Week 15 Rankings Update

The Jets won't have the only slumping offense in Pittsburgh on Sunday. While Mark Sanchez hasn't led a touchdown drive in nine quarters, the Steelers have only two touchdown drives in their last 30 possessions.

Rashard Mendenhall's 75 yards from scrimmage last week was his second best game in his last five. The book is out on Pittsburgh. Both their offensive line and Ben Roethlisberger struggle to recognize where blitzes are coming from. Rex Ryan should have a lot fun dialing up pressure, and it wouldn't shock me if the only touchdowns scored in Pittsburgh for both teams came from the defense.

That makes for some very tough decisions in fantasy leagues. Santonio Holmes and Mike Wallace are shaky plays, both out of our top-20. I wanted to push them down even further, but Chris Wesseling may have gone crazy. There's not a big difference between Holmes/Wallace and the guys ranked 30-36 – low level WR3s.

Going with the guys that got you this far is usually a good idea. But it's not a rule.

(For one more WR1 I want to avoid, head to the wideout rankings.)

Week 15 Quarterbacks

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Peyton Manning	vs. JAC	-
2	Michael Vick	at NYG	-
3	Tom Brady	vs. GB	Probable(foot)
4	Philip Rivers	vs. SF	-
5	Drew Brees	at BAL	-
6	Aaron Rodgers	at NE	Doubtful(concussion)
7	Matt Schaub	at TEN	Probable(left arm)
8	Matt Ryan	at SEA	-
9	Joe Flacco	vs. NO	-
10	Eli Manning	vs. PHI	-
11	Ben Roethlisberger	vs. NYJ	-
12	Jon Kitna	vs. WAS	-
13	David Garrard	at IND	Questionable(hamstring)
14	Josh Freeman	vs. DET	-
15	Jay Cutler	at MIN	-
16	Jason Campbell	vs. DEN	-
17	Carson Palmer	vs. CLE	-
18	Matt Cassel	at STL	Questionable(abdomen)
19	Kerry Collins	vs. HOU	-
20	Matt Hasselbeck	vs. ATL	Probable(wrist)
21	Sam Bradford	vs. KC	-
22	Ryan Fitzpatrick	at MIA	-
23	Matt Flynn	at NE	-
24	Rex Grossman	at DAL	-
25	Tim Tebow	at OAK	-
26	Joe Webb	vs. CHI	Probable(-)
27	Chad Henne	vs. BUF	-
28	Colt McCoy	at CIN	Probable(ankle)
29	Alex Smith	at SD	-
30	Drew Stanton	at TB	-
31	Mark Sanchez	at PIT	-
32	Jimmy Clausen	vs. ARZ	-
33	John Skelton	at CAR	-

QB Notes: I'm a huge Big Ben fan, but expected to rank him low this week after watching Pittsburgh's last three games. Then I started the rankings and realized there weren't many QBs worth putting ahead of him. Eli Manning is also slumping and plays in a run-first offense without his most trusted third down threat. Matt Cassel is a consideration, but will he be the same so soon after his appendectomy? Jon Kitna got a high rank, but he's still Jon Kitna. Josh Freeman has the right matchup, but his offensive line is playing poorly and he's in a slump of his own. Jay Cutler could move up if he wind up playing indoors.

In the end, David Garrard, Matt Ryan, and Joe Flacco were the only atypical guys that moved ahead of Roethlisberger. I like the Colts-Jaguars game to be a high scoring one. Garrard will need to throw at times to keep up and the Colts defense just isn't the same this year. … Aaron Rodgers is ranked as if he's starting. It sounds like he's very unlikely to play, but I put him there just in case. … No team gives up more big plays through the air than the Seahawks. It's definitely a week to use Ryan. … Tennessee's defensive line is thinner and smaller than it was early in the year. That should give Matt Schaub plenty of time to throw.

