Fantasy Football Week 15: Risers and Fallers

Here we go—the semifinals for most fantasy football playoffs.

The first week of the playoffs managed to make some teams even shallower due to injury.

Some notable injuries include Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson, New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount, Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls, Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon, Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer and Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart.

Due to these injuries, some of these players' understudies will be stepping in, and could even be on your waiver wire.

Here are three guys who will help you get through the semifinals, and three guys you may want to start with caution, if at all, in Week 15.

Three risers, three fallers.

Riser: Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions

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In Week 15, the Detroit Lions will be on the road to take on the New Orleans Saints.

Yup, I'm going to hit you with the same old narrative—"it's the New Orleans Saints, guys."

In Week 14, the Saints did manage to halt the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Jameis Winston, but over the last three weeks, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has been on a tear.

In his last three games, Stafford has amassed nine passing touchdowns to just one interception.

The Saints allow the third-most passing yards per game in the league at close to 292, and they also allow a league-high (astonishingly high) 30.5 points per game to opponents.

Stafford is an excellent option in Week 15. 

Faller: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants

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I know, I'm treading hot water here.

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is an absolute monster.

Over his last six games, the second-year wideout has gone over 100 yards in each and has a total of eight receiving touchdowns—yes, eight.

However, Beckham has not faced a cornerback that resembles the Carolina Panthers' Josh Norman this season.

In Week 14, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones did manage seven receptions for 88 yards. Nonetheless, while that is a solid line, it does not even come close to what Beckham has been doing.

The same quality of game could unfold for Beckham, but do not expect another explosion in Week 15.

Riser: Bryce Brown, RB, Seattle Seahawks

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According to Field Yates of ESPN.com, the Seattle Seahawks have cut running back DuJuan Harris. That means newly signed Seattle Seahawks running back Bryce Brown is likely to start for the team in Week 15.

Crazy—Bryce Brown could help advance you to the finals of the fantasy football playoffs in Week 15 of the 2015 NFL season.

Football is weird.

If you were an owner of New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram or Jacksonville Jaguars ball-carrier T.J. Yeldon, you may be looking for backfield help.

That's where Brown comes in.

Brown gets a good matchup in Week 15, as the Seahawks will be hosting the Cleveland Browns. On the season, the Browns rank 10th in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs.

However, this game could get ugly and out of hand quickly, allowing more touches for Brown.

Brown is a flex consideration in Week 15.

Faller: Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys

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You probably already know that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Matt Cassel has been far from good this season.

You also probably know that, as a result of Cassel's struggles, Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has been a miserable option since quarterback Tony Romo reinjured his collarbone on Thanksgiving Day.

Over the last three weeks, Bryant has totaled six receptions, 97 receiving yards and no touchdowns.

If you're still in the hunt for a fantasy football championship and have Bryant on your roster, it is safe to drop the star receiver.

Yes, it's really that bad.

Riser: Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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According to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times, Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson will not play on Thursday Night Football due to a knee injury.

The injury is being called an MCL sprain, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

As a result of this injury, fellow wide receiver Mike Evans will reap the benefits mightily.

In the three games this year in which Jackson did not play, Evans had double-digit targets in all three contests, went over 100 yards receiving on two occasions and was tied for the WR10 spot in points-per-reception leagues.

Without Jackson, Evans is going to be fed a ton.

Faller: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

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In Week 15, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be taking on the dreaded Denver Broncos and their stellar defense.

The Broncos have allowed just 13 passing touchdowns on the season, and surrender less than 11 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.

Steelers signal-caller Ben Roethlisberger will definitely have his work cut out for him.

Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Fantasy scoring totals courtesy of ESPN.com.