WhatIfSports NFL Fantasy Rankings: Week 15

Jake WestrichDec 12, 2008

2008 Week 15 Fantasy Rankings

BtB presents position-by-position cheat sheets

Dec. 9, 2008

We present our updated, weekly fantasy football projections. This thorough analysis and statistical evaluation of every player and team in the NFL is part of a broader endeavor with FOXSports.com's Fantasy Football.

Each regular season game is simulated 10,001 times, with the sum of the averages of those games being our final predicted outcome. This allows us to account for every player and statistical interaction in an NFL game.

Rosters and depth charts are up-to-date and as accurate as possible as of Tuesday morning for each week. Information on scoring and injury analysis appears at the very bottom of this article.

To view a pop-up with positional rankings, please click on one of the links below. Good luck this season!

Quarterback	Running Back	Wide Receiver	Tight End
Kicker	Team Defense	Individual Defense

	Name	Pos	Team	Opp	Points
1.	Peyton Manning	QB	Colts	Lions	21.5
2.	Brian Westbrook	RB	Eagles	Browns	21.4
3.	Philip Rivers	QB	Chargers	Chiefs	20.8
4.	Kurt Warner	QB	Cardinals	Vikings	19.9
5.	Jeff Garcia	QB	Buccaneers	Falcons	19.8
6.	Aaron Rodgers	QB	Packers	Jaguars	19.4
7.	Drew Brees	QB	Saints	Bears	19.1
8.	Chris Johnson	RB	Titans	Texans	19.0
9.	Matt Cassel	QB	Patriots	Raiders	18.3
10.	DeAngelo Williams	RB	Panthers	Broncos	18.0
11.	Warrick Dunn	RB	Buccaneers	Falcons	17.5
12.	Shaun Hill	QB	49ers	Dolphins	17.5
13.	Seneca Wallace	QB	Seahawks	Rams	17.4
14.	Jake Delhomme	QB	Panthers	Broncos	17.2
	Name	Pos	Team	Opp	Points
15.	Chad Pennington	QB	Dolphins	49ers	17.0
16.	Matt Forte	RB	Bears	Saints	17.0
17.	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	Chargers	Chiefs	16.9
18.	Steve Slaton	RB	Texans	Titans	16.3
19.	Donovan McNabb	QB	Eagles	Browns	16.2
20.	Marc Bulger	QB	Rams	Seahawks	15.6
21.	Brett Favre	QB	Jets	Bills	15.5
22.	Roddy White	WR	Falcons	Buccaneers	15.3
23.	Thomas Jones	RB	Jets	Bills	15.2
24.	Jason Campbell	QB	Redskins	Bengals	15.1
25.	Kerry Collins	QB	Titans	Texans	14.8
26.	Steve Smith	WR	Panthers	Broncos	14.8
27.	Frank Gore	RB	49ers	Dolphins	14.7
28.	Tony Romo	QB	Cowboys	Giants	14.7
29.	Trent Edwards	QB	Bills	Jets	14.6
	Name	Pos	Team	Opp	Points
30.	Steven Jackson	RB	Rams	Seahawks	14.6
31.	Jay Cutler	QB	Broncos	Panthers	14.4
32.	Adrian Peterson	RB	Vikings	Cardinals	14.4
33.	Tyler Thigpen	QB	Chiefs	Chargers	14.3
34.	Jonathan Stewart	RB	Panthers	Broncos	14.3
35.	Wes Welker	WR	Patriots	Raiders	14.2
36.	Clinton Portis	RB	Redskins	Bengals	14.0
37.	Matt Ryan	QB	Falcons	Buccaneers	13.8
38.	Brandon Jacobs	RB	Giants	Cowboys	13.4
39.	Ryan Grant	RB	Packers	Jaguars	13.4
40.	Marshawn Lynch	RB	Bills	Jets	13.4
41.	David Garrard	QB	Jaguars	Packers	13.3
42.	Ronnie Brown	RB	Dolphins	49ers	13.2
43.	JaMarcus Russell	QB	Raiders	Patriots	13.1
44.	Antonio Bryant	WR	Buccaneers	Falcons	13.0
	Name	Pos	Team	Opp	Points
45.	Matt Schaub	QB	Texans	Titans	12.8
46.	Tarvaris Jackson	QB	Vikings	Cardinals	12.5
47.	Kyle Orton	QB	Bears	Saints	12.4
48.	Greg Jennings	WR	Packers	Jaguars	12.3
49.	Dominic Rhodes	RB	Colts	Lions	12.3