For owners in desperation or 2 QB leagues, some backup-types I like this week include Jason Campbell and Shaun Hill – if he plays. Tampa's defense is barely hanging on. Campbell has started to run in recent weeks and has quietly played quite well. His matchup against the Broncos is tempting. … Kyle Orton is hands off after that disaster in the desert. It looks like something is physically wrong with him. … I respect the Dolphins defense and pass rush enough to stay far away from Ryan Fitzpatrick this week. … I'm not convinced the Ravens are that tough a matchup for opposing quarterbacks. Play Drew Brees as usual.

The Jets won't have the only slumping offense in Pittsburgh on Sunday. While Mark Sanchez hasn't led a touchdown drive in nine quarters, the Steelers have only two touchdown drives in their last 30 possessions.

Rashard Mendenhall's 75 yards from scrimmage last week was his second best game in his last five. The book is out on Pittsburgh. Both their offensive line and Ben Roethlisberger struggle to recognize where blitzes are coming from. Rex Ryan should have a lot fun dialing up pressure, and it wouldn't shock me if the only touchdowns scored in Pittsburgh for both teams came from the defense.

That makes for some very tough decisions in fantasy leagues. Santonio Holmes and Mike Wallace are shaky plays, both out of our top-20. I wanted to push them down even further, but Chris Wesseling may have gone crazy. There's not a big difference between Holmes/Wallace and the guys ranked 30-36 – low level WR3s.

Going with the guys that got you this far is usually a good idea. But it's not a rule.

(For one more WR1 I want to avoid, head to the wideout rankings.)

Week 15 Quarterbacks

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Peyton Manning	vs. JAC	-
2	Michael Vick	at NYG	-
3	Tom Brady	vs. GB	Probable(foot)
4	Philip Rivers	vs. SF	-
5	Drew Brees	at BAL	-
6	Aaron Rodgers	at NE	Doubtful(concussion)
7	Matt Schaub	at TEN	Probable(left arm)
8	Matt Ryan	at SEA	-
9	Joe Flacco	vs. NO	-
10	Eli Manning	vs. PHI	-
11	Ben Roethlisberger	vs. NYJ	-
12	Jon Kitna	vs. WAS	-
13	David Garrard	at IND	Questionable(hamstring)
14	Josh Freeman	vs. DET	-
15	Jay Cutler	at MIN	-
16	Jason Campbell	vs. DEN	-
17	Carson Palmer	vs. CLE	-
18	Matt Cassel	at STL	Questionable(abdomen)
19	Kerry Collins	vs. HOU	-
20	Matt Hasselbeck	vs. ATL	Probable(wrist)
21	Sam Bradford	vs. KC	-
22	Ryan Fitzpatrick	at MIA	-
23	Matt Flynn	at NE	-
24	Rex Grossman	at DAL	-
25	Tim Tebow	at OAK	-
26	Joe Webb	vs. CHI	Probable(-)
27	Chad Henne	vs. BUF	-
28	Colt McCoy	at CIN	Probable(ankle)
29	Alex Smith	at SD	-
30	Drew Stanton	at TB	-
31	Mark Sanchez	at PIT	-
32	Jimmy Clausen	vs. ARZ	-
33	John Skelton	at CAR	-

QB Notes: I'm a huge Big Ben fan, but expected to rank him low this week after watching Pittsburgh's last three games. Then I started the rankings and realized there weren't many QBs worth putting ahead of him. Eli Manning is also slumping and plays in a run-first offense without his most trusted third down threat. Matt Cassel is a consideration, but will he be the same so soon after his appendectomy? Jon Kitna got a high rank, but he's still Jon Kitna. Josh Freeman has the right matchup, but his offensive line is playing poorly and he's in a slump of his own. Jay Cutler could move up if he wind up playing indoors.

In the end, David Garrard, Matt Ryan, and Joe Flacco were the only atypical guys that moved ahead of Roethlisberger. I like the Colts-Jaguars game to be a high scoring one. Garrard will need to throw at times to keep up and the Colts defense just isn't the same this year. … Aaron Rodgers is ranked as if he's starting. It sounds like he's very unlikely to play, but I put him there just in case. … No team gives up more big plays through the air than the Seahawks. It's definitely a week to use Ryan. … Tennessee's defensive line is thinner and smaller than it was early in the year. That should give Matt Schaub plenty of time to throw.

