Start’em Sit’em Week 15
You know the drill, Gridiron Experts looks for great match-ups in key situations to help get you the most fantasy production.

Week 14 Start’em Sit’em Grade: A-
Last week’s article featured our confidence in Matt Schuab, Pierre Garcon, Brandon Jacobs and A. Bradshaw. We recommended sitting Jay Cutler, The Jets RB’s, Matt Forte and Mark Sanchez. We missed on Cedric Benson, T.O and Donald Driver (graded on a curve with Rodgers going down).

Must Starts: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers (if healthy), Philip Rivers, Mike Vick

Good Start’em Match-ups: Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Matt Schaub, David Garrard

Tempting: Kyle Orton vs. the Raiders, Eli Manning vs. the Eagles, Carson Palmer vs. the Browns, Josh Freeman vs. the Lions

• Kyle Orton will be pressing this weekend. He is not the favorite quarterback around town and will feel the heat of Tim Tebow looking over his shoulders. Rumors are no matter what happens this week Tebow gets the start week 16, 17. The Raiders are not mathematically out of the playoffs and will be playing tough. Orton is not a reliable QB this week, despite thoughts of him is playing for a starting job in 2011 to whom ever takes over the coaching job next season. Updated: Tim Tebow to start. Being the fact this is your fantasy playoff, there is no situation where picking up Tebow on the waivers and starting him makes sense
• Eli Manning is not the focus in the game plan as much these days. His running backs are ripping up yardage and the Giants fantasy passing game is suffering because of it. You can’t blame the coaching staff for playing the hot hand you’ve been dealt, but eventually things need to get back on track for Eli. With the Eagles suffering significant injuries to the defensive front, expect a heavy dose of Jacobs in week 15. If you have a better option than Eli, take it.
• Carson Palmer single handily lost last weeks game. His inability to read coverages has plagued this team all year. There is always a chance he could light up the stats category against the Browns, but in such an important fantasy week I’d rather start someone like Josh Freeman or David Garrard if I had too.
• One of the better fantasy match-ups this week is a guy you might not be looking at. Josh Freeman is starting to get comfortable in the pocket and reading defense’s better and better each week. After being on the road three out of the last 4 weeks, Freeman and the Bucs get to hang around the house for the next 2 Sundays. The Lions on the other hand, are leaving home and heading to Tampa for their first road game since November 21st. Why is this so important? Maybe because the Lions are terrible on road. Of all the QB’s listed in the “Tempting” match-ups this week, I like Josh Freeman. Prediction 270 yards 2 TDs and 45 yards rushing.

Must Starts: Chris Johnson, Arian Foster, Adrian Peterson, Peyton Hillis, LeSean McCoy, Darren McFadden, Michael Turner, Maurice Jones-Drew,

Good Match-ups: Ahmad Bradshaw, Jamaal Charles, Steven Jackson, Ray Rice, Knowshon Moreno, Brandon Jacobs

Tempting: BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs. the Packers, Cedric Benson vs. Browns, Tim Hightower vs. Panthers, LeGarrette Blount vs. Lions

• BenJarvus Green-Ellis (“The Law Firm”) is carrying the rock on the leagues hottest team. The Patriots look unstoppable and should walk over the Packers playoff hopes Sunday. Sure the Packers have a good defense, but so did the Bears. Start’em, prediction: 70+ yards 1 TD
• Cedric Benson was our pick last week that was ruined from poor quarterback play. The Bengals opening drive looked good, but after Palmer’s 2 interceptions for touchdowns the running game was forgotten. This week doesn’t get much better, the Browns despite a 5-8 record have only allowed 4 rushing touchdowns all year.
• Tim Hightower had his best fantasy performance last Sunday and his match-up looks even better this week. With such a lack of quarterback talent Hightower might be one of the best sleepers going for week 15.
• LeGarrette Blount is getting the yardage but hasn’t seen the end zone often in the last few weeks. The Lions have given up 15 rushing touchdowns in 13 games, so odds are looking good, but nothing is etched in stone.

**Too Many Great Match-ups, we’re going to just take a look at the tough ones

Tempting: Steve Johnson vs. Dolphins, Larry Fitzgerald vs. the Panthers, Owen Daniels vs. the Titans, Kenny Britt vs. the Texans, Jacob Tamme vs. the Jaguars,

• Stevie Johnson is going to get an added workload now with Lee Evans heading to IR. This could mean Johnson showcases his skills as a top receiver forcing all of us to show him some much-needed respect. Or it could mean he is simply smothered by top coverage corners and becomes invisible. The Dolphins are playing strong, and have an excellent secondary. The fish have kept opponents to 18.8 points per game and rank high in most defensive categories. I’d bench him this week, too risky
• Larry Fitzgerald doesn’t have an elite quarterback in John Skelton, but the kid does know who should get all the looks. Fitzgerald was targeted 11 times and had 6 catches. CB Chris Gamble is out and the points should be there if the risky throws are forced. High risk vs. high reward.
• Owen Daniels was a little rusty against the Ravens on Monday Night, yet still had a solid game (5 Rec 91 yards). The Texans are heartbroken but will still play strong.  
• Kenny Britt vs. the Texans looks great on paper, yet the risk in starting him after seeing how poorly the Titans are playing could be fantasy death. Britt may still have some  lingering injury concerns which creates huge doubt. We recommend you site this talented wide receiver if you have a better option as he didn’t show much last week.
• Jacob Tamme is cooling off in the eyes of fantasy owners. The Colts are facing a divisional rival that will have huge implications on the season and playoff picture. Manning has had extra time from playing on the Thursday night, so we should start to see better rhythm on the offense. Expect a TD with decent yardage from Tamme

Sleeper List:

QB: Alex Smith
RB: Jonathan Stewart,  Felix Jones, Ryan Torain,
WR: Davone Bess, Lance Moore
TE: Kellen Winslow, Zach Miller