50.	Larry Fitzgerald	WR	Cardinals	Vikings	12.1
51.	Adam Vinatieri	K	Colts	Lions	12.1
52.	Eli Manning	QB	Giants	Cowboys	12.1
53.	Marion Barber	RB	Cowboys	Giants	11.9
54.	Michael Turner	RB	Falcons	Buccaneers	11.6
55.	Vincent Jackson	WR	Chargers	Chiefs	11.4
56.	Reggie Bush	RB	Saints	Bears	11.4
57.	Calvin Johnson	WR	Lions	Colts	11.4
58.	Derrick Ward	RB	Giants	Cowboys	11.4
59.	Kevin Smith	RB	Lions	Colts	11.3
	Name	Pos	Team	Opp	Points
60.	Maurice Morris	RB	Seahawks	Rams	11.3
61.	Pierre Thomas	RB	Saints	Bears	11.3
62.	Justin Fargas	RB	Raiders	Patriots	11.2
63.	Ben Roethlisberger	QB	Steelers	Ravens	11.2
64.	Dwayne Bowe	WR	Chiefs	Chargers	11.2
65.	Reggie Wayne	WR	Colts	Lions	11.2
66.	Santana Moss	WR	Redskins	Bengals	11.0
67.	Ravens	DEF		Steelers	10.7
68.	Torry Holt	WR	Rams	Seahawks	10.7
69.	Colts	DEF		Lions	10.6
70.	John Kasay	K	Panthers	Broncos	10.6
71.	Anquan Boldin	WR	Cardinals	Vikings	10.5
72.	Rob Bironas	K	Titans	Texans	10.5
73.	Brandon Marshall	WR	Broncos	Panthers	10.5
74.	Terrell Owens	WR	Cowboys	Giants	10.4
	Name	Pos	Team	Opp	Points
75.	David Akers	K	Eagles	Browns	10.4
76.	Isaac Bruce	WR	49ers	Dolphins	10.3
77.	Joseph Addai	RB	Colts	Lions	10.3
78.	Lee Evans	WR	Bills	Jets	10.3
79.	Donald Driver	WR	Packers	Jaguars	10.3
80.	Eagles	DEF		Browns	10.1
81.	Maurice Jones-Drew	RB	Jaguars	Packers	10.1
82.	Mason Crosby	K	Packers	Jaguars	10.0
83.	Steve Breaston	WR	Cardinals	Vikings	10.0
84.	Nate Kaeding	K	Chargers	Chiefs	9.8
85.	Muhsin Muhammad	WR	Panthers	Broncos	9.8
86.	Sammy Morris	RB	Patriots	Raiders	9.8
87.	Leon Washington	RB	Jets	Bills	9.7
88.	Robbie Gould	K	Bears	Saints	9.7
89.	LenDale White	RB	Titans	Texans	9.6
	Name	Pos	Team	Opp	Points
90.	Neil Rackers	K	Cardinals	Vikings	9.5
91.	Deion Branch	WR	Seahawks	Rams	9.5
92.	Darren Sproles	RB	Chargers	Chiefs	9.4
93.	DeSean Jackson	WR	Eagles	Browns	9.4
94.	Andre Johnson	WR	Texans	Titans	9.3
95.	Larry Johnson	RB	Chiefs	Chargers	9.3
96.	Le'Ron McClain	RB	Ravens	Steelers	9.1
97.	Davone Bess	WR	Dolphins	49ers	9.0
98.	John Carlson	TE	Seahawks	Rams	8.9
99.	Jerramy Stevens	TE	Buccaneers	Falcons	8.9
100.	Stephen Gostkowski	K	Patriots	Raiders	8.9
101.	Marvin Harrison	WR	Colts	Lions	8.8
102.	Kevin Walter	WR	Texans	Titans	8.8
103.	Redskins	DEF		Bengals	8.8
104.	Julius Jones	RB	Seahawks	Rams	8.7
	Name	Pos	Team	Opp	Points
105.	T.J. Houshmandzadeh	WR	Bengals	Redskins	8.7
106.	Matt Stover	K	Ravens	Steelers	8.7
107.	Ryan Fitzpatrick	QB	Bengals	Redskins	8.6
108.	Garrett Hartley	K	Saints	Bears	8.6
109.	Ted Ginn Jr.	WR	Dolphins	49ers	8.6
110.	Jason Witten	TE	Cowboys	Giants	8.5
111.	Fred Taylor	RB	Jaguars	Packers	8.5
112.	Olindo Mare	K	Seahawks	Rams	8.5
113.	Marques Colston	WR	Saints	Bears	8.5
114.	Nick Folk	K	Cowboys	Giants	8.3
115.	Selvin Young	RB	Broncos	Panthers	8.3
116.	Tatum Bell	RB	Broncos	Panthers	8.3
117.	Darren McFadden	RB	Raiders	Patriots	8.3
118.	Jerricho Cotchery	WR	Jets	Bills	8.3
119.	Kris Brown	K	Texans	Titans	8.2
	Name	Pos	Team	Opp	Points
120.	Bryant Johnson	WR	49ers	Dolphins	8.2
121.	Randy Moss	WR	Patriots	Raiders	8.2
122.	Devin Hester	WR	Bears	Saints	8.2
123.	J.J. Arrington	RB	Cardinals	Vikings	8.0
124.	Eddie Royal	WR	Broncos	Panthers	8.0
125.	Fred Jackson	RB	Bills	Jets	7.9
