All in Sports Fantasy Advice
Week 15 - Football Breakdown and Rankings

It’s finally over. No, I don’t mean Brett Favre’s streak (I have cars that didn’t last as long). I’m talking about the majority of owners’ seasons. Week 14 is in the books meaning many teams are out of the playoffs or were just eliminated. You can tell just how much of an impact it has as forums, question submissions, and emails dry up exponentially.

Like Brett Favre, it’s a week to savor the memories. Not to get sappy, but for the many owners who are now focusing on their NBA or College Basketball teams, putting together their Pick ‘Em submissions for the College Bowls (Pick 'Em Help), or even looking WAY ahead to Fantasy Baseball, remember the fun you had.

Just because the season/streak is over, it doesn’t mean your happiness is. In fact, you can probably enjoy your Sundays more now that there is no stress or worry about your team pulling out a win. As much as it stinks to be eliminated, there is always a bright side. Look at it this way; you also don’t have to listen to anymore Favre talk for the first time since 1937…wait, what’s that? He’s NOT ruled out for Week 15 yet?! Noooo!

Moving on, for the rest of the owners who are still in it, get your Pepto Bismol ready because it’s the most stressful time of the year. Just remember one thing. I’ve said it before and will again, dance with the one who brought you. It’s not time to get cute. Just because Ryan Torain blew up last week doesn’t mean you start him over Jamaal Charles and his rough week. Look at Andre Johnson, Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Peyton Manning, Michael Turner, etc., etc., etc. These are the players who get teams to championships every year, and no one is perfect. They’ve all had a few stumbles, but they win you more games than not. Like Tammy Wynette says, “Stand by Your Man…”

Settling Up Week 14

Top Pair (players who guaranteed a good week)

Matt Schaub – If you were a Schaub owner (like me), you were panicking even after the TD pass at the end of the first half. Then he pulled a Brady and went off in the second half finishing with 393 yards, three TDs and two INTs on 31-for-62 passing. How many last-minute wins did that equal for owners?

Darren McFadden/Michael Turner – For DMC, it doesn’t get much better that his game against Jacksonville…well, except the Denver one. Oh, look who’s on tap? Turner hit pay-dirt three times and now has four straight weeks with 14 or more points and six of his last seven.

DeSean Jackson/Andre Johnson – Have you ever seen anyone do more with four catches than what DJax did? 210 yards and a TD on just four receptions! He’s back. Speaking of being back, Andre Johnson hit 140 yards receiving for the second straight week and found the end zone twice. There’s a reason he’s the best.

River Rat (players who surprised everyone)

Ryan Torain – I felt great for the few owners I recommended Torain. Before you think I had Marty McFly’s almanac to call this one, it was only over RBs like Lynch and Donald Brown. Fact is, no one saw a 172-yard day coming, especially in a Shanahan-led backfield.

Tim Hightower – Beanie Wells is officially done. Hightower continues to do more with his chances, and that’s exactly what happened against Denver. Okay, fair enough, the Broncos could stop my 14 year-old nephew, but 148 yards and two TDs still mean something.

Jay Feely – We should rename this category to the Jay Feely award. Here’s hoping you didn’t face a team with Feely as the kicker. A rushing TD for a kicker? Are you serious? 28 Fantasy points! This is why I want to eliminate the kicker position…who wants to lose on a fluke? Fantasy already has enough of a luck factor built in.

Gut Shot (players who let everyone down)

Aaron Rodgers – The concussion forced Rodgers from the game, thus ending his day and the season for many owners. The thing is, he didn’t look too great before that in any case. Either way, that hurt in more ways than one.

Adrian Peterson – Think the Giants’ gameplan was to let Tarvaris Jackson try to beat them? Actually, it may have just been crush everyone like they’ve done all year. ADP had his worst game of the season with just 26 yards on 14 attempts. Time to reevaluate rankings for RBs facing the GMen.

