Empty the Bench » Fantasy Rankings

2011 NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Rankings – Tight Ends

Andrew Thell — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 04:36:16 +0000

By Andrew Thell

1. Rob Gronkowski
2. Jacob Tamme
3. Jimmy Graham
4. Tony Gonzalez
5. Heath Miller
6. Brent Celek
7. Todd Heap
8. Aaron Hernandez
9. Dustin Keller
10. Jeremy Shockey
11. Greg Olsen
12. Tony Moeaki

Gronkowski’s setup and propensity for scoring places him at the top option at the position, and it’s by such a large margin that you wouldn’t be foolish to reach on him much earlier than tight ends traditionally go. He’s in his own tier … As I’ve mentioned, I like the Colts to handle the Jets and make Tamme the clear-cut No. 2 option here … Jimmy Graham may surprise some of you this high, but Brees has been locked onto the kid in the red zone and connected for four touchdowns in the last three weeks. No team has a better shot at four games than the Saints … It may seem like I’m a Falcons hater with these rankings, but that’s not the case. I love ATL, but I just think they’re a year away from making serious noise in the postseason … Heath Miller won’t give you a ton of volume, but he’s good for two games and has a decent shot at three … I’m done trying to predict when Aaron Hernandez will be involved in the Pats passing game, and Shockey is fading, but they’re options simply because of the odds they’ll be producing for you till the bitter end. The tight end position is thin.

Jimmy Graham photo credit: Icon SMI

2011 NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Rankings – Wide Receivers

Andrew Thell — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 04:18:27 +0000

By Andrew Thell

1. Mike Wallace
2. Roddy White
3. Wes Welker
4. DeSean Jackson
5. Reggie Wayne
6. Greg Jennings
7. Marques Colston
8. Pierre Garcon
9. Deion Branch
10. Jeremy Maclin
11. Hines Ward
12. Dwayne Bowe
13. Santonio Holmes
14. Lance Moore
15. Derrick Mason
16. Johnny Knox
17. Robert Meachem
18. Anquan Boldin
19. James Jones
20. Braylon Edwards
21. Donald Driver
22. Emmanuel Sanders
23. Brandon Tate
24. Earl Bennett
25. Blair White
26. Mike Williams
27. Devery Henderson
28. Jordy Nelson

You really can’t go wrong with the top three options, but Mike Wallace has the big-play edge over Wes Welker and a better chance at seeing 2+ plus games than Roddy White. As I mentioned in the QBs section, I just have a hard time seeing the young Falcons handling more experienced teams that they struggled mightily against in the regular season like the Saints, Eagles or Packers … I like DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and the Eagles to advance this weekend – but I’m not willing to gamble too heavily on that. I see GB-PHI as a very even matchup, with home field tilting the scales … I like the Colts to knock off the struggling Jets, making Garcon and Wayne very attractive options if they get two games … A few months ago who would have thought Deion Branch would ever be in a top-ten fantasy ranking again? Here he is though, in sync with Brady and with the inside track to the Super Bowl … Dwayne Bowe has been an absolute monster for a few months now, but can he make it out of the weekend alive? … Lance Moore and Robert Meachem are cheap options that could easily give you four games … It’s hard to invest too heavily in Derrick Mason or Anquan Boldin the way the Ravens passing game has been producing of late, but I think they’re good for two games … Donald Driver, James Jones and Jordy Nelson are strong late hedges for anybody investing in Maclin or DeSean early … Earl Bennett may not have converted many of ‘em, but he’s been getting plenty of looks from Cutler in the red zone the last month plus … Brandon Tate is a sneaky, smart play to give you three games and still be around come the final week. Emmanuel Sanders fits that bill as well … You’re not going to get more than one game out of Big Mike Williams, but if you’re desperate for a WR to start this weekend he’ll do.

