Week 15 Fantasy Football Player Breakdowns

If you're still alive in your league's playoffs, then this is the time of week to take a gander at every player on your roster, his matchup this week, as well as his potential.

When fantasy playoffs roll around, it's best to have the superstars who have the easy matchups, but are still on teams that have something to play for.

With that said, high profile players from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, and Baltimore Ravens all make the most sense this week. They have great matc-ups, and their elite players are some of the league's biggest fantasy studs.

Be sure to check out our Start/Sit and Waiver Wire columns for this week.

For all other analysis for Week 15 , read on:


Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars

QB Peyton Manning: He won't be resting yet, and Jaguars defense is weak. *****
RB Joseph Addai: Hasn't shown any reason not to keep starting him, and match-up rocks. *****
RB Donald Brown: Role is non-existent. *
WR Reggie Wayne: Has cooled down, but could see a lot of targets tonight. ****
WR Pierre Garcon: Has been inconsistent, but ceiling is always high. ***
WR Austin Collie: Manning likes him in the red zone, so worth a shot at WR3. ***
TE Dallas Clark: Arguably the best tight end in football, so a no-brainer, as usual. *****

QB David Garrard: Not a great match-up, and he hasn't looked good. **
RB Maurice Jones-Drew: Colts will be able to focus on him, but you have to play him. *****
WR Mike Sims-Walker: Played hurt last week and did hardly anything, so can you trust him? ***
WR Torry Holt: Has been regressing all season, and can only get you 40-70 yards, at best. **
WR Mike Thomas: Should be starting over Holt, but isn't very reliable, either. **
TE Marcedes Lewis: Super shaky play, as his targets are unpredictable. *

Dallas Cowboys @ New Orleans Saints

QB Tony Romo: Has been on fire and matchup is nicer than people think. ****
RB Marion Barber: Should be able to run all over them, but commitment to run game is lacking. ***
RB Felix Jones: Could be good for some big plays, and the touches should be there. ***
WR Miles Austin: Saints probably can't hold him in check all day, so play him like normal. ***
WR Roy Williams: Has been weak, but Saints have regressed against the pass lately. **
TE Jason Witten: Saints are solid against tight ends, but he's been too good to sit. ****

QB Drew Brees: Dallas defense is better than advertised, but he'll be fine. ****
RB Pierre Thomas: Role is slipping a bit, and production isn't what it had been. ***
RB Mike Bell: Still getting the carries, but the yardage just isn't there. **
RB Reggie Bush: Role is increasing, and he's making plays again. ***
WR Marques Colston: Has scored in three straight, and he shouldn't slow down. ****
WR Robert Meachem: Has been very solid, and is a solid WR3. ***
WR Devery Henderson: Pretty inconsistent, but ceiling is always high. **
TE Jeremy Shockey: Hasn't done much lately, but he is due. **

Cleveland Browns @ Kansas City Chiefs

QB Brady Quinn: Matchup bodes well, and recent history suggests big game. ***
RB Chris Jennings: Should get the majority of the touches, and matchup isn't terrible. ***
RB Jerome Harrison: Will get touches, but production is too inconsistent. **
WR Mohamed Massaquoi: Very inconsistent, but Quinn will throw to him in solid matchup. **
WR Josh Cribbs: Could be running even more than usual, so a solid WR3 in return leagues. ***
TE Evan Moore: Regressed a bit last week, but matchup bodes well. ***

QB Matt Cassel: Should be able to put up decent numbers with Bowe back and nice matchup. ***
RB Jamaal Charles: Browns can definitely be run on, and he's coming off of a huge game. ****
WR Dwayne Bowe: Very good matchup, and he's slated to start right away. ***
WR Chris Chambers: Could benefit greatly from Bowe's return. ***
WR Lance Long: Very unreliable, but Bowe's return could open things up for him. **

Chicago Bears @ Baltimore Ravens

QB Jay Cutler: Ravens can definitely be passed on, but he's been awful. **
RB Matt Forte: Not a good play against elite run defense. **
WR Devin Hester: Dealing with nagging injuries, and hasn't looked great. **
WR Johnny Knox: Always has big-play potential, and solid matchup. ***
TE Greg Olsen: Hasn't done jack in a month, but matchup is solid. ***

