The quarterback position is being shaken up a bit as the NFL regular season is nearing the finish. Anyone who has been relying on Andy Dalton for strong performances will have to look elsewhere for the remainder of the fantasy playoffs. Tight end remains a weekly minefield; at best it is a crapshoot where you keep your fingers crossed for a touchdown. As week 15 approaches, we will look into both positions and try to determine where some points can be picked up from the waiver wire.
Week 14 Recap (Standard League Points)
Quarterback
• Blaine Gabbert SF - 14 pts
• Jameis Winston TB - 15 pts
• Tyrod Taylor BUF - 20 pts
Tight End
• Austin Seferian-Jenkins TB - 3 pts
• Richard Rodgers GB - 6 pts
• Gavin Escobar DAL - 0 pts
Gabbert and the 49ers were really controlled by the Browns (you don’t hear that very often) which minimized his impact. I’m really disappointed in Winston’s showing against the normally beatable Saints defense. Taylor had a typical solid game against the Eagles. Seferian-Jenkins was as disappointing as his quarterback. Richard Rodgers saved an awful day with a touchdown reception. Escobar was a hail mary at best and he did not do a thing; Matt Cassel is AWFUL by the way.
Week 15 Waiver Wire Picks: Running Back / Wide Receiver
Week 15 Picks - Quarterback
Ryan Fitzpatrick NYJ
Fitzpatrick has been on an absolute tear over the last three weeks and I think that it will continue versus the Cowboys. The Jets have two big, talented receivers on the outside in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker and a quarterback who is never afraid to throw it up for them. The Cowboys are beyond done and there should be plenty of scoring chances for any team that matches up with them. These elements should combine for another 20 plus points for the Jets qb.
Alex Smith KC
Smith and the Chiefs will be matching up with a Baltimore team that cannot stop the pass and the Chiefs have found their passing game (aka Jeremy Maclin). Last week was a bit of a downer versus San Diego, but Baltimore has trouble moving the ball on offense which will mean lots of plays run by Kansas City. Of course, Smith will never throw the ball down the field, but with enough volume he will work his way to a useful point total.
T.J. Yates HOU
I almost wanted to put a question mark after his name, but it looks like he will probably have the starting job this week as Hoyer is concussed again. Yates is nothing to get too excited about, but he has a talented receiving corps and a sweet matchup against the hapless Colts. I would avoid T.J. unless you are in a deep league and a bad spot, but the possibility is there that he will be enough to keep you in the playoffs.
Week 15 Picks - Tight End
Jacob Tamme ATL
The Falcons struggles reached a new low this past week when Carolina laid an epic 38-0 beatdown. Things should get a bit better for the offense this week when they take on the Jaguars. I do not expect the Falcons to suddenly become the explosive team that they were at the beginning of the season, but those players will want to salvage their pride. Matt Ryan should bounce back, although I don’t know that it will be enough to propel Atlanta to a win.
Eric Ebron DET
I got burned by picking against the Saints defense last week, but I’ll do it again anyway. Ebron has not panned out to be the star that it looked like he might develop into, but he should have an opportunity to score in this one. The Saints are going to be at home where they can put up points, so watch for Detroit to throw the ball a lot in an effort to keep pace. Of course, Ebron is not the Lions receiver that I would prefer but he is the most likely one to be available.
