Fantasy Football Week 15 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

You have made it to fantasy football's semifinals, so clearly you know how to set your lineup by now. You can never get enough help on those fringe decisions, though.

Generally, you don't want to be too bold with your lineups in crunch time, but we suggest you sit some fantasy football first-rounders this week, namely Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice. This is Bleacher Report's weekly Saturday edition of Start 'Em, Sit 'Em in a six-part, position-by-position slideshow.

Quarterbacks: Mike Shanahan Is Turning to Kirk Cousins, but You Shouldn't Here

Start 'Em

Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles

Here is how funny fantasy football can be: Not only is Foles a revelation, but he also might be the single reason you win your semifinal matchup. He is coming off a disappointing week, but he heads to a climate-controlled dome and faces a defense that has been the second-worst in fantasy against quarterbacks and the third-worst pass defense. This is Chip Kelly's first game coaching indoors on a fast track. Look out.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

As disappointing as this year has been for the Falcons and Ryan owners, it stands to finish with a bang. The Washington Redskins have been the fifth-worst team in fantasy against quarterbacks and the sixth-worst against the pass. It helps that this game is indoors, too. Having Roddy White productive again is a huge thing for Ryan owners. He is a must-start option in all leagues.

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

You don't win unless you take chances. That is Marc Trestman's motto, apparently. The Bears offensive guru has benched the red-hot Josh McCown for Cutler (ankle, groin), giving Cutler fantasy owners a chance at all those points McCown put up last week. Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall are the best receiving duo in fantasy right now, so roll the dice on Cutler putting up 250 yards and three touchdowns against the Browns in wintry conditions.

We saw how much snow can make for huge fantasy scores a week ago. When the white stuff falls, the fantasy points accumulate in a flurry (puns entirely intended).

Sit 'Em

Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins

Don't expect any late-season magic out of Cousins here, no matter how much Mike Shanahan is looking for a "told you so" performance. Cousins just doesn't have the receivers to score enough fantasy points to prove useful in standard leagues, even if the Falcons are a bottom-10 team against quarterbacks.

Eli Manning, New York Giants

Have these been the most obvious fantasy decisions of the year? Bench all quarterbacks against the Seattle Seahawks defense, and bench this Manning in any matchup. This is a lame-duck team with an error-prone quarterback, playing behind a putrid offensive line and facing the best secondary in football. Yuck!

Jason Campbell, Cleveland Browns

The Chicago Bears don't play defense like they did when Charles Tillman was healthy and Lovie Smith was the coach, but you just cannot trust what you have seen from Campbell and the Browns. Sure, Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron are must-start fantasy stars, but Campbell is just as likely to go 10-of-25 with 149 yards passing as he is to post a monster week like he did against the New England Patriots a week ago.

Do not ride this hot hand in such a pivotal week. You have a better option outside of two-quarterback formats.

Week 15 Quarterbacks Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Quarterbacks	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Peyton Manning	Den	vs. SD	1	0
2	Drew Brees	NO	at StL	2	0
3	Matthew Stafford	Det	vs. Bal	5	+2
4	Philip Rivers	SD	at Den	6	+2
5	Russell Wilson	Sea	at NYG	8	+3
6	Cam Newton	Car	vs. NYJ	4	-2
7	Tom Brady	NE	at Mia	11	+4
8	Tony Romo	Dal	vs. GB	7	-1
9	Andrew Luck	Ind	vs. Hou	9	0
10	Nick Foles	Phi	at Min	3	-7
11	Matt Ryan	Atl	vs. Was	10	-1
12	Jay Cutler	Chi	at Cle	12	0
13	Colin Kaepernick	SF	at TB	15	+2
14	Ben Roethlisberger	Pit	vs. Cin	13	-1
15	Andy Dalton	Cin	at Pit	19	+4
16	Joe Flacco	Bal	at Det	18	+2
17	Alex Smith	KC	at Oak	14	-3
18	Carson Palmer	Ari	at Ten	22	+4
19	Ryan Tannehill	Mia	vs. NE	16	-3
20	Kirk Cousins	Was	at Atl	20	0
21	Jason Campbell	Cle	vs. Chi	17	-4
22	Matt Flynn	GB	at Dal	25	+3
23	EJ Manuel	Buf	at Jac	26	+3
24	Eli Manning	NYG	vs. Sea	30	+6
25	Case Keenum	Hou	at Ind	24	-1
26	Ryan Fitzpatrick	Ten	vs. Ari	27	+1
27	Mike Glennon	TB	vs. SF	32	+5
28	Kellen Clemens	StL	vs. NO	35	+7
29	Chad Henne	Jac	vs. Buf	33	+4
30	Matt Cassel	Min	vs. Phi	28	-2
31	Matt McGloin	Oak	vs. KC	29	-2
32	Geno Smith	NYJ	at Car	37	+5

