Fantasy Football: Week 15 Start and Sit

Quarterback to Start

Jason Campbell vs. NYG

I will admit he is a risky start, especially in the fantasy playoffs, but if for some odd reason you have started him the last three weeks, good work. Campbell has rewarded you brave owners with at least 20 points scored in standard leagues and is finally showing some consistency.

Since the insertion of Sherman Lewis as the play-caller on offense, the Skins have taken off and suddenly have a potent offensive attack, led by Campbell.

Want some stats?

The Giants have allowed 23 passing TDs on the season. In the last six weeks the Giants have allowed 14 passing touchdowns (an average of 2.33 per game). The last six QBs to face the Giants have scored at least 20 fantasy points. This all bodes well for Campbell, but you have to have the stones to start him when it matters most.

Other QBs to Start

Matt Schaub at STL

Donovan McNabb vs. SF

Matt Hasselbeck vs. TB

Matt Cassel vs. CLE

Vince Young vs. MIA

Quarterback to Sit

Alex Smith at PHI

The Niners reverted back to their old ways last week and went run-heavy with Frank Gore plowing his way through the Cards defense in prime time. Smith did throw two TDs in that game, but they were trumped by two INTs and a low yardage total.

I do like Smith after this matchup against the Eagles because the 49ers finish up with Detroit and St. Louis. But this matchup is tough. San Fran has to travel cross-country and the weather reports call for some snow in Philly on Sunday and the extreme cold is a far cry from what Smith is used to on the West Coast.

The Eagles have also picked off 20 passes this season, so Smith is a good bet to make at least a couple mistakes.

Other QBs to Sit

Jay Cutler at BAL

Carson Palmer at SD

Brett Favre at CAR

Running Back to Start

Beanie Wells at DET

Beanie looked solid against the Niners last week and is clearly the better back between him and Tim Hightower . He did fumble, but name an Arizona player that didn’t last week.

The Lions struggle in every facet of the game of football and this statement will reach extreme levels this week because they lost Kevin Smith to a knee injury, Matt Stafford is likely to miss this week’s game and Calvin Johnson missed practice on Thursday and is in danger of not playing. This means a whole lot more three-and-outs for the Lions offense and the Cards are going to control the clock in this one, as they will do it on the ground.

Wells asserted himself after Hightower lost yet another key fumble leading to points for the opposing team last week. He even made a nice catch and run.

This is still going to be somewhat of a split, but I expect Wells to get the early-down and short-yardage work with Hightower stepping in during passing downs, making Wells the better fantasy play and a solid RB2 this week against the Lions.

Other RBs to Start

Laurence Maroney at BUF,

Jamaal Charles vs. CLE,

Knowshon Moreno vs. OAK,

Quinton Ganther vs. NYG,

Arian Foster at STL,

Chris Jennings at KC,

Justin Forsett vs. TB,

Fred Jackson vs. NE

Running Back to Sit

Matt Forte at BAL

Another week and another horrible game by Forte. He has cracked 100 yards on the ground once…against the Lions, and that’s likely because he had a 61-yard carry. The guy has been just awful and if somehow you made it this far, congrats, but it wasn’t Forte’s doing.

Aside from all his suckiness, the Bears play the Ravens this week and we know what that means…another stinker coming Forte’s way. If you’re hoping for a Windy City revival in this game, then you are going to be one hot potato when Forte crushes your hopes of a fantasy title. The Ravens have allowed only one rushing TD in the last five games. What a coincidence; Forte has scored only one rushing TD in his last six games.

Other RBs to Sit

LeSean McCoy vs. SF

Jerome Harrison at KC

Brandon Jacobs at WAS

Wide Receiver to Start

DeSean Jackson vs. SF

His owners have to be ecstatic with what he has become in only his second season in the NFL. The guy is nearly uncoverable and likely the fastest WR in the game. Jeremy Maclin is injured and will miss this week’s game, meaning Jackson will see more passes. If Jackson can develop some sort of red-zone presence, he is going to end up a top-five fantasy option by the middle of next season.

Last year against San Francisco, Jackson had six catches for 98 yards and he should have no problem surpassing those numbers, McNabb is usually good for one long TD per game, so look for it go to the new D-Jax. He is a solid WR1 in this matchup.

Other WRs to Start

Terrell Owens vs. NE

Jason Avant vs. SF

Antonio Bryant at SEA

T.J. Houshmandzadeh

Dwayne Bowe vs. CLE

Steve Breaston at DET

Kevin Walter at STL

Robert Meachem vs. DAL

Kenny Britt vs. MIA

Wide Receiver to Sit

Steve Smith vs. MIN

Smith could be in store for a rough game. The Panthers are missing starting tackle Jeff Otah . This means that the inexperienced Matt Moore will be running for his life with Jared Allen chasing after him, limiting Smith’s ability to get deep, which is his bread and butter.

To make matters worse, the Vikes got back stud CB Antoine Winfield last week and he looked as if he didn’t miss a beat.

It will be hard for Smith’s owners to bench him at this all-important time of the fantasy football season, but this matchup could prove to be a brutal one.

Other WRs to Sit

Lee Evans vs. NE

Roddy White at NYJ

Calvin Johnson vs. ARI