Mike Wallace photo credit: Icon SMI

2011 NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Rankings – Running Backs

Andrew Thell — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 03:55:29 +0000

By Andrew Thell

1. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
2. Rashard Mendenhall
3. Ray Rice
4. Michael Turner
5. LeSean McCoy
6. Reggie Bush
7. Matt Forte
8. Jamaal Charles
9. Joseph Addai
10. Shonn Greene
11. Danny Woodhead
12. LaDainian Tomlinson
13. Brandon Jackson
14. Julius Jones
15. Thomas Jones

Green-Ellis quietly finished tied with Rashard Mendenhall for second in the NFL in rushing scores this season, and now that Arian Foster is out of the picture he’s the odds-on favorite to lead the postseason in scores with home field advantage throughout. Despite standing in one another’s way en route to the Super Bowl, the Steelers and Pats might have the clearest path right now. The NFC picture is a complete mess … Ray Rice is coming on at the right time, and I think the Ravens will handle the Chiefs and be a tough matchup for anyone else they might face … Michael Turner has a bye round one, but his consistent production can be banked on and he’s home all the way … Reggie Bush vaults up the rankings with news that both Ivory and Pierre Thomas have been placed on IR. It also makes Julius Jones a worth late pick … Jamaal Charles is far and away the best RB still standing and could have a big game this weekend, but the Chiefs are going to have a hard time surviving the Wild Card round … I think the Jets are poised to lean on Shonn Greene heavily this weekend just as they did last year in the playoffs. The Peytons don’t have a rush defense and if the Jets can knock off Indy he’ll be one of the bigger bargains on the board … I want nothing to do with any of the Seahawks skill players. They’re as surefire a one-and-done as I can recall.

Shonn Greene photo credit: Icon SMI

2011 NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Rankings – Quarterbacks

Andrew Thell — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 03:32:00 +0000

By Andrew Thell

1. Tom Brady
2. Drew Brees
3. Michael Vick
4. Ben Roethlisberger
5. Peyton Manning
6. Aaron Rodgers
7. Matt Ryan
8. Jay Cutler
9. Joe Flacco
10. Matt Cassel
11. Mark Sanchez

The league may have never had a QB humming along at home like Brady is right now, and he’ll be there till the Super Bowl. Brady is the top pick overall, but Drew Brees is a close second. He gets an extra game in the Wild Card round, and the Saints are my pick to represent the NFC this season … Michael Vick is a question mark with the balky leg, teams blitzing the living hell out of him and a tough matchup with the Pack in the first round, but the fantasy potential is too much to pass on … Don’t sleep on the Steelers passing game. They now have three dangerous deep threats in rookie receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown along with Mike Wallace and red zone threats in Ward and Miller. If any team is going to knock off the Pats, I think it’s Pittsburgh … Peyton Manning responds well to the Rex Ryan blitz and I think he gets at least two games after beating a Jets team not doing anything well right now … Rodgers is a boom-or-bust pick, I don’t have a hard time seeing the Pack lose this weekend or going all the way … Matt Ryan is a model of consistency, but I have a gut feeling the young Falcons aren’t ready for prime time … I don’t buy the Bears and Cutler is as inconsistent as they come … The Chiefs struggle against good teams. The Ravens passing game is sputtering, but I think Flacco is good for at least two games … Cassel and Sanchez are no more than weak one-shot options for this weekend.

Drew Brees photo credit: Icon SMI

Fantasy Football – Week 16 QB, TE, and Defense Rankings

Brian Spencer — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:38:05 +0000

NFL Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Ranks Preview by Brian Spencer

“Are you gonna wait for your sign, your miracle?
Stand up and fight, this is it!
Make no mistake where you are, this is it!
Your back’s to the corner, this is it!
Don’t be a fool anymore, this is it!
The waiting is over…”
- Kenny Loggins, This Is It

Finally, a totally legit excuse to work Loggins lyrics in…

This is indeed it, folks: championship week in most fantasy football circles. If you’re still reading, a tip of our big ol’ cowboy hat to your worthy efforts and the best of luck this weekend. This also marks the last week of ETB’s annual fantasy football coverage, and basically closes the chapter on this NFL season as far as our purposes go. As most of our loyal readers know, basketball is our main squeeze and the time has come for us to exclusively get back on that wagon after a mini-holiday break here. (To that end, stay tuned next week for a special report and player interviews from Detroit Pistons practice.)