Brandon Lloyd/Dwayne Bowe – This pair is called out two weeks in a row. The only difference is they weren’t playing each other this time. Bowe laid his second goose egg in a row, and Lloyd put up just three points in his second straight game. They still rank No. 1 and 2 on the year, but that won’t last past Week 15.

What’s the Deal for Week 15?

All In (players I’m high on)

Michael Vick – It’s easy to have faith in the highest per-game average QB. However, the last time he faced the Giants he did not throw for a TD. To be fair, he did run one in and still put up 19 Fantasy points. Ah, who am I kidding…it is too easy to like Vick.

Peyton Manning – 1,365 yards and 10 TDs in his past four games. Again, the ONLY thing stopping Manning was the interceptions. Lo and behold, he doesn’t throw one against Tennessee. Now, Indy plays Jacksonville at home in a must-win game. You should be giddy with excitement for the possibilities.

Jon Kitna – Except for his game against Green Bay, Kitna has double-digit points each week. Washington is terrible against the pass, the game is in Dallas, and Kitna is back in a grove with Jason Witten. It should be a good week.

Chris Johnson – “Stand by Your Man”…that song has never rang more true. CJ2K is one of the most talented players in the league and two hiccups didn’t change that. No, he’s going to avenge his zero-point effort in Week 12 against Houston.

Maurice Jones-Drew – Six straight games with over 100 yards on the ground and 21 or more rushing attempts. Those worried that Rashad Jennings is going to steal anything just because he has a TD in his last three games need not worry. MJD will roll to his seventh 100-yard game in a row.

Darren McFadden (Ace in the Hole) – Remember how good I said DMC would have it come playoff time. Well, we’re here and that’s one game in the books. The crazy thing is Denver (this week) and Indy (next week) are worse against the run than Jacksonville. The sky is the limit.

Reggie Wayne – Pierre Garcon caught two TD passes from Peyton last week leaving Wayne with just…oh look…106 receiving yards. We already covered the must-win matchup against the Jaguars. Wayne will benefit from Peyton’s performance again.

Malcom Floyd – Vincent Jackson still isn’t 100%, and Antonio Gates is likely out for the game against the 49ers. Guess who Rivers will look to early and often? Yup, it’ll be a big day for the big guy (6-5”, 225 in case you never knew).

Marques Colston – He’s the quintessential gambler’s WR. With the number of options in New Orleans, there is always the concern he could be left out of the passing game. That hasn’t been the case whatsoever since Week 7. With 46 receptions, 581 yards and seven TDs in that seven-game stretch, it’d be a surprise if his numbers didn’t continue.

Vernon Davis – I’ll say it again, all he needed to do was get healthy. The Chargers are weak against the TE position, and Davis is a stud. It’s as simple as that.

Muck ‘Em (players I’m down on)

Jay Cutler – Here’s hoping after tanking his favorable matchup against Detroit, you learned your lesson. You can’t blame the weather either, hello Tom Brady. Cutler is simply too inconsistent, risk-loving, and mistake-prone to rely on for anything…unless you’re looking for turnovers that is.

Alex Smith (The Flop) – He’s done it before; made the 49ers and fans believe he’s worthwhile of his No. 1 draft pick status. However, a three-TD game is more of a rarity than a commonality for Smith, and the Chargers rank first against opposing QBs.

Mark Sanchez – Sanchez must love the number three. Look at his season from Week 2 on. Three good games, three terrible ones, three good, three bad. If you follow that flow, this week is in line for a big one. Too bad it’s against Pittsburgh, and on the road…time to break the streak of threes.

Brian Westbrook – Don’t let the 16 Fantasy points fool you. The majority of that was on one reception and due to poor tackling. He still only received nine carries for the second straight week, and Anthony Dixon is getting the goal line work. San Diego won’t be as inept at tackling Westbrook so don’t expect double-digits again.

LaDainian Tomlinson – It was warned weeks ago that his YPC average was plummeting, and Shonn Greene was seeing more opportunities. Now LT faces the toughest run defense in the league. He had four points last week and will be lucky to see that much on Sunday.

