Fantasy Football Week 15: 10 Starters You Must Bench Now To Win Your Playoffs
It's fantasy football playoff time which only means one thing: Win or go home!
While conventional wisdom says that you should stick with the guys who got you this far, that's not always the wisest strategy. In fact, it would be downright foolish in several cases. So to help you from acting out of blind loyalty to your guys, we're counting down the Top 10 Starters You Have To Benchย Now To Winย Your Playoffs!
Note: This list excludes kickers and defenses/special teams. The players are ranked in terms of how crucial it is to bench them.
10. Kellen Winslow
1 of 10
The Skinny: Winslow hasnโt had more than 65 receiving yards in a game since Week 5, and there are games where he seems to completely disappear. While he does have a plus matchup against Detroit, there are likely better options available.
Projected Points: 5
Better Play: Owen DanielsโRemember him? He made his return last week and racked up five catches for 91 yards against the Ravens. Daniels plays in a prolific passing offense, and heโs likely to be heavily involved against Tennessee.
9. Chris Cooley
2 of 10
The Skinny: With Rex Grossman at quarterback, all Washington skill players should be downgraded, and Cooley is no exception. Cooley is one of the more overrated fantasy tight ends seeing as how he hasnโt had a 100-yard game all season and hasnโt found the end zone since Week 4.
Projected Points: 5
Better Play: Kevin BossโBoss has emerged as an important part of the New York passing attack, especially now that theyโve been decimated by injuries at wide receiver. After a slow start to the season, Boss has four touchdowns in the past six weeks.
8. Matt Cassel
3 of 10
The Skinny: This may be the only time youโll ever see a recommendation to sit a guy whoโs thrown 23 touchdowns against four interceptions on the season. However, Cassel is still recovering from an appendectomy, and heโs not guaranteed to play. Even if he does, heโll be at less than 100 percent, and the Chiefs are likely to employ a run-first attack. The St. Louis defense has allowed an opposing QB rating of only 81.2.
Projected Points: 11
Better Play: Josh FreemanโFreeman plays a must-win game for Tampa Bay at home against a sub-par Lions secondary. Freeman should be good for at least a pair of touchdowns.
.jpg?w=256 "Bills Rookies Football")
.jpg?w=256 "Raiders Football")
7. Rashard Mendenhall
4 of 10
The Skinny: Mendenhall is part of a severely slumping Steelers offense that has scored just one offensive touchdown in the last 11 quarters. Combine that with a tough match up against the Jets, and Mendenhall is a player to avoid. Heโs averaged under 3.8 yards per carry in three of the last four weeks and has failed to find the end zone in each of the last two weeks.
Projected Points: 7
Better Play: Ryan TorainโTorain ran for a career-high 172 yards on 24 carries against the Bucs last week after missing four games due to injury. The Redskins should continue to feed him the ball, especially with Rex Grossman starting at Dallas.
6. Sidney Rice
5 of 10
The Skinny: Through no fault of his own, Riceโs value has fallen off the table this week because of Minnesotaโs quarterback situation. The Vikings are likely to start Joe Webb, who was actually drafted as a QB/WR, and all Minnesota players should be downgraded. They are playing a Chicago defense that was embarrassed by New England last week and needs to redeem itself before the playoffs.
Projected Points: 5
Better Play: Kenny BrittโThe sneaky play of the week, Britt should benefit by going up against a woeful Houston secondary. Britt probably has more upside than either Nate Washington or Randy Moss, and he should be started confidently with the dream matchup that is the Houston defense.
5. Tim Hightower
6 of 10
The Skinny: Most of Hightowerโs points came in garbage time against the Broncos last week, so donโt go chasing points. Beanie Wells is more likely to be involved this week and could vulture the goal line carries. The Arizona offense is too inept to get excited about Hightower, even if they are playing the Panthers.
Projected Points: 6
Better Play: Danny WoodheadโThough he often takes a backseat to BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Woodhead remains an important part of the New England offense. New England has the best offense in the league, hence there are more touchdowns to go around. Bottom line: Go with a New England running back over an Arizona running back.
4. Kyle Orton
7 of 10
The Skinny: Benching Orton probably goes without saying more than any other player on the list (I considered leaving him off the list simply because it seems too obvious that he should be benched). The Broncos have completely fallen apart, both on offense and as a whole, leaving little to no upside for Orton. Owners who cashed in on Denverโs surprisingly explosive offense in the first half of the season have been severely disappointed in three of Denverโs last four games. Denver has also shown more of a commitment to running the football since Josh McDaniels was fired. With Tim Tebow lurking, Orton is a shaky play even in Two-QB leagues.
Projected Points: 9
Better Play: David GarrardโLost in the shadow of Maurice Jones-Drew, Garrard has quietly been having a great season. Heโs playing a must-win game against a Colts defense that can stop anyone. Garrard is available in over 50 percent of fantasy leagues.
3. Chad Ochocinco
8 of 10
The Skinny: Thereโs just not a lot of upside with Ochocinco anymore. Carson Palmer has played poorly (despite a relatively high touchdown total), and the Bengals are mired in a 10-game losing streak. Heโs gone over 100 yards just twice this season and has scored only four touchdowns. Heโs also listed as probable with an ankle injury.
Projected Points: 5
Better Play: Austin CollieโYouโd be taking a calculated risk by starting Collie, but it could be one worth taking. Collie is clearly Indyโs second-best receiver when healthy and he has a great matchup against a poor Jacksonville secondary. Look for him to find the end zone at least once.
2. Cedric Benson
9 of 10
The Skinny: Benson is averaging fewer than 3.0 yards per carry in four of his last five games and has just two 100-yard games all season. With the Bengals going nowhere this season, it may make more sense for the team to get some carries to Bernard Scott. Clevelandโs defense is underrated, and Benson has very marginal upside.
Projected Points: 6
Better Play: Mike GoodsonโGoodson continues to split reps with Jonathan Stewart, and he has a prime matchup against a miserable Arizona run defense. With Carolinaโs inept passing attack, the only choice for the Panthers to win may be a heavy dose of Goodson and Stewart. Goodson has scored a touchdown in three straight games.
1. Brandon Lloyd
10 of 10
The Skinny: Lloyd isnโt the same fantasy beast that he was when the season started. The Josh McDaniels regime has crumbled, and Denver has looked awful on offense the past two weeks. To make matters worse, Lloyd is listed as questionable with a calf injury, and Lloyd will probably be covered by Nnamdi Asomugha.
Projected Points: 4
Better Play: Deion Branch - All of a sudden, Branch has become an integral part of the NFLโs most explosive offense. After watching what he and the Pats could do in a blizzard last week, imagine what heโs going to do in a home game, where the Patriots always dominate (snow or no snow).
.jpg?w=480 "Bills Rookies Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Raiders Football")
.jpg?w=480 "49ers Seahawks Football")
