Fantasy Football: 50 Most Valuable Assets for Week 15 (Sunday/Monday)

The following countdown touts the 50 most valuable fantasy assets for playoff Week 15, citing Sunday/Monday games only.

To clarify, this listing doesn't project the 50 highest scorers for the weekend in standard-scoring or points-per-reception leagues.

If that were the case, we'd have quarterback after quarterback occupying the penthouse spots, and that would be extremely boring to read...and write (especially since The Fantasy Blog already has a top 30 countdown for quarterbacks).

This slideshow went heavy on running backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks and tight ends—the lifeblood positions of fantasy champions. Sadly, there was no room for a defense/special teams or kicker this week.

Enjoy the show!

50a. TE Brandon Myers, Oakland Raiders

2012 Stats: 70 Catches, 728 Yards, 4 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Kansas City (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. For Weeks 10-14, Brandon Myers was one of three NFL tight ends with 30 or more receptions.

2. Myers is just two weeks removed from a monster PPR outing: 14 catches, 130 yards and one touchdown against the Browns.

3. Since Week 7, Myers has averaged nine catches, 12 targets, 72 yards and one TD during odd-numbered weeks. He's on course for another odd-week reckoning against the Chiefs.

50. WR Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys

2012 Stats: 55 Catches, 819 Yards, 5 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Pittsburgh (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. With Dez Bryant's substantial finger injury—which will require surgery during the offseason—Miles Austin will likely incur a bump in receiving targets against the Steelers.

2. Through 13 games, Austin has crossed the PPR-elite threshold of six catches, 95 yards and/or one TD nine times.

49. RB Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

2012 Stats: 1,082 Total Yards (834 Rushing), 4 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Green Bay (Home) 

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. This Matt Forte endorsement is admittedly reputation-based, as he hasn't rushed for 100 yards in any home game this season.

2. In his last four outings against the Packers (including the playoffs), Forte has rock-solid averages of 118 total yards (and zero scores).

48. RB DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

2012 Stats: 625 Total Yards (466 Rushing), 3 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Pittsburgh (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Following a seven-week injury absence, DeMarco Murray notched a touchdown in his first two return games with the Cowboys.

2. Murray hasn't fulfilled the expectations of a Round 2/3 pick from the August drafts. However, he has tallied either 75 total yards or one touchdown in all seven outings (respectable output).

3. When healthy, Murray remains a viable threat for 100-plus yards and one score every Sunday.

47. WR Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers

2012 Stats: 71 Catches, 777 Yards, 8 TD (1 Kick Return) 

Week 15 Opponent: Chicago (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Randall Cobb caught seven balls for 102 yards last week against the Lions.

2. Since Week 4, Cobb has crossed the PPR-elite threshold of six catches, 95 yards and/or one touchdown nine times.

3. From Weeks 7-11, spanning four outings, Cobb scored six touchdowns.

4. Jordy Nelson (hamstring) will be out for Green Bay on Sunday.

5. Cobb stands as a viable threat for 85 yards and one score every week, regardless of opponent.

46. QB Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

2012 Stats: 3,928 Yards Passing, 21 TD (1 Rush) 

Week 15 Opponent: Pittsburgh (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. In his last four outings, Tony Romo has superb averages of 331 yards passing and two touchdowns.

2. Since Week 8, Romo has racked up 20 fantasy points five times (standard-scoring leagues).

3. Against AFC North foes this season (three games), Romo has averaged 247 yards passing and 1.3 TDs.

45. RB Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints

2012 Stats: 636 Total Yards (173 Rushing), 6 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Tampa Bay (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Last week, Darren Sproles rolled for 84 yards and two touchdowns (one receiving) against the Giants. He was one of six Sunday tailbacks to tally 20-plus fantasy points in standard-scoring leagues.

2. Sproles collected 59 yards and one touchdown against the Bucs in Week 7.

3. Against Tampa Bay at home last year, Sproles notched 99 total yards and one touchdown.

4. The Buccaneers have the NFL's worst passing defense, allowing 311 yards per game.

44. QB Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins

2012 Stats: 2,902 Yards Passing, 24 TD (6 Rush) 

Week 15 Opponent: Cleveland (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. In standard-scoring leagues, Robert Griffin III currently ranks as the No. 3 fantasy quarterback (25.4 points per game).