For owners in desperation or 2 QB leagues, some backup-types I like this week include Jason Campbell and Shaun Hill – if he plays. Tampa's defense is barely hanging on. Campbell has started to run in recent weeks and has quietly played quite well. His matchup against the Broncos is tempting. … Kyle Orton is hands off after that disaster in the desert. It looks like something is physically wrong with him. … I respect the Dolphins defense and pass rush enough to stay far away from Ryan Fitzpatrick this week. … I'm not convinced the Ravens are that tough a matchup for opposing quarterbacks. Play Drew Brees as usual.


Week 15 Running Backs

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Arian Foster	at TEN	Probable(hip)
2	Maurice Jones-Drew	at IND	Questionable(knee)
3	Darren McFadden	vs. DEN	-
4	Chris Johnson	vs. HOU	-
5	Michael Turner	at SEA	-
6	Peyton Hillis	at CIN	-
7	Knowshon Moreno	at OAK	-
8	Adrian Peterson	vs. CHI	Questionable(knee)
9	Jamaal Charles	at STL	-
10	LeSean McCoy	at NYG	-
11	Steven Jackson	vs. KC	-
12	Jonathan Stewart	vs. ARZ	-
13	Ray Rice	vs. NO	-
14	Ahmad Bradshaw	vs. PHI	-
15	LeGarrette Blount	vs. DET	-
16	Matt Forte	at MIN	-
17	Felix Jones	vs. WAS	-
18	Fred Jackson	at MIA	-
19	Rashard Mendenhall	vs. NYJ	-
20	Mike Tolbert	vs. SF	-
21	Brandon Jacobs	vs. PHI	-
22	Ryan Torain	at DAL	Questionable(hamstring)
23	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	vs. GB	-
24	Ronnie Brown	vs. BUF	-
25	Mike Goodson	vs. ARZ	-
26	Tim Hightower	at CAR	-
27	Pierre Thomas	at BAL	-
28	Cedric Benson	vs. CLE	-
29	Brian Westbrook	at SD	Probable(not injury related)
30	Tashard Choice	vs. WAS	-
31	Ricky Williams	vs. BUF	-
32	Danny Woodhead	vs. GB	-
33	Ryan Mathews	vs. SF	-
34	Javarris James	vs. JAC	-
35	Michael Bush	vs. DEN	-
36	Thomas Jones	at STL	-
37	Marshawn Lynch	vs. ATL	-
38	Jahvid Best	at TB	Probable(toe)
39	Maurice Morris	at TB	Probable(toe)
40	James Starks	at NE	-
41	Donald Brown	vs. JAC	-
42	Reggie Bush	at BAL	-
43	LaDainian Tomlinson	at PIT	-
44	Shonn Greene	at PIT	Sidelined(neck)
45	Beanie Wells	at CAR	Probable(flu)
46	Rashad Jennings	at IND	-
47	Anthony Dixon	at SD	-
48	Darren Sproles	vs. SF	-
49	Brandon Jackson	at NE	-
50	Chris Ivory	at BAL	Questionable(hamstring)
51	Willis McGahee	vs. NO	Questionable(illness)
52	Justin Forsett	vs. ATL	-
53	Keiland Williams	at DAL	-
54	Toby Gerhart	vs. CHI	-
55	Cadillac Williams	vs. DET	-
56	Chester Taylor	at MIN	-
57	C.J. Spiller	at MIA	-
58	Bernard Scott	vs. CLE	-
59	Dimitri Nance	at NE	Sidelined(concussion)
60	Jerome Harrison	at NYG	-
61	Derrick Ward	at TEN	-
62	Marion Barber	vs. WAS	Questionable(calf)

RB Notes: With Darren McFadden back to must-start status, the top-seven backs stand apart from the pack. I don't include Adrian Peterson in that group because of his quarterback situation, but it's still not worth benching All Day in almost any situation. … Look for Jamaal Charles to have a bounceback game on turf against the Rams against a slightly overrated defense. … LeSean McCoy has proven matchup proof, so he remains a RB1 against the Giants.