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Running Backs: It's an Odd Week with Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice Listed as 'Sits'

Start 'Em

Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers (shoulder) remains out, so the Packers figure to feature Lacy and the run game heavily, even if Lacy is struggling with an ankle issue. According to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Lacy said he felt "a lot better" on Friday than he did in the second half last week, so you should like Lacy for at least 60 yards and a touchdown.

The Dallas Cowboys have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards and have been dead last in fantasy against running backs.

Steven Jackson, Atlanta Falcons

He has looked like he's closer to retirement than fantasy lineups for the most of this season, but he has been a solid fantasy contributor for the past three weeks. His best is yet to come. The Redskins are the second-worst team in fantasy against running backs, giving up a league-worst 17 rushing touchdowns. Jackson finds the end zone at least once in this one.

Chris Ogbonnaya, Cleveland Browns

With Willis McGahee (concussion) ruled out, the Browns will likely turn to Ogbonnaya as their primary ball-carrier, with Fozzy Whittaker filling in behind him. The Browns don't run the ball well—fifth-worst in football—but the Bears have the worst run defense in football and are the third-worst team in fantasy against running backs. They have allowed a 100-yard rusher for six consecutive weeks, and if not for 95 yards by Alfred Morris in Week 7, it would have been every game since New Orleans in Week 5!

Ogbonnaya won't reach that total perhaps, but he will be a factor in the passing game and will hit double digits in fantasy points.

Andre Ellington and Rashard Mendenhall, Arizona Cardinals

Say what you want about Mendenhall and Ellington's timeshare, but they have both been good enough to rank among the top 28 running backs in standard leagues this season. They should be at their combined best against a Tennessee Titans defense that has allowed the fourth-most points to fantasy running backs this season. Both Cards backs rank among the top 30 options this week.

Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins

This is another frustrating duo for fantasy owners, but this is a week where both Thomas (ankle) and Miller (concussion) can get enough touches to hit double-digit fantasy points. The New England Patriots are the second-worst rush defense in football, and the Dolphins have to pound the ball at them if they are to pull off this upset. Thomas is the better of the two plays here, as he does the goal-line work, but you can use Miller as a Hail Mary too.

Sit 'Em

Adrian Peterson, Toby Gerhart and Matt Asiata, Minnesota Vikings

It isn’t the matchup here that should scare you. It is the shaky status of Peterson (foot) and Gerhart (hamstring). You cannot be sure which ones will be active at this point or how long they can prove effective. The guess here is none of this trio proves to be good for any more than a mere five fantasy points. Avoid them all.

Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, New York Jets

The Jets had a bounce back game last week against the Oakland Raiders, but we should all expect them to go right back in the tank against the Carolina Panthers defense coming off a stinging loss, especially at home. Ivory has been decent in good matchups but bad in tough ones (35 yards against the Baltimore Ravens and 11 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals).

The Panthers are better than both, with the best run defense in football and No. 3 in fantasy against running backs. Don't trust the Jets.

DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert, Carolina Panthers

On the other side of the field, don't expect the Panthers to muster much on the ground, either. Sure, Jonathan Stewart (knee) is out of the way, but the Jets have the second-best run defense in football and are No. 2 in fantasy against backs. You didn't get to your fantasy semifinals riding these two guys out, so don't bother with them this week.