QB Joe Flacco: Very nice matchup, and he's due for a big game. ****
RB Ray Rice: You just can't sit this guy, especially against bad run defense. *****
RB Willis McGahee: Role is increasing, and is stealing touchdowns again. ***
WR Derrick Mason: Should get plenty of opportunities against another poor pass defense. ***
WR Mark Clayton: Has potential, but very unreliable, even with nice matchup. **
TE Todd Heap: Hasn't been a reliable source of points all season. *

Arizona Cardinals @ Detroit Lions

QB Kurt Warner: Lions give up a ton of points in passing game, so play him. *****
RB Tim Hightower: Gets carries and matchup is nice. ***
RB Chris Wells: Was solid last week, save for a fumble, and matchup is good. ***
WR Larry Fitzgerald: Dealing with a knee injury, but should be good to go in great matc-up. *****
WR Anquan Boldin: If Fitz is a decoy, he could be in for a huge day, and possibly regardless. *****
WR Steve Breaston: Hasn't been used much lately, but matchup is awesome. **

QB Daunte Culpepper: Stafford is out again, but he's still not worth a start. *
RB Maurice Morris: Should carry the load with Smith done for year, but not a great play. **
WR Calvin Johnson: Matchup isn't horrible, but Culpepper kills his potential this week. ***
WR Bryant Johnson: Unreliable, but is facing former team. *

Atlanta Falcons @ New York Jets

QB Matt Ryan: Practicing again, will likely be game-time decision. **
QB Chris Redman: Not a great start if he plays, as Jets' pass defense has been active. **
RB Michael Turner: Also practicing, and it's a solid matchup, so might be worth a shot. ***
RB Jerious Norwood: Hasn't done much with a decent role, and Turner might be back. *
RB Jason Snelling: Might spell Turner in short yardage situations, but not reliable. *
WR Roddy White: Has been very solid, but will see top corner Revis. **
WR Michael Jenkins: May benefit from White being tied up. **
TE Tony Gonzalez: Ryan's return could mean a return to elite status for Gonzo. ***

QB Mark Sanchez: Looks like he'll play this week, and does have a nice matchup. **
QB Kellen Clemens: Sanchez is due back, and he wasn't very good last week, anyway. *
RB Thomas Jones: Should keep getting the rock a ton against poor run defense. *****
RB Shonn Greene: Still has decent role, but did fumble last week. **
RB Danny Woodhead: Is starting to have a nice smaller role, so usable in deep leagues. **
WR Jerricho Cotchery: If Sanchez is back, he could be a fine WR3. ***
WR Braylon Edwards: Has been a huge disappointment overall, but matchup is friendly. **
TE Dustin Keller: Sanchez's return could get him some extra targets. ***

Miami Dolphins @ Tennessee Titans

QB Chad Henne: Titans have a solid overall defense, so it'll be tough. **
RB Ricky Williams: Will have troubles, but the carries will be there. ***
RB Lex Hilliard: Should get some touches, but tough matchup. *
WR Greg Camarillo: Went off last week, but matchup doesn't bode well. **
WR Brian Hartline: Nothing special, but he gets 3-4 catches usually. **
WR Davone Bess: Came down off his cloud last week, so too unpredictable. **

QB Vince Young: Looks like he'll play, but monitor status. ***
QB Kerry Collins: If he has to go, he should be OK against average defense. **
RB Chris Johnson: Should top 20 carries once again, and he's been running hard. *****
RB Lendale White: Small role, so can't expect much. **
WR Kenny Britt: Has been fairly consistent, even with Gage back. ***
WR Justin Gage: Should start getting more involved in decent matchup. **
WR Nate Washington: Has the potential, but just hasn't been doing much. **

