Week 15

Well, there is very little chance anybody will read this in time for the Sunday games but I need to start somewhere... thankfully this post comes after the Thursday night game between the Chargers and the Broncos at Mile High! Phew, That could have been an embarrassing first post!

Manning threw for his second fewest points this season and Moreno, both Thomas' and Decker were all under 5 points each! This is all without Welker due to concussion. I would have advised you start all those guys and not even consider Andre Caldwell, who picked up 2 touchdown passes.

On the other side of the ball I would have advised to look out for a big game from Mathews and of course to play Keenan Allen as he is a must start. A shootout was expected but that's not how it went down on what was a cold night. I am pleased my thoughts came off on Mathews having a big night and this is partly what prompted me to pull my finger out and finally write this blog, so thanks Ryan - I fancy you as a starting RB2+ for the last 2 weeks of the fantasy season.

If you have ridden on the shoulders of Peyton Manning all the way into the playoffs, he may have just cost you moving into the semi-final week 16 game, especially if you invested heavily in the broncos' offensive parts.

Lets get on with the rest if this week's matchups:

Chicago @ Cleveland

Snow is forecast throughout this game - which is enough to make anyone skittish about playing the QBs and wide receivers. Though snow isn't normally a problem for QBs, you may want to err on the side of caution if you have Jay Cutler. He is coming off 6 weeks layoff, in poor conditions, but the good news is he will want to prove himself coming back from injury with Josh McCown having had an impressive stint holding the fort in his absence. Cutler will want to make an impression and cement his dominance as the No.1 QB for the Bears despite publicly there being no question he his No 1 from Mark Trestman's perspective.

Beware all players in this game barring Matt Forte and Chris Ogbonnaya who should clean up with the running game. You may have noticed I have not mentioned Josh Gordon, Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall, this is because I have a feeling this is a bad week for them. The only one I would feel I have to play is Flash Gordon, due to his immense ability to latch onto a pass and make a big play. Though if I had no-one else, like a DeSean Jackson or an Andre Johnson, I would start both Bears receivers, reluctantly, and hope they prove my gut wrong.

Simon Says, start Forte, Ogbonnaya, Gordon and Bennett
and you can start Jeffery and Marshall too.... ;-)


Well, I had no idea this blog would take so much time (I do like to provide detail). All this information is written from my head from bits and pieces picked up throughout the week from various sources. As such, most of it is from memory so I do apologise if I get things wrong and I would request whenever you see a mis-spelt name (Chris Ogbonnaya!) please take the jist of what I am saying rather than picking up on it as I am sure you know who I mean!

I have a liitle one, who I have plans with today and he is just about to wake from his nap, which means... Go Time!! Therefore, I do not have time to go through all the games as much as I had hoped as I will be picking my own teams in each of my leagues as usual the hour before the first whistle - you never know when Reggie Bush will decide not to suit up!

So what follows is a list of games, and my starts / sits etc fleshed out as much as possible before hitting the publish button when Prince Charming awakes. Here goes:

Washington @ Atlanta

No RGIII for these last 3 weeks, start Kirk Cousins with confidence. I fancy him for 18+ points.
I have downgraded Alfred Morris from an RB2 to Flex starter, but this week you should see a solid 14 points. I like Steven Jackson in this one despite the projections showing only 8 points, he could net you 14 as well against a poor, shaky skins defense.
Simon says, start Alfred Morris, Kirk Cousins, Steven Jackson
Start Pierre Garcon as a risky WR2 / Flex if pushed.

Houston @ Indy
Ben Tate should bounce back from an underwhelming week 14 to give you double digits again. Andrew Luck appears to be hitting his stride again after a mammoth week 14, but don't be suckered into playing him this week - only use him if you are struggling for a more reliable QB. You can't trust anyone else on the Colts offense barring Donald Brown is a sneaky flex play with plenty of upside. The Texans have allowed 475 rushing yards to RBs over the last 4 games, so you can start him with confidence, and hope for barely legal points - that means 16 in my country but could be even better for you in the U.S. of A.

Simon says start Andre Johnson, Donald Brown
Also start Ben Tate, Andy Luck.

Buffalo @ Jax
Start Cecil Shorts, MJD is an absolute must start if fit. Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller if no-one better on your roster. Hell, sit Spiller. This is the playoffs.

New England @ Miami
Brady I like for this one, he is going to hook up with Edeltron twice in the end zone. Vereen is now the workhorse of this offense, start Shane Vereen - he is going to get you at least 10 points today and potentially 24 if he hits beast mode. Start Hartline, I like him for 13 + points, and play Ryan Tannehill if you had RGIII and didn't drop him before Shannahanahanahanagans did.

Philly @ Minnesotta
It looks to be a beautiful match-up for any Eagles offense you may have. Start Foles and McCoy with confidence. Both Cooper and Jackson should be getting 12 points +
Start Cordarrelle Patterson, he has great upside if the Vikes end up chasing this game which is highly likely.
Although Peterson is questionable, he may be in the line up, but sit him anyway for now. I know he is a beast, but he worked hard to get you to the playoffs, he's been over worked and over stressed this season, give him a rest to see how he fares this week coming off his ankle sprain.

Seattle @ G-Men
I like Lynch in this matchup, the Seahawks defense going up against Eli who has had 20 picks this season.
That is all.

San Fran @ Tampa Bay
Start Vernon Davies, he could be in for a big day. Boldin I would play but I like Crabtree better

NY Jets @ Carolina
Simon says start the Panthers Defense.
Cam Newton will rush in for TDs and score you a boatload.

Kansas City @ Oakland
Start the Chiefs defense, Rod Streater and obviously Jamaal Charles, though it's about time he picked up an injury.

Green Bay @ Dallas
Eddie Lacy if he is fit. Check the news before the game. Rodgers is ruled out so I like Lacy in this matchup. Starks is a likely handcuff, and I can see Lacy coming off from time to time to preserve him. Jordy Nelson is

Simon says start Murray for a boatload of points, Lacy if fit, Jordy Nelson and Mason Crosby.
Dez Bryant will be looking to make an impression, but will Romo find him? I do not like Romo this week.

New Orleans @ St Louis
Start Brees, Graham and Colston - There, I said it! He will replicate his recent good form this week.
Zac Stacy is good for 15 points and so is his mom.

Ari @ Ten
Simon says start Delanie Walker at TE.
Chris Johnson may do well but I want to sit him.
The Tennessee defense is a start.

Cin @ Pit
Simon says start AJ Green and Antonio Brown.
Gio Bernard will get you 10 points, but the law firm will get the goal line plays.
Bell is good for 9.

Bal @ Det
I like Pitta to score 1 - 2 TDs in this matchup. That's about all I like from Baltimore. Torrey Smith should see the ball in the end zone but I only like him for 9 points.
Simon says start Megatron and Pitta.
I would start Bell over Bush on Monday night, but this is too much of a risk in the playoffs. I cannot afford to be pushed into a decision so early before the game so am sitting them both and avoiding the problem with one of my backups like Steven Jackson or Chris Ogbonnaya.

Enjoy the rest of Week 15