Bobby Rainey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

We have to admit we were dead wrong about calling Rainey a sit last week. But we have even more merit to label him as such all over again. The San Francisco 49ers are a top-10 team against the run and in a must-win situation. Expect them to load the box to take away Rainey to the tune of 15 carries for 45 yards. If that is enough to get you by in the fantasy semifinals, by all means, use him. It should be.

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

This one hurts. You cannot start you first-round pick in your most important week of the season, the one that can get you to the Super Bowl. If you have come this far, you know it is not because of Rice at this point. You can do without him, especially against the sixth-best run defense in football in the Lions. They have given up just 99.3 yards per game, and that is after the Eagles freezer-burned them for almost 300 in the snow last week.

Week 15 Running Backs Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Running Backs	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Jamaal Charles	KC	at Oak	1	0
2	LeSean McCoy	Phi	at Min	2	0
3	Knowshon Moreno	Den	vs. SD	7	+4
4	Matt Forte	Chi	at Cle	3	-1
5	Marshawn Lynch	Sea	at NYG	5	0
6	Eddie Lacy	GB	at Dal	6	0
7	DeMarco Murray	Dal	vs. GB	4	-3
8	Shane Vereen	NE	at Mia	10	+2
9	Frank Gore	SF	at TB	15	+6
10	Zac Stacy	StL	vs. NO	8	-2
11	C.J. Spiller	Buf	at Jac	22	+11
12	Alfred Morris	Was	at Atl	9	-3
13	Chris Johnson	Ten	vs. Ari	23	+10
14	Reggie Bush	Det	vs. Bal	16	+2
15	Steven Jackson	Atl	vs. Was	14	-1
16	Ben Tate	Hou	at Ind	11	-5
17	Ray Rice	Bal	at Det	26	+9
18	Le'Veon Bell	Pit	vs. Cin	13	-5
19	Andre Brown	NYG	vs. Sea	12	-7
20	Giovani Bernard	Cin	at Pit	19	-1
21	Darren Sproles	NO	at StL	38	+17
22	Rashard Mendenhall	Ari	at Ten	30	+8
23	Rashad Jennings	Oak	vs. KC	20	-3
24	Ryan Mathews	SD	at Den	18	-6
25	Daniel Thomas	Mia	vs. NE	42	+17
26	Chris Ogbonnaya	Cle	vs. Chi	31	+5
27	Danny Woodhead	SD	at Den	28	+1
28	Andre Ellington	Ari	at Ten	35	+7
29	Bobby Rainey	TB	vs. SF	17	-12
30	Chris Ivory	NYJ	at Car	40	+10
31	Montee Ball	Den	vs. SD	27	-4
32	Stevan Ridley	NE	at Mia	41	+9
33	Donald Brown	Ind	vs. Hou	32	-1
34	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	Cin	at Pit	34	0
35	Fred Jackson	Buf	at Jac	24	-11
36	Jordan Todman	Jac	vs. Buf	36	0
37	Lamar Miller	Mia	vs. NE	37	0
38	Toby Gerhart	Min	vs. Phi	21	-17
39	Joique Bell	Det	vs. Bal	33	-6
40	Trent Richardson	Ind	vs. Hou	47	+7
41	Pierre Thomas	NO	at StL	25	-16
42	LeGarrette Blount	NE	at Mia	50	+8
43	DeAngelo Williams	Car	vs. NYJ	43	0
44	Mike Tolbert	Car	vs. NYJ	49	+5
45	Matt Asiata	Min	vs. Phi	52	+7
46	Bryce Brown	Phi	at Min	59	+13
47	Marcel Reece	Oak	vs. KC	46	-1
48	Bernard Pierce	Bal	at Det	60	+12
49	Kendall Hunter	SF	at TB	66	+17
50	Robert Turbin	Sea	at NYG	63	+13
51	James Starks	GB	at Dal	44	-7
52	Knile Davis	KC	at Oak	69	+17
53	Shonn Greene	Ten	vs. Ari	53	0
54	Roy Helu	Was	at Atl	56	+2
55	Benny Cunningham	StL	vs. NO	57	+2
56	Dennis Johnson	Hou	at Ind	61	+5
57	Peyton Hillis	NYG	vs. Sea	58	+1
58	Brandon Bolden	NE	at Mia	65	+7
59	Bilal Powell	NYJ	at Car	51	-8
60	Jacquizz Rodgers	Atl	vs. Was	55	-5
61	Mark Ingram	NO	at StL	54	-7
62	Michael Bush	Chi	at Cle	62	0
63	Brian Leonard	TB	vs. SF	72	+9