126.	Matt Bryant	K	Buccaneers	Falcons	7.9
127.	Daunte Culpepper	QB	Lions	Colts	7.9
128.	Josh Scobee	K	Jaguars	Packers	7.9
129.	LaMont Jordan	RB	Patriots	Raiders	7.9
130.	Jay Feely	K	Jets	Bills	7.9
131.	Zach Miller	TE	Raiders	Patriots	7.8
132.	Ricky Williams	RB	Dolphins	49ers	7.6
133.	Joe Flacco	QB	Ravens	Steelers	7.5
134.	Sebastian Janikowski	K	Raiders	Patriots	7.5
	Name	Pos	Team	Opp	Points
135.	Devery Henderson	WR	Saints	Bears	7.5
136.	Hines Ward	WR	Steelers	Ravens	7.5
137.	John Carney	K	Giants	Cowboys	7.5
138.	Mewelde Moore	RB	Steelers	Ravens	7.4
139.	Justin Gage	WR	Titans	Texans	7.3
140.	Dan Carpenter	K	Dolphins	49ers	7.3
141.	Antwaan Randle El	WR	Redskins	Bengals	7.2
142.	Ryan Longwell	K	Vikings	Cardinals	7.2
143.	Antonio Gates	TE	Chargers	Chiefs	7.2
144.	Santonio Holmes	WR	Steelers	Ravens	7.2
145.	Jason Elam	K	Falcons	Buccaneers	7.2
146.	Shaun Suisham	K	Redskins	Bengals	7.2
147.	Ladell Betts	RB	Redskins	Bengals	7.0
148.	Josh Brown	K	Rams	Seahawks	7.0
149.	Jason Hanson	K	Lions	Colts	7.0
	Name	Pos	Team	Opp	Points
150.	Bernard Berrian	WR	Vikings	Cardinals	7.0
151.	Joe Nedney	K	49ers	Dolphins	7.0
152.	Lance Moore	WR	Saints	Bears	6.9
153.	Matt Prater	K	Broncos	Panthers	6.9
154.	Jeff Reed	K	Steelers	Ravens	6.8
155.	Rian Lindell	K	Bills	Jets	6.7
156.	Chester Taylor	RB	Vikings	Cardinals	6.6
157.	Jamal Lewis	RB	Browns	Eagles	6.6
158.	Derrick Mason	WR	Ravens	Steelers	6.6
159.	Matt Jones	WR	Jaguars	Packers	6.6
160.	Dallas Clark	TE	Colts	Lions	6.6
161.	Malcom Floyd	WR	Chargers	Chiefs	6.4
162.	Domenik Hixon	WR	Giants	Cowboys	6.4
163.	Hank Baskett	WR	Eagles	Browns	6.3
164.	Koren Robinson	WR	Seahawks	Rams	6.2
	Name	Pos	Team	Opp	Points
165.	Giants	DEF		Cowboys	6.2
166.	Tim Hightower	RB	Cardinals	Vikings	6.2
167.	Marcedes Lewis	TE	Jaguars	Packers	6.2
168.	Josh Reed	WR	Bills	Jets	6.1
169.	Amani Toomer	WR	Giants	Cowboys	6.1
170.	Mark Clayton	WR	Ravens	Steelers	6.1
171.	Jamaal Charles	RB	Chiefs	Chargers	6.1
172.	Connor Barth	K	Chiefs	Chargers	6.0
173.	Laveranues Coles	WR	Jets	Bills	6.0
174.	Steelers	DEF		Ravens	6.0
175.	DeShaun Foster	RB	49ers	Dolphins	6.0
176.	Cedric Benson	RB	Bengals	Redskins	5.9
177.	Carnell Williams	RB	Buccaneers	Falcons	5.9
178.	Donnie Avery	WR	Rams	Seahawks	5.9
179.	Ken Dorsey	QB	Browns	Eagles	5.8
	Name	Pos	Team	Opp	Points
180.	Tony Gonzalez	TE	Chiefs	Chargers	5.8
181.	Tashard Choice	RB	Cowboys	Giants	5.8
182.	Jabar Gaffney	WR	Patriots	Raiders	5.8
183.	Chargers	DEF		Chiefs	5.7
184.	Donald Lee	TE	Packers	Jaguars	5.7
185.	Bobby Wade	WR	Vikings	Cardinals	5.6
186.	Anthony Fasano	TE	Dolphins	49ers	5.6
187.	Brandon Jackson	RB	Packers	Jaguars	5.6
188.	Reggie Williams	WR	Jaguars	Packers	5.6
189.	Panthers	DEF		Broncos	5.6
190.	Braylon Edwards	WR	Browns	Eagles	5.6
191.	Owen Daniels	TE	Texans	Titans	5.5
192.	Jerious Norwood	RB	Falcons	Buccaneers	5.3
193.	Chris Chambers	WR	Chargers	Chiefs	5.3
194.	Tony Richardson	RB	Jets	Bills	5.3
	Name	Pos	Team	Opp	Points
195.	Anthony Gonzalez	WR	Colts	Lions	5.3
196.	Cardinals	DEF		Vikings	5.2
197.	Jets	DEF		Bills	5.2
198.	Rashied Davis	WR	Bears	Saints	5.1
199.	Chris Cooley	TE	Redskins	Bengals	5.1
200.	Bo Scaife	TE	Titans	Texans	5.1

