Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 15 Edition (Playoff Semi's)

This season has officially flown by. I really cannot believe we are in Week 15 already. But this is the most exciting time of the year for us fantasy players. This is the playoffs and now we are in the semi-final round, one victory away from the glorious Fantasy Superbowl. Let’s face it, It’s time to get real serious!

I thank everybody again for reading and I hope you have found great value in these articles over the course of the season. If you have any specific questions feel free to leave them in the comment section. 

Disclaimer: Kickers and defenses left out each week and we try to leave the most obvious players out. Start Jordy Nelson!

Note: From top to bottom, the players listed below are in order of effectiveness. If they are ranked first in the start category they are the best option. If they are ranked first in the sit category they are the worst option and so on and so forth.

QB’s Start ‘Em

Matt Ryan @ Jacksonville

Mr. Ryan has been excellent of late, throwing another four TD’s last week. Julius Jones looks to be almost completely healthy now, Roddy White has picked it up and Tony G is still playing like a 20-year-old. This passing game has been outstanding as of late. Keep Ryan going here against the severely banged up Jacksonville secondary that has lost its top four cornerbacks to injury.

Tim Tebow @ New England

If you haven’t seen The Year of The Quarterback featuring Tim Tebow, you need to see it. It’s a must watch. The guy is a workout warrior. He defines work ethic. Watching this verified my belief that Tebow will do everything in his power to make himself the best QB he can possibly be. There are no shortcuts and he puts no limits on himself. He truly is an inspiring figure.

Getting back to the matchup, obviously it’s a great one for Tebow and an interesting one as well. How many times will he throw it in his game? The Pats will put up at least 24 points in this game and Tebow is going to have to throw to move the ball and when he does he should find success. Again, Tebow has no downside, the guy scores at least 18 points every week and this could be his best matchup of the year.

Andy Dalton @ St. Louis

Dalton has been on my sit list the last three weeks because he has had tough matchup after tough matchup. But this week it eases up against St. Louis. Dalton is battle-tested after going through that rough patch. He is going to have a nice game here and is a fairly solid start if you need to turn to him. Look for close to 300 yards passing and two to three TD’s.

Sit ‘Em

Alex Smith vs. Pittsburgh

Just steer clear if you can, terrible matchup on Monday Night Football against the Steelers. The 49ers are going to struggle to score.

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Buffalo

Fitzy has been stinky after the hot start. Maybe it’s that wicked beard he’s been rocking? He really needs to cut that horribleness. Seriously, what is he doing with that thing? Stay away.

Phillip Rivers vs. Baltimore

Rivers has been hot the last few weeks but he’s had some juicy matchups vs. Jacksonville and Buffalo. Those guys can’t get to the QB like Baltimore can. I see Rivers struggling in this game. He may hit Jackson or Floyd deep once or twice in this game, but the big plays will be limited. If you have better options, sit Rivers against the Ravens who are allowing the least amount of points to QB’s.

RB’s Start ‘Em

Roy Helu @ NYG

Make it three straight 100-yard games for Helu. This guy really has impressed me. He is talented and should be around for a while. Almost reminds me of a Ray Rice/Ryan Mathews mix. No reason to think he doesn't hit 100 yards against the Giants. If he did it against the Jets and Seattle, he can do it against the G-Men.

Beanie Wells vs. Arizona

Beanie is banged up, but he’s playing through the injuries and has showed toughness this season. Good matchup here against Cleveland who are struggling against the run ranked 20th in points allowed to RB’s. Beanie will see over 20 carries in this matchup and should find the endzone at least once.

Cedric Benson @ St. Louis

I have hated on Benson since the start of the year, but he has been pretty helpful to fantasy owners. Gotta start him here against St. Louis. We all know how bad they are vs. the run. Dalton is also going to be moving the ball through the air leaving scoring opportunities for Cedric. A two TD game is possible.

Sit ‘Em

Rashard Mendenhall @ San Fran

No. 1 Run D in all the land. No rushing TD's allowed all year! Don’t even think about starting Mendy.

Ryan Mathews  vs Baltimore

Tough to sit Mathews since he’s been so good lately, but this is a matchup where you have to think about it. PPR I say go with him, if not make sure he’s on your bench.

Frank Gore vs. Pittsburgh

Coach Harbaugh admitted Gore is not really healthy right now and he’s partly to blame. He overworked Gore when he had the talents of Kendall Hunter on his bench. The 49ers really want to win this game since they are still battling for the first-round bye. They may still pound Gore, but this is a rough matchup against Pittsburgh even with Polamalu and Harrison both out. Harbaugh may end up using Hunter a bit more in this game as well.

