With one more game left as we put a close on Week 15, you are either out of your playoffs entirely, or this is the BIG championship game for many of you. Now is critical. For myself, many players who I had predicted to go off on Sunday (AD, Nelson and Welker) crapped the bed, allowing me to bow out too early and miss next week's championship. Hopefully, you didn't suffer the same fate. And for those who hold their championship games in Week 17, I would ask you to pass a rule that pushes the playoffs up a couple weeks. There is nothing like scrambling for replacements on teams who have no need to play their starters with a bye or a playoff seed locked up. Owners of Packers players may wind up having to do this if they have the No. 1 seed wrapped up with a 49ers loss against the Steelers Monday night.
Below are a few of the stragglers that are left on the waiver wire that could give you a little edge:
QUARTERBACKS
Kyle Orton - KC: Talk about a Week 15. Not only did Orton pass for 299 yards and breathe new life into an otherwise stagnant passing offense, but he kept his interceptions at zero and pulled off the upset win over the Packers. With a matchup against the reeling Raiders in Week 16, Orton could be an option in 2-QB leagues.
Jake Locker - TEN: I was surprised that the Titans decided to go with a less-than-100% Matt Hasselbeck instead of Locker against the Colts. Playing with a noticeable limp, Hasselbeck threw for 223 yards and two interceptions, but the biggest news was that he allowed the Colts to win their first game of the season. I'd have to get a degree in Calculus to understand whether the Titans are in or out of the playoffs. But regardless, Locker's performance in the fourth quarter (108yds/1TD) is enough for me to know he should get the start in the last two games, especially after the team invested in a high draft pick on him.
RUNNING BACKS
CJ Spiller - BUF: I understand that larger-league owners likely missed out on Spiller weeks ago once Fred Jackson went down. But considering his week-to-week performances have been inconsistent, I am sure Spiller is still available. Against a tougher Dolphins run defense, Spiller gashed his way to 167 total yards, one rushing and one receiving touchdown. And with 9 catches, his PPR numbers were through the roof. In Week 16, Spiller faces a Broncos Defense that gives up 125.4 rushing yards a game.
Donald Brown - IND: Brown is one of those fantasy players who is just annoying. Joseph Addai got the start against the Titans, but only received 11 carries to Brown's 16. And on the surface, 16 isn't many. But Brown made the most of them, averaging a whopping 10.1 yards a rush and scoring a rushing TD. In Brown's last 3 games prior to Sunday, his total rushing yards weren't even close to the 161 he put up. Tread lightly with Brown if you do decide to add him to your roster. The Texans rank No. 2, behind the 49ers, in least fantasy points allowed to running backs with 14.2 points a game.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Darrius Heyward-Bey - OAK: In two of my leagues, DHB ranked No 3 behind Calvin Johnson and Roddy White for most fantasy points in Week 15. Now that there is chemistry between he and Carson Palmer, DHB has now managed 13 receptions, 233 receiving yards and a score in the last two weeks. Kansas City has done surprisingly well against receivers this year and they did hold Aaron Rodgers in check, but I get the feeling DHB will do just enough to make him a worthwhile WR3 or a flex option.
Demaryius Thomas - DEN: For the heck of it, I went on one of my yahoo leagues to see the percentage Thomas was owned. I had thought that it would be fairly high considering his last two games prior to Week 15 were strong. But Thomas is owned in only 34% of Yahoo leagues. That's surprising, but shouldn't last long. Thomas was once again Tim Tebow's favorite target in the loss to the Patriots, putting up 7 catches (13 targets) for 116 yards. He should be a strong option against a Bills Defense that can be thrown on.
Lance Moore - NO: Moore had a big day against a beat up Vikings secondary, racking up 5 catches for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns. It's hard for me to recommend Moore as anything but a desperation option. He doesn't put up big numbers because there are too many other options for Drew Brees to throw to. And after tallying just 1 catch in the first meeting against the Falcons, owners might want to avoid the situation altogether.