San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles

QB Alex Smith: Facing strong pass defense, but has looked solid. ***
RB Frank Gore: Tough matchup, but will get the carries and some receptions. ****
WR Michael Crabtree: Has been playing well, and Smith looks for him more often. ***
WR Josh Morgan: Is slowly developing into a decent WR3, but not a great week to use him. **
TE Vernon Davis: The guy can't be stopped, and Smith goes to him all day. ****

QB Donovan McNabb: 49ers can be difficult at times, and he's been inconsistent. ***
RB LeSean McCoy: Will continue to get the bulk of the load, but not an easy matchup. ***
RB Leonard Weaver: Probably won't get the touches to be a flex this week. **
WR DeSean Jackson: Can beat the 49ers deep, so only needs a couple plays to be worth it. ***
WR Jeremy Maclin: Has a bad foot injury, and is likely out this week and for longer. **
WR Jason Avant: Should get extended action with Maclin nicked up. **
TE Brent Celek: Always a safe play, as he's pretty active. ***

New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills

QB Tom Brady: Not a good matchup at all, but he has the weapons to change that. ***
RB Laurence Maroney: Should get the rock a lot against bad run defense. ****
WR Randy Moss: Should bounce back from horrible showing last week, despite matchup. ***
WR Wes Welker: Always a strong bet for 10 catches and 100 yards, so you have to play him. ****
TE Benjamin Watson: Scored last week, so slightly back on radar. **

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: Not a good play at all. **
RB Fred Jackson: Looked good last week and role is solid. ***
RB Marshawn Lynch: Solid role last week, but too inconsistent. **
WR Terrell Owens: Playing against Moss gets him going, so he could be big. ***
WR Lee Evans: Hasn't done anything in weeks, so sit him. *

Houston Texans @ St. Louis Rams

QB Matt Schaub: Should have no issues at all. It's the Rams. *****
RB Arian Foster: Is the new feature back, so a solid RB2. ***
RB Chris Brown: Should still get short yardage touches, so not a bad flex. ***
RB Ryan Moats: Fumble issues have killed his role. *
WR Andre Johnson: Must-start every week, and should have huge game. *****
WR Kevin Walter: May not be needed, but decent WR3 value is there. ***
TE James Casey: Tight end no longer a factor in this offense. *

QB Keith Null: Was horrific last week, but Texans aren't unbeatable through the air. **
RB Steven Jackson: Will be the main source of their offense as usual, so good play. ****
WR Donnie Avery: Null kills any value he had. *
WR Brandon Gibson: Gets open and plays well enough to be a decent WR4. **
WR Danny Amendola: Active more on returns lately, so not a good play. *
TE Daniel Fells: Unreliable, but has potential for a few catches. *

Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos

QB Charlie Frye: Can't like his chances in first start and against tough defense. *
RB Darren McFadden: Has a decent role, but facing a good run defense. **
RB Michael Bush: Has eight carries in past three games, so sit him. *
RB Justin Fargas: Role not big enough, and scary matchup. *
WR Louis Murphy: Only Oakland receiver with any real production, but hardly a WR3. *
TE Zach Miller: Should see some targets with Frye dumping it off. ***

QB Kyle Orton: Not a good match-up at all against stingy secondary, so look elsewhere. **
RB Knowshon Moreno: Should get plenty of touches with Buckhalter out. ****
RB Peyton Hillis: Could have decent role with Buckhalter out. **
WR Brandon Marshall: Won't be catching 21 balls against this pass defense. ***
WR Eddie Royal: Has been more active, but Raiders are good against the pass. **

Cincinnati Bengals @ San Diego Chargers

QB Carson Palmer: Chargers likely still without Eric Weddle, but Palmer has been awful. **
RB Cedric Benson: Should get the rock a ton against beatable run defense. *****
RB Larry Johnson: Benson is the guy, and didn't touch it much last week. *
WR Chad Ochocinco: Matchup isn't bad, but success is tied to Palmer. ***
WR Laveranues Coles: Doesn't do much, and is hardly worth a WR4 spot. *

