For some, the fantasy football season is over. Dreams have been crushed and dynasties have begun. For others, there are still two weeks left in the journey; two weeks that are sure to be entertaining. Your plays are crucial to you capturing the title and earning bragging rights for the next year.
The Best of Week 15:
Jamaal Charles, RB –Charles became just the fifth player in the last 50 years to record 200 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns in a single game. His 195 receiving yards is the highest total for a running back since 1999.
Nick Foles, QB –He was my fourth-rated QB last week and he didn't disappoint. He threw for a season-high 428 yards with three scores and added 41 rushing yards.
Alex Smith, QB –The guy doesn't get the recognition he deserves. But he's putting together quite a season. Smith threw for 287 yards and five scores, his fifth straight multi-touchdown performance.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB –Despite two crucial interceptions, the Harvard grad threw for a career-high 402 yards with four touchdowns against a very good Cardinals' defense. Â
Matt Cassel, QB –Cassel threw for a season-high 382 yards with two scores. He added 19 rushing yards and one score. Cassel's 382 yards were the most yards thrown by a Vikings' QB since 2010.
Week 16 Likes:
Quarterbacks
Peyton Manning (at Houston) –The Broncos had their worst game of the season last week. Manning is going to have a field day with a depleted Texans team.
Andy Dalton (vs. Minnesota) – The Vikings rank 30th in pass defense. Dalton has thrown for multiple scores in four of his last five games.
Kirk Cousins (vs. Dallas) –Cousins threw for 380 yards last week against a Falcons' defense ranked 25th in the league. This week he faces the worst pass defense in the league.
Running Backs
LeSean McCoy (vs. Chicago) or Matt Forte (at Philadelphia) –This is a huge game for both teams. Both defenses have trouble stopping the run. I expect both of them to have big games.
Alfred Morris (vs. Dallas) –As I mentioned previously, the Cowboys defense is just not good. They give up the most fantasy points to opposing running backs. In three career games vs. Dallas, Morris has 394 rushing yards and five scores.
Chris Johnson (at Jacksonville) –Johnson averages close to 100 yards from scrimmage per game vs. Jacksonville in his career. The Jaguars rank 30th in rush defense.
Wide Receivers
Josh Gordon (at N.Y. Jets) –Gordon has scored in five straight games and has recorded 100 yards in four of his last five games. The Jets rank 26th in pass defense.
Antonio Brown (at Green Bay) –Brown is the only receiver in the league to have at least five receptions and at least 50 yards in every game this season. He's on a record setting pace for Pittsburgh.
DeSean Jackson (vs. Chicago) –Jackson already has career highs in receptions and receiving yards. Chicago's pass defense isn't bad but they've lost some key players due to injuries.
Tight Ends
Vernon Davis (vs. Atlanta) –The 49ers have been rolling, and so has Davis. He's scored in five straight games. The Falcons rank 25th in pass defense.
Charles Clay (at Buffalo) –The Bills have allowed an opposing touchdown to score in four straight games. Clay scored earlier this season against Buffalo.
Jason Witten (at Washington) –Witten has four scores in his last four games and is facing a team that gives up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Defense/Special Teams
Cleveland Browns (at N.Y. Jets) – The Browns defense has been the one bright spot in Cleveland. They are facing rookie QB Geno Smith this week and a team that has turned it over 29 times.
Detroit Lions (vs. N.Y. Giants) –The Giants have a league-high 39 turnovers, including 25 interceptions by Eli Manning. The Giants also allow the most opposing fantasy points to defenses.
San Francisco (vs. Atlanta) –East Coast team going to the West Coast on a Monday night never sounds good, especially when the East Coast team has the 22nd ranked offense.
Kicker
Shaun Suisham (at Green Bay) –Suisham has 27 makes on the year, the third-highest total in a single season for his career.
Justin Tucker (vs. New England) –35-of-37 on the season. He hasn't missed since Week 2 and has made 33 in a row.
Nick Folk (vs. Cleveland Browns) –Folk is 30-of-31 this year. If the Jets get points this week they will come from Folk.