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Vladimir De Wet breaks down the second half of the Week 15 matchups for the 2015 NFL football season. Be sure to also check out part one of this week's matchups analysis for the earlier games.
Each week of the NFL season, we will be breaking down each of the NFL matchups and providing you with some fantasy football advice and lineup recommendations based on matchups that we love, matchups that we hate, and some high-risk/high-reward players, as well.
Below, you will find part two of our Week 15 NFL matchups & fantasy football start/sit analysis, which should help you prepare your lineups to win this week. It’s essential to analyze the weekly NFL matchups to find lineup sleepers and gems, while also avoiding those players who may turn out to be busts. You've made it this far, now there's no room for error. Everyone has to have a big game, you can't pick a single dud, this is a fantasy stud only zone. Check out all the best matchups to get you to championship week.
Packers @ Raiders - Sunday 12/20 @ 4:05 PM EST
Matchups We Love:
Eddie Lacy, RB, Packers - Lacy has seemingly returned to form. He has already disappointed this season after looking good but should be fine against an average Raiders run defense. A balance betwen the run and pass has helped stabilize the Packers offense over the last four weeks after their three game losing streak.
Michael Crabtree, WR, Raiders - The Broncos predictably shutdown the Raiders passing game last week. Crabtree has had four straight weeks of lackluster production but has made up for some of it with two touchdowns. Yet, during this four weeks he's seen double-digit targets twice with another week of eight. Crabtree is a slightly risky play against a decent Packers secondary. But with Amari Cooper missing practice with a foot injury there's a chance Crabtree sees even more than his usual targets this week. With Sam Shields out he should be a solid WR2.
Matchups We Hate:
Davante Adams, WR, Packers - Adams has just been bad this season. He has gotten every opportunity to prove himself but just hasn't been able to do so. He isn't worth the risk this week.
Latavius Murray, RB, Raiders - The Raiders and Murray seem to have forgotten how to run the ball. Despite the fact that the team has fed Murray the ball he hasn't been able to do much with it. The Packers have an average run defense and can be run on. Murray is a boom-or-bust back that can either take you to the promised land or leave you wondering why you didn't play that other guy. I dont trust him this week.
Notable Players:
Amari Cooper, WR, Raiders - Cooper either missed or was limited in practice this week. He will more than likely play but had a bad game last week and is dealing with a knee injury.
Randall Cobb, WR, Packers - Cobb is a must-play after looking like he was going to seriously regress this year.
James Jones, WR, Packers - No confidence in Jones for a lot of production but there is a very good chance he gets into the endzone against his old team.
Seth Roberts, WR, Raiders - Roberts is worth the start in deeper leagues and for those desperate for a good gamble. He has been the go to guy when Cooper and Crabtree can't be found.
Richard Rodgers, TE, Packers - Rodgers has emerged as an every-week, must-start at TE.
Browns @ Seahawks - Sunday 12/20 @ 4:05 PM EST
Matchups We Love:
Gary Barnidge, TE, Browns - For nine straight weeks Barnidge has seen at least seven targets a game. His consistent play should win him the breakout fantasy star of the year award. Every other Cleveland player, except for Barnidge, should be benched against this resurgent Seahawks defense. But because the Seahakws have given up the seventh-most fantasy points to TEs, and Kam Chancellor is hurt, and Brian Hartline is out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone. Barnidge is a must start.
Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks - During Russell Wilson's four-week hot streak both Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett have benefited greatly. Lockett has four touchdowns during that time as well as back to back weeks with a new career high in receiving yards. While Doug Baldwin is finally taking the reins as the Seahawks main WR, Lockett is quietly establishing himself as one of the better second options in the league.
Matchups We Hate:
Browns RBs - Both Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson had good fantasy days last week, but that was against an awful 49ers run defense that has given up the most fantasy points to RBs this year. Now the Browns are going against a Seahawks run defense that has given up the fewest fantasy points to RBs. Also, while Crowell had a monster game it is obvious that the team wants to see a lot of touches for Johnson. The committee and bad matchup make both Crowell and Johnson bench-worthy.
Notable Players:
Seahawks RBs - The Seahawks will be playing a mix of Christine Michael, Fred Jackson and Bryce Brown at RB this week. Figuring out the backfield situation in Seattle is impossible right now because the team more than likely doesn't know who they will be going with. It doesn't really matter this week but whoever emerges could be a potential fantasy championship wildcard extraordinaire.
Bengals @ 49ers - Sunday 12/20 @ 4:25 PM EST
Matchups We Love:
Jeremy Hill, RB, Bengals - The 49ers let Isaiah Crowell run all over them last week. With the Andy Dalton injury I expect the Bengals to make an effort to run the ball more. Both Giovani Bernard and Hill will obviously benefit from this. After another disappointing performance from Hill last week it will be tempting to put him on the bench. If you do this there is a very good chance he will burn you two weeks in a row by having a big day on your bench. Hill is a must start.
A.J. Green, WR, Bengals - A.J. McCarron came in, closed his eyes, and threw it up to Green. It worked. When the Bengals do throw the ball, everyone knows where it will be going to. Green is a freakish talent that isn't concerned with matchup or QB play.