Cedric Benson is tough to play right now despite the touches. The Browns defense is better against the run than through the air. … Mendenhall gets his lowest ranking of the season because of the reasons listed above and because of the depth of quality options this week. Felix Jones has a nice matchup at home, LeGarrette Blout should find running room against Detroit, and Jonathan Stewart is playing too well to bench against the Cardinals.

The Lions are racking up some rushing yards the last three weeks and the matchup is very right against the Bucs. In deep leagues, you could do worse with a flex spot than Jahvid Best. Really. Last week was nice, but don't trust Brian Westbrook for more than 60 total yards in San Diego. ... Beanie Wells should be back in the mix this week, hurting Tim Hightower. You only get a chance for garbage time against the Broncos once a year.

Mike Shanahan will probably ride Ryan Torain until the wheels come off. Based on track record, that could happen any play. Torain is a decent RB2, but last week's production was more about Tampa's defense than Torain's play. The holes were bigger than a Darnell Dockett tweet subject.

When push comes to shove, the Chargers trust Mike Tolbert. But thursday's game could include 15-20 rushes for Ryan Mathews too, so you could do worse at a flex spot. ... Michael Bush is another deep option I like because of the matchup. ... Buffalo's rush defense isn't the disaster it was earlier in the season. Ronnie Brown is an option this week, but an in inspiring one. I'd definitely take Fred Jackson in that game over him.

It looks like Chris Ivory will play, so none of the Saints backs are particularly appealing. They cancel each other out in a tough matchup. ... Don't expect the Packers to run much Sunday night, even if Aaron Rodgers starts.

Week 15 Wide Receivers

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Andre Johnson	at TEN	Probable(ankle)
2	Roddy White	at SEA	Probable(knee)
3	Reggie Wayne	vs. JAC	-
4	DeSean Jackson	at NYG	Questionable(foot)
5	Hakeem Nicks	vs. PHI	-
6	Calvin Johnson	at TB	-
7	Marques Colston	at BAL	-
8	Dwayne Bowe	at STL	-
9	Jeremy Maclin	at NYG	-
10	Larry Fitzgerald	at CAR	-
11	Wes Welker	vs. GB	-
12	Kenny Britt	vs. HOU	-
13	Miles Austin	vs. WAS	-
14	Brandon Marshall	vs. BUF	-
15	Greg Jennings	at NE	-
16	Pierre Garcon	vs. JAC	-
17	Mike Williams	vs. DET	Probable(knee)
18	Malcom Floyd	vs. SF	Questionable(hamstring)
19	Vincent Jackson	vs. SF	-
20	Anquan Boldin	vs. NO	-
21	Santonio Holmes	at PIT	-
22	Mike Wallace	vs. NYJ	-
23	Austin Collie	vs. JAC	Questionable(concussion)
24	Steve Johnson	at MIA	-
25	Terrell Owens	vs. CLE	Questionable(knee)
26	Chad Ochocinco	vs. CLE	Probable(ankle)
27	Sidney Rice	vs. CHI	-
28	Deion Branch	vs. GB	Probable(knee)
29	Santana Moss	at DAL	-
30	Brandon Lloyd	at OAK	Probable(calf)
31	Mike Williams	vs. ATL	Probable(ankle)
32	Michael Crabtree	at SD	-
33	Mike Sims-Walker	at IND	-
34	Hines Ward	vs. NYJ	-
35	Johnny Knox	at MIN	-
36	Derrick Mason	vs. NO	Probable(ankle)
37	Robert Meachem	at BAL	-
38	Ben Obomanu	vs. ATL	Probable(hand)
39	Davone Bess	vs. BUF	-
40	Louis Murphy	vs. DEN	-
41	Percy Harvin	vs. CHI	-
42	James Jones	at NE	-
43	Donald Driver	at NE	-
44	Steve Breaston	at CAR	Probable(knee)
45	Earl Bennett	at MIN	-
46	Steve Smith	vs. ARZ	-
47	Mario Manningham	vs. PHI	Probable(hip)
48	Mike Thomas	at IND	-
49	Lance Moore	at BAL	-
50	Braylon Edwards	at PIT	-
51	Nate Washington	vs. HOU	-
52	Jacoby Ford	vs. DEN	-
53	Randy Moss	vs. HOU	-
54	Brandon Gibson	vs. KC	-
55	Nate Burleson	at TB	-
56	Roy Williams	vs. WAS	Questionable(groin)
57	Danario Alexander	vs. KC	-
58	Laurent Robinson	vs. KC	-
59	Eddie Royal	at OAK	-
60	Danny Amendola	vs. KC	-
61	Jabar Gaffney	at OAK	-
62	Anthony Armstrong	at DAL	-
63	Jerricho Cotchery	at PIT	-
64	Jacoby Jones	at TEN	-
65	Jason Avant	at NYG	-
66	Mohamed Massaquoi	at CIN	-
67	Arrelious Benn	vs. DET	-
68	Derek Hagan	vs. PHI	-
69	Dexter McCluster	at STL	-
70	Devery Henderson	at BAL	-
71	Blair White	vs. JAC	-

