Fantasy Football Week 15: Big-Play Performers Sure To Be Point Machines
Fantasy football Week 15 is playoff time. For just about everyone out there, it's the semifinals. Win and you're guaranteed no worse than a second-place finish. Lose and, well, you gave it a good run, right?
That's what makes this list so important. After all, touchdowns are nice and all, but in the end, it's big plays and big yards that can make your fantasy week.
Some of the 20 players are matchup plays, some of them are regulars on this list, but you can bet all of them are going to get you a big yard total this week.
20. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, New England Patriots
1 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Green-Ellis isn't a flashy, explosive back like Jamaal Charles or Chris Johnson. But he has been an extremely valuable asset and just posted a 21-carry, 87-yard performance against Chicago in Week 14.
Who’s the Matchup: Green Bay ranks third in the NFL against the run, but the Bears were about the same and The Law Firm delivered.
What’s the Verdict: He's a bit of a high-risk play against such a formidable defense this week, but he's also rolling along as well as almost any back in football: 20 carries, 85 yards.
19. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos
2 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Moreno has turned it on as the rest of the Broncos have packed it in for the season, posting six games with at least 100 total yards out of his last seven contests.
Who’s the Matchup: Oakland ranks 28th in the NFL against the run and Moreno had a strong performance against them in Week 7. In fact, the Raiders were the team who helped him get this streak of excellent play rolling.
What’s the Verdict: With such a nice matchup, you can expect big things out of Knowshon, even if the Broncos seem to have closed down shop for the season: 20 carries, 85 yards.
18. Deion Branch, WR, New England Patriots
3 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Branch has been Tom Brady's go-to receiver since he came over from the Seahawks and he has posted 60 or more receiving yards in each of his last five games.
Who’s the Matchup: Green Bay ranks fourth in the NFL against opposing wide receivers, but with the way New England's offense works, the Packers are able to negate opponents' pass-defending abilities.
What’s the Verdict: If he were on any other team, Branch would be an extremely risky pick. But given the Pats' recent success against elite defenses, it's safe to assume that even the vaunted Packers' defense isn't safe from their onslaught: Seven catches, 85 yards.
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17. Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants
4 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Nicks announced his return to the fantasy football world in a big way on Sunday, posting an excellent seven catches and 96 yards against the Vikings. He seems healthy and ready to slice and dice defenses like he was before his surgery.
Who’s the Matchup: Philly ranks 12th in the NFL against opposing wideouts, but for as good as top corner Asante Samuel is, people keep throwing at him, which should tell you all you need to know about his coverage skills.
What’s the Verdict: Sure, it could be a tough week for Nicks. But it's just as likely that the former Tar Heel burns the Eagles for a big day: Eight catches, 89 yards.
16. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
5 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Is there a more talented wide receiver in all of football than Calvin Johnson? Even with Drew Stanton throwing him the ball and Charles Woodson all over him last week, he still posted a 44-yard catch in Week 14. That says all you need to know about his big play potential.
Who’s the Matchup: Tampa Bay ranks 13th in the NFL against opposing wideouts, but with no Aqib Talib, who can cover Megatron?
What’s the Verdict: No one. Even if Johnson only catches a few passes, expect them to be enough to get you a big day: Five catches, 89 yards.
15. Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers
6 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: For proof of Davis' big play potential, look no further than Week 14 against Seattle or Week 13 against Green Bay.
Who’s the Matchup: San Diego ranks 22nd against opposing tight ends this season and Davis is just the kind of player who can give the Chargers fits.
What’s the Verdict: With a soft matchup and his preferred quarterback (Alex Smith) back under center, look for Vernon to have a nice game this week: Nine catches, 90 yards.
14. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
7 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Rice is a versatile, explosive runner and receiver. He doesn't always score touchdowns, but he's totalled 1,374 all-purpose yards this season, meaning he's averaged over 100 yards per game.
Who’s the Matchup: New Orleans ranks 15th against opposing running backs, but the Saints' run defense is undoubtedly their biggest weakness.
What’s the Verdict: With Rice's versatility, expect him to get plenty of work this week against a formidable foe: 15 carries, 70 yards, Two catches, 20 yards.
13. LeGarrette Blount, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Blount has been a stellar back in recent weeks and he has shown a propensity for having stellar days, capped by his 20-carry, 103-yard demolition of the Falcons in Week 13.
Who’s the Matchup: Detroit ranks 26th in the NFL against the run, but it has probably been worse than that for most of the season.
What’s the Verdict: With a soft matchup at home, expect Blount to get plenty of work and to take full advantage: 20 carries, 90 yards.
12. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
9 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Andre is one of the most physically talented receivers in the NFL. He's had a bit of a down year, but that hasn't stopped him from posting six 100-yard receiving games, including 140 yards in each of his last two contests.
Who’s the Matchup: Tennessee ranks ninth in the NFL against opposing wideouts, but expect Johnson to be extra-motivated to smoke the reeling Titans after Week 12's brouhaha.
