So…you remember how I need a miracle to win my Week 14 matchup in the P&G-sponsored Blogger Fantasy Football League*? Yeah, well it looks like I’m going to need yet another Monday miracle this week to keep my season alive.
The question is, can my prayers be answered two weeks in a row? Furthermore, if the fantasy football gods want to answer my prayers, is it even conceivable?
Let’s take a quick look, as well as analyze the free agent list for this week’s waiver wire sleeper picks.
As I write this, there is still 7:44 left in the third quarter of the Cowboys-Eagles game on Sunday night. My opponent has both Vick and Witten, and he already has a 117.5-53.50 lead on me. How did he run up such a huge lead? He has Darren McFadden, Marques Colston, and the Atlanta D. Add in double-digit days from Steven Jackson and already from Vick, and it adds up to triple digits quickly.
Thanks to the Metrodome collapse, three of my top players – Eli Manning, Adrian Peterson, and Sidney Rice – had their game postponed until Monday night. Those three players plus Billy Cundiff are my last hope to sneak into the playoffs. What I am wondering as Sunday night winds down is how plausible a comeback is even if all four guys have great nights.
For the sake of discussion, let’s assume that Vick and Witten don’t explode during the second half and Team Gunaxin finishes with 125 points total. That would leave me down 71.5 points, or 17.9 points per remaining player. We’ve seen Eli, AD, and Sidney Rice score 18 points in a week before, but could all three do it on the same field on the same night? It would certainly take quite a Monday night shootout.
Here’s hoping.
Update: As I should have expected when I wrote the above projection for Vick and Witten, they both did go off in the second half. I’m now down 137.16-53.50 and need career days from four guys just to compete. I won’t be holding my breath.
I didn’t think I had much of a chance last week, and somehow I ended up winning. Maybe we’re a team of destiny and can pull this one out too. It’s unlikely, in fact highly unlikely, but I guess the optimist would say that would just make it all the more sweeter if it does come true. I’ll choose to be optimistic.
Now time for some sleepers.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Waiver Wire Sleeper Picks
Remember, a player must be owned in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues to be included in this post. Additionally, I primarily focus on players’ values for Week 15, although in certain cases I’ll recommend players who may not be immediately valuable this week but who stand out as valuable long-term acquisitions.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Waiver Wire Sleeper Picks: QB
David Garrard, Jacksonville (44%, at Indianapolis)
Well, David Garrard and the Jacksonville Jaguars just keep defying expectations, don’t they? In Week 14, Garrard had yet another 3 TD performance. That is the fourth time this year that Garrard has thrown at least 3 TD passes in a game. He now has a very solid 20:12 TD:INT ratio. He’ll never wow you with yardage, but he does produce touchdowns.
In Week 15, Garrard and the Jags face an Indianapolis team that they beat earlier this year. Garrard accounted for 3 TDs (2 passing, 1 rushing) in that matchup. He hasn’t exactly lit the Colts up during his career (12 total TDs in 10 games) but consider the following:
- He and the Jags’ offense is hot;
- Indy just gave up 3 passing TDs to Kerry Collins and the previously moribund Titans’ offense;
- The Jags’ pass D is poor, meaning Peyton Manning will likely be able to put plenty of points on the board, thus necessitating more throwing from Garrard.
Anyone would be nervous having David Garrard starting in the playoffs, but he has never been hotter in his career than he is this season. If you’re a Matt Cassel owner desperate for a healthy option, Garrard is one to target.
Jon Kitna, Dallas Cowboys (35%, v Washington)
I am writing this while watching the Cowboys-Eagles game, so I don’t know what Kitna’s final numbers will be. However, I do know that he’s already thrown one touchdown, which gives him 12 on the season. While Washington’s pass D has been better recently, many QBs have put up good numbers against them. Kitna will never be an elite option, but he is in fantasy what he is in real life: a solid backup who can step in and keep you afloat if he has to.
Kerry Collins, Tennessee Titans (4%, v Houston)
Look, I’m not going to call this a slam dunk just based on the matchup no matter how good the matchup is…because it is a Titans player we’re talking about here after all. A few weeks back I thought they would go off against Houston’s terrible defense, but the Rusty Smith-led Titans could do nothing. I realize that Kerry Collins is far better than Smith, and he’s coming off a solid option against Indy, but I just find it hard to trust the Titans. Obviously the matchup is great, and you could do worse if you’re in a pinch, but I’d still tread with caution and be very hesitant about using Collins in a 1-QB league.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Waiver Wire Sleeper Picks: RB
Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins (44%, at Dallas)
Here is what I said about Ryan Torain in this article last week:
Don’t forget about Ryan Torain; his head coach Mike Shanahan certainly hasn’t. Last week, Shanahan was discussing his running backs and remarked how much he missed Torain, as well he should. Since Torain’s injury, Keiland Williams had one decent game. Otherwise, Washington has gotten next to nothing from its running game.
Remember, in the last two full games Torain played, Weeks 6 and 7, he topped 100 yards in each and scored two TDs. With Tampa Bay, Dallas, and Jacksonville coming up on the schedule, there are opportunities for Torain to put up similar numbers should he be healthy enough to play.
In his first game back in Week 14, Torain rushed for 172 yards. I’d say Torain has his job back. Not even finicky Mike Shanahan could sit him now…could he?
Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals (45%, at Carolina)
Things just are not going well for Beanie Wells in Arizona. He has been injury prone and ineffective when on the field. And now he appears to be the clear #2 behind Tim Hightower, who had his second straight nice game in Week 14.