* The individual players and defensive teams below are ranked based entirely on projected full-season fantasy points using the FOX Fantasy Football Default Scoring where for QBs, RBs, WRs and TE, all TDs are six points, each 25 yards passing are one point, interceptions are minus two points, fumbles lost are minus two points, each ten yards receiving are one point and two-point conversions are two points.

For kickers, all extra points are one point and all field goals are at least three points with an extra bonus point for field goals made over 40 yards and another bonus point for field goals made over 50 yards.

Individual defensive players (linked to below, but not included in overall rankings) earn one point for each solo tackle, one point for each sack, two points for each interception and six points for each touchdown. Team defenses include special teams and are treated similarly for sacks, interceptions and touchdown returns, while a more complex system, based on the outcome of each individual game, is utilized for points allowed per game.

Please note: These overall fantasy rankings are strictly based on total points earned for the season. They do not account for position scarcity, number of owners drafting and their drafting styles, roster restrictions, custom league scoring rules or other items that should be considered while drafting.

Injuries are accounted for based on a player's past history and the likelihood of missing games due to injury. This is reflected in his games played (GP) value.

However, unless the injury is already known and takes place at the beginning of the season, the players are arbitrarily injured throughout the season (as opposed to just at the end or beginning of the year).

Players with less than 16 GP will likely vary the most from their projected numbers because they are injury-prone or have depth chart and playing time concerns.

Paul Bessire is the Senior Quantitative Analyst and Content Manager for WhatIfSports.com and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. With any comments, questions or topic suggestions, Paul can be reached at BtB@whatifsports.com. Thanks!