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Wide Receivers: Avoid Your Giants Like the Plague Versus the 'Legion of Boom'

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

How tough is the Seahawks secondary? You should even sit Victor Cruz against it in fantasy crunch time.

Start 'Em

Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens

It might not have looked like it in the Philly snow last week, but the Detroit Lions are good against the run and suspect against the pass. It should be closer to the season norms this week in the dome. Detroit has been the third-worst team in fantasy against wide receivers, so we should fully expect Joe Flacco and Torrey Smith to hook up for at least one touchdown in this one. Start Smith in all leagues.

Jordy Nelson and James Jones, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers (shoulder) is not riding in on a white horse, but the Dallas Cowboys defense has been a huge black eye. The unit is dead last against the pass. Jarrett Boykin might even prove to be a factor. Regardless, you should feel good about starting the Packers' primary two targets, even if Matt Flynn is limited in the passing game. The Cowboys are just that bad defensively.

Riley Cooper, Philadelphia Eagles

If there has been something as fool-proof as starting players against the Cowboys, it is starting players against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are third-worst against the pass and fifth-worst against fantasy wideouts. DeSean Jackson is a weekly must-start in all leagues, but Cooper is Nick Foles' secondary option who is a nice fringe play in three-receiver (or flex) formats.

Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola, New England Patriots

Tom Brady has lost Rob Gronkowski (knee), so he has to turn to someone. We figure it will be Amendola, who has done his best work when Gronk has been out, including a touchdown late last week after Gronk went down. Edelman has already proven consistent week to week, but we would start both underneath receivers.

The matchup against the third-best team in fantasy against wide receivers shouldn't scare you. This is Brady in a game to clinch the division and assume the pole position in the AFC.

Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers

He hasn't hit even 70 yards in a game all season, but we're going to go on a limb and say he will be good for 100 yards and a touchdown. The New York Jets are in the bottom 10 against the pass and fantasy wide receivers, so expect the oldest starting receiver in the NFL to come through in crunch time for you with his best week of the season.

Sit 'Em

Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Rueben Randle, New York Giants

If you thought your Giants receivers have been disappointing, just wait until you see what the Legion of Boom has for them this week. The Seattle Seahawks are coming off a loss and are a victory and a 49ers loss away from clinching the NFC West and a first-round bye in the playoffs. Expect their best performance. Even the steady Cruz is a sit in this awful matchup.

Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals

We wouldn't dare tell you to sit Larry Fitzgerald, but Floyd is a fairly easy one to warn you off of. Not only are the Tennessee Titans the second-best team in fantasy against wide receivers, but Floyd will be playing on a gimpy ankle. He is already coming off a mere two catches for 26 yards last week. The injury, matchup and recent performance all make Floyd an easy sit.

T.Y. Hilton, Da'Rick Rogers, LaVon Brazill and Darrius Heyward-Bey, Indianapolis Colts

There are a myriad of reasons to be skeptical of Andrew Luck's bunch. You cannot trust the rookie Rogers coming off his breakthrough week in a loose game against the Bengals, while Brazill is dealing with a foot injury that kept him out of practice all week. Hilton has been a bum of late, and DHB has always been a bum. Not only can you not be sure where the production is going to be had, but the Houston Texans also have the second-best pass defense and are No. 4 in fantasy against wideouts.