QB Phillip Rivers: Not an easy matchup, but is playing too well to sit. ****
RB LaDainian Tomlinson: Should get plenty of carries in big game. ***
RB Darren Sproles: Role isn't bad, but producion isn't there. **
WR Vincent Jackson: Always a solid play, and will be needed. ****
WR Malcolm Floyd: Is not a reliable starter, and hardly a WR3. **
TE Antonio Gates: Has been turning it on, and should be active. ****

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Seattle Seahawks

QB Josh Freeman: Decent matchup, but his decision-making renders him useless. **
RB Carnell Williams: Has been solid, and the match-up is good. ***
RB Derrick Ward: Still has an OK role, so worth a shot at the flex. **
WR Antonio Bryant: Can beat Seattle's corner so it's up to Freeman. ***
TE Kellen Winslow: Still getting looks, and better matchup should help a lot. ***

QB Matt Hasselbeck: Hasn't been performing well, even in "easy" matchups. **
RB Julius Jones: Is the starter, so should be able to produce flex results. ***
RB Justin Forsett: Role is still decent, but sharing the load hurts his value. ***
WR Nate Burleson: Should be active, and matchup is solid. ***
WR TJ Houshmandzadeh: Hasn't done anything in weeks, but this could be his game. ***
TE John Carlson: Ditto. ***

Green Bay Packers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

QB Aaron Rodgers: Steelers can be passed on, but will he have time? ***
RB Ryan Grant: Not a good play at all on the road against good run defense. **
WR Donald Driver: Is usually active, and he'll be needed this week. ***
WR Greg Jennings: Really only a WR3 at this point, but potential is always there. ***
WR James Jones: Has been consistent in his role, so a low-end WR3. **
TE Jermichael Finley: Steelers get burned by the tight end, and he's been solid. ***

QB Ben Roethlisberger: Packers' defense has looked good, so not a safe play. **
RB Rashard Mendenhall: He was their only solid option last week, and he'll get the touches. ***
WR Hines Ward: It depends which corner he sees, but he usually shows up in big games. ***
WR Santonio Holmes: Has been solid lately, and was even a strong WR3 last week. ***
WR Mike Wallace: Has been very quiet, but could destroy Packers' nickel corner. ***
TE Heath Miller: Got more involved last week, but Packers cover tight ends well. **

Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers

QB Brett Favre: Facing elite pass defense and didn't look awesome in last prime time game. ***
RB Adrian Peterson: Will get a ton of touches against weak run defense. *****
RB Chester Taylor: Has been active on third downs and short passes, so not a horrible flex. **
WR Sidney Rice: Tough matchup, but he doesn't stay quiet for long. ***
WR Percy Harvin: Migraines could keep him out again, so check status. **
WR Bernard Berrian: Has been OK the past few weeks, so can be used as WR3. **
TE Visanthe Shiancoe: Great red zone target, and has been getting more passes his way. ***

QB Matt Moore: Not a good bet with Antoine Winfield back for Minnesota. *
RB DeAngelo Williams: Good play any week, but Williams wall kills his value. ***
RB Jonathan Stewart: Ditto. **
WR Steve Smith: Will be covered tightly by Winfield, so only a WR3 this week. ***
WR Muhsin Muhammad. No one outside of Smith is playable in receiving corps. *

New York Giants @ Washington Redskins

QB Eli Manning: Manning has been red hot, and 'Skins can be had through the air. ****
RB Brandon Jacobs: Still looking for first 100-yard game, but matchup decent. ***
RB Ahmad Bradshaw: Still getting carries, so flex potential is there. **
WR Steve Smith: Still a very reliable WR2, and an elite WR3. ***
WR Hakeem Nicks: Really stepping up, and is officially No. 2 receiver. ***
WR Mario Manningham: Lost starting job to Nicks, but should still get some looks. **
TE Kevin Boss: Is very inconsistent, but could find success against Redskins' linebackers. ***

QB Jason Campbell: Has looked solid and Giants can't stop anyone. ****
RB Quinton Ganther: Has the full load and should have decent success. ***
WR Santana Moss: Is due for a big game, and Giants corners can get beat. ****
WR Devin Thomas: Has potential, and not a bad matchup at all. **
TE Fred Davis: Is really coming around, and Campbell likes going to him. ***