Vance McDonald, TE, 49ers - McDonald is coming off the concussion protocol this week. He has two touchdowns in the last two full games he played with Gabbert at QB. The Bengals defense will be a tough matchup for most 49er players but McDonald's usage and skills make him a boom or bust flex play.
Matchups We Hate:
No one. Most 49ers already aren't relevant fantasy wise and A.J. McCarron makes all Bengals not mentioned above not worth the start.
Notable Players:
A.J. McCarron, QB, Bengals - MCarron came in and looked decent but made some rookie mistakes. I would not get cute here and play McCarron unless you have "Roll Tide" tatted across your chest.
Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals - Eifert will be out sunday. His backup is Tyler Kroft, I would play McDonald or Blake Bell before Kroft.
Dolphins @ Chargers - Sunday 12/20 @ 4:25 PM EST
Matchups We Love:
Lamar Miller, RB, Dolphins - Miller has played really well the last two weeks. The Chargers have given up huge running plays all year long. If the Dolphins can stay focused on giving Miller the ball, he should have a big day. Miller is dealing with an ankle injury but should be fine.
Jarvis Landry, WR, Dolphins - Landry got hurt in the second half of the Monday Night football game. He should be fine to play this week and is a high upside WR2. Tannehill and the team make sure to get the ball into Landry's hands as much as possible.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers - Gordon has taken over the lead back role. After the Dolphins let the Giants run all over them last week it wouldn't be surprising to see Gordon have his best day of the year on Sunday.
Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers - Gates has gone right back to being his hall of fame TE self. He is good for five catches for 50+ yards and a few redzone opportunities. As long as Gates is healthy he is a must start.
Matchups We Hate:
Danny Woodhead, RB, Chargers - Woodhead's role on the team has lessened each week and he just hasn't been that effective when used. The Chargers as a whole have struggled and with the team focused on Gordon going forward, Woodhead won't be worth fantasy consideration.
Devante Parker, WR, Dolphins - Parker has had a disappointing rookie year. Despite getting the chances he hasn't been able to produce. Kenny Stills, Jordan Cameron, and the possible return of Rishard Matthews all make Parker a must bench candidate.
Notable Players:
Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers - The Chargers passing game has been pretty pathetic for four straight weeks. During that time they've been held under 250 yards three times (they also only scored three points each time). Rivers and any receiver not named Antonio Gates isn't worth the start.
Broncos @ Steelers - Sunday 12/20 @ 4:25 PM EST
Matchups We Love:
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Steelers - Williams is a must start every week even against one of the league's best run defenses. Williams catches the ball out of the backfield and is their main goal line back. His usage all over the field is too high to consider benching him.
Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers - Everyone is talking about Odell Beckham versus Josh Norman but Brown versus the Broncos should be just as good. Whether it's Aqib Talib or Chris Harris, Brown should be getting a lot of attention. Since Big Ben will be throwing him the ball and the Steelers have all of their receivers healthy, I still see Brown having a big day despite the tough matchup.
Matchups We Hate:
Broncos RBs - The Broncos have been able to run well with Brock Osweiler at QB and a committee of Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson. Together they should have a good day but the I doubt one of them will be worth starting. The Steelers have a strong run defense that doesn't give up many rushing touchdowns. A bad matchup and a healthy balance between the two mean neither one should be considered.
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos - Sanders has had really bad performances in three of his last four games. The conservative offense hasn't really hurt how many targets he's getting. For whatever reason Osweiler and Sanders just don't seem to be on the same page fully. Sanders just isn't worth the risk.
Notable Players:
Steelers WRs - Don't trust anyone outside of Brown. Markus Wheaton, Martavis Bryant, Heath Miller, and others all split the targets that are leftover after Antonio Brown has had his fair share. This is a stingy Broncos defense that won't let up too much to anyone, so I don't expect any of these other receivers to have good days.
DeMaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos - Thomas has had everyone from Kyle Orton to Tim Tebow to now Brock Osweiler throw him the ball. He has still managed to always put up his stats though. Thomas is a must start.
Vernon Davis, TE, Broncos - Davis will only see a few targets a game. He is the ultimate boom/bust candidate. I don't trust him to do anything.
Cardinals @ Eagles - Sunday 12/20 @ 8:30 PM EST
Matchups We Love:
Michael Floyd, WR, Cardinals - Floyd has 100+ receiving yard sin four of his last five games. He didn't have one in the first seven games he played. The Cardinals love taking shots deep down the field with Floyd and John Brown. After Fitzgerald led the team, in terms of receiving, the first half it has been Floyd in the second half.
David Johnson, RB, Cardinals - Johnson will be getting another week of being the primary RB. His workload and the Cardinals offense make him a must start.
Matchups We Hate:
Sam Bradford, QB, Eagles - The Eagles have won two weeks in a row but it is hardly because of the play of Sam Bradford. Bradford's good performances are mediocre by league standards.
Notable Players:
Eagles RBs - The Eagles have a stable of backs with a stable of problems. Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles are dealing with injuries while Murray is a the center of attention that can't play. Mathews is the only back worth considering but none are start worthy.
Jordan Matthews, WR, Eagles - Matthews has scored a few touchdowns the last few weeks but it doesn't make up for his overall awful play. One of the biggest fantasy busts of the season. He's also only in his second year, but still.
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