2. Griffin has rushed for 748 yards this season—tops among all quarterbacks.

3. The Redskins rookie has a TD-INT ratio of 10/1 in the last four weeks.

4. Through 13 games, Griffin has crossed the QB-elite threshold of 275 total yards and/or three touchdowns nine times.

5. Griffin would warrant a higher ranking in any other week, but a sprained knee will likely limit his mobility against the Browns.

43. RB Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos

2012 Stats: 388 Total Yards (288 Rushing), 2 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Baltimore (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Last week against the Raiders, Knowshon Moreno amassed the second-most single-game yardage total (167) of his four-year career. (The previous best: 175 in 2010.)

2. As the Broncos' primary tailback for Weeks 12-14, Moreno racked up 361 total yards and one touchdown.

3. A strong finish to the season could solidify Moreno's top-40 ranking among tailbacks for next year's drafts.

42. QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

2012 Stats: 2,572 Yards Passing, 20 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Dallas (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Last week, Ben Roethlisberger tallied 316 yards (285 passing) and three touchdowns in the Steelers' home loss to the Chargers.

2. Of his last six games, Big Ben has accounted for 300 yards passing or multiple TDs four times.

3. Against NFC East foes this season (three outings), Roethlisberger has averages of 219 yards passing and two scores.

4. The Steelers' pass-catching trio of Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and tight end Heath Miller are all healthy for Sunday's showdown in Big D.

41. TE Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints

2012 Stats: 64 Catches, 710 Yards, 8 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Tampa Bay (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. In standard-scoring leagues, Jimmy Graham currently ranks as the No. 3 fantasy tight end.

2. Graham has collected six-plus targets in 11-of-12 games this year.

3. For the season, Graham has crossed the tight end-elite threshold of six catches, 85 yards and/or one touchdown seven times.

4. The Buccaneers have the NFL's worst pass defense, yielding 311 yards per game.

40. QB Brandon Weeden, Cleveland Browns

2012 Stats: 3,037 Yards Passing, 13 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Washington (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Through 13 games, Brandon Weeden has accounted for 300 yards passing or multiple touchdowns seven times.

2. The Redskins currently stand as the NFL's 31st-ranked pass defense, allowing 289 yards per game.

3. Of his last seven outings, Weeden attempted 30 or more passes five times.

4. The Browns have scored 20-plus points in their last four games.

39. QB Carson Palmer, Oakland Raiders

2012 Stats: 3,805 Yards Passing, 23 TD (1 Rush) 

Week 15 Opponent: Kansas City (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. In standard-scoring leagues, Carson Palmer currently ranks as the No. 11 fantasy quarterback.

2. Of his last nine games, Palmer has accounted for 300 yards passing or multiple touchdowns eight times.

3. At home this season, Palmer has notched either 297 yards passing or multiple scores in all seven outings.

38. WR Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers

2012 Stats: 60 Catches, 999 Yards, 2 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: San Diego (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Steve Smith is just one positive-yardage catch away from securing his seventh 1,000-yard season of his career.

2. In the last two weeks, Smith has racked up 12 catches, 21 targets, 229 yards and one touchdown.

3. Since Week 5, Smith has tallied seven or more targets in all nine games.

4. A southern California native, Smith gets few chances to play in his home area when the Panthers travel. Look for him to post stellar numbers against the Chargers while riding the hot hand of Cam Newton.

37. WR Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints

2012 Stats: 65 Catches, 889 Yards, 8 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Tampa Bay (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. For the fourth consecutive year, Marques Colston has tallied seven or more touchdowns.