So, how did my fantasy football teams fare this season? Could have been better, could have been worse. I made the semifinals in both leagues, but unfortunately lost both matches last week and play for 3rd place this weekend. In the ETB-sponsored league, I plugged in Michael “F’ing” Turner at the last minute after reports that he was “thumbs up” and good to go, then of course saw him carry the ball one time for 7 yards, then call it a day. That hurt. I then watched my Team DEF, the Green Bay Packers, get smoked in Pittsburgh for 38 points and Jerome Harrison, whom I briefly had in my flex spot before benching him in favor of Darren Sproles, blow up for something like 853 yards and 10 TDs. It just wasn’t meant to be, but I’ll take some solace in knocking my ETB colleague Mr. Thell down to 4th place this weekend in our consolation matchup.

The other league’s result was a bit lopsided, with Chris Johnson losing a fumble and failing to score, my underwhelming cadre of WRs combining to post next-to-nothing numbers, and my opponent benefiting from big days by Peyton Manning, Jamaal Charles, Greg Jennings, etc. Blah blah blah–everybody not playing for a title this week has a sob story to tell, so I digress.

Player ranks are broken down into just two posts this week: QBs, TEs, and DEFs below, with WRs and RBs here. Thanks for checking in with us during the fantasy season; it’s been fun, and we hope we were able to help lead you to the promised land. We’ll be back next season to do it all over again, but until then, it’s NBA all day, every day.

See Also:
- Week 16 RB and WR Ranks

Quarterbacks

1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints vs. TB
2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers vs. SEA
3. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans @ MIA
4. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers @ TEN
5. Tom Brady, New England Patriots vs. JAX
6. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts vs. NYJ
7. Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals vs. STL
8. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys @ WSH
9. Eli Manning, New York Giants vs. CAR
10. Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings @ CHI
11. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals vs. KC
12. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. BAL
13. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles vs. DEN
14. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers vs. DET
15. Vince Young, Tennessee Titans vs. SD
16. Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins vs. HOU
17. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears vs. MIN
18. Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins vs. DAL
19. Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos @ PHI
20. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens @ PIT
21. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons vs. BUF

TE and DEF ranks after the break…

Tight Ends

1. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers vs. DET
2. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts vs. NYJ
3. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers @ TEN
4. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons vs. BUF
5. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys @ WSH
6. Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles vs. DEN
7. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers vs. SEA
8. Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings @ CHI
9. Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. BAL
10. Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay Bucs @ NO
11. Fred Davis, Washington Redskins vs. DAL
12. Kevin Boss, New York Giants vs. CAR
13. Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears vs. MIN
14. Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints vs. TB (Check Status)
15. Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens @ PIT
16. John Carlson, Seattle Seahawks @ GB
17. Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders @ CLE
18. Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos @ PHI
19. Bo Scaife, Tennessee Titans vs. SD
20. Dustin Keller, New York Jets @ IND

Team Defenses

1. New Orleans Saints vs. TB
2. San Francisco 49ers vs. DET
3. Green Bay Packers vs. SEA
4. Philadelphia Eagles vs. DEN
5. Minnesota Vikings @ CHI
6. Arizona Cardinals vs. STL
7. Cincinnati Bengals vs. KC
8. Baltimore Ravens @ PIT
9. New York Giants vs. CAR
10. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. BAL
11. Indianapolis Colts vs. NYJ
12. New York Jets @ IND
13. Denver Broncos @ PHI
14. Atlanta Falcons vs. BUF
15. San Diego Chargers @ TEN
16. New England Patriots vs. JAX
17. Dallas Cowboys @ WSH
18. Buffalo Bills @ ATL
19. Tennessee Titans vs. SD

See Also:
- Week 16 RB and WR Ranks

Fantasy Football – Week 16 WR and RB Rankings

Andrew Thell — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:37:47 +0000

Andre Johnson Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

If you’re still reading these rankings fantasy football is treating you pretty well this season. Then again, you could be like me – on the outs in all your money leagues and just playing for pride (gotta maintain that Yahoo! overall performance). After getting knocked off with a cruel Yahoo! stat correction on the Tuesday after the regular season’s close in one, I was ousted from the postseason in my other money league this week after Brett Favre and the Vikings offense inexplicably decided to lay down for the Carolina Panthers and Julius Peppers.

Oh, fantasy football couldn’t be kind enough to put me out of my misery on Sunday night though, it had to prolong the agony all through the Monday night affair as Steve Smith briefly got my hopes up with a first-half touchdown. Fantasy football knows how to build you up just enough to bring you down, and Smith ultimately fell just 15 yards, or 1.3 points, shy of propelling me into my league’s Super Bowl – and, more importantly, into the money. She’s a cruel mistress, she is.