Hightower scored two TDs and had 148 yards rushing in a rather unexpected 43-13 win for the Arizona Cardinals with 4th stringer John Skelton at QB. This was Hightower’s second straight game with 15 or more carries, and in Week 15 he faces a Carolina D that got run over by Michael Turner in Week 14. Hightower is by no means a sure thing, but he’s obviously the back in Arizona that you want, and he’s proven to be a solid flex option.
Rashad Jennings, Jacksonville Jaguars (3%, at Indianapolis)
Here are Rashad Jennings’ touch totals over the last three weeks: 7; 12; 5. So far he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy you’d want to even consider starting, now does he? Well, consider that Jennings has amassed over 200 total yards over that three-game span and has scored a touchdown in every game. With a matchup coming up against Indy’s weak run D, Jennings could once again provide value with 7-10 touches. If you’re desperate for RB help or in a deep league, Jennings is a guy that almost certainly is available for you. And though it’s unlikely, if anything should happen to MJD then Jennings would get all the carries and be a top 20 back in an offense that is really clicking.
Other names to know:
- Marshawn Lynch (42%, v ATL) continues to get the majority of the carries in Seattle if you’re desperate.
- Tashard Choice (32%, v WAS) remains a solid option. As I write this he only has 4 carries for 13 yards deep into the second quarter, but he did have a couple more goalline carries he just wasn’t able to cash in. Still, those chances will continue.
- Anthony Dixon (14%, at SD) is getting the majority of the carries in San Francisco, though he is less explosive than Brian Westbrook.
- All Javarris James does is catch touchdowns. He now has six on the season and three over the last two weeks. With none of the Indy running backs being able to stay healthy or seize the job, James is a decent option.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Waiver Wire Sleeper Picks: WR
Wow, the pickings really are pretty slim at WR this week. Scrolling through the guys owned in 50% or less of leagues, there really are not many people to get excited about. I was able to find a few, but hopefully your WR corps is set for the playoffs and you don’t need to dig too deeply into the free agent list.
Blair White, Indianapolis (15%, v Jacksonville)
There is a contingency with White: he has value, and plenty of it, but only if Austin Collie remains out with a concussion. As of right now, we don’t know whether Collie will play or not in Week 15. Collie has only had six receptions since Week 6, so I’ll assume he won’t play right now. Assuming that’s the case, Blair White has 20 catches and 3 TDs over the last four games, and he has caught at least four passes in every game. Against a suspect Jags D, White is a worthy #3 WR option.
Earl Bennett, Chicago (16%, at Minnesota)
Week 14 was a week to forget for the Chicago Bears, but at least one useful piece of information came out of their debacle of a loss to the Patriots: Earl Bennett is still Jay Cutler’s top option. Bennett once again led the team in catches and yards, though neither figure was impressive: 3 catches, 53 yards. Still, the Bears will continue to throw the ball and Bennett is obviously the top guy. He’s a decent #3 WR option.
Nate Washington, Tennessee (42%, v Houston)
I’m putting Nate Washington here for one reason and one reason only: the matchup. Though Washington failed to capitalize the last time Tennessee played Houston, he’ll have Kerry Collins firing passes at him this time rather than Rusty Smith. There is plenty of risk with Nate Washington, but also some decent upside.
Others to keep an eye on:
- Davone Bess (47%, v BUF) was shut down in Week 14, but he was being covered by Darrelle Revis. He’ll have a much easier time against the Bills in Week 15, especially for you PPR players.
- Ben Obomanu (12%, v ATL) should be back in Week 15 after sitting out Week 14 with an injured hand. Seattle WRs are dropping like flies, so Obomanu should get some looks.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Waiver Wire Sleeper Picks: TE
Anthony Fasano, Miami Dolphins (17%, v Buffalo)
Coming into Week 14, Buffalo had been one of the most generous defenses to opposing tight ends. The Browns, however, were unable to take advantage. Still, I think Fasano has some upside here. He is not a guy who has been consistent, but not many tight ends have been this season. Fasano does have four touchdowns on the year. With a lot of tight ends either injured or playing inconsistently, Fasano as good as any in the 12-18 range.
Andrew Quarless, Green Bay Packers (1%, at New England)
Quarless has not done much filling in for Jermichael Finley this year. In Week 14 though, he showed signs of life by catching 5 passes for 62 yards (and an unfortunate fumble). If Aaron Rodgers is out because of a concussion in Week 15, young Matt Flynn will probably look to his tight end often, increasing Quarless’ value like it was increased in Week 14.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Waiver Wire Sleeper Picks: Defense/Special Teams
Miami Dolphins (42%, v Buffalo)
The Dolphins defense has been very good recently. The ‘Phins have not given up more than 17 points since Week 9. They are also sacking the quarterback and forcing turnovers. A matchup against the struggling Buffalo offense should not provide too much trouble in Week 15.
Cleveland Browns (33%, at Cincinnati)
Like the Dolphins, the Browns have been playing much better as of late. They held the Dolphins and Bills to 13 points each over the last two weeks. This week they face a Cincinnati team that is reeling, dealing with QB-WR bickering, and that gave up two defensive TDs to the Steelers last week.
If you have any questions, the comment section is yours.
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* – The P&G Blogger Fantasy League (BFL) is a group of 12 digital sports influencers competing on the NFL.com fantasy platform for the chance to win P&G product, a donation to a local charity, and a trip to Super Bowl XLV, all furnished by P&G. The NFL Entities have not offered or sponsored the sweepstakes in any way.