2. Colston currently ranks 12th among his positional brethren in standard-scoring leagues.

3. Against Tampa Bay in Week 7, Colston caught seven of 10 targeted balls for 73 yards and one score.

4. The Buccaneers have the NFL's worst pass defense, allowing 311 yards per game (a factoid that bears repeating).

36. RB Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams

2012 Stats: 1,043 Total Yards (836 Rushing), 3 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Minnesota (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Of his last seven games, Steven Jackson has notched either 100 total yards or one touchdown five times.

2. Jackson has racked up 203 total yards in his last two home outings.

3. The surging Jackson has the capacity for 120 yards and one score every Sunday, regardless of opponent.

4. For what it's worth, Jackson notched 109 total yards in his last meeting with the Vikings (2009).

35. QB Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2012 Stats: 3,192 Yards Passing, 25 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: New Orleans (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Josh Freeman is on pace to eclipse career highs in seasonal yards passing (3,592) and passing TDs (25).

2. Through 13 games, Freeman has either thrown for 299 yards or multiple touchdowns 10 times.

3. Against the Saints in October (Week 7), Freeman threw for three TDs and a season-high 420 yards.

4. New Orleans currently ranks as the NFL's 30th-ranked pass defense, allowing 286 yards per game.

34. WR Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons

2012 Stats: 77 Catches, 1,149 Yards, 5 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: N.Y. Giants (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Last week, Roddy White rolled for nine catches, 117 yards and one touchdown against the Panthers. (He should have been credited with a two-point conversion too.)

2. White has already locked up a sixth consecutive season of 1,000 receiving yards.

3. In standard-scoring leagues, White currently ranks as the No. 9 wideout, just ahead of teammate Julio Jones.

4. Through 13 games, White has collected seven or more targets 11 times. For the season, he has six outings of double-digit targets.

33. WR Wes Welker, New England Patriots

2012 Stats: 95 Catches, 1,116 Yards, 4 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: San Francisco (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. On Sunday, Wes Welker can clinch his fifth 100-catch season in six years.

2. Since Week 2, Welker is a perfect 12-of-12 in collecting eight or more targets.

3. For the season, Welker has crossed the PPR-elite threshold of six catches, 95 yards and/or one TD 11 times.

32. TE Aaron Hernandez, New England Patriots

2012 Stats: 35 Catches, 334 Yards, 4 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: San Francisco (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Aaron Hernandez has collected 16 catches, 24 targets, 155 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games.

2. The Patriots, winners of seven straight, have averaged 42.5 points in their last six outings.

3. When healthy, Hernandez has the capacity for 90 yards and two touchdowns every week, regardless of opponent. And that boast doesn't necessarily involve Rob Gronkowski (forearm injury) being out of the New England lineup.

31. QB Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

2012 Stats: 3,294 Yards Passing, 21 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Indianapolis (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Of his last seven games, Matt Schaub has accounted for 300 yards passing or multiple touchdowns five times.

2. Schaub and Eli Manning are the only two NFL quarterbacks with 500-yard passing days this season.

3. Of his last five home outings, Schaub has superb averages of 297 yards passing and 2.2 TDs.

30. QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

2012 Stats: 3,297 Yards Passing, 30 TD (1 Rush) 

Week 15 Opponent: Chicago (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Aaron Rodgers currently ranks as the No. 7 quarterback in standard-scoring leagues.

2. From Weeks 4-9, spanning six games, Rodgers incredibly passed for 22 touchdowns—the most of any NFL quarterback in that span.

3. In his last six meetings with the Bears (including the playoffs), Rodgers claims averages of 265 yards passing and 2.2 TDs.

29. WR Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts

2012 Stats: 94 Catches, 1,220 Yards, 4 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Houston (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Reggie Wayne has already crushed last year's totals in catches (75) and receiving yards (960). He's also a shoo-in to eclipse his TD tally (four).

2. Wayne currently ranks as the No. 8 fantasy wideout in standard-scoring leagues.

3. Through 13 games, Wayne has crossed the PPR-elite threshold of six catches, 95 yards and/or one TD 11 times.

4. Wayne has racked up double-digit targets 10 times this season.

5. In his last five games against the Texans, Wayne is a perfect 5-of-5 in finding the end zone at least once.

28. WR Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2012 Stats: 56 Catches, 1,145 Yards, 8 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: New Orleans (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Through 13 games, Vincent Jackson is averaging 20.4 yards per reception—the most prolific YPC of his eight-year career.