Alas, you’re still alive, and that’s what’s important here. So on to the ranks. It’s the holidays, I’m with family eating and drinking well, I don’t have a fancy intro breaking down individual players for you this week. Hopefully you don’t need it if you’ve made it this far. Best of luck to all of you still in it, and a happy holidays to our ETB readers.

See also:

- Week 16 QB, TE and DEF Rankings

Wide Receivers

1. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans @ MIA
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals vs. STL
3. Wes Welker, New England Patriots vs. JAC
4. Randy Moss, New England Patriots vs. JAC
5. Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers @ TEN
6. Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals vs. STL
7. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints vs. TB
8. Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals vs. KC
9. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles vs. DEN
10. Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos @ PHI
11. Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys @ WAS
12. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons vs BUF
13. Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. BAL
14. Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings @ CHI
15. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers vs. SEA
16. Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars @ NE

RB rankings and WR ranks 17 through 42, after the jump…

17. Stevonne Smith, Carolina Panthers @ NYG
18. Steve Smith, New York Giants vs. CAR
19. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. BAL
20. Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens @ PIT
21. Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers vs. SEA
22. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions @ SF
23. Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers vs. DET
24. Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints vs. TB
25. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts vs. NYJ
26. Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants vs. CAR
27. Braylon Edwards, New york Jets @ IND
28. Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Bucs @ NO
28. TJ Houshmandzadeh, Seattle Seahawks @ GB
30. Jerricho Cotchery, New York Jets @ IND
31. Dwyane Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs @ CIN
32. Chric Chambers, Kansas City Chiefs @ CIN
33. Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans vs. SD
34. Santana Moss, Washington Redskins vs. DAL
35. Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings @ CHI
36. Josh Morgan, San Francisco 49ers vs. DET
37. Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals vs. STL
38. Devery Henderson, New Orleans Saints vs. TB
39. Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills @ ATL
40. Davone Bess, Miami Dolphins vs. HOU
41. Kevin Walter, Houston Texans @ MIA
42. Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. BAL

Chris Johnson Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Running Backs

1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans vs. SD
2. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars @ NE
3. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers vs. DET
4. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals vs. KC
5. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings @ CHI
6. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens @ PIT
7. Thomas Jones, New York Jets @ IND
8. Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins vs. HOU
9. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams @ ARZ
10. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers vs. SEA
11. Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals vs. STL
12. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs @ CIN
13. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. BAL
14. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers @ NYG (Check DeAngelo’s Status)
15. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants vs. CAR
16. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys @ WAS
17. Jerome Harrison, Cleveland Browns vs. OAK
18. Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots vs. JAC
19. Jason Snelling, Atlanta Falcons vs. BUF (Check Turner’s Status)
20. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills @ ATL
21. Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals vs. STL
22. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints vs. TB
23. Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos @ PHI
24. Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants vs. CAR
25. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers @ TEN
26. Mike Bell, New Orleans Saints vs. TB
27. Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders @ CLE
28. Justin Forsett, Seattle Seahawks @ GB
29. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears vs. MIN
30. Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys @ WAS
31. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints vs. TB (Check Status)
32. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles vs. DEN
33. Quinton Ganther, Washington Redskins vs. DAL
34. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills @ ATL
35. Ryan Moats, Houston Texans @ MIA
36. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders @ CLE
37. Leonard Weaver, Philadelphia Eagles vs. DEN
38. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts vs. NYJ
39. Maurice Morris, Detroit Lions @ SF

See also:

- Week 16 QB, TE and DEF Rankings

Fantasy Football – Week 15 RB Rankings

Andrew Thell — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:42:11 +0000

Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

He was your first-round pick, but it still took some balls to start Frank Gore on Monday Night. Then again, if you took Frank Gore with your first-round pick there was a good chance you weren’t in contention last week. Coming into the game Gore had single-digit carries in two of the last three games, including 9 carries and 2 receptions for just 30 total yards at Seattle in Week 13 – the team he tore up for 246 total yards and 2 TDs in Week 2.

