witten should take a seat.
The Steelers have given up just three touchdowns all season long to tight ends, and have not allowed a group of tight ends to post more than 70 yards. Witten has scored just once, and even if he gets targets, the Steeler linebackers should be able to stop him. I expect Romo to target the depleted cornerbacks on the Steelers instead of going to Witten.
Greg Olsen should take a seat.
The Chargers are a lot better against tight ends than people realize, never giving up 100 yards to the position in any game this year.
The San Francisco defense should take a seat.
Just another example as to why you should be hitting the waiver wire for your defenses rather than automatically starting them each week.
Other Take a Seat Players: Philip Rivers, Sam Bradford, Joe Flacco, Jay Cutler, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Vick Ballard, Montell Owens, Beanie Wells, Steve Johnson, Anquan Boldin, Malcom Floyd, Jordy Nelson, Scott Chandler, Jermichael Finley, Dallas Clark, Cowboys D/ST, Giants D/ST