Sit Em, Start Em – Week Fifteen

Sit Em, Start Em – Week Fifteen

Start Em

Ryan Mathews is a strong start this week versus the Denver Broncos despite his timeshare. Mathews is averaging 108 yards from scrimmage over the past four weeks and should get it done against a Broncos defense surrendering the ninth most fantasy point to opposing running backs. Mathews managed 4.2 yards per carry and found the end zone versus the Broncos in week ten and he should be able to at least match that effort this Thursday.

Shane Vereen continues to light up the box score for the New England Patriots turning in a 12 catch, 153 yard receiving effort to go with nine yards rushing and a rushing touchdown. Vereen was targeted 17 times in the passing game and will be a focal point of the Pats offense going forward now that Rob Gronkowski has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Vereen comes in as our 13th ranked running back this week as the Pats square off against the Dolphins who have surrendered the eighth most fantasy points to opposing running backs and have also been getting torched by receiving running backs most notably giving up seven receptions and 114 yards to Darren Sproles. Start Vereen in all formats this week.

Da’Rick Rogers finally got his time to shine and responded with six receptions, two touchdowns and 107 yards. Rogers is the most talented receiver on the Colts roster not named Reggie Wayne and he should be targeted as such going forward. I have been waiting all season for WMFL preseason favorite Rogers to get meaningful snaps and he has rewarded forward thinking dynasty owners with a breakout game which earned him a role in the Colts offense. Those in deeper leagues may want to consider starting Rogers this week against the Texans as they will look to bottle up T.Y Hilton leaving Rogers to feast against single coverage. Rogers comes in as our 40th ranked receiver for week fifteen.

Andrew Luck had been struggling for sustained fantasy production until Da’Rick Rogers and LaVon Brazill stepped up for the Colts in week fourteen. This week with the Texans on the slate many may be considering sitting Luck but he comes in as our 8th ranked QB play for week fifteen and is a recommended play despite playing against a Texans defense who has surrendered the sixth fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Luck was able to find success against the Texans in their first meeting this year to the tune of three touchdowns and 271 passing yards in a come from behind victory.

Dennis Pitta comes in as our ninth ranked tight end play for week fifteen as the Ravens square off against the Lions. The Lions have been solid against tight ends this season but anyone who has ever watched Flacco play when Pitta is on the field know that Pitta is among Flacco’s top two reads on every play. Pitta should be started with confidence this week and should see at least five receptions for 70 yards with the possibility of a trip to paydirt.

Sit Em

Trent Richardson showed some life last week as he managed to pile up 88 yards from scrimmage against the Bengals but he is still not a recommended play despite playing a Texans defense giving up the 12th most fantasy points to opposing running backs. The emergence of Rogers and Brazill may indeed open things up in the running game but during semi-finals week we suggest taking a wait-and-see approach with the 1st round fantasy bust. Sit Richardson this week at all costs.

With Jonathan Stewart ruled out for week fifteen some fantasy owners may want to start DeAngelo Williams due to his increased workload. Don’t. Williams faces a Jets defense that has allowed the fourth fewest points to the running back position this week and is not someone you would want to trust in your fantasy playoffs to begin with. Sit Williams in all but the deepest of leagues.

Andre Holmes gets a fantasy downgrade with the return of Denarius Moore to the Raiders lineup. Moore will take over as the number one receiver with Holmes getting pushed back to the third receiver. Holmes has averaged 66 yards per game over the past four weeks so he cannot simply be ignored in the deepest leagues but those playing in standard formats with less than 16 teams can probably do better during fantasy semi-final week. Holmes comes in as our 52nd ranked wide receiver for week fifteen.

Justin Hunter is trending upward and is a solid flex play with WR3 upside and comes in as our 48th ranked wide receiver for week fifteen. With that said Hunter is not a recommended play this week despite being one of the top recommended pickups for this week. The Titans square off against the Cardinals this week and with Kendall Wright playing primarily in the slot one can imagine that Patrick Peterson may indeed rotate onto the explosive big bodied receiver to stop him from putting up his third 100 yard game in his last four. Hunter should not be someone you consider this week save except for those in the deepest of custom leagues.

Joe Flacco versus the Lions sounds like a good matchup on paper but further analysis reveals that the Lions have actually allowed the 15th fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and have allowed two or fewer touchdowns in eight of their fourteen games. Those outside of 16 team or deeper leagues should not be starting Flacco while those in two QB leagues are encouraged to look long and hard at other options.

Despite scoring a touchdown in three straight weeks Brandon Myers is not a suggested play this week versus the Seahawks. The Seahawks surrender the eighth fewest fantasy points to the tight end position and their talented safeties should be able to find a way to keep Myers in check. Myers has averaged only 39 yards per game over his past four and is too touchdown dependent to be trusted in most formats.