WR Notes: The receiver I'm most worried about Sunday is Brandon Lloyd. The Raiders held Lloyd to one catch last time, and Kyle Orton simply isn't right. Orton missed practice Wednesday with a rib injury. He's turned from a Pro Bowl caliber player to a mix of Jimmy Clausen and Craig Krenzel the last two weeks. Like Mike Wallace and Santonio Holmes, Lloyd has lost his must-start status.

If Joe Webb has eligibility, I'd rank him in the top-15 wideouts in non-ppr leagues and closer to 20 in PPR affairs. You just don't get guaranteed points at the position in any other way. He only needs to throw for 150 yards and run a little to make it worth it. Remember that Webb is not a total lock to start yet as I write this. … Sidney Rice will move down if its Webb starting at University of Minnesota Stadium. Same goes for Percy Harvin.

Forget the guys in the huddle. Jimmy Clausen should aplogize to Steve Smith's fantasy owners. ... I trust Kenny Britt. Health was the only thing that stopped him from a top-20 season. ... You could do worse than msw. Michael Crabtree is not hands off just because of last week. The 49ers will be throwing a lot Thursday night. ... Johnny Knox's value partially depends on if the Bears play outdoors. The temperature could be below 0 with the wind chill.

Stevie Johnson's low ranking is just as much about Miami's defense (and Vontae Davis) as it is about Johnson's slump. Lee Evans' absence won't help either. ... The squeeky wheel approach hasn't work for T.O. of late. Like I said last week, Chad Ochocinco is playing his best football now. ... It sounds like Big Mike Williams and Ben Obomanu will return this week. Obomanu reportedly looked good at practice. We'd be hesitant to use either player, especially Williams. He hasn't finished a game in a long time.

Anquan Boldin, like Brandon Marshall, is a player I'm going to trust if at all possible despite recent results. Marshall looked healthy last week and has the right matchup. Boldin is just too good to bench. ... Calvin Johnson's rank will take a hit if Drew Stanton starts, but not that far. ... After a slow start, Wes Welker is the guy from 2007-2009 again.