Marshawn Lynch – That game against Carolina was a fluke. It was mentioned last week, and now is again just in case the message didn’t get through. Atlanta is in the Top 5 for least points allowed to RBs. The 49ers are 10^th just as a point of reference. Find another option at RB.

Derrick Mason – Anyone can pass on Houston, anyone. Remember that before you expect another big game from Mason. The Saints are the stingiest team for WR Fantasy points, and Mason is still the second option behind Boldin.

Hines Ward – The last time Ward saw the end zone was in Week 9 against Cincinnati. Even then, he only put up 10 receiving yards. Now the Steelers face the Jets in a big game for both teams with Roethlisberger still hobbled by injuries.

Michael Crabtree – I’m convinced Alex Smith doesn’t like Crabtree. Even in his decent two-game stretch with Alex at QB (in Weeks 5 and 6), it appeared Crabtree was his last choice when dropping back. In his return, Smith connected with Crabtree just once for one yard. It won’t get much better against the Chargers.

Dustin Keller – Repeat after me, “Keller stopped being a TE1 a long time ago.” Owners seem to give everyone on the Jets the longest ropes of any players, and then end up hanging themselves. Stop relying on Keller…no seriously, stop it!

Quarterback

Rank - Player - Team ( Opp )
1 - Peyton Manning - IND ( JAC )
2 - Michael Vick - PHI ( @ NYG )
3 - Tom Brady - NE ( GB )
4 - Drew Brees - NO ( @ BAL )
5 - Philip Rivers - SD ( SF )
6 - Matt Schaub - HOU ( @ TEN )
7 - Matt Ryan - ATL ( @ SEA )
8 - Jon Kitna - DAL ( WAS )
9 - Joe Flacco - BAL ( NO )
10 - Eli Manning - NYG ( PHI )
11 - Josh Freeman - TB ( DET )
12 - David Garrard - JAC ( @ IND )
13 - Ben Roethlisberger - PIT ( NYJ )
14 - Kerry Collins - TEN ( HOU )
15 - Jay Cutler - CHI ( @ MIN )
16 - Aaron Rodgers - GB ( @ NE )
17 - Jason Campbell - OAK ( DEN )
18 - Donovan McNabb - WAS ( @ DAL )
19 - Carson Palmer - CIN ( CLE )
20 - Kyle Orton - DEN ( @ OAK )
21 - Matt Cassel - KC ( @ STL )
22 - Sam Bradford - STL ( KC )
23 - Matt Hasselbeck - SEA ( ATL )
24 - Drew Stanton - DET ( @ TB )
25 - Mark Sanchez - NYJ ( @ PIT )

