NFL Week 15 Predictions: Projecting the Top Fantasy Football Performances

Obviously, every week there will be fantasy players who bomb, dominate or just play average. However, in some cases, the usual studs perform well each week and easily put up tons of fantasy points.

We know guys like Drew Brees (at Minnesota) and Aaron Rodgers (vs. anyone) will dominate, but others who may also do the same this week deserve some recognition. Therefore, here are four of Week 15's best fantasy performers.

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Matthew Stafford: QB, Lions (at Raiders)

The Raiders go back home to Oakland in Week 15 after basically getting diced up by the Packers, only to face another sick passing offense—Detroit.

Here, we'll see the NFL's No. 5-ranked passing offense (Detroit) against Oakland's No. 17-ranked pass defense. In addition, Oakland ranks No. 29 in rush defense; although Detroit is a pass-first team, expect some runs to make the passing game even easier.

QB Matthew Stafford will roll, as Detroit needs a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. And with WR Calvin Johnson outside, you know that the Raiders will be keeping attention toward him—but it won't matter.

So, anticipate Stafford mostly airing it out to Megatron as well as targeting TE Brandon Pettigrew across the middle. The Raiders have solid LBs, but none can cover Pettigrew one-on-one.

Wes Welker: WR, Patriots (at Broncos)

In the Patriots-Broncos game, WR Wes Welker is the x-factor. Denver has a solid pass rush, but their pass defense is a weak point, despite their ability to force turnovers.

Welker's ability to beat single coverage and widen the field will leave the Broncos LBs vulnerable whether it's zone or man-coverage. As long as the Denver pass rush is held in check, Tom Brady will have ample time to throw.

New England may not be a run-first team; however, the difference between the Pats and the Lions is that the Pats can still run the ball effectively at will. This will definitely draw up some coverage and TE Rob Gronkowski will surely attract multiple defenders.

No one on Denver can cover Welker one-on-one; with Gronk clearing out the middle and the seam routes, Wes will have a field day sitting in the zones and catching the drag route over the middle right behind the LBs.

Moving the chains is one area in which opposing offenses have lacked against the Broncos. However, that's Welker's specialty, in addition to getting yards after the catch.

Ray Rice: RB, Ravens (at Chargers)

Although the San Diego Chargers are on a roll, they still are vulnerable against the run. Currently, San Diego ranks No. 23 in rush defense, allowing almost 130 yards per game.

As for the Ravens, RB Ray Rice is the focal point of their offense and controls the game tempo. On the year, Rice averages 125 total yards per game. His production against a surging Chargers team will be crucial.

Believe it or not, San Diego is still technically alive for the playoffs; the Ravens are vying for the AFC North title as well as the No. 1 seed. Look for Rice to be fed early and often to slam the Bolts defense and wear 'em down.

As the game progresses, Rice will get his receiving yards—once QB Joe Flacco takes a couple of shots downfield with the Bolts stacking the box. In addition, San Diego's potent offense will stay on the sideline.

Baltimore may have a sick defense, but they've been prone to allowing decent points before. So Rice will get a lot of touches and go above his 125 total yard average.

Chris Johnson: RB, Titans (at Colts)

You could make the argument that RB Chris Johnson was a major reason why Tennessee lost to New Orleans. CJ only gained a total of 66 yards and didn't score a TD.

Although it's clear that the Saints zeroed in on No. 28, he still should have produced better. New Orleans' defense ranks just No. 30 against the pass and No. 15 against the rush, so there's no reason why he couldn't have gotten better numbers.

Fortunately for Johnson and the Titans, Tennessee plays the winless Colts this week. Indianapolis has the No. 30-ranked rush defense (allowing over 140 per game) and the No. 21-ranked pass defense (allowing 240 per game).

Johnson needs to get back on track if Tennessee wants any shot at the postseason, as he is (much like Ray Rice for Baltimore) the focal point of the offense. This is not going to be an easy road game, since it's also a must-win against a divisional opponent.

However, CJ bounced back this season after a very slow start, so anticipate him doing that again. Let's face it, Indianapolis has no chance of slowing him—or anyone—down.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27