Just hours before the start of Week 15 I know many people have questions running through their heads. Who should I start? Who should I sit? Let’s take a look at how some of the recent news changes things:
DeSean Jackson – Philadelphia Eagles – Wide Receiver
We all know that Jackson’s season has been inconsistent, to say the least. That said he is coming off a game where he scored a touchdown for the first time since Week 5. Over that span he has appeared in seven games, and this is just the third time that he’s surpassed 50 yards (though they have all come in his past four games).
Now, he runs into the buzz saw known as Darrelle Revis. We all know that Revis brings shutdown potential, the only question is if Jackson is going to be lining up across from him all day long. According to David Weinberg of the Press of Atlantic City (click here for the article), “There’s a good chance that he’ll be shadowed by Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, who is widely viewed as the top cover corner in the NFL.”
In other words, consider Jackson a risky play at best. He has potential, but has been shut down by mediocre cornerbacks this season. There’s just no guarantee that he produces.
Deion Branch – New England Patriots – Wide Receiver
Originally listed as questionable, reports from the team’s official website now have him as being out for today’s game against the Broncos. Branch has mixed good games with bad this season, which obviously had made him a risky play anyways. With him out of action it will likely just mean more throws heading in the direction of Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Wes Welker. Do not look for Chad Ochocinco or Tiquan Underwood to be alternatives if you were looking to use Branch this week.
Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers – Quarterback
He is listed as questionable, though he has been practicing on a limited basis. From what we all know about Roethlisberger, does anyone actually expect him to sit out today’s game against the 49ers?
That said, this is going to be a tough matchup for a quarterback who likely will have limited mobility. The 49ers are in the middle of the pack in sacks with 32, but are also tied for second in the league with 18 interceptions. It definitely makes Roethlisberger a risky proposition, though his presence on the field is going to help to keep Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown as viable receiving options.
Monitor the news, just to be safe, but consider Roethlisberger a low-end QB1, but more of a QB2.
John Skelton – Arizona Cardinals – Quarterback
According to ESPN (click here for the article), “Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton will start Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Saturday. “
Skelton is coming off a solid game against the 49ers, going for 282 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT. It’s hard to recommend him, given his struggles in Weeks 11 & 12 (he totaled 213 yards, 0 TD and 5 INT) and a rather tough matchup (Cleveland is allowing just 180.7 passing yards per game and 13 TD). If you need a QB2 then I could see rolling the dice, but that’s about it.
Denarius Moore – Oakland Raiders – Wide Receiver
The San Francisco Chronicle (click here for the article) is reporting that, “Raiders rookie receiver Denarius Moore practiced for a third straight day and looks set to return to the lineup Sunday for the first time in four weeks. He said it ‘feels good’ to be back with his teammates from a foot injury and that the coaches have been easing him back into things this week.”
The Raiders could definitely use the spark, though I wouldn’t consider Moore’s return something that pushes himself, Carson Palmer and the rest of the Raiders’ offense into fantasy viability this week. The Lions passing defense is tough and the returning Ndamukung Suh is going to be out to prove a point. The only Raider that is likely a recommended play would be Michael Bush.
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Make sure to check out all of our Week 15 articles:
RP – Please review my lineup. Anything would you would change. Thank you
D Brees
L Robinson – 11pts
AJ Green
J Witten – 11 pts
M Bush
D Sproles
S Greene
AZ Cardinals D
D Akers
Bench
NY Jets D
A Boldin
D Thomas
B Tate
E Decker
K Smith
K Smith and D Thomas contemplating possibly.
Sproles scares me, as his production has been down in recent weeks. I would definitely keep Bush & S. Greene active, so we’d be looking at a FLEX.
Smith is a viable option, though he’s a risk because you just don’t know if he’s going to have a setback (or splitting carries). That’s up to you if you want to take that gamble, but I could see using him before Sproles. That’s the only thing I could see, though.
It’s a risk either way, it’s just a matter of which one you want to take.
cant believe I am doing this…
up by 40 after Tebow/Thomas going for 26/11.
I have Rice and wr spot open. The guy I am playing has
Rivers
Wallace
SF Def
Akers
I have 2 wrs left
V. Jax or Antonio Brown
going on the ledge and starting Brown….hope I dont fall off….:)
funny how i stressed over Thomas vs Brown and now starting both ans sitting V. Jax.
cant believe i am up 40 after having
Harvin – 0
Gonzalez – 1
Blount – 2
Seahawks Def and Tebow plus a 19 point lead after week 1 has helped…actually made the finals in 4 out of 7 leagues…just lucky…
I have already won with the Steelers D and Akers yet to go. Thanks so much for the drafting advice as it is because of my first two draft picks thanks to you (Arian Foster and Calvin Johnson) that I am here.
I feel just terrible that this is such a blowout though! Probably the football gods will balance out the next two games. For the final 2! I have nice Leafs’ arena music ready for the taunting.
xo to you and also please to A, I never could see last week’s recipe