What’s the Verdict: A rematch with Cortland Finnegan means that Johnson is poised to go off on the field: Six catches, 90 yards.
11. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
10 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Jackson's rolling right now, having posted 102 yards and 96 yards rushing in back-to-back weeks. He's one of the league's better runners and with the number of carries he gets, he's sure to get you a strong performance week in and week out.
Who’s the Matchup: The Chiefs rank 16th in the NFL against the run, but the Chargers just blew them up for 188 yards and two touchdowns in Week 14.
What’s the Verdict: With a reeling opposing defense and plenty of carries, expect Jackson's run of solid play to continue: 20 carries, 95 yards.
10. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons
11 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Turner has been on fire in recent weeks, posting five 100-yard rushing days in his last seven contests. He's running better than ever before right now. Would you bet against him?
Who’s the Matchup: Seattle ranks 28th in the NFL against the run and the Falcons love to exploit defenses that are that soft against the run.
What’s the Verdict: When you mix a hot running back with a floundering defense, what do you get? A 23-carry, 100-yard game, that's what.
9. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
12 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Colston has been one of the NFL's best wideouts over the last seven weeks, posting three 100-yard receiving performances since Week 7. He's the Saints' best deep threat and he has the skills to torch defenses that don't play him tight.
Who’s the Matchup: Baltimore's corners are this defense's biggest weakness and the Ravens rank 24th in the NFL because of it.
What’s the Verdict: With no one capable of hanging with the former Flying Dutchman, expect Colston to have another strong day: Seven catches, 100 yards.
8. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
13 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Johnson might be the most talented big-play back in the NFL, using his blazing speed to rack up seven 100-yard rushing days in 13 games this season.
Who’s the Matchup: Houston ranks 19th in the NFL against opposing running backs, and the Texans have given up some big days to opponents in the past.
What’s the Verdict: After Week 12's embarrassing showing, expect Johnson to try and make up for lost time: 20 carries, 100 yards.
7. Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
14 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Foster has been electric in 2010, posting seven 100-yard rushing days on the season, including one in Week 14 against the Ravens vaunted run defense. Can anyone slow him down this year?
Who’s the Matchup: Remember Week 12? Foster torched the Titans' 18th-ranked run defense for 143 yards.
What’s the Verdict: Who's to say Foster can't crack 100 yards again this week? Not me: 20 carries, 105 yards.
6. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
15 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Everyone's favorite human bowling ball is racking up 100-yard games by the bushel in the second half. Jones-Drew hasn't been held under the century mark in rushing yards since Week 7, and he hasn't been held under 100 total yards since Week 6.
Who’s the Matchup: The Colts rank 23rd in the NFL against opposing running backs and MJD gashed them for 105 yards and a score in Week 4.
What’s the Verdict: The streak continues: 20 carries, 105 yards.
5. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
16 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Wayne has had a late-season resurgence, posting three 100-yard efforts in his last four games. With a lovely matchup this week, you can bet his surge will continue.
Who’s the Matchup: Wayne torched the Jacksonville defense for 196 yards in Week 4. I think that sums up his potential quite nicely.
What’s the Verdict: Unless the Jags have figured out how to play defense, Wayne should have another stellar day: 10 catches, 108 yards.
4. Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons
17 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Does 138 yards on 12 catches suit you as proof of White's big play potential?
Who’s the Matchup: Seattle ranks 30th in the NFL against wideouts and White's one of the league's best at the position.
What’s the Verdict: With no one capable of containing him, look for Roddy to have a monster game against the Seahawks: 10 catches, 110 yards.
3. Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns
18 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Hillis' thundering running style belies an explosiveness seldom seen in power backs like him. He's posted five 100-yard rushing games this season and loves to exploit both strong and weak run defenses.
Who’s the Matchup: Cincinnati ranks 17th in the NFL against the run, but the Bengals have been much worse than that for most of the season and Hillis has gashed them once this season.
What’s the Verdict: With a soft defense, look for the Hillis bandwagon to grow again this week: 20 carries, 110 yards.
2. Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders
19 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: McFadden's been one of the most explosive runners in football in 2010 and has posted 1,430 total yards in 2010. Sound like a big play performer to you?
Who’s the Matchup: McFadden gets the Broncos, which rank second-to-last in the NFL against the run. He blew them apart for 165 yards and three touchdowns in Week 7.
What’s the Verdict: Roll McFadden with extreme confidence this week: 20 carries, 115 yards.
1. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
20 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Candidate: Charles has done more with less than any runner in the NFL in 2010. He's posted 100-yard games in two of his last three contests and continues to run with aplomb. And he has proven to be a valuable pass catcher, as well.
Who’s the Matchup: St. Louis ranks 12th in the NFL against opposing runners this season, but the Rams have had trouble with explosive backs like Charles.
What’s the Verdict: As long as Matt Cassel's under center (he should be), Charles should do enough to have a strong day: 17 carries, 80 yards, Three catches, 35 yards.
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