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Week 15 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Maurice Jones-Drew and Others to Bench

Chris Trapasso
Dec 13, 2011

The pressure is on me to give astute fantasy football advice for the successful owners who are a few wins away from capturing their league title.

Serious stuff. ย 

It's never easy predicting which guys to bench each week, but some matchups in Week 15 have led me to believe that you must click-and-drag the following guys to the bench.ย 

Not because they'll have horrible performances, but simply because there are much better options at each player's respective position.ย 

Maurice Jones-Drew

1 of 3

Jones-Drew has been the one steady facet of the Jacksonville Jaguars offense all season. He's leading the NFL with 1,222 rushing yards and is fresh off a game in which he totaled 85 yards on the ground with four total touchdowns.ย 

Get yours, MJD.ย 

However, this week, he's not up against a uninspired Buccaneers defense.ย 

He gets the stout and ultra-aggressive Falcons defense in Atlanta.ย 

Their run defense is ranked fifth in the NFL, allowing 95 yards on the ground per game this season.ย 

There's a good chance Jones-Drew has carried you to a few victories, but this isn't the week to start him.ย 

Instead, start: Shonn Greene vs. Philadelphia or Michael Bush vs. Detroit

Andy Dalton

2 of 3

Dalton hasn't emerged as a top fantasy quarterback early in his career, but he's definitely a guy owners are starting in some deeper leagues across the country.ย 

He wasn't horrible against a stingy Texans defense last week, throwing for 189 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions, but is he ready to break out against a non-intimidating Rams defense in Week 15?ย 

No.ย 

The Bengals will exploit St. Louis' 32nd-ranked run defense by giving Cedric Benson a ton of carries.ย 

They won't need to throw it often, thus driving down the viability of Dalton as a fantasy signal-caller even more.ย 

Instead, start: Either Jake Locker or Matthew Hasselbeck at Indianapolis or Tim Tebow vs. New England

DeSean Jackson

3 of 3

Jackson had four catches for 59 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles' 26-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 14.ย 

There's no questionโ€”Mike Vick won't stop looking Jackson's way.ย 

However, the Jets secondary is no joke.ย 

Even without Jim Leonard, it is still one of the best units in football, and there's a good chance Darrelle Revis will be shadowing No. 10 all afternoon.ย 

Because of that and his inconsistency, send this disappointing fantasy "performer" to the bench.ย 

Coming into the year, I never thought I'd advise sending DeSean Jackson with such conviction.

Instead, Start: Brandon Marshall at Buffalo or any of the Giants receivers vs Washingtonย ย