Week 15 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Fantasy Football Stars to Play and Bench

Position	Player	Opponent
QB	Jay Cutler (CHI)	vs. Saints
RB	Alfred Morris (WSH)	@ Giants
RB	Jonathan Stewart (CAR)	vs. Buccaneers
WR	DeAndre Hopkins (HOU)	@ Colts
WR	Roddy White (ATL)	vs. Steelers
TE	Larry Donnell (NYG)	vs. Washington

In the fantasy football playoffs, playing the long game is pointless.  Since your season exists on a week-by-week basis, every lineup and roster decision should be made with an eye toward maximizing your chances of winning on that given Sunday.

Therefore, you're going to need to make some tough decisions with the stars you've ridden all season long.  While the super-elite options like DeMarco Murray and Calvin Johnson are essentially matchup-proof, typical middle-class starters should not receive an automatic spot in your lineup.

Playing the matchups is always essential in fantasy, but even more so in the postseason.  Highlighting some of the most difficult decisions regarding typical fantasy starters, let's dispense advice on whether or not these borderline options are safe for use on Sunday.

Start 'Em

As dysfunctional as the Chicago Bears have been, Jay Cutler has remained a relevant fantasy option, ranking ninth in total points at the position.  This week, Cutler deserves an upgrade from borderline-starter status, as he gets a juicy matchup against a New Orleans Saints defense that has allowed the third-most points to opposing quarterbacks this season.

New Orleans has allowed at least 20 fantasy points to quarterbacks in three of their past four games, a byproduct of significant turnover in the secondary.  With the Saints set to bench Kenny Vaccaro this week, look for Cutler to exploit the green unit for big plays with three-level reads and safety-bait concepts like "Pin."

At running back, Alfred Morris and Jonathan Stewart highlight a pair of solid No. 2 options this season.  Morris has been one of the league's most inconsistent backs, but four of his six double-digit outings have come with Robert Griffin III at quarterback.  RG3 forces opposing linebackers to divide their attention between Griffin and Morris, and as such the back's value skyrockets with RG3 in the lineup:

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

It's wholly unclear who will play quarterback for Washington this Sunday, but even if Colt McCoy his healthy, Morris gets the benefit of facing a New York Giants defense that had conceded double-digit outings to running backs in 11 straight games before the last two weeks.

Similarly, Stewart exploded for 21 points after receiving the start last Sunday.  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' run defense is not quite as woeful as the Saints', but considering that the Bucs have allowed at least 22 points to opposing backs in three of the last four weeks, Stewart likely represents a safe play for the second straight week.

Moving to the receiving options, DeAndre Hopkins' projections are a bit low this week against an Indianapolis Colts defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers.  However, with Andre Johnson under concussion protocol, Hopkins could see an uptick in targets.  For someone with his per-play efficiency, that should lead to a big yardage total, especially if top Indy corner Vontae Davis remains out:

Position	Player	Opponent
QB	Philip Rivers (SD)	vs. Broncos
RB	Latavius Murray (OAK)	@ Chiefs
RB	Rashad Jennings (NYG)	vs. Washington
WR	Josh Gordon (CLE)	vs. Bengals
WR	Julian Edelman (NE)	vs. Dolphins
TE	Jason Witten (DAL)	@ Eagles

Like Hopkins, Roddy White could be in line for more targets if Julio Jones is at all limited with a hip injury.  Hampered by his own ankle injury, White has received 27 targets in his last three outings, and though he appeared gimpy at times he still played 63 of 67 snaps against Green Bay.  The Pittsburgh Steelers have conceded nine receiving touchdowns in their past six games, increasing White's chances of continuing his bounce-back scoring campaign.

Whereas White and Hopkins are safe No. 2 options, Larry Donnell is a high-risk, high-reward proposition.  Tight end has been a wasteland this year, but Donnell did break onto the scene with three scores in his first matchup against Washington.  Given that the D.C. secondary is even more banged-up than it was in Week 4, Donnell stands an excellent chance at finding the end zone, automatically making him a playable No. 1 TE.

Sit 'Em

Philip Rivers has cooled off considerably from his MVP-caliber September, and the Denver Broncos figure to help Rivers continue his statistical slide.  The Chargers quarterback has broken the 20-point barrier just once since Week 7 and produced just nine points last week against a physical New England Patriots secondary.

With Aqib Talib back in the lineup, the Broncos can play a similar style.  Look for Denver to take away Keenan Allen with Chris Harris Jr. while doubling Antonio Gates in the red zone, as they conceded two scores to the ageless tight end in the first meeting between the two teams.  Unless the running game offers play-action opportunities, Rivers figures to struggle statistically again.

Among backs, Latavius Murray finally took control of the Oakland backfield, notching 23 carries last Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.  However, while the uber-athletic Murray represents an enticing dynasty league prospect, he'll face a Kansas City Chiefs defense that has not allowed any team besides Oakland to score.  Though Murray had massive success in the first meeting, it's hard to foresee him repeating the feat in Arrowhead.

Whereas Murray wrested control of the snaps from a pair of aging veterans, Rashad Jennings is trying to hold off rookie Andre Williams in Gotham.  After being extremely limited last Sunday, Jennings will reportedly see a big uptick from the meager two carries he received against Tennessee: 

However, D.C. is actually a respectable defense against the run.  Football Outsiders ranks them 11th in DVOA against the run, as Washington has allowed the fourth-fewest points to opposing running backs. With Williams receiving a fair share of the goal-line carries, Jennings is an extremely risky proposition this week.

At receiver, few players provide a greater source of frustration than Josh Gordon.  After shredding the league last season, Gordon has seen a steady decline in yardage totals and still has yet to find the end zone.  Gordon never clicked with Brian Hoyer, but Johnny Manziel presents the ultimate unknown, and it's uncertain if Gordon's numbers will shift at all with the quarterback change.

Unlike Gordon, Julian Edelman's rapport with Tom Brady is well-established.  But "Minitron" is likely to draw top Miami corner Brent Grimes this week, and while the matchup will be aesthetically pleasing, pitting two undersized yet physical perimeter players, Edelman is unlikely to emerge with much fantasy relevance.  

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Grimes has allowed just two touchdowns since Week 3, which came against Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas.  Edelman does not present the same size issues as either Megatron or Thomas, decreasing his likelihood of scoring and thus becoming a viable flex play.

Jason Witten may still be a big name at tight end, but the longtime stalwart is on pace to shatter career lows in targets, receptions and yards.  Facing a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends, Witten compiled a single reception for eight yards in Dallas' first meeting with the Birds.  Thus, Witten is a totally unplayable option in all but the deepest leagues this week.

*All points-against information based on ESPN standard league scoring.