WR’s Start ‘Em

AJ Green @ St. Louis

Normally I would not put a player of Green’s caliber in this article, but I think you may need to be reminded of how good this guy is. Green currently has 891 yards receiving and seven TD’s this season. I think he reaches 1,000 yards and adds another TD after this game. This is just a great matchup here, you have to go with Green. If it comes down to Vincent Jackson against Baltimore or Green this week, I’m going with AJ.

Nate Washington @ Indianapolis

After being questionable all of last week, Washington played against the Saints and had two TD’s. If rookie Jake Locker draws the start again this week, which is likely, look for him to find his favorite target against the Colts D allowing the seventh most points to fantasy wideouts. Even if Hasselbeck starts, Washington still is a solid play.

Santana Moss @ New York Giants

Santana did not catch his TD from Rex Grossman last week. It came on a reverse pass from Brandon Banks. But him and Rexy still have shown good rapport dating back to last year and it should show again in the Meadowlands. The Giants secondary has been torched as of late and they are ranked 30thwhen it comes to defending the WR position. I can see Santana having a nice game here. I’m thinking 5-6 catches with 100 yards.

Sit ‘Em

DeSean Jackson vs. New York Jets

Jackson stepped up last week with 59 yards and a score but the Jets should contain him. Revis will most likely be covering him and if not, I think Cromartie or Kyle Wilson can handle him. Jets have been stout against the pass ranked third best in points allowed to WR’s.

Michael Crabtree vs. Pittsburgh

Alex Smith is going to have a hard time finding his wideouts this week, so that means be weary of Crabtree. Ike Taylor is a legit corner and should contain Crabtree. Look for other options.

Steve Smith (Carolina) @ Houston

Smith has slowed down the stretch here, although he did have a 100-yard game last week. But this matchup is tough against one of the best secondaries in the league. Texans star CB Jonathan Joseph will be matched up with Smith and I think he contains Stevie. Don’t expect much from Smith, he might be held under 50 yards.

TE’s Start ‘Em

Tony Gonzalez vs Jacksonville

Just a reminder if you are thinking about sitting Tony G this week. Jacksonville is allowing the 31st most point to Tight Ends. The savvy veteran could be in line for a monster game.

Owen Daniels vs. Carolina

With Andre Johnson likely out another week, look for TJ Yates to connect with Daniels again this week after Daniels went off for 100 yards last Sunday. Daniels is Yates' best receiving option right now.

Anthony Fasano @ Buffalo

The Jersey Boy has been better down the stretch with three 50-yard games in his last five outings. Buffalo is allowing the 23rd most points to Tight Ends and I think Fasano stays involved, regardless if Matt Moore plays or not. Not a bad play if you are desperate at the Tight End position this week.

Sit ‘Em

Heath Miller @ San Fran

Miller has been very quiet of late after a mid-season hot streak.  He needs to be benched in this matchup. The 49ers are letting up a lot of points to wideouts, but have been stingy to Tight Ends allowing the sixth fewest points to TE’s. Big Ben will be looking downfield to Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace in this matchup.

Jermaine Gresham @ St. Louis

For whatever reason the the Rams can defend the Tight End, ranked No. 1 in that department. Avoid Gresham.

Greg Olsen @ Houston

Olsen has failed to go over 50 yards in four out of his last five games and only has one TD in that span. Houston has allowed the third least amount of points to Tight Ends, so Olsen is not due for a rebound game here.

IDP’s Start ‘Em

James Anderson, LB, Carolina Panthers @ Houston

Carolina can’t stop the run and that is what Houston will be doing plenty of this week, running the football. The Texans are running it even more now that Schaub and Johnson are both out. Anderson will have plenty of opportunities to add to his tackle total.

Brandon Browner, CB, Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago

Browner has been red-hot as of lately, picking off four passes in his last three games and he could snatch another against the inept Caleb Hanie. The Bears will also be running a lot so Browner should have a nice amount of tackles. The Bears are giving up the 30th most points to Cornerbacks.

Curtis Lofton, LB, Atlanta Falcons vs Jacksonville

A lot of carries from MJD means a lot of tackle chances for Lofton.

Sit ‘Em

Brandon Flowers, CB, Kansas City Chiefs vs Green Bay

Rodgers does not have to challenge Flowers, he can spread the ball around to any one of his options. Plus even when Rodgers does challenge Flowers the ball most likely will be right on the money to his target. Flowers deflection, interception and tackle opportunities will be limited this week.

Joe Haden, CB, Cleveland Browns @ Arizona

Not sure how I feel about Haden matching up with Larry Fitzgerald here. Skelton or Kolb whoever plays will be challenging Haden for sure, I’m just not sure if he can handle Fitzgerald. AJ Green fared pretty well vs. him a few weeks ago. I would look for other options.