2. In standard-scoring leagues, Jackson currently ranks as the No. 5 fantasy receiver. 

3. Jackson is one of only six wideouts with 200 receiving yards in a single game this season (Reggie Wayne, Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, Brian Hartline, Justin Blackmon).

4. For the season, Jackson has crossed the PPR-elite threshold of six catches, 95 yards and/or one TD eight times.

5. The Saints currently have the NFL's 30th-ranked pass defense, allowing 285 yards per outing.

27. RB David Wilson, New York Giants

2012 Stats: 219 Total Yards (211 Rushing), 3 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Atlanta (Away) 

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. With the ailing Ahmad Bradshaw out for Sunday, David Wilson has a free and clear shot at starring against Atlanta.

2. Last week, Wilson ran for 100 yards and two scores in the Giants' 25-point rout of the Saints.

3. Wilson also notched 227 return yards, highlighted by a kick-return TD in the first quarter.

4. The explosive rookie is making a strong case for becoming the club's starting back in 2013.

26. RB Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

2012 Stats: 709 Total Yards (507 Rushing), 3 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Kansas City (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Seven weeks ago, Darren McFadden crushed the Chiefs for 137 total yards (114 rushing).

2. The Chiefs currently stand as the NFL's 26th-ranked rush defense, allowing 131 yards per game.

25. WR Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos

2012 Stats: 74 Catches, 1,197 Yards, 8 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Baltimore (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. In standard-scoring leagues, Demaryius Thomas currently ranks as the No. 4 fantasy wideout.

2. On the road this season, Thomas has robust averages of six catches, 97 yards and 0.4 touchdowns per game.

3. Of those seven outings, Thomas crossed the PPR-elite threshold of six catches, 95 yards and/or one touchdown six times.

24. RB Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

2012 Stats: 1,214 Total Yards (1,035 Rushing), 8 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: New England (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Frank Gore has tallied 1,000 yards for the 49ers in seven straight seasons (2006-12).

2. In standard-scoring leagues, Gore currently ranks as the No. 9 fantasy tailback.

3. Of his last five games, Gore has racked up either 100 total yards or one touchdown four times.

4. In three games against the AFC East, Gore has 276 total yards and three scores for per-outing averages of 92 yards and one TD.

23. QB Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

2012 Stats: 3,792 Yards Passing, 23 TD (5 Rush) 

Week 15 Opponent: Houston (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Andrew Luck currently ranks as the No. 5 fantasy quarterback in standard-scoring leagues.

2. Since Week 8, the Colts rookie has accounted for 297 yards passing or multiple touchdowns five times.

3. Luck has stellar averages of 312 yards passing and 2.3 TDs in his last four road tilts.

4. The Texans defense has surrendered 1,400 yards passing (and 11 TDs) in their last four outings (opposing QBs: Chad Henne, Matthew Stafford, Jake Locker, Tom Brady).

22. WR Andre Johnson, Houston Texans

2012 Stats: 82 Catches, 1,209 Yards, 3 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Indianapolis (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. In his last four games, Andre Johnson has amassed 36 catches, 51 targets, 612 yards and three touchdowns.

2. Since Week 6, Johnson has collected double-digit targets six times.

3. For the season, Johnson has crossed the PPR-elite threshold of six catches, 95 yards and/or one touchdown eight times.

4. In his last two meetings with the Colts, Andre Johnson claims stellar averages of seven catches, 101 yards and one touchdown.

21. QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

2012 Stats: 3,932 Yards Passing, 25 TD (1 Rush) 

Week 15 Opponent: N.Y. Giants (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Of his last seven games, Matt Ryan has either notched 300 yards passing or three TD passes six times.