Kendall Wright, Nate Washington, Justin Hunter, Damian Williams and Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans

Not only is Wright (shoulder and ankle) banged up, this rag-tag bunch is difficult to predict week to week. Our prediction here is they will all prove unworthy of a fantasy lineup spot in crunch time against a Cardinals defense that has been No. 5 in fantasy against wide receivers.

Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings, Jerome Simpson and Jarius Wright, Minnesota Vikings

Matt Cassel looked like a world-beater late in the fourth quarter of a sloppy game against the Ravens, but you cannot count on these guys, even if they are facing the worst team in fantasy against wide receivers in the Eagles. We say if you play anyone, it is Jennings, but even he is outside the top 30 options on our board below.

Week 15 Wide Receivers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Wide Receivers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Josh Gordon	Cle	vs. Chi	2	+1
2	Calvin Johnson	Det	vs. Bal	1	-1
3	Dez Bryant	Dal	vs. GB	3	0
4	A.J. Green	Cin	at Pit	6	+2
5	Demaryius Thomas	Den	vs. SD	7	+2
6	Antonio Brown	Pit	vs. Cin	10	+4
7	Brandon Marshall	Chi	at Cle	4	-3
8	Larry Fitzgerald	Ari	at Ten	17	+9
9	Alshon Jeffery	Chi	at Cle	5	-4
10	DeSean Jackson	Phi	at Min	9	-1
11	Eric Decker	Den	vs. SD	11	0
12	Andre Johnson	Hou	at Ind	8	-4
13	Marques Colston	NO	at StL	20	+7
14	Roddy White	Atl	vs. Was	14	0
15	Torrey Smith	Bal	at Det	16	+1
16	Jordy Nelson	GB	at Dal	13	-3
17	Vincent Jackson	TB	vs. SF	18	+1
18	Keenan Allen	SD	at Den	12	-6
19	Dwayne Bowe	KC	at Oak	24	+5
20	Julian Edelman	NE	at Mia	21	+1
21	Anquan Boldin	SF	at TB	30	+9
22	Mike Wallace	Mia	vs. NE	25	+3
23	Steve Johnson	Buf	at Jac	31	+8
24	Pierre Garcon	Was	at Atl	15	-9
25	Steve Smith	Car	vs. NYJ	26	+1
26	Danny Amendola	NE	at Mia	40	+14
27	Victor Cruz	NYG	vs. Sea	27	0
28	Kendall Wright	Ten	vs. Ari	37	+9
29	Riley Cooper	Phi	at Min	19	-10
30	Brian Hartline	Mia	vs. NE	29	-1
31	Harry Douglas	Atl	vs. Was	23	-8
32	James Jones	GB	at Dal	34	+2
33	Greg Jennings	Min	vs. Phi	39	+6
34	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	vs. Sea	47	+13
35	Michael Floyd	Ari	at Ten	33	-2
36	Michael Crabtree	SF	at TB	36	0
37	T.Y. Hilton	Ind	vs. Hou	28	-9
38	Ace Sanders	Jac	vs. Buf	44	+6
39	Cecil Shorts	Jac	vs. Buf	22	-17
40	DeAndre Hopkins	Hou	at Ind	45	+5
41	Miles Austin	Dal	vs. GB	69	+28
42	Rueben Randle	NYG	vs. Sea	56	+14
43	Kenbrell Thompkins	NE	at Mia	58	+15
44	Mohamed Sanu	Cin	at Pit	79	+35
45	Dexter McCluster	KC	at Oak	66	+21
46	Emmanuel Sanders	Pit	vs. Cin	41	-5
47	Golden Tate	Sea	at NYG	38	-9
48	Rod Streater	Oak	vs. KC	32	-16
49	Cordarrelle Patterson	Min	vs. Phi	35	-14
50	Marlon Brown	Bal	at Det	51	+1
51	Mike Brown	Jac	vs. Buf	73	+22
52	Brandon LaFell	Car	vs. NYJ	43	-9
53	Doug Baldwin	Sea	at NYG	46	-7
54	Justin Hunter	Ten	vs. Ari	54	0
55	Tavon Austin	StL	vs. NO	59	+4
56	Lavon Brazill	Ind	vs. Hou	71	+15
57	Andre Holmes	Oak	vs. KC	50	-7
58	Santonio Holmes	NYJ	at Car	75	+17
59	Jarrett Boykin	GB	at Dal	42	-17
60	Marvin Jones	Cin	at Pit	65	+5
61	Donnie Avery	KC	at Oak	84	+23
62	Nate Burleson	Det	vs. Bal	49	-13
63	Robert Woods	Buf	at Jac	70	+7
64	Terrance Williams	Dal	vs. GB	62	-2
65	Jerricho Cotchery	Pit	vs. Cin	55	-10
66	Chris Givens	StL	vs. NO	92	+26
67	Ted Ginn	Car	vs. NYJ	61	-6
68	Da'Rick Rogers	Ind	vs. Hou	48	-20
69	Tiquan Underwood	TB	vs. SF	63	-6
70	Jerome Simpson	Min	vs. Phi	60	-10
71	Jeremy Kerley	NYJ	at Car	57	-14
72	Lance Moore	NO	at StL	64	-8
73	Aaron Dobson	NE	at Mia	82	+9
74	Santana Moss	Was	at Atl	99	+25
75	Kenny Stills	NO	at StL	83	+8
76	Vincent Brown	SD	at Den	81	+5
77	Andre Roberts	Ari	at Ten	78	+1
78	Greg Little	Cle	vs. Chi	89	+11
79	Nate Washington	Ten	vs. Ari	77	-2
80	Kris Durham	Det	vs. Bal	72	-8
81	Darrius Heyward-Bey	Ind	vs. Hou	98	+17
82	Jason Avant	Phi	at Min	86	+4
83	Rishard Matthews	Mia	vs. NE	74	-9

