Love and Hate Lists for Week 15
Love
Alfred Morris, RB, WAS – To be clear, I couldn’t care less if RGIII plays or not. Even if he plays, Morris’ workload WILL increase as a precaution to try and keep Griffen from running too much. Morris was already an irreplaceable factor for this offense and given his youth, they won’t be afraid to lean on him.
Vincent Jackson, WR, TB – The Buccaneers are headed on the road to New Orleans this week and that means there are two bad defenses on the field and the potential for a lot of points to be scored. Jackson has been an amazing addition for Tampa and they have been able to keep him VERY productive. They are going to have to throw deep to keep up with Brees and that should mean plenty of opportunity for VJax.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, CIN – The Law Firm has been on a tear lately and with a game against the Eagles (among the worst defenses in the NFL since firing Juan Castillo) this week, there is no reason to expect a change. Law Firm is typically a mid-to-low end RB2 but in this matchu-up, he falls just outside the top 10.
Danario Alexander, WR, SD – Alexander continues to be a force for the Chargers offense that took down Pittsburgh this past week. Danario is a large man that uses that size to box-out defenders and give Philip Rivers somewhere to throw. So far he is the only guy getting open with any consistency and that isn’t likely to change against a shaky Panthers secondary.
Cam Newton, QB, CAR – There is no hotter QB in the NFL at the moment and especially so for fantasy owners. Newton has had 37, 28 and 36 fantasy points in the past 3 weeks. Atlanta is the only defense that was really any good in this stretch but San Diego is far from a great defense too and I think, if your still alive in the playoffs, you’ve GOTTA keep Newton in there.
Jamaal Charles, RB, KC – This may seem like an obvious one here but Charles owners should have high hopes this week. The Raiders are just 26th against the run and they are struggling as of late. Charles is the entirety of the Kansas City offense and is almost certain to see the 100 yard mark this week.
Hate
Michael Turner, RB, ATL – The fact that Turner keeled over in exhaustion at the end of the game and by coincidence fell over the goal line does not give me any confidence. Watch the tape people, this isn’t the same guy you had on your team three years ago. He’s too slow to get through a hole and into the second and third levels like he used to, leave him on your bench because ALL of his value is at the goal line. It’s like starting Michael Bush.
Denarius Moore, WR, OAK – I won’t be surprised if he gets a big game here but it’s about risk in the playoffs and that is one thing that Moore has in spades. The whole Raiders team is floundering a little bit and while Moore was good for you in the middle of the season, don’t look for it here. I know the match up is appealing but you need safe and consistent, not a hail-mary.
Jay Cutler, QB, CHI – The Packers do not have a crippling defense by any means but the Bears DO have a pretty bad offensive line. Clay Matthews is set to return and with all that rest, he’s going to be coming back with a vengeance. If he gets in Cutler’s face early on, it will frustrate the Bears signal caller and we’ve all seen him play when he is frustrated.
Torrey Smith, WR, BAL – Mr. Smith, have you met Champ Bailey? You are about to. Old man Bailey has been playing like he’s 25 again this season and he’s doing that all with the added experience that comes from actually being 34 years old. Jim Caldwell will utilize Ray Rice much more now that he has the offensive coordinator position and that makes Smith nothing more than a poor flex option this week. 27th among WRs in my rankings.
Bryce Brown, RB, PHI – I can’t believe analysts can still put Brown as an RB 2 this week. I had him at 20 last week, after consecutive great games and now that he just put up zero points last week, they have him higher… it doesn’t add up to me. You won the lottery if you started this guy and won last week, don’t try and win it twice.