2. Against NFC East foes this season, Ryan is averaging 316 yards passing and 1.7 touchdowns.

3. Ryan has attempted 212 passes in his previous five games—or 42.5 per outing.

4. The Giants currently rank as the NFL's No. 27 pass defense, allowing 253 yards per game.

20. QB Eli Manning, New York Giants

2012 Stats: 3,429 Yards Passing, 20 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Atlanta (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Against the Falcons last year (NFC playoffs), Eli Manning threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns.

2. In three meetings with NFC South foes, Manning has averaged 352 yards passing and 2.7 TDs.

3. Manning (Week 2) and Matt Schaub (Week 11) are the only two quarterbacks to pass for 500-plus yards in a single game this year.

19. WR Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

2012 Stats: 63 Catches, 997 Yards, 7 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: N.Y. Giants (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Julio Jones has already eclipsed last year's output in catches (54) and receiving yards (959). And his TD tally from 2011 (eight) will soon be matched.

2. In standard-scoring leagues, Jones currently ranks as the No. 10 fantasy wideout.

3. Through 13 games, Jones has crossed the PPR-elite threshold of six catches, 95 yards and/or one TD seven times.

4. In last year's playoffs, Jones racked up 77 total yards (64 receiving) in the Falcons' loss to the Giants.

18. RB Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins

2012 Stats: 1,274 Total Yards (1,232 Rushing), 7 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Cleveland (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Alfred Morris currently stands as the NFL's fourth-leading rusher (1,232 yards).

2. Morris has rushed for 100-plus yards in three consecutive outings—a career-best accomplishment.

3. Through 13 games, Morris has accounted for 89 total yards and/or one touchdown 10 times.

4. For the Redskins' four-game winning streak, Morris tallied averages of 111 total yards and 0.5 TDs.

17. WR Victor Cruz, New York Giants

2012 Stats: 76 Catches, 1,004 Yards, 9 TD

Week 15 Opponent: Atlanta (Away)


Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. In the last two seasons (29 games), Victor Cruz has combined for 158 catches, 2,540 yards and 18 touchdowns for per-outing averages of 5.4 receptions, 87.6 yards and 0.62 TDs.

2. Last week, Cruz rolled the Saints for eight catches, 121 yards and one score.

3. Through 13 games, Cruz has crossed the PPR-elite threshold of six catches, 95 yards and/or one TD 10 times.

4. Cruz's four-game track record (regular season) against NFC South foes would make any fantasy owner smile: per-outing averages of 8.5 catches, 125 yards and one touchdown.

16. RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

2012 Stats: 1,247 Total Yards (1,037 Rushing), 4 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: N.Y. Jets (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Against AFC East foes this season (three games), Chris Johnson has stellar averages of 124 total yards and one touchdown.

2. From Weeks 6-12, Johnson rolled for 100-plus total yards in all six outings.

3. The Jets currently rank as the NFL's No. 29 rush defense, allowing 136.4 yards per game.

4. For Week 6, the Titans' lone prime-time showcase to date, Johnson produced 114 total yards (91 rushing) against the Steelers.

15. QB Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

2012 Stats: 3,812 Yards Passing, 30 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Baltimore (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Peyton Manning is currently only one of two NFL quarterbacks with 30 touchdown passes.

2. Since Week 3, spanning 11 games, Manning has thrown for either 300 yards or three TDs 10 times.

3. In six lifetime roadies against the Ravens (including the 170-yard, zero-touchdown clunker in the 2006 AFC playoffs), Manning has superb averages of 275 yards passing and two touchdowns.

4. Now that he's with Denver, Manning no longer has to apologize for the Baltimore Colts relocating to Indianapolis before the 1984 season—even though he was eight years old at the time...and living in New Orleans.

14. RB Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

2012 Stats: 1,420 Total Yards (1,220 Rushing), 5 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Oakland (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Last week, Jamaal Charles blitzed the Browns for 165 rushing yards and one touchdown, highlighted by an 80-yard scoring run on the first play from scrimmage.

2. The Chiefs star has racked up 100 total yards in his last five games.

3. Charles has already cracked the century mark in rushing six times.

4. For Weeks 3-5, Charles accounted for 564 total yards and three touchdowns—the most prolific numbers of any other tailback in that span.