Running Back
Rank - Player - Team ( Opp )
1 - Maurice Jones-Drew - JAC ( @ IND )
2 - Darren McFadden - OAK ( DEN )
3 - Arian Foster - HOU ( @ TEN )
4 - Michael Turner - ATL ( @ SEA )
5 - Chris Johnson - TEN ( HOU )
6 - Peyton Hillis - CLE ( @ CIN )
7 - Adrian Peterson - MIN ( CHI )
8 - Knowshon Moreno - DEN ( @ OAK )
9 - Jamaal Charles - KC ( @ STL )
10 - LeSean McCoy - PHI ( @ NYG )
11 - Ray Rice - BAL ( NO )
12 - Steven Jackson - STL ( KC )
13 - Jonathan Stewart - CAR ( ARZ )
14 - Rashard Mendenhall - PIT ( NYJ )
15 - Ahmad Bradshaw - NYG ( PHI )
16 - BenJarvus Green-Ellis - NE ( GB )
17 - LeGarrette Blount - TB ( DET )
18 - Brandon Jacobs - NYG ( PHI )
19 - Matt Forte - CHI ( @ MIN )
20 - Ryan Torain - WAS ( @ DAL )
21 - Tim Hightower - ARZ ( @ CAR )
22 - Fred Jackson - BUF ( @ MIA )
23 - Cedric Benson - CIN ( CLE )
24 - Mike Tolbert - SD ( SF )
25 - Felix Jones - DAL ( WAS )
26 - Ronnie Brown - MIA ( BUF )
27 - Thomas Jones - KC ( @ STL )
28 - LaDainian Tomlinson - NYJ ( @ PIT )
29 - Javarris James - IND ( JAC )
30 - Brian Westbrook - SF ( @ SD )
31 - Ricky Williams - MIA ( BUF )
32 - Mike Goodson - CAR ( ARZ )
33 - Ryan Mathews - SD ( SF )
34 - Pierre Thomas - NO ( @ BAL )
35 - Tashard Choice - DAL ( WAS )
36 - Jahvid Best - DET ( @ TB )
37 - Marshawn Lynch - SEA ( ATL )
38 - Danny Woodhead - NE ( GB )
39 - Shonn Greene - NYJ ( @ PIT )
40 - Donald Brown - IND ( JAC )
41 - Michael Bush - OAK ( DEN )
42 - James Starks - GB ( @ NE )
43 - Reggie Bush - NO ( @ BAL )
44 - Brandon Jackson - GB ( @ NE )
45 - Anthony Dixon - SF ( @ SD )
46 - Rashad Jennings - JAC ( @ IND )
47 - Beanie Wells - ARZ ( @ CAR )
48 - Chris Ivory - NO ( @ BAL )
49 - Maurice Morris - DET ( @ TB )
50 - Willis McGahee - BAL ( NO )

Wide Receiver
Rank - Player - Team ( Opp )
1 - Andre Johnson - HOU ( @ TEN )
2 - Roddy White - ATL ( @ SEA )
3 - Reggie Wayne - IND ( JAC )
4 - Calvin Johnson - DET ( @ TB )
5 - Marques Colston - NO ( @ BAL )
6 - DeSean Jackson - PHI ( @ NYG )
7 - Wes Welker - NE ( GB )
8 - Hakeem Nicks - NYG ( PHI )
9 - Miles Austin - DAL ( WAS )
10 - Greg Jennings - GB ( @ NE )
11 - Dwayne Bowe - KC ( @ STL )
12 - Larry Fitzgerald - ARZ ( @ CAR )
13 - Terrell Owens - CIN ( CLE )
14 - Jeremy Maclin - PHI ( @ NYG )
15 - Deion Branch - NE ( GB )
16 - Malcom Floyd - SD ( SF )
17 - Pierre Garcon - IND ( JAC )
18 - Mike Wallace - PIT ( NYJ )
19 - Sidney Rice - MIN ( CHI )
20 - Mike Williams - TB ( DET )
21 - Brandon Lloyd - DEN ( @ OAK )
22 - Kenny Britt - TEN ( HOU )
23 - Anquan Boldin - BAL ( NO )
24 - Santana Moss - WAS ( @ DAL )
25 - Santonio Holmes - NYJ ( @ PIT )
26 - Brandon Marshall - MIA ( BUF )
27 - Steve Johnson - BUF ( @ MIA )
28 - Hines Ward - PIT ( NYJ )
29 - Derrick Mason - BAL ( NO )
30 - Chad Ochocinco - CIN ( CLE )
31 - Vincent Jackson - SD ( SF )
32 - Michael Crabtree - SF ( @ SD )
33 - Mike Sims-Walker - JAC ( @ IND )
34 - Mike Williams - SEA ( ATL )
35 - Johnny Knox - CHI ( @ MIN )
36 - Mario Manningham - NYG ( PHI )
37 - Donald Driver - GB ( @ NE )
38 - Lance Moore - NO ( @ BAL )
39 - Braylon Edwards - NYJ ( @ PIT )
40 - Austin Collie - IND ( JAC )
41 - Steve Smith - CAR ( ARZ )
42 - Blair White - IND ( JAC )
43 - Percy Harvin - MIN ( CHI )
44 - Earl Bennett - CHI ( @ MIN )
45 - Roy Williams - DAL ( WAS )
46 - Anthony Armstrong - WAS ( @ DAL )
47 - Davone Bess - MIA ( BUF )
48 - Danny Woodhead - NE ( GB )
49 - Mike Thomas - JAC ( @ IND )
50 - Louis Murphy - OAK ( DEN )