So yeah, the 25 carries for 167 yards and a TD against Arizona were a surprise. Keep in mind, though, that was largely the result of playing with the lead all game after Arizona stubbornly refused to maintain possession of the football in the first half, and that Gore’s opponent this week, the Eagles, boast a stout rush defense. That said, they’ll be throwing the book at Alex Smith and the 49ers would be wise to keep the ball on the ground again. Gore is a strong RB2 option.

So much for Larry Johnson eating into Cedric Benson’s carries. Since Benson’s return from a hip injury he’s been thrust back into the dangerously overused lead-back role with 52 (!) carries for 206 yards over the last two weeks. In those games LJ has tallied 5 carries… for 8 yards. As I’ve mentioned before, it seems like the best way to attack the San Diego defense is with a power running game and underneath passing game. Their rush defense isn’t anything special, and I expect the Bengals to ride Benson once again.

You never expect strong options to keep emerging on the wire this late in the season, but every year they do. It’s the nature of football. This week Houston’s Arian Foster is the latest waiver-wire pickup you can plug directly into your lineup and feel pretty good about it. Injuries killed his draft stock, but Foster has talent. He fits perfectly into the Houston system with great hands, good size, and decisive cutting. From what I’ve heard he’s been a Gary Kubiak favorite since training camp and the Texans are going to feed the kid and see what they have. Playing a horseshit St. Louis Rams rush defense (147.2 YPG, 19 TDs allowed – 2nd in the NFL), Foster has fantasy football hero written all over him.

Pittsburgh faces a tough, complete Packers defense that is on a serious roll right now. That’s the bad news for Rashard Mendenhall; the good is that he’ll be given the Steelers’ third-down opportunities this week and he could be featured heavily in a grind-it-out game where the weather could be a factor.

Things are set up nicely for Laurence Maroney owners: the guy got 22 carries last week, he’s scored 8 TDs in the last 8 weeks, and he draws the NFL’s worst rushing defense in Buffalo this week. You have to like those odds. The odds also favor rookie Knowshon Moreno, who gets a fantastic matchup in Oakland this week and should dominate the carries with Correll Buckhalter expected to miss the game.

We don’t expect Brian Westbrook to play, and thus we haven’t ranked him. We also don’t expect you to be starting an Eagles running back if you’ve made it this far.

I love Beanie Wells’ downhill running style, and I expect it to be a very long hill this week in Detroit. Humble projection: 17 carries for 85 yards and 2 TDs.

Frank Gore Photo Credit: Icon SMI

1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans vs. MIA
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings @ CAR
3. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens vs. CHI
4. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. IND
5. Thomas Jones, New York Jets vs. ATL
6. Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins @ TEN
7. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs vs. CLE
8. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals @ SD
9. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers vs. MIN
10. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts @ JAC
11. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. GB
12. Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos vs. OAK
13. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers @ PHI
14. Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots @ BUF
15. Chris Wells, Arizona Cardinals @ DET
16. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams vs. HOU

Running back rankings 16 through 37, after the jump…

17. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints vs. DAL
18. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers @ PIT
19. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants @ WAS
20. Arian Foster, Houston Texans @ STL
21. Quinton Ganther, Washington Redskins vs. NYG
22. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills vs. NE
23. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys @ NO
24. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers vs. CIN
25. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears @ BAL
26. Chris Jennings, Cleveland Browns @ KC
27. Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals @ DET
28. Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants @ WAS
29. Jason Snelling, Atlanta Falcons @ NYJ (Assuming Turner is out)
30. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints vs. DAL
31. Justin Forsett, Seattle Seahawks vs. TB
32. Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys @ NO
33. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers vs. MIN
34. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills vs. NE
35. Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks vs. TB
36. Carnell Williams, Tampa Bay Bucs @ SEA
37. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles vs. SF

Fantasy Football – Week 15 QB Rankings

Brian Spencer — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:40:05 +0000

Ranks Preview by Brian Spencer

If you own Kurt Warner, you have to start Kurt Warner. The Cards’ favorable fantasy playoff schedule is part of the reason you drafted him. But I guarantee that 90% of his owners are anything but ecstatic about putting him in the lineup after that steaming pile of shit he dropped on Candlestick Park Monday night in his team’s embarassing 24-9 loss to the 49ers. You’re lucky if you survived in spite of what was probably his worst performance of the season, given the timing.