5. The Raiders currently have the NFL's 27th-ranked rush defense, allowing 131 yards per game.

13. QB Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

2012 Stats: 4,006 Yards Passing, 21 TD (4 Rush) 

Week 15 Opponent: Arizona (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. In standard-scoring leagues, Matthew Stafford currently ranks as the No. 9 fantasy quarterback.

2. Stafford and Drew Brees are the only NFL quarterbacks with 4,000 yards passing through 13 games. (Stafford is currently on pace for 4,931 yards by season's end.)

3. Of his last seven games, Stafford has crossed the QB-elite threshold of 285 total yards passing and/or three touchdowns five times.

4. Since Week 6, Stafford, has accounted for 24 or more fantasy points (rounding up) six times.

12. RB Trent Richardson, Cleveland Browns

2012 Stats: 1,217 Total Yards (869 Rushing), 10 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Washington (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. With standard-scoring leagues, Trent Richardson currently stands as the No. 6 fantasy back.

2. Richardson has racked up 100 total yards and/or one touchdown in six straight outings.

3. In his last four home games, Richardson boasts averages of 108 total yards and one TD.

4. A superb PPR asset, the rookie rusher already has seven games of four-plus receptions.

11. QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots

2012 Stats: 3,833 Yards Passing, 32 TD (3 Rush) 

Week 15 Opponent: San Francisco (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Against the NFC West this season, Tom Brady has a three-game average of 338 yards passing and 2.3 touchdowns.

2. For Weeks 8-12 (spanning four games), Brady averaged 298 yards passing and 3.3 TDs for the Patriots, who averaged 47.5 points during that span (all victories).

3. Brady has already matched his career-best total of three rushing touchdowns.

4. The Patriots star carved up the AFC-best Texans for 296 yards and four scores last week, fueling his club's 42-14 home drubbing.

5. Like Matthew Stafford and Drew Brees, Brady is within shouting distance of posting the first back-to-back seasons of 5,000 yards passing in NFL history.

10. RB C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills

2012 Stats: 1,298 Total Yards (944 Rushing), 6 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Seattle (Neutral Field—Toronto)

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. In standard-scoring leagues, C.J. Spiller currently ranks as the No. 11 fantasy tailback—off only 178 touches (144 carries).

2. From Weeks 6-12, Spiller racked up 100 total yards in all six outings.

3. With Fred Jackson done for the season, Spiller has a clear shot at 20-plus touches for the Bills' final three games.

9. QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

2012 Stats: 3,220 Yards Passing, 23 TD (7 Rush) 

Week 15 Opponent: San Diego (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. In standard-scoring leagues, Cam Newton currently ranks as the No. 2 fantasy quarterback (25.5 points per game).

2. Newton has accounted for 1,071 total yards and 10 touchdowns in his last three outings.

3. Against the AFC West this season (two games), Newton has averaged 279 total yards and 2.5 TDs.

4. There are no plausible excuses for benching Newton right now, regardless of scoring rules. He's on a white-hot tear for the Panthers, and he should have no weather problems for Sunday's game in San Diego.

8. WR Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears

2012 Stats: 101 Catches, 1,342 Yards, 9 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Green Bay (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Heading into Week 14, Brandon Marshall is the only NFL receiver with 100-plus catches.

2. In standard-scoring leagues, Marshall currently ranks as the No. 2 wideout. For PPR leagues, he's the top-ranked asset.

3. Marshall and Calvin Johnson are currently tied for second for receiving targets (157), trailing Reggie Wayne.

4. Through 13 games, Marshall has crossed the PPR-elite threshold of six catches, 95 yards and/or one touchdown 11 times.

5. In his last three outings, Marshall has collected 32 catches, 50 targets, 417 yards and one touchdown.

7. RB Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

2012 Stats: 1,417 Total Yards (993 Rushing), 9 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Denver (Home)   

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Last week against the Redskins, Ray Rice rushed for a season-high 121 yards.

2. Rice has had little difficulty with the Broncos in his sterling career, averaging 138 total yards and 1.5 touchdowns (two games).

