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Bangs takes a look around the NFL to come up with recommendations for Week 15 of the fantasy football season.
Quarterback to start
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Shaun Hill looks to lead your fantasy team to the glory land. Photo Credit: Icon SMI |
Shaun Hill (SF) – Following the disaster that was the J.T. O’Sullivan era, Hill has looked very solid. In six starts Hill has thrown for 10 touchdowns and over 1,300 passing yards, while also notching a rushing touchdown for good measure. Hill has single-handedly made Isaac Bruce relevant in fantasy leagues again and has contributed to the playoff runs of many fantasy teams. But alas, his work is not yet done. Hill still has to face the questionable secondary of the Dolphins this week, followed by the Rams, before completing his mission of leading teams to a fantasy championship. Weather shouldn't be a factor in either game, as the games will be in (usually) sunny Miami and the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. Even if running back Frank Gore is out or limited, Hill has worked his way to must-start status.
Running backs to start
LenDale White (TEN) – Chris Johnson (who is an obvious start) has over 1,000 rushing yards, the speed, the glory and, most likely, the ladies. White has an ample belly, a penchant for whining when he doesn’t get the ball and secondary status in the RB crew on his team. Oh … and White has the touchdowns, coming close to doubling up Johnson’s eight touchdowns with 14. As the Titans approach the playoffs, expect Chris Johnson to get more rest as Tennessee tries to keep him as fresh as possible. While Johnson takes some plays off, White’s carries will increase as he shoulders more of the offensive load and continues to put up stats worthy of a second running back or a very strong flex play.
Pierre Thomas (NO) – Thomas looked great in his only start last season, which came as an injury fill-in against the Chicago Bears. Now the premier running back for New Orleans, Thomas faces the Bears again, but this time he is riding a four-game touchdown streak in which he has gone over 100 total yards three times. The Bears defense is formidable in terms of big-plays, as they are tied for second in the NFL in interceptions and tied for fourth in defensive touchdowns. But they are no longer a defense that is capable of shutting other teams down. They are actually right in the middle of the NFL in both total yards allowed and points allowed. While Drew Brees and the Saints offense keep the Bears playing deep to guard against the pass, Thomas will have room to accumulate decent yardage and grind out at least one touchdown. Thomas is a good start as a second running back this week.
Running backs to sit
Marion Barber III (DAL) – Don’t even think about starting him this week. Sure Barber is expected to play … with a sore calf and a dislocated pinky toe. Sounds minor, right? Well, Barber has to try running at full speed, then cutting to the side with a bad toe. Then add the effects of being chased down and tackled by opposing players, many of whom weigh significantly more than him. And they all know he has a bad toe, so expect it to be stepped on a hundred times or so. To top it off, the New York Giants are a Top Five team against the run and are sure to be fired up coming off last week’s embarrassing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. For good measure, Tashard Choice looked pretty good against Pittsburgh, with over 160 total yards, which should earn him some playing time if Barber falters or is not 100 percent healthy.
Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore (PIT) – Hopefully you know better than to start either, even as a flex, against the Baltimore Ravens.
Wide receivers to start
Randy Moss and Wes Welker (NE) – If you have Randy Moss, you have to be running him out there for his return to Oak-Town. Though he will be facing Nnamdi Asomugha, most likely with safety help throughout the game, Moss won’t be denied quality numbers against the team that almost wrecked his career. Welker makes a living facing single coverage while Moss is trying up defenders downfield. Cornerback Chris Johnson has looked solid since replacing the released DeAngelo Hall, but don’t expect him to be able to keep Welker in check. I do not understand why so many people question starting Welker, week in and week out. PPR league or not, Welker has to be in your lineup. Especially fin a game that the Patriots need to win for playoff purposes.
Dwayne Bowe (KC) – The hype around Bowe has died down and Tyler Thigpen has come back to Earth with back-to-back games under 200 passing yards. The horrible secondary of the San Diego Chargers coming in for a game should lead, however, to bounce-back games for both “Thiggy” and Bowe. Bowe received 14 targets last week, which he turned into seven catches for 96 yards. You can expect him to post superior numbers this week.
Steve Breaston (ARI) – If you have him on your roster, you’ve most likely ridden him this far as a third wide receiver or flex player. Don’t hesitate to plug in “Breasty” against a Vikings team that ranks in the bottom third of the NFL in pass defense. The Vikings will do everything they can to slow down Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, which will leave Breaston open for plenty of catches and yards, just be aware that he has topped 100 yards more times than he has scored, so a touchdown is unlikely.
Wide receivers to sit
Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes (PIT) – With only seven catches for 76 yards spanning the last three weeks, Ward has been effectively removed from the Pittsburgh passing game. His disappearance has been due to a combination of opposing teams focusing on him and “Banged-up” Ben Roethlisberger being … banged-up. While Holmes has cracked 80 yards twice in the last three games, he only has reached that mark only two other times this season and has shown little consistency either in posting statistics or getting open. Against the league's second-ranked pass defense, neither receiver is worth starting during your fantasy playoffs.
Derek Mason (BAL) – Mason has been on a roll, notching at least 60 yards in four of his last six games and touchdowns in his last two. But if Ward and Holmes can’t be expected to produce against the second-best pass defense, how do you think Mason will fare against the number one pass defense?
Tight End to start
L.J. Smith (PHI) – Philadelphia has to keep winning to have any shot at the playoffs and, most likely, for Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb to have shots at returning next season. Though Smith has done little this season (28 catches for 238 yards and three touchdowns), he is set for a good game with Kevin Curtis questionable due to a concussion. With Curtis potentially either limited or not playing, Smith will get looks on the short routes, especially over the middle, and can act as the safety valve for McNabb. Of course it doesn’t hurt that the Cleveland Browns are simply bad on defense.
Deep Plays
Tatum Bell (RB, DEN) – Wow, I can’t believe I actually just typed that. Scary, but true: Bell may actually be a fantasy factor again. Peyton Hillis is done for the year with a knee injury, as are fellow Denver running backs Michael Pittman, Andre Hall and Ryan Torian. Bell is literally the last running back standing in Denver, except for Selvin Young, who is trying to work his way back from injury and may not even play this week. The Panthers are not a favorable matchup and Mike Shanahan is unpredictable - but if you are in a running back pinch, Bell is the clear starter on a potentially explosive offense and is worth a gamble.
Marvin Harrison (WR, IND) – Didn’t I say he was done a few weeks ago? Yes, but Anthony Gonzalez has not taken over the reigns as expected. Instead, Peyton Manning has been doing an incredible job spreading the ball around and finding whichever receiver can get open. While I still think Harrison is done as a starting wide receiver in fantasy football, he makes a reasonable gamble as a flex play. After all, he is still (somehow) a Top 40 wide receiver.
Need playoff start/sit help? Post a question on the forums or e-mail Bangs at Bangs@Rotoexperts.com
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