Week 15 NFL Fantasy Start and Sit: Everyone Go Flacco

We had a poor week for the second straight week in our fantasy football Start/Sit column, negatively impacted by Rock Cartwright's status changing in the middle of the week. Also, four of our five sleepers were ether complete non-factors or suffered an injury.

We vow to end Week 15 with a winning record in our player picks, as nothing is more important that helping your team continue its quest for your league's championship.


Start

Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Consider this Flacco's "way, way overdue elite performance." Flacco has been very quiet as a fantasy performer since the early going of the season, and has a nice matchup this week against a very vulnerable Chicago Bears pass defense.

Ray Rice and Willis McGahee should get the running game going (per usual), and open things up for Flacco to cruise to a solid day. If you're hurting at quarterback or are looking for the perfect matchup to take advantage of in the playoffs, Flacco could be your guy .

Prediction: 19-27, 288 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT

Tony Romo , QB, Dallas Cowboys

True, the Cowboys haven't done anything to dispel the "late—season" fade trend and concerns, but Romo has done his part for your fantasy team. He's thrown for over 600 yards and five scores in his past two games, and he hasn't thrown an interception in three straight games.

The New Orleans Saints could change that last stat this week, but due to their inability to stop the likes of Chris Redman and Jason Campbell in recent weeks, we love Romo's chances. The Cowboys as a whole, not so much.

Prediction: 27-36, 343 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos

Moreno had a tough time finding running room against the Colts defense in Week 14, forcing the Broncos to go to the air all day, which inevitably led to Brandon Marshall's NFL record 21 receptions.

However, that isn't what Denver is built to do, nor is it what they would like to do. Expect them to get back on track against a weak Raiders run defense, with Moreno paving the way.

Prediction: 17 att, 104 yds, 1 TD, 3 rec, 27 yds, 0 TD

Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Charles ran for a career high 143 yards last week against the Buffalo Bills, and could have similar success against a weak Cleveland Browns defense.

Matt Cassel's inability to effectively throw the ball prevented Charles from having an even bigger impact, so if Cassel rebounds against the Browns, there is no reason Charles shouldn't put up RB1 numbers in Week 15.

Prediction: 20 att, 122 yds, 2 TD, 4 rec, 36 yds, 0 TD

Austin Collie, WR, Indianapolis Colts

There are reports surfacing that Indianapolis could begin resting it's starters in the second half of games as early as this week, and will surely slow down their game-time reps as the weeks go on.

This means more playing time for Collie, and considering he's already a borderline WR3, his value should jump for the next few weeks. He'll likely find himself sitting in the fourth quarter of some games, but he'll still be a target when Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark hit the sidelines.

Prediction: 7 rec, 66 yds, 1 TD


Sit

Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Whether or not you believe in the late—season fade for Favre (we don't), it's never a good idea to pit your fantasy quarterback against the Carolina Panthers' pass defense (unless he's Drew Brees). Tom Brady showed us why last week.

Favre still looked solid by the numbers the past two weeks, but on top of the poor matchup, his team seems to be geared more towards running the ball again. And considering the Panthers aren't elite at stopping the run, that's exactly what they'll continue to do.

Prediction: 17-25, 211 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Hasselbeck arguably has the weapons and ability to still be an effective quarterback, and has shown the ability to lead his team with a recent win over the 49ers. However, a dismal effort against the Houston Texans showed us he simply cannot be relied upon.

If you're thinking about attaching your postseason hopes to Hasselbeck, think again. The reward is not worth the risk.

Prediction: 20-33, 233 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT

Laveranues Coles, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals passing game offered fantasy owners a total of 94 yards through the air in Week 14, and even if it shows some life against the Chargers this week, Coles is extremely unlikely to have anything to do with it.

He registered zero catches last week, continuing his very disappointing 2009 effort.

Prediction: 3 rec, 22 yds, 0 TD

Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers

Sure, his performance against the Chicago Bears in Week 14 was both elite and worth noting, but it'll be hard to reach even half of those numbers against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that is still very active against the run.

Add that to the fact the game is on the road, and this is the week to sit Grant.

Prediction: 15 att, 52 yds, 0 TD, 3 rec, 16 yds, 0 TD

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

Stewart is the backup in a rush attack that is fairly dominated by DeAngelo Williams, and his tough matchup with the Minnesota Vikings stout run defense makes him a poor play. He started two weeks ago and put up nice RB2 numbers, and still works as a decent Flex play, but this week's matchup doesn't bode well for him.

Prediction: 9 att, 33 yds, 0 TD, 1 rec, 4 yds, 0 TD

Sleeper

Jason Campbell, QB, Washington Redskins

Considering his inconsistent play throughout his career, Campbell can still safely register as a sleeper candidate. However, with back—to—back solid games, he's beginning to gain confidence and pick up some steam.

He should be in for a solid day against a very beatable New York Giants pass defense, providing Quinton Ganther picks up where he left off and gives the Redskins some much needed balance to their offense.

Prediction: 21-31, 278 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT

Brian Hartline, WR, Miami Dolphins

Hartline was promoted back into the starting line-up over Ted Ginn Jr, and caught three passes for 34 yards last week, giving him at least three grabs in three straight games.

He's developed a knack for getting open, and is also one of Chad Henne's favorite targets in the redzone. We like his chances for getting some quality WR3 numbers this week.

The Tennessee Titans tough pass defense will likely have its hands full with Davone Bess and an emerging Greg Camarillo, so in a passing attack that switches leading receivers seemingly every week, we're promoting Hartline in Week 15.

Prediction: 4 rec, 47 yds, 1 TD

Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans

Every Houston running back not named Foster has had issues with fumbling the ball this season, so start believing the reports that Foster will quickly becoming a big part of the Texans offense over the remaining three weeks.

We don't have the confidence in his role to full promote him as a starter just yet, but he should be in line for quality Flex numbers, and has the potential to do even better.

Prediction: 11 att, 56 yds, 1 TD, 4 rec, 33 yds, 0 TD

Danny Woodhead, RB, New York Jets

The Jets are engulfed in a full—blown commitment to the rush offense, and regardless of whether or not Mark Sanchez make his return to face the Atlanta Falcons this week, that philosophy won't be changing.

Woodhead racked up 50+ total yards on just seven touches last week, and his success should prompt Rex Ryan and co. to give him some more opportunities against a porous Falcons defense.

Prediction: 6 att, 35 yds, 1 TD, 4 rec, 39 yds, 0 TD

Evan Moore, TE, Cleveland Browns

Moore recorded career highs of six grabs and 80 yards in his first NFL start two weeks ago, and followed it up with two grabs for 34 yards in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.

Brady Quinn likes him, so we're going out on a limb and saying the 6'7'' mountain of a man will remain a solid piece of an improving Cleveland offense.

Prediction: 5 rec, 62 yds, 1 TD