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Tight Ends: Titans' Delanie Walker Returns at Just the Right Time

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Delanie Walker is returning from a concussion to face the worst team in fantasy against tight ends this week.

Start 'Em

Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans

Walker is returning from his concussion just in time to face the absolute worst team in fantasy against tight ends, the Arizona Cardinals. Walker has been a pleasant surprise for owners, especially when Ryan Fitzpatrick has been the quarterback. The Cardinals do a great job taking away the outside receivers, so expect Walker to be a huge part of the play-action game, especially in the red zone.

Charles Clay, Miami Dolphins

Unless you are a fantasy analyst or a Dolphins fan, you might not know Clay has been the fifth-most productive tight end this season in standard leagues. He is fifth in receptions (60) and yards (678) and sixth in touchdowns (six). He has also proven fairly consistent week to week. Sounds like a must-start fantasy tight end in crunch time to us.

Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears

Fantasy owners might be lamenting losing the production of Josh McCown, but not Bennett. He has been far more productive with Jay Cutler under center. With Joe Haden taking away one big receiver on the outside and a safety over the top doubling on the other, Bennett should find some space running down the seam. This stands to be a surprisingly good week for Bennett among fantasy starters.

Sit 'Em

Garrett Graham, Houston Texans

He has finally proven productive with Case Keenum under center, but he is dealing with a hamstring issue that has left him questionable. What's worse, the Indianapolis Colts have been solid defending the tight end in the red zone. Only the Eagles and Lions have allowed fewer touchdowns to the position this season.

Tim Wright, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Despite a touchdown a week ago, he just hasn't been a big part of the Bucs' run-first offense after a hot stretch through the middle of the season. The San Francisco 49ers are the third-best team in fantasy against tight ends, so you should have a far more intriguing option to use in crunch time here than this undrafted rookie.

Zach Ertz/Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles; Jermaine Gresham/Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals

Regardless of the matchup, you shouldn't be anxious to play tight end roulette in fantasy crunch time. You might have gotten away with it to date with these timeshare guys, but you would be better off going with someone else that gets all of his team's targets in such a crucial week.

