NFL Fantasy Football Week 15: Start 'Em Sit 'Em
Fantasy football playoffs are underway and some tough lineup decisions must be made. With so much on the line, the difference can be made with just one start or sit decision.
Last week, Adrian Peterson and Kyle Orton were the major disappointments, while Deon Branch and Ryan Torain surprised with big performances.
It's fantasy football playoff time and the stakes are the high. Here are the picks to start and sit for NFL Week 15.
Quarterback Start 'Em
1 of 10
Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While he has been consistent as any quarterback in the league this year, Freeman has yet to have a true breakout game this season. Freeman has not thrown for over 300 yards or three touchdowns in a single game; however, this week at home against the Detroit Lions, Freeman has a great opportunity to break that streak.
The Lions are average against the pass, but are prone to giving up big games to quarterbacks (Tom Brady - four touchdowns, Jon Kitna - three touchdowns). Freeman has six touchdowns to just one interception in the last four games, and he should at least remain consistent if he does not explode for a big game.
Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
Since struggling with consistency over the first nine weeks of the season, Schaub has quietly impressed over the last four weeks. Over the last four games, Schaub has seven touchdowns and one interception. Moreover, he topped 300 yards twice during this stretch.
Schaub and the Texans face the Tennessee Titans this week. The Titans, ranked 26th against the pass, have lost six in a row most recently allowing over 300 passing yards and two touchdowns to Peyton Manning. This week, Schaub should be able to continue his recent successful stretch.
Quarterback Sit 'Em
2 of 10
Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos
Kyle Orton ended his incredibly productive streak with a horrific performance last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Orton completed less than a third of his passes and passed for less than 150 yards for the first time this season.
Orton did not practice on Friday for the Broncos further indicating that Tim Tebow should see extended time for the first time this season. While interim coach Eric Studesville suggested that Orton still could play, Tebow will still likely see some more time on the field given that Denver is already looking forward to next season.
Even if Orton does see a majority of the snaps, the Broncos play the Oakland Raiders defense, which is ranked seventh in the NFL against the pass. In Orton's first game against the Raiders this season, he did not break 200 passing yards and had a quarterback rating below 75.
Running Back Start 'Em
3 of 10
Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys
Last week against the Indianapolis Colts, Jones eclipsed 20 carries for the first time this season. While he was able to only accumulate 83 yards, it was an encouraging sign that the Cowboys are more committed to the run game.
This week Dallas matches up against the Washington Redskins. The Redskins defense has been full of holes this season against both the run and the pass. Washington is ranked 29th against the pass and 28th against the run. Even if Jones does not put up big yardage, Dallas should be able to score in bunches with Jones having several opportunities to grab one or two touchdowns.
Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos
Moreno has emerged has one of the top fantasy runningbacks in the second half of the season. Over the last four games, Moreno has topped 100 total yards in each game while also adding three touchdowns. With questions surrounding the quarterback situation in Denver, the Broncos may be more committed to establishing the offense on the ground.
This week the Broncos travel to play the Oakland Raiders, a team that has given up an average of over 130 rushing yards per game this season. The last time that Moreno faced the Raiders in week 7, he had 90 total yards and two touchdowns. The Broncos offense should revolve around Moreno this week making him more than a solid start.
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Running Back Sit 'Em
4 of 10
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
That's right. That actually says to bench Adrian Peterson this week. It may be a questionable move, but there is some evidence supporting this decision. Peterson has yet to practice this week, but according to Leslie Frazier he is still expected to play.
In his last seven games, Peterson has just one 100 yard rushing game. Moreover, with third string quarterback Joe Webb starting the Chicago Bears will certainly be stacking the box against the Vikings. The Bears already have the second ranked rush defense in the league, which will make it exceedingly difficult for Peterson to move the ball on the ground in harsh conditions.
Wide Receiver Start 'Em
5 of 10
Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants
Nicks was questionable last week against the Minnesota Vikings after missing two weeks. While Nicks was expected to play at less than 100 percent, he performed up to his standards with seven receptions for 96 yards against the Vikings. Nicks practiced every day this week and should be fully back on track.
With Steve Smith out for the season, Nicks will be counted on even more in the Giants passing attack. Eli Manning certainly trusts Nicks more than Derek Hagan or Mario Manningham. Against an Eagles passing defense that is below average, Nick is one of the top fantasy wide receivers this week.
Dwyane Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs
Bowe has been in quite a funk over the last two weeks after having an unbelievable seven game stretch with 13 touchdowns and four 100 yard games. The last two weeks, however, Bowe has been held to just one catch for three yards.
To be fair though, Bowe was held without a catch by Champ Bailey, still one of the top defensive backs in the league. Last week, Bowe had just one catch but it was against the top pass defense in the league the San Diego Chargers, and Matt Cassel was out after an appendectomy. Bowe will face a much weaker 20th ranked pass defense this week and should finally be able to bounce back.
Wide Receiver Sit 'Em
6 of 10
Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers
Over the last four games, Driver has averaged just 43 reception yards a game and has notched just one touchdown. This week the Packers will travel to Foxboro to play the New England Patriots.
While New England's passing defense has not been the best the season, a snowy forecast should limit the amount of passes in the Green Bay playbook. More importantly, Aaron Rodgers is out and Matt Flynn will be starting for the Packers. Driver had just two receptions for 12 yards last week with Flynn as his quarterback.
Greg Jennings may be a risky start as well, but unlike Jennings, Driver does not have the high ceiling and consistent performance that Jennings has demonstrated.
Tight End Start 'Em
7 of 10
Owen Daniels, Houston Texans
Daniels returned after a six game injury absence last week with five receptions for 91 yards against a tough Baltimore defense. This week, Daniels along with a rejuvenated Matt Schaub should have a much easier time against the Tennessee Titans pass defense.
Daniels, when healthy, is one of the top pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. Because of an injury-plagued season, he may be available in most fantasy leagues. Daniels could be a difference-maker from the tight end spot on your roster.
Tight End Sit 'Em
8 of 10
Aaron Hernandez, New England Patriots
Hernandez has been inconsistent throughout the year in receiving yards, but he has scored four touchdowns in the last five games he has played. However, Hernandez did not practice with the Patriots on Friday because he has the flu. Listed as questionable for Sunday's game, even if Hernandez does play one would have to believe that he will not be targeted as much especially in the winter weather at Foxboro.
With Rob Gronkowski infringing on some of the targets that were going to Hernandez, neither New England tight end is a particularly attractive option this week.
Defense Start 'Em
9 of 10
Miami Dolphins Defense
The Dolphins have averaged less than 14 points allowed over the last five games. Miami has the sixth ranked passing defense and the seventh ranked rushing defense in the NFL this season.
The Buffalo Bills are visiting Miami this week. The Bills have one of the worst passing offenses in the league and have scored less than 17 points in each of the last three weeks. Miami should be able to hold the Bills to under two scores and create some turnovers/
Defense Sit 'Em
10 of 10
Baltimore Defense
The Baltimore defense has been solid over the last four games allowing 13 points or less in three of those games. This weekend, however, the Ravens host the New Orleans Saints who have the second most passing yards in the NFL this season.
The Saints have scored 30 or more points in five straight games. The return of Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush's reemergence have made New Orleans even more dangerous on offense. Baltimore may have one of the better defenses in the NFL, but against the Saints the Ravens are not a good start.
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