NFL Week 15: Top Fantasy Plays By Position
Nov 4, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) breaks a tackle by Chicago Bears safety Chris Conte (47) for a 57-yard run in the 3rd quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Who will be the top fantasy performers for Week 15?
This article will summarize my picks for Week 15’s top performers by position. I will breakdown each pick based on volume, match-ups and other statistics.
Week 14 brought many of us into injury hell with Andy Dalton, Tyler Eifert, Thomas Rawls, Vincent Jackson, Greg Olsen, Jonathan Stewart, T.J. Yeldon and Brian Hartline going down with serious ailments.
In addition, a number of fantasy storylines continued to emerge. Eddie Lacy and James Starks both got a ton of touches, raising questions in the minds of many fantasy owners whether they will play a big role in the coming weeks. Lacy and Starks have been tough to predict as coach Mike McCarthy likes to throw out smoke screens to fool the opponent.
In Philadelphia, we got a little more confusion as DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews, and Darren Sproles split carries once again. It seems as if Chip Kelly is starting to realize that Murray isn’t the right running back for this system and that they could be much more effective as a unit if they mix up their looks. I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to add some of the Pistol formation in the offense. The Pistol would give Bradford more options in the pass game with Sproles and Mathews in the backfield. Until then, however, I would stay far away from Philadelphia’s backfield.
Another thing to keep an eye on is the Jets. We have seen over the years how inconsistent the Jets as a franchise could be. Over the past decade or so, they are usually competitive for a playoff spot around week 13/14 and then crash towards the end of the season. This year, however, they have much more offensive firepower. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been great since trimming his beard with nine touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last three games. The Jets’ offense has become pass heavy as of late, which suits versatile back Bilal Powell better than the normal workhorse Chris Ivory.
As we approach our semifinals and championship rounds, it is imperative to be ahead of the trends!
Next: Lights, CAMera, Action
Dec 7, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) motions prior to the snap against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Cam Newton has more swag than any other player in the NFL. He has lit the entire sports universe with his rendition of a viral celebration dance called “The Dab”.
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He is also probably the most liked player in the league who is very active in charity work and ensures that he treats his fans right. Every times he scores, he gives the ball to the fans, regardless of the potential fines. He is a class act and a role model for young kids around the nation.
That is not the reason that I am talking about him today. What’s important to know is that he is the Most Valuable Player of the NFL this season. Hands Down. Without him, the Panthers would not be undefeated. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if this team was under .500 without Cam Newton.
Without Kelvin Benjamin, many expected Cam to have a down year without his main wide receiver target. Benjamin accounted for over 1,000 yards and 50% of Newton’s 18 touchdowns. Devin Funchess was drafted to help compliment Benjamin, but when Benjamin got hurt the Panthers decided to ease him into his role.
Cam was left with veterans Ted Ginn Jr. and Jericho Cotchery, along with journeyman Philly Brown. Most of Cam’s misses are thrown high, which makes diminutive receivers like Ginn and Cotchery not the ideal targets. However, Cam has used Ginn as a situational deep threat who has eight touchdowns on the season.
Cam’s stats haven’t been perfect as he has thrown ten interceptions so far. His ability to pick up yards with his feet have also made him a very valuable fantasy asset as he has run for 40+ yards in six of twelve games. The rushing mitigates his turnovers on a week-to-week basis.
This week, Cam will look to power his team to 14-0 when they take on the 31st best pass defense in the league. The Giants have lost a bunch of games this season in close fashion, but this week I see Cam going off for 30+ fantasy points in a 41-10 romp of the G-Men.
Next: AP All Day
Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) against the Chicago Bears at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Bears 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Adrian Peterson has had a very up and down season that has depended on super long touchdown runs. He is first in the league in rush yards and is also first in the league in touchdowns. He has four touchdowns runs of 35 yards or more that help boost his yards per carry up to 4.7.
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AP has struggled at some points this season, however. In his last two weeks, he has averaged 2.8 yards per carry with only one score. After the last two duds, fantasy owners may start to consider benching him this week. However, I would tell you to hold off because he is bound to have a breakout week.
Last week’s 23 carries must be encouraging, especially compared to the 8 he had against Seattle in Week 13. Minnesota’s pass offense has proven time and time again that it cannot be relied on in the playoff race. They have ceded the fifth seed to Seattle and are now looking to rebound. The Vikings should look to feed AP the rock as they try to solidify their position in the playoffs.
The Vikings will play San Diego this week who boasts the 27th best run defense in the NFL. This should allow AP to run wild as the Vikes will look to expose the Chargers’ lack of run stoppers. The Chargers fare much better in defending the pass, ranking 14th in passing yards allowed. Knowing this, AP should see anywhere between 25-35 touches in a game that the Vikings should be leading by the end of the first quarter.
Next: An A-Bomb for ARob
Aug 28, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns (88) celebrates with wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Allen Squared (Robinson and Hurns) has excited us all season in the fantasy world and as regular fans. The two have seemingly come out of nowhere and have become one of the most dynamic wide receiver tandems in the league. Robinson has already surpassed the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career, while Hurns is on his way with 863 through 13 games. Robinson has been the more consistent receiver this year and also has a very high ceiling.
Robinson has evolved as Blake Bortles go-to receiver in all areas of the field. He has excelled as a red zone threat with his large catch radius and his 42 inch vertical. In fact, eleven of his twelve touchdowns this season have come within 15 yards.
That doesn’t mean that A-Rob is just a red zone receiver. He also leads the league in receptions of 20 yards or more with 24. He is definitely as much of an explosive playmaker as he is a red zone threat. He ranks 13th in yards per catch with 16.4. Robinson was drafted out of Penn State as a playmaker and has lived up to his potential through his first two seasons as a pro.
Robinson will match up with the Atlanta Falcons who were just trounced by the Carolina Panthers 38-0. The Panthers only had six incompletions, meaning Robinson should get plenty of catchable looks. In addition, the Falcons gave up two bombs over the top of the field to Ted Ginn Jr. Robinson, as well as Hurns, will see plenty of deep looks this week as Atlanta is lacking talent in the secondary.
Next: Guess Who's Back? Gronk Again
Dec 14, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) after catching the ball to score a touchdown during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won 41-13. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Rob Gronkowski is far and away the best tight end in the league. However, over the past few seasons, injury has derailed his career. With such a bright future, Gronk has the potential to be the greatest tight end in the history of the league. With that being said, he tops the list of top performers for this week.
The Patriots have lost Julian Edelman and Dion Lewis to the Injured Reserve and Brady hasn’t played as well because of it. Gronk banged up his knee in Week 12 and it looked as if he might miss the rest of the regular season.
With Gronk injured, Brady had no one to throw to, resulting in two losses. Thanks to Gronk’s superhuman ability to recover, Brady at least has one familiar face that he can trust when the game is on the line. In Week 14, Gronk caught four passes for 87 yards and an impressive touchdown grab. Gronk and Brady’s connection has been strong for years and now it’s the only one the Brady has to rely on.
New England will face a Titans secondary that struggles in defending the pass. The New York Jets threw for 263 yards, granted that they weren’t throwing much because of the score. If the game was close, Fitzpatrick would come close to nearing the 400 yard mark for the second time in two weeks. Brady is a much better quarterback than Fitzmagic and considering Gronk is the top/only weapon in New England, he should near 100 yards and a touchdown.
Next: 2015 ESPN Capital One Bowl Mania Picks
Good luck to all of you this week!