Tight End
Rank - Player - Team ( Opp )
1 - Vernon Davis - SF ( @ SD )
2 - Jason Witten - DAL ( WAS )
3 - Jacob Tamme - IND ( JAC )
4 - Tony Gonzalez - ATL ( @ SEA )
5 - Marcedes Lewis - JAC ( @ IND )
6 - Chris Cooley - WAS ( @ DAL )
7 - Zach Miller - OAK ( DEN )
8 - Owen Daniels - HOU ( @ TEN )
9 - Kellen Winslow - TB ( DET )
10 - Kevin Boss - NYG ( PHI )
11 - Rob Gronkowski - NE ( GB )
12 - Brandon Pettigrew - DET ( @ TB )
13 - Dustin Keller - NYJ ( @ PIT )
14 - Bo Scaife - TEN ( HOU )
15 - Benjamin Watson - CLE ( @ CIN )
16 - Aaron Hernandez - NE ( GB )
17 - Brent Celek - PHI ( @ NYG )
18 - Greg Olsen - CHI ( @ MIN )
19 - Jermaine Gresham - CIN ( CLE )
20 - Visanthe Shiancoe - MIN ( CHI )
21 - Tony Moeaki - KC ( @ STL )
22 - Todd Heap - BAL ( NO )
23 - Heath Miller - PIT ( NYJ )
24 - Anthony Fasano - MIA ( BUF )
25 - Randy McMichael - SD ( SF )

Kicker
Rank - Player - Team ( Opp )
1 - David Akers - PHI ( @ NYG )
2 - Dan Carpenter - MIA ( BUF )
3 - Sebastian Janikowski - OAK ( DEN )
4 - Nate Kaeding - SD ( SF )
5 - Rob Bironas - TEN ( HOU )
6 - Neil Rackers - HOU ( @ TEN )
7 - Adam Vinatieri - IND ( JAC )
8 - Matt Bryant - ATL ( @ SEA )
9 - Garrett Hartley - NO ( @ BAL )
10 - Jay Feely - ARZ ( @ CAR )
11 - Shayne Graham - NE ( GB )
12 - Josh Scobee - JAC ( @ IND )
13 - Billy Cundiff - BAL ( NO )
14 - Mason Crosby - GB ( @ NE )
15 - Robbie Gould - CHI ( @ MIN )
16 - Lawrence Tynes - NYG ( PHI )
17 - Matt Prater - DEN ( @ OAK )
18 - Ryan Succop - KC ( @ STL )
19 - Ryan Longwell - MIN ( CHI )
20 - Josh Brown - STL ( KC )

Defense
Rank - Team ( Opp )
1 - Steelers ( NYJ )
2 - Bears ( @ MIN )
3 - Chargers ( SF )
4 - Patriots ( GB )
5 - Jets ( @ PIT )
6 - Falcons ( @ SEA )
7 - Giants ( PHI )
8 - Eagles ( @ NYG )
9 - Vikings ( CHI )
10 - Browns ( @ CIN )
11 - Raiders ( DEN )
12 - Ravens ( NO )
13 - Dolphins ( BUF )
14 - Saints ( @ BAL )
15 - Cowboys ( WAS )
16 - Cardinals ( @ CAR )
17 - Packers ( @ NE )
18 - Buccaneers ( DET )
19 - Titans ( HOU )
20 - Rams ( KC )
21 - 49ers ( @ SD )
22 - Chiefs ( @ STL )
23 - Bengals ( CLE )
24 - Colts ( JAC )
25 - Panthers ( ARZ )