Week 15 Tight Ends Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Tight Ends	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Jimmy Graham	NO	at StL	1	0
2	Julius Thomas	Den	vs. SD	2	0
3	Jason Witten	Dal	vs. GB	6	+3
4	Jordan Cameron	Cle	vs. Chi	4	0
5	Vernon Davis	SF	at TB	3	-2
6	Tony Gonzalez	Atl	vs. Was	7	+1
7	Greg Olsen	Car	vs. NYJ	5	-2
8	Antonio Gates	SD	at Den	9	+1
9	Dennis Pitta	Bal	at Det	11	+2
10	Heath Miller	Pit	vs. Cin	17	+7
11	Martellus Bennett	Chi	at Cle	14	+3
12	Delanie Walker	Ten	vs. Ari	10	-2
13	Charles Clay	Mia	vs. NE	8	-5
14	Coby Fleener	Ind	vs. Hou	12	-2
15	Jared Cook	StL	vs. NO	19	+4
16	Garrett Graham	Hou	at Ind	13	-3
17	Zach Miller	Sea	at NYG	29	+12
18	Zach Ertz	Phi	at Min	20	+2
19	Tim Wright	TB	vs. SF	26	+7
20	Brandon Myers	NYG	vs. Sea	22	+2
21	Brent Celek	Phi	at Min	23	+2
22	Jermaine Gresham	Cin	at Pit	33	+11
23	Ladarius Green	SD	at Den	21	-2
24	Brandon Pettigrew	Det	vs. Bal	36	+12
25	Tyler Eifert	Cin	at Pit	27	+2
26	Scott Chandler	Buf	at Jac	18	-8
27	Logan Paulsen	Was	at Atl	32	+5
28	Marcedes Lewis	Jac	vs. Buf	31	+3
29	Jeff Cumberland	NYJ	at Car	50	+21
30	Michael Hoomanawanui	NE	at Mia	48	+18
31	Virgil Green	Den	vs. SD	35	+4
32	Jacob Tamme	Den	vs. SD	15	-17

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Defense/Special Teams: Place Your Trust in the Most-Owned Units in Crunch Time

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

We say go with Terrell Suggs' Ravens even in an unfavorable matchup at the Detroit Lions this week.

There are some very obvious must-start fantasy defense/special teams units this week, including the Seattle Seahawks (at New York Giants), Carolina Panthers (vs. New York Jets), San Francisco 49ers (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Kansas City Chiefs (at Oakland Raiders), Arizona Cardinals (at Tennessee Titans) and Cincinnati Bengals (at Pittsburgh Steelers). Those are the sixth-most owned units in CBS Sports leagues and the top six starts in our rankings below.

We pick through the leftovers for you streaming owners below.

Start 'Em

Baltimore Ravens

The Detroit Lions playing at home is not a favorable matchup, but you are better off with a defensive-minded team like the Ravens than some of the other sketchier units in such a crucial week.

New England Patriots

Ditto here. The Pats are awful against the run, but the Dolphins have offensive line issues and might not be able to take advantage of their opponent's biggest weakness. A Bill Belichick defense in an important December game is a safer fantasy option than most.

New Orleans Saints

Here is the streaming play of the week. The Rams are in the bottom half of fantasy against defense/special teams, and the Saints are one of the few units out there that might be available to you. Trust in Rob Ryan to come through for you.

Sit 'Em

New York Jets

We cannot say the same for Rex Ryan, mostly because his quarterback figures to be a sloppy mess against that Panthers defense. Carolina is the third-toughest team in fantasy against defense/special teams, so don't dare use the Jets here.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

They are talented and coming off a huge performance, but the San Francisco 49ers—fourth-best against defense/special teams—are a lot more conservative than the error-prone Buffalo Bills are. Go with one of the starts above over the Bucs.

New York Giants

You had to have enough of this team last week. Now the Seattle Seahawks fly into town coming off a loss. This game has the makings of a 40-0 blowout. Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder) remains out, and the Giants should remain on the free-agent pile.

