I’m looking at you, CJ Spiller, Brandon Myers, and AJ Green.
I’ve written extensively on the need to trust yourself and the need to not get cute, but let’s add one more “need” to fantasy playoff success: play your best lineup, whatever you believe that to be. No matter what we experts believe we “know”, it’s pure speculation. Yes, over time, through analysis and understanding, through the consistent application of stats and information to situation, “we” typically get more calls right than wrong, but notevery call. It’s impossible. You know your team best. You know your situation best. You know your roster best. Take what we give and apply it to your specific scenario. And remember: have fun.
And so, one more time into the fray...
Week 15 Top-75 Flex Rankings
1. Arian Foster
2. Adrian Peterson
3. Jamaal Charles
4. Doug Martin
5. Marshawn Lynch
6. Alfred Morris
7. Ray Rice
8. Trent Richardson
9. CJ Spiller
10. Calvin Johnson
11. AJ Green
12. Frank Gore
13. Demaryius Thomas
14. Knowshon Moreno
15. Chris Johnson
The Big Boys
I was high on Knowshon Moreno last week and he did not disappoint. Look, this is not the Ravens defense we’re all used to. After three weeks of allowing 90+ yards to opposing rushers (and two TDs to opposing RBs in the last two weeks) the Ravens find themselves in the bottom-10 against the run. Moreno is clearly the man in Denver and he even gets the goal line carries. Despite how maddening Chan Gailey’s usage of CJ Spiller has been, there’s no more excuses this week. Spiller gets all the touches and, despite Seattle’s defense being outstanding to date, I think he has a nice week. The way to beating the Patriots goes through controlling the ball and the time of possession. Thus, welcome to the limelight Frank Gore. I am a bit concerned about Chris Johnson- an ankle is a very painful injury. You can tape it, you can take painkillers, but one wrong step and that’s the day.
16. Bryce Brown
17. Matt Forte
18. Andre Johnson
19. Brandon Marshall
20. Roddy White
21. Wes Welker
22. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
23. Reggie Wayne
24. Vincent Jackson
25. Stevan Ridley
26. Julio Jones
27. Marques Colston
28. Victor Cruz
29. Darren Sproles
30. Danario Alexander
Trust Issues
Say it with me, now: In Danario We Trust. From weeks 10 through 14, Alexander has 30 catches. 30. And four touchdowns. I may be too low on him at 30. Similar to the Ravens, the Texans defense just hasn’t been the same of late. I think this may be a high-scoring affair and like Reggie Wayne and the rest of the Colts. I really don’t know what to do with Brandon Marshall, but I think he finds a way this week and overcomes his last outing against the Packers, which was more than a stinker. Yes, the Buccaneers are stout against the run, but Darren Sproles’ role is primarily as a pass-catcher. I like him a lot this week as an RB2.
31. Randall Cobb
32. Pierre Garcon
33. Aaron Hernandez
34. Vick Ballard
35. Dez Bryant
36. Cecil Shorts
37. Tony Gonzalez
38. DeMarco Murray
39. Steven Jackson
40. Jonathan Dwyer
41. Jimmy Graham
42. Lance Moore
43. Ahmad Bradshaw
44. David Wilson
45. Hakeem Nicks
Giants and Saints and Cowboys, Oh My!
I don’t know how healthy Ahmad Bradshaw is or what the distribution of carries may look like come Sunday. If we get clarity on that situation over the weekend and it seems as if one guy will get the bulk of the load, I’dmove him up considerably. Think top-25. Until then, temper your expectations. I think Hakeem Nicks’ injury is still bothering him significantly and would definitely rather play Cruz at this point. As for the Saints, they all have a nice matchup but Jimmy Graham has been remarkably pedestrian lately, putting up only 13 points total in his last three weeks (standard scoring). If Cecil Shorts plays, I like him a lot. The Dolphins give up a ton of yards after the catch and, uh, Cecil Shorts is all about YAC. One final thing: Aaron Hernandez. Beast mode.
46. Darren McFadden
47. Steve Smith
48. Miles Austin
49. Jason Witten
50. Shonn Greene
51. Reggie Bush
52. Ryan Matthews
53. Eric Decker
54. Mike Wallace
55. Torrey Smith
56. Kenny Britt
57. Josh Gordon
58. Steve Johnson
59. Brandon Myers
60. Michael Turner
61. Owen Daniels
62. Mike Williams
63. T.Y. Hilton
64. Greg Jennings
65. Bilal Powell
66. Montell Owens
67. Justin Blackmon
68. Danny Amendola
69. Jacquizz Rodgers
70. Anquan Boldin
71. Jermaine Gresham
72. Brandon Lloyd
73. Sidney Rice
74. Pierre Thomas
75. DuJuan Harris
Final Thoughts
Now THERE’s a name you won’t see on anyone’s list. DuJuan Harris? The Packers need to establish the run, and to say that Alex Green hasn’t been getting it done is one of the understatements of the year. Harris is a bowling ball at 5’9” and 208 lbs. And with one of his only seven carries last week, he managed to barrel his way into the endzone. Just saying, if you really need a running back, he’s definitely out there. Brandon Myers’ week 14 was an anomaly, he will still perform for you. He had been producing at such a high level that we almost forgot he still had Carson Palmer hucking it to him. The one name I may be too low on among these bottom thirty? How about Eric Decker. As mentioned previously, the Ravens just aren’t the same. Don’t sleep on E-Deck.
Best of luck in week 15! As always you can tweet me: @petethegreekff
_PDK
