Every Saturday morning, I'll take a quick look at all the week's games, offering my own take on what I think will happen, as well as touching on significant injury news since our Weekly came out. I'll check in every so often over the course of the day to answer questions, too.
So there's a game tonight, and that's cool. Granted it's Jets versus the offensive disaster known as the Cowboys, but it's better than nothing. Last year there were no Saturday games in Week 15 (didn't think so but looked it up to confirm). I hope they'll continue with it, because heaven knows we're not busy enough with holiday parties and dinners and awakening forces and so forth. Give us more football!
Jets at Cowboys: As Tarzan might say, Jets offense good, Cowboys offense bad. Not that Dallas doesn't have a good defense, it does. But the Jets have so few players involved that all the production goes to Marshall, Decker, Ivory and now Powell. Even if they have a mediocre offensive day, which I expect, those guys should be good. ... I'm benching Dez Bryant for a playoff game without hesitation. Darren McFadden is the only Cowboy I'd use, just because he'll probably catch 6-7 passes.
Kansas City at Ravens: Charcandrick West looks decent regardless, great if Spencer Ware is out. Javorious Allen and Kamar Aiken should be busy. Really doesn't matter who starts at quarterback for Baltimore. Kansas City Defense, Jeremy Maclin, Travis Kelce look fine. Big problem is Baltimore's offense might not do much, making for a sort of dull win for Kansas City (and not big numbers).
Texans at Colts: Big game, obviously; winner probably wins the South (especially if it's the Colts). I tend to think Houston takes this one, but it would be nicer if DeAndre Hopkins weren't their only viable offensive player. Can't use gimpy Donte Moncrief, can consider Andre Johnson if Moncrief inactive. Frank Gore looks like a legit sleeper to me here.
Falcons at Jaguars: Really like Denard Robinson here. A shame the league I drafted him in as a sleeper is one that ended for me in Week 11. I did pick him up in one league this week and am starting him happily. Nice matchup for both passing games, so the key receivers (Julio and the Jags' duo) are by the chimney with care.
Bears at Vikings: Adrian Peterson and Alshon Jeffery are the only players I'd want to start here. I have to use Zach Miller somewhere, he's been productive and I may as well start him as the other useless tight ends I've been using each week. But really it's a week where the Vikings will pound away with Peterson and the Bears will throw to Jeffery and hope things work out.
Titans at Patriots: Did Bob Kraft draw up the schedule? In Week 15 I'd like to be at home against a terrible team. The Titans will do. Delanie Walker is the only Titan to consider. Only one. Don't care which running backs they'll have out there combining for 55 rushing yards. New England should give most carries to Brandon Bolden, pass it to Gronkowski and Amendola and LaFell, and take their 30-10 win and go. Oh yeah, Brady's sick. I'm sure he'll be fine by tomorrow.
Panthers at Giants: Saw a quote from Tom Coughlin about his four-man running back committee to the media. Something like "I don't know why you guys are hung up on this, we have different backs with different roles blah blah." It'd be easier for him to defend it if it worked. What's Andre Williams' role? Losing yards in short-yardage situations? 'Cause he's really good at it. Anyway, stay away from both sets of running backs, because the Panthers will use a committee, too. For the passing games, Carolina's has the better matchup, but Giants should be OK. Could be a higher-scoring type game. Ian has this as a Giants upset; I see it as a good, close game regardless.
Bills at Washington: No noteworthy injuries here. I like LeSean McCoy, will pass on the Washington backs. Sammy Watkins and Jordan Reed should be the main receivers, DeSean Jackson is healthy enough, evidently, so he has potential. Of the NFC East teams in contention, Washington is the one most likely to win this week.
Packers at Raiders: Two weeks later and I'm still annoyed at Green Bay's Hail Mary win in Detroit, just because that play never should have happened. Don't know why it bugs me so much. Part of it is that the refs blew the call, the other part is that the Lions shouldn't have even touched Rodgers. He was a dead duck. Whatever. I like Latavius Murray and would use Eddie Lacy first among Packers running backs. Both passing games look good in this one, so main receivers in play.
Browns at Seahawks: I thought I already wrote about this game. Oh no that was Titans at Patriots. Same deal though really. Browns offense won't do zip. Gary Barnidge should catch a few passes and any touchdown Cleveland scores. Bryce Brown is the Seattle running back I would start, though not with great enthusiasm. It could just as easily be Christine Michael. Or Russell Wilson will pass the lights out.
Broncos at Steelers: If you've gotten this far with your key Steelers I don't think you can really sit them down. At least they're home. For Denver, I would use C.J. Anderson if I had to use a running back, but Pittsburgh is vulnerable to the pass. Unfortunately for whatever players you have to use here, this will probably be a low-scoring affair. Unfortunate unless you're facing them.
Dolphins at Chargers: I admit I haven't been paying enough attention to this whole idea of the Chargers moving to Los Angeles. Because Thursday night during that red and yellow eyesore of a game, all the talk was about the Rams moving back to Los Angeles. Are they both going to move? In any case, maybe this is San Diego's last game here, and whether it is or isn't, Miami's defense is bad. Bad enough to start Melvin Gordon? Well, let's not get crazy. But Dontelle Inman and Javontee Herndon in PPR, sure. Philip Rivers versus Matt Ryan, discuss. We have Rivers higher and that's who I'm starting. And Gates, and Landry.
Bengals at 49ers: This was originally the night game. Thank heavens for flexing games out. No Tyler Eifert or Andy Dalton. Will pass on any and all 49ers. As noted elsewhere on the site, A.J. McCarron to A.J. Green should be fine.
Cardinals at Eagles: I basically watch Cardinals games hoping Carson Palmer doesn't get hurt. Because it would be disappointing. David Johnson and Arizona's three wideouts look good. I will pass on the Eagles, who should lose this game something like 34-17, using lots of running backs to no great effect. Not keen on the passing game either.
Lions at Saints: Just picked up Lance Moore to start against his old team. I see great value in the Lions passing game. Golden Tate especially, but Moore and Ebron maybe. Starting Calvin Johnson in a standard league playoff game and hoping he's healthier than he was last week. Against this defense he should productive even if he's limping. At running back, Hightower and Abdullah are the best bets, though it's a week to maybe consider Joique Bell. Lots of fantasy playoff games will be decided here. I'd like to be the team with Brees or Stafford, not facing them.
Enjoy the games!
--Andy Richardson