3. The Ravens star currently ranks as the No. 4 tailback in standard-scoring leagues.

4. Rice is on pace for a fourth consecutive season of 1,700-plus total yards. He's also primed for back-to-back campaigns of double-digit touchdowns.

5. Through 14 games, Rice has accounted for 93 total yards and/or one touchdown 12 times.

6. RB Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2012 Stats: 1,612 Total Yards (1,234 Rushing), 11 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: New Orleans (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. In standard-scoring leagues, Doug Martin currently ranks as the No. 2 fantasy back.

2. Heading into Week 15, Martin stands third in the NFL rushing lead (1,234 yards), trailing only Marshawn Lynch and Adrian Peterson.

3. Through 13 games, Martin has racked up 100 total yards and/or one touchdown 10 times.

4. The Bucs rookie is just six weeks removed from his 272-yard, four-TD demolition of the Raiders—one of the best fantasy days of all time.

5. The Saints have the NFL's worst rush defense, allowing 152 yards per game.

5. RB Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

2012 Stats: 1,415 Total Yards (1,266 Rushing), 9 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Buffalo (Neutral Field—Toronto)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. In standard-scoring leagues, Marshawn Lynch currently ranks as the No. 5 fantasy back.

2. Last week, Lynch demolished the Cardinals for 128 rushing yards and a season-high three touchdowns.

3. Of his last seven games, Lynch has notched either 100 rushing yards or one TD six times.

4. The last point is hard to quantify, but easy to predict: Lynch finally gets to face the club that originally drafted him five years ago (and dumped him in 2010).

Bottom line: Lynch has probably had this game circled on his calendar since mid-April.

4. QB Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

2012 Stats: 4,028 Yards Passing, 33 TD (1 Rush) 

Week 15 Opponent: Tampa Bay (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Drew Brees currently leads all NFL quarterbacks with 32 touchdown passes (ahead of Peyton Manning).

2. For the season, Brees is a perfect 13-of-13 in racking up 300 yards passing or multiple touchdowns.

3. In his last three outings against the Bucs, Brees boasts averages of 337 yards passing and 2.3 touchdowns.

3. WR Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

2012 Stats: 96 Catches, 1,546 Yards, 5 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Arizona (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. Calvin Johnson is a lock to eclipse last year's superb production in catches (96) and receiving yards (1,681).

2. Johnson (118.9 yards per game) is on pace to break Jerry Rice's single-season NFL record for receiving yards (1,848 in 1995). At this clip, he'll clear 1,900 yards.

3. Since Week 10, Johnson is the NFL leader in catches (47), targets (74) and receiving yards (779).

4. For the season, Johnson has two five-game streaks of double-digit targets.

5. He has scored a touchdown in four of his last five outings.

6. Johnson has amassed 200 yards receiving in four of his last 17 games.

2. RB Arian Foster, Houston Texans

2012 Stats: 1,324 Total Yards (1,148 Rushing), 16 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: Indianapolis (Home)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. In his last 42 contests (2010-12), Arian Foster has notched 5,385 total yards and 46 touchdowns for per-game averages of 128.2 yards and one TD.

2. Foster has scored a touchdown in 12 of 13 games this season. And the one "clunker" of the bunch (Week 11 vs. Jacksonville) entailed 92 total yards.

3. Check this out: In his last three outings against the Colts, Foster has averaged an absurd 193 total yards and 1.7 touchdowns.

1. RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

2012 Stats: 1,811 Total Yards (1,600 Rushing), 10 TD 

Week 15 Opponent: St. Louis (Away)  

Fantasy Reasons For This Honor

1. By a comfortable margin, Adrian Peterson leads the NFL in rushing yards (1,600).

2. Peterson has rushed for 100 yards in seven straight games—the longest streak of his amazing career.

3. In that span, Peterson has per-outing averages of 157 rushing yards and 1.1 TDs.

4. With standard-scoring leagues, Peterson currently ranks as the No. 1 fantasy back.

5. For what it's worth, Peterson rolled for 69 total yards and two scores in his last meeting with the Rams (2009).