Week 15 Defenses and Special Teams Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Defenses and Special Teams	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Seattle Seahawks	Sea	at NYG	2	+1
2	Carolina Panthers	Car	vs. NYJ	1	-1
3	San Francisco 49ers	SF	at TB	4	+1
4	Kansas City Chiefs	KC	at Oak	3	-1
5	Arizona Cardinals	Ari	at Ten	5	0
6	Cincinnati Bengals	Cin	at Pit	6	0
7	Baltimore Ravens	Bal	at Det	17	+10
8	New England Patriots	NE	at Mia	9	+1
9	New Orleans Saints	NO	at StL	8	-1
10	Denver Broncos	Den	vs. SD	21	+11
11	Philadelphia Eagles	Phi	at Min	10	-1
12	Atlanta Falcons	Atl	vs. Was	23	+11
13	Indianapolis Colts	Ind	vs. Hou	11	-2
14	Chicago Bears	Chi	at Cle	12	-2
15	Buffalo Bills	Buf	at Jac	7	-8
16	Pittsburgh Steelers	Pit	vs. Cin	19	+3
17	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	TB	vs. SF	20	+3
18	New York Jets	NYJ	at Car	28	+10
19	Dallas Cowboys	Dal	vs. GB	18	-1
20	Green Bay Packers	GB	at Dal	29	+9

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Kickers: We Put Our Faith in Justin Tucker, Mason Crosby and Adam Vinatieri Here

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Justin Tucker is capable of carrying you to your fantasy Super Bowl with a big performance this week.

Start 'Em

Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens

Tucker might have let you down in the snow last week, but you should expect him to rebound nicely in the Detroit Lions' dome this week. The Lions just happen to have allowed the second-most field goals in football, despite not allowing a single kick in Philly last week.

Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers

You might not like Matt Flynn under center if you are a Crosby owner, but you have to like the matchup against the completely inept Dallas Cowboys defense. Crosby in a must-start option.

Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts

We didn't like Vinatieri against the Cincinnati Bengals in the wintry outdoors, but you can love him against the lame-duck Houston Texans back in the friendly confines of the Indy dome.

Sit 'Em

Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders

We have had him as a sit for most of the season. A matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs—No. 2 in fantasy against kickers—keeps him there.

Josh Brown, New York Giants

You have to be beyond sick of his inconsistency by now. If not, you have to at least be smart enough to not mess with the Seattle Seahawks defense, No. 4 against fantasy kickers.

Greg Zuerlein, St. Louis Rams

You probably shouldn't have ridden this sophomore disappointment out this long. You could anticipate a shootout at home against the New Orleans Saints, but they have quietly been sixth-best against fantasy kickers this season. 

Week 15 Kicker Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Kickers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	at Mia	1	0
2	Matt Prater	Den	vs. SD	2	0
3	Steven Hauschka	Sea	at NYG	3	0
4	Justin Tucker	Bal	at Det	5	+1
5	Mason Crosby	GB	at Dal	13	+8
6	Phil Dawson	SF	at TB	12	+6
7	Garrett Hartley	NO	at StL	4	-3
8	Adam Vinatieri	Ind	vs. Hou	6	-2
9	Dan Bailey	Dal	vs. GB	8	-1
10	Ryan Succop	KC	at Oak	10	0
11	Alex Henery	Phi	at Min	7	-4
12	Nick Novak	SD	at Den	18	+6
13	Matt Bryant	Atl	vs. Was	11	-2
14	Blair Walsh	Min	vs. Phi	19	+5
15	Shaun Suisham	Pit	vs. Cin	27	+12
16	David Akers	Det	vs. Bal	14	-2
17	Robbie Gould	Chi	at Cle	15	-2
18	Greg Zuerlein	StL	vs. NO	24	+6
19	Dan Carpenter	Buf	at Jac	9	-10
20	Sebastian Janikowski	Oak	vs. KC	20	0

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Follow @EricMackFantasy

Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report this season. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game. You can also listen to him on his podcast that he deprecatingly dubbed the Fantasy FatCast.