The raw stats were bad. Real bad: 16-29 for 178 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs, 1 fumble lost, and 4 sacks taken. In ETB’s scoring format, that shook out to -1.37 fantasy points. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story here: the man looked distant, sullen, and simply grateful to be trotting over to the sideline in one piece. Warner has never been one of the league’s more emotional guys, but his body language was all wrong all game long and couldn’t have been inspiring confidence in his teammates during their comeback attempts (feeble though they were).

We understand that concussions are serious business, and so, finally, does the NFL. That’s fine. But if all those hits he’s taken over the years have permanently gotten into his head, then he needs to step aside and let Matt Leinart take his place. It’s only one game, and just 2 weeks ago he was brilliant in picking apart the Minnesota Vikings, but there was something definitely off about his demeanor on Monday. The football gods are smiling on him and the Cardinals pass attack this week in gifting them a dream matchup against the Detroit Lions and their league-worst pass defense, but still, it makes you wonder if this is the beginning of the end to Warner’s illustrious career.

See also:
See also:
- Week 15 RB Ranks
- Week 15 WR Ranks
- Week 15 TE Ranks
- Week 15 DEF Ranks

1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints vs. DAL
2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts @ JAX
3. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans @ STL
4. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers @ PIT
5. Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals @ DET
6. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles vs. SF
7. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers vs. CIN
8. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys @ NO
9. Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings @ CAR
10. Tom Brady, New England Patriots @ BUF
11. Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins vs. NYG
12. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. GB
13. Vince Young, Tennessee Titans vs. MIA (Check Status)
14. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens vs. CHI
15. Eli Manning, New York Giants @ WSH
16. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers @ PHI
17. Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins @ TEN
18. Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos vs. OAK
19. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears @ BAL
20. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals @ SD
21. Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs vs. CLE

Kurt Warner Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Fantasy Football – Week 15 WR Rankings

Andrew Thell — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:36:06 +0000

Brandon Marshall Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

As a Chad Ochocinco owner you never like to hear this kind of quote from Carson Palmer: “We’re a team that throws the ball about 20 times and runs it about 30. That’s who we are, and that’s who we’re going to continue to be.” Ugh. Very few of us can afford to bench Chad regardless, but I’m not expecting huge things against a San Diego secondary that’s looked quite good.

I don’t know what to make of the whole Randy Moss mess, other than we all know this is a guy who takes off plays (and games … and seasons, in the case of 06-07). I’m not shocked or aghast. That’s who he is. We knew that. He’s still the best wide receiver of the decade, and I think he’ll get his head screwed back on. That said, with just 6 receptions over the last three weeks and playing in Buffalo against their elite secondary (189.2 YPC, 10 TDs allowed, 25 INTs), Rando is hardly an elite play.

Back in Week 8 I predicted that would be the week Hakeem Nicks overtook Mario Manningham and his irksome tendency to drop big passes for good. It appears I was a bit premature, but better late than never. Hakeem Nicks got his fist start of the season on Sunday night and made plays, converting 7 targets into 4 receptions, 110 yards and a TD. It could have been a bigger game if not for a few costly drops, but Nicks played well and should be a fine play in Washington.

Speaking of drops, Dwyane Bowe returns from his four-game suspension this week just in time to take on the Cleveland Browns’ fantasy-friendly secondary. There was some concern over whether Bowe would regain his starting job, but apparently he kept himself in great shape and resumed his first-team reps right off the bat. If he’s available in your league, and he shouldn’t be, scoop Bowe up and pencil him into your WR3 slot. There’s every reason to believe he’ll get plenty of opportunities to produce.

Last week I closed out the wide receiver ranks with this throwaway line (you were going to start him either way): “Just a hunch, but I think Andre Johnson pushes around Seattle’s smallish secondary this week: 9 receptions, 146 yards, 2 TDs.” I thought it was an aggressive projection, but appears I was a bit conservative: Johnson had surpassed those totals by halftime and finished with 11 for 193 and 2 scores. You heard it here first: Andre Johnson is a fine start in Week 15 at St. Louis.

Weekly Darrelle Revis alert: downgrade Roddy White. Significantly. Christ, that Revis kid is really, really good.

1. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans @ STL
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals @ DET (Check Status)
3. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts @ JAC
4. Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals @ DET
5. Wes Welker, New England Patriots @ BUF
6. Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos vs. OAK
7. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints vs. DAL
8. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles vs. SF
9. Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings @ CAR
10. Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers vs. CIN
11. Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys @ NO
12. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions vs. ARZ
13. Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens vs. CHI
14. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers @ PIT
15. Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers @ PIT
16. Randy Moss, New England Patriots @ BUF

WR rankings 17 through 46, after the jump…

17. Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals @ SD
18. Steve Smith, New York Giants @ WAS
19. Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. GB
20. Stevonne Smith, Carolina Panthers vs. MIN
21. TJ Houshmandzadeh, Seattle Seahawks vs. TB
22. Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints vs. DAL
23. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. GB (Check Status)
24. Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis Colts @ JAC (Check Status)
25. Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. IND (Check Status)
26. Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers @ PHI
27. Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants @ WAS
28. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons @ NYJ
29. Dwyane Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs vs. CLE
30. Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings @ CAR (Check Status)
31. Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills vs. NE
32. Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Bucs @ SEA
33. Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans vs. MIA
34. Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals @ DET
35. Kevin Walter, Houston Texans @ STL
36. Joshua Cribbs, Cleveland Browns @ KC
37. Jerricho Cothery, New York Jets vs. ATL
38. Chris Chambers, Kansas City Chiefs vs. CLE
39. Braylon Edwards, New York Jets vs. ATL
40. Santana Moss, Washington Redskins vs. NYG
41. Devery Henderson, New Orleans Saints vs. DAL
42. Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys @ NO
43. Devin Thomas, Washington Redskins vs. NYG
44. Davone Bess, Miami Dolphins @ TEN
45. Mohamd Massaquoi, Cleveland Browns @ KC
46. Devin Hester, Chicago Bears @ BAL (Check Status)

Fantasy Football – Week 15 Defense Rankings

Brian Spencer — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:32:02 +0000

Ranks Preview by Brian Spencer

As we said two weeks ago, we don’t advocate or recommend that you get cute this time of the year. You don’t bench the studs who got you this far just because they had an off week last week, but sometimes due to injury you simply can’t avoid scouring the waiver wire during the fantasy playoffs in search of a viable plug-in play/savior. To that end, the Houston Texans DEF is likely available and could be the gem defense-needy owners are looking for.

The St. Louis Rams are a wreck. They’re battered, bruised, and depleted, and at 1-12 are better off losing the rest of their games and securing the top pick in the 2010 draft than they are winning. The offense has failed to score more than 9 points for two straight weeks, with their only touchdown in this span coming on a meaningless 11-yard strike from “Keith Null” (quotes because we’re not sure this guy really exists) to Randy McMichael in their 47-7 loss to the Titans last Sunday. They’ve coughed up 6 INTs, 4 sacks, and 1 fumble, and with Kyle Boller still battling an illness it looks like “Null” will get the nod again against the visiting Texans.

This defense isn’t spectacular: they’re squarely in the middle of the league pack in points allowed (21 per) and yards allowed (329), and towards the bottom in interceptions (11) and sacks (22). Obviously, you’re getting cute if you start them, but if you’re a believer in playing matchups, this one might be worth a roll of the dice, especially since their only real offensive weapon, RB Steven Jackson, is wearing down physically and mentally.

Meanwhile, the Texans are under the gun to win out and keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Last week they ransacked the Seattle Seahawks offense, holding them to 7 points while sacking Matt Hasselbeck thrice and picking him off once. You probably have better options, but it’s something to think about.

1. Denver Broncos vs. OAK
2. Minnesota Vikings @ CAR
3. Arizona Cardinals @ DET
4. New York Jets vs. ATL
5. Green Bay Packers @ PIT
6. Baltimore Ravens vs. CHI
7. Philadelphia Eagles vs. SF
8. New Orleans Saints vs. DAL
9. Houston Texans @ STL
10. Indianapolis Colts @ JAX
11. Washington Redskins vs. NYG
12. Seattle Seahawks vs. TB
13. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. GB
14. New England Patriots @ BUF
15. San Diego Chargers vs. CIN
16. San Francisco 49ers @ PHI
17. Cincinnati Bengals @ SD
18. Tennessee Titans vs. MIA

Mario Williams Photo Credit: Icon SMI