Week 15 Tight Ends

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Jason Witten	vs. WAS	-
2	Vernon Davis	at SD	-
3	Jacob Tamme	vs. JAC	Probable(knee)
4	Zach Miller	vs. DEN	-
5	Tony Gonzalez	at SEA	-
6	Owen Daniels	at TEN	-
7	Chris Cooley	at DAL	-
8	Marcedes Lewis	at IND	-
9	Kellen Winslow	vs. DET	-
10	Dustin Keller	at PIT	-
11	Brent Celek	at NYG	-
12	Kevin Boss	vs. PHI	-
13	Ben Watson	at CIN	-
14	Brandon Pettigrew	at TB	-
15	Rob Gronkowski	vs. GB	-
16	Todd Heap	vs. NO	Questionable (hamstring)
17	Bo Scaife	vs. HOU	Questionable (head)
18	Tony Moeaki	at STL	-
19	Jeremy Shockey	at BAL	-
20	Heath Miller	vs. NYJ	-
21	Jermaine Gresham	vs. CLE	-
22	Jimmy Graham	at BAL	-
23	Randy McMichael	vs. SF	-
24	Aaron Hernandez	vs. GB	-
25	Anthony Fasano	vs. BUF	-
26	Visanthe Shiancoe	vs. CHI	-
27	Andrew Quarless	at NE	-
28	Ed Dickson	vs. NO	-
29	Greg Olsen	at MIN	-

Week 15 Team Defense

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Steelers Def/Spec Team	vs. NYJ	-
2	Bears Def/Spec Team	at MIN	-
3	Chargers Def/Spec Team	vs. SF	-
4	Jets Def/Spec Team	at PIT	-
5	Patriots Def/Spec Team	vs. GB	-
6	Dolphins Def/Spec Team	vs. BUF	-
7	Giants Def/Spec Team	vs. PHI	-
8	Falcons Def/Spec Team	at SEA	-
9	Vikings Def/Spec Team	vs. CHI	-
10	Cowboys Def/Spec Team	vs. WAS	-
11	Cardinals Def/Spec Team	at CAR	-
12	Panthers Def/Spec Team	vs. ARZ	-
13	Browns Def/Spec Team	at CIN	-
14	Eagles Def/Spec Team	at NYG	-
15	Buccaneers Def/Spec Team	vs. DET	-
16	Ravens Def/Spec Team	vs. NO	-
17	Raiders Def/Spec Team	vs. DEN	-
18	Packers Def/Spec Team	at NE	-
19	Rams Def/Spec Team	vs. KC	-
20	Saints Def/Spec Team	at BAL	-
21	Colts Def/Spec Team	vs. JAC	-
22	Lions Def/Spec Team	at TB	-
23	Chiefs Def/Spec Team	at STL	-
24	Fortyniners Def/Spec Team	at SD	-
25	Bengals Def/Spec Team	vs. CLE	-
26	Texans Def/Spec Team	at TEN	-
27	Titans Def/Spec Team	vs. HOU	-
28	Bills Def/Spec Team	at MIA	-
29	Jaguars Def/Spec Team	at IND	-
30	Redskins Def/Spec Team	at DAL	-
31	Seahawks Def/Spec Team	vs. ATL	-
32	Broncos Def/Spec Team	at OAK	-

Week 15 Kickers

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Neil Rackers	at TEN	-
2	Nate Kaeding	vs. SF	-
3	Adam Vinatieri	vs. JAC	-
4	Josh Scobee	at IND	-
5	David Akers	at NYG	-
6	Sebastian Janikowski	vs. DEN	-
7	Dan Carpenter	vs. BUF	-
8	Robbie Gould	at MIN	-
9	Shayne Graham	vs. GB	-
10	Ryan Succop	at STL	-
11	Josh Brown	vs. KC	-
12	Jay Feely	at CAR	-
13	Garrett Hartley	at BAL	-
14	Lawrence Tynes	vs. PHI	-
15	Matt Bryant	at SEA	-
16	Rob Bironas	vs. HOU	-
17	Mason Crosby	at NE	-
18	Billy Cundiff	vs. NO	-
19	Shaun Suisham	vs. NYJ	-
20	David Buehler	vs. WAS	-
21	Ryan Longwell	vs. CHI	-
22	Olindo Mare	vs. ATL	-
23	Rian Lindell	at MIA	-
24	Jeff Reed	at SD	-
25	Connor Barth	vs. DET	-
26	John Kasay	vs. ARZ	-
27	Phil Dawson	at CIN	-
28	Matt Prater	at OAK	Questionable (groin)
29	Graham Gano	at DAL	-
30	Nick Folk	at PIT	-
31	Dave Rayner	at TB	-
32	Clint Stitser	vs. CLE	-

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