Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

—Written by Ryan Boser
—Edited by Allie Fontana

Here’s a look at 10 fantasy football matchups that just might help you and your fantasy team come away with a victory in Week 15.

 

1.  Andy Dalton, QB (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. St. Louis Rams D/ST

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton has faced the league’s best fantasy pass defenses over his last five games: Houston (No. 4), Cleveland (No. 2), Baltimore (No. 1) and Pittsburgh (No. 3) twice. The rookie played respectably, totaling five touchdowns and five interceptions over the same span. In addition, Dalton’s posted at least one touchdown pass in 10 straight games. Fortunately, the fierce slate of opponents comes to a screeching halt this week, as Dalton draws a St. Louis Rams defense that has put 10 cornerbacks on injured reserve this season. Were it a brass knuckle street fight, this would be the rough equivalent of going from Clay Matthews to Clay Aiken. Dalton’s arsenal, led by the uber-talented A.J. Green, should have no problem exploiting the dregs of the Rams practice squad.

2.  Rex Grossman, QB (Washington Redskins) vs. New York Giants D/ST

Make no mistake—starting Redskins signal caller Rex Grossman in the fantasy playoffs is not for the faint of heart. While he’s thrown multiple touchdown passes in three of his past four games, he’s best known for his patented “Bad Rex” blunders. However if you’re in a bind, Grossman gets a Giants pass defense that’s imploded in the past three weeks. While nobody is going to mistake him for Drew Brees (363 yards and four touchdowns), Aaron Rodgers (369 yards and four touchdowns) or Tony Romo (321 yards and four touchdowns), this is the same reeling secondary that Rex lit up for 305 yards and two touchdowns in the opener. Grossman’s ceiling is higher than your typical fantasy QB2 this week.

3.  Ben Tate (Houston Texans) vs. Carolina Panthers D/ST

Playing Robin to Arian Foster’s Batman, Houston’s Ben Tate has averaged just over 10 touches per contest in his last five games. With fresh legs under him and an elite offensive line in front of him, Tate has been extremely efficient in his limited opportunities, averaging a sparkling 5.6 yards per carry. Only Tampa Bay has allowed more scores to the position than the Carolina Panthers (18). Moreover, Carolina’s No. 31 fantasy run defense is ceding a deplorable 162 combo yards per game to opposing backfields. The Texans are the run-heaviest team in the league, so there should be plenty of production left over for Tate this week.

4.  Kevin Smith, RB (Detroit Lions) vs. Oakland Raiders D/ST

Since he rolled off his couch to roll up 201 combo yards and three scores against the Carolina Panthers in Week 11, Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith has been nothing but a headache. He left early in Week 12 with an all-too-familiar ankle injury, left early again in Week 13 after rushing back, and spent last week on the trainer’s table. While he’s on track to return Week 15, this is clearly a risky proposition best suited for fantasy owners in need of a grand slam from their RB2 spot. Oakland’s bottom-five fantasy run defense just gave up 98 combo yards and a pair of scores to Green Bay sled dog Ryan Grant, and another 46 to John Kuhn, so this is a prime matchup for Smith. Let’s face it, this is the type of lineup decision you make late Saturday night after your ninth Budweiser. Just be sure to get up early enough Sunday to check Smith’s status prior to kickoff.

5.  Lance Moore, WR (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota Vikings D/ST

While it’s typically ill-advised to dig deeper than Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston in the Saints passing game, things appear to be clearing up. While Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson will pop once a month, it’s Lance Moore who gets the most consistent looks as the third wheel, particularly in the red zone. In his past six games, Moore has scored five times and averaged over five targets per contest. The Vikings rank No. 29 against opposing wideouts, and no team has ceded more than their 17 scores to the position. Moreover, Minnesota’s decimated secondary simply doesn’t have the requisite depth or talent to cover NFL slot receivers. In the past month Chaz Schilens, Harry Douglas and Titus Young have all scored against the Vikings. Moore is a decent bet to do the same.

6.  Demaryius Thomas, WR & Eric Decker, WR (Denver Broncos) vs. New England Patriots D/ST

In Denver’s last two games, Demaryius Thomas has turned 20 targets into 11 catches for 222 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Eric Decker has totaled just five catches for 58 yards and zero touchdowns after scoring eight times in his previous 10 games. Thomas clearly has the hot hand, but both second-year receivers have a chance to be productive against New England’s No. 32 fantasy pass defense. The 2,906 yards the Patriots have surrendered to opposing receivers is a ridiculous 461 more than the next worst team (New Orleans Saints). Three different Washington receivers scored against New England last week, so this is as good as it gets for your Bronco wideouts.

7.  Anthony Fasano, TE (Miami Dolphins) vs. Buffalo Bills D/ST

While Miami tight end Anthony Fasano hasn’t scored in three straight games, he’s topped 55 receiving yards in his last two, and a matchup with Buffalo makes him a viable option for desperate owners. The Bills rank dead last in defending the tight end position, thanks in large part to a league-worst nine touchdowns allowed. Six of those scored have come in the last four games, including one to Fasano in Week 11. You could do much worse if you’re struggling at the position.

8.  Kellen Winslow, TE (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Dallas Cowboys D/ST

Tampa Bay tight end Kellen Winslow’s scoreless streak has reached five games, however it’s not for lack of involvement. In his last four outings, Winslow has averaged 5.0 catches for 66 yards, and he should be very active again this week. Only one team has given up more yards to the tight end position than Dallas, and only two have given up more receptions. Last week the Giants’ Jake Ballard, another borderline TE1, caught four balls for 52 yards and a score against the Cowboys. Winslow could be in line for a similar output.

9.  Tennessee Titans D/ST vs. Indianapolis Colts Offense

Although the Tennessee Titans have been a very ordinary fantasy D/ST this season, they make for a solid matchup play this week against Dan Orlovsky and the Indianapolis Colts. Last week in Baltimore, Orlovsky completed just 17-of-37 passes for 136 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also fumbled three times and took four sacks. Indy’s offense ranks No. 29 in yardage and No. 31 in scoring, so Tennessee’s D/ST is a low-risk option that should have several opportunities to capitalize on Orlovsky’s inevitable mistakes. 

10.  New Orleans Saints D/ST vs. Minnesota Vikings Offense

Once an opportunistic defense, the Saints rank in the bottom five in both interceptions and fumble recoveries, and in the bottom 10 in the sack department. However Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder’s propensity for rookie mistakes renders New Orleans a plausible option for fantasy owners playing the weekly matchup game at the D/ST position. The Detroit Lions collected four sacks, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two defensive scores against the Vikings in Week 14. Even if Adrian Peterson returns as expected, Ponder will have to throw to give Minnesota a shot at keeping pace with Drew Brees & Co. Ponder has struggled with reads in particular, and his less-than-spectacular arm strength on out routes has been a pick-six waiting to happen for aggressive cornerbacks.