Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers QB, Graces Fantasy NFL Week 15 Risers

The fantasy playoffs are on the line and owners are scrambling to make the right matchup decisions.

Injuries to Antonio Gates and Aaron Rodgers could potentially sideline them this week against the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots, respectively.

Alex Smith re-emerged as a potential fantasy starter against the San Diego Chargers.

Which other players could be sneaky plays for these fantasy owners searching the waiver wire for capable replacements?

Bo Scaife, Tennessee Titans TE

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 10: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tries to tackle Bo Scaife #80 of the Tennessee Titans during the game at Heinz Field on September 10, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Kenny Britt and Randy Moss did not get the job done against the Indianapolis Colts last Thursday night.

No problem, Kerry Collins found Bo Scaife in the end zone twice.

Scaife is a reliable target for Collins and will likely not see any attention with Moss and Britt on the roster.

For owners in search of a waiver tight end, Scaife is a solid option.

Last Week’s Rising TE in Week 14:

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 17: Benjamin Watson #82 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to go up and over Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on October 17, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Ima

Benjamin Watson, CLE: 1 reception, 8 yards

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Atlanta Falcons pulls in this reception against Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Rob Gronkowski, NE: 5 receptions, 43 yards, TD

Kellen Winslow, TB: 2 receptions, 52 yards, TD

Owen Daniels, HOU: 5 receptions, 91 yards

Tony Gonzalez, ATL: 4 receptions, 28 yards, TD

Kevin Boss, NYG: 4 receptions, 23 yards, TD

Arrelious Benn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Arrelious Benn #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a late game touchdown against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. (Photo by La

The rookie had a tough time adjusting to the speed of the NFL game and took a major backseat to fellow rookie wide receiver Mike Williams.

Benn exploded in Week 14 against the Washington Redskins for 122 yards on four receptions.

Josh Freeman has been very good this season and Mike Williams should be healthier for Week 15, making Benn a decent flex option.

Last Week’s Rising WRs in Week 14:

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Kenny Britt #18 of the Tennessee Titans catches a pass during the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Kenny Britt, TEN: 4 receptions, 39 yards, Fumble

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins hauls in a touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Deion Branch, NE: 8 receptions, 151 yards, TD

Pierre Garcon, IND: 6 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TD

Derrick Mason, BAL: 6 receptions, 78 yards, 2 TD

Malcom Floyd, SD: 4 receptions, 51 yards, 2 TD

Santana Moss, WAS: 7 receptions, 82 yards, TD

Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins RB

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LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 17: Running back Ryan Torain #46 of the Washington Redskins is gang tackled by the Indianapolis Colts defense at FedExField on October 17, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Torain finally returned in Week 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after missing time with a hamstring injury.

The Redskins could not run the ball without Torain, but he picked up the slack for the ‘Skins in his first game back.

In the first half, he already had over 150 yards rushing.

He finished the day with 172 yards rushing on 24 carries.

Torain has a great matchup next week against the Dallas Cowboys.

Last Week’s Rising RB in Week 14:

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 05: James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers runs against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field on December 5, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 34-16. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

James Starks, GB: 6 carries, 8 yards

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 12: Running back Ryan Mathews #24 of the San Diego Chargers carries the ball on a 15 yard touchdown run against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 31-0. (Photo

Tim Hightower, ARZ: 18 carries, 148 yards, 2 TD

Brian Westbrook, SF: 9 carries, 23 yards, 6 receptions, 87 yards, TD

Brandon Jacobs, NYG: 14 carries, 116 yards, TD

Ryan Mathews, SD: 16 carries, 65 yards, TD, 1 reception, 6 yards

Felix Jones, DAL: 13 carries, 41 yards, TD, 4 receptions, 42 yards

Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers QB

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SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 12: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers passes against the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on December 12, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Smith has been inconsistent throughout his career.

It is difficult to believe many thought Smith would have the type of game he had in Week 14 against the Seattle Seahawks—his first game back from a shoulder injury.

Smith completed 17 of 27 passes (63.0 completion percentage) for 255 yards and three touchdowns.

Smith has a decent matchup against the Chargers Thursday night, but with his history of inconsistency, it may be the safer bet to believe he won’t duplicate this type of performance.

Last Week’s Rising QB in Week 14:

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback John Skelton #19 of the Arizona Cardinals throws the football during the NFL game against the Denver Broncos at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated th

John Skelton, ARZ: 15 for 37 (40.5 completion percentage), 146 yards

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

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HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans runs out of the pocket as he looks for a receiver against the Baltimore Ravens at Reliant Stadium on December 13, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Matt Schaub, HOU: 31 for 62 (50.0 completion percentage), 393 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT

Kerry Collins, TEN: 28 for 39 (71.8 completion percentage), 244 yards, 3 TD

Jason Campbell, OAK: 21 for 30 (70.0 completion percentage), 324 yards, 2 TD

David Garrard, JAX: 11 for 22 (50.0 completion percentage), 159 yards, 3 TD, INT

Donovan McNabb, WAS: 22 for 35 (62.9 completion percentage), 228 yards, 2 TD