Week 15 Start/Sit

As usual, if you need my help to start Peyton Manning or Chris Johnson this week, this isn’t the column for you. Also, how you made the playoffs is beyond me.

Start

Brady Quinn, QB CLE - WHAT?!?!?! Yeah, I know, this has dumb written all over it. It reminds me of the Simpsons episode where Homer turns to Lisa and asks, “Are you feeling stupid honey? I know I am!” Listen, the Chiefs defense is bad (30th overall.) The Browns are on tilt after their big win over the Steelers. Of all the weather reports for games this weekend (that are being played outside of domes), 40 degrees and sunny strikes me as one of the more favorable passing game forecasts. I have a huge hunch on this one, and at this point in the season, I am playing hunches--also, I have burned through 3 quarterbacks in the last month so I need Brady to put up some numbers for daddy.

Knowshon Moreno, RB DEN - If you were paying attention last week, a virtual unknown running back named Quinton Ganther put up 50 rushing yards, 43 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns on the horrendous Oakland rushing defense. Moreno is by far the better player between him and Ganther, so I would expect to see him have a very good day as Denver looks to all but lock up a playoff berth.

Derrick Mason, WR BAL- Chicago’s pass defense is not too shabby, but December seems to be when Derrick Mason gets some serious work done. With the playoffs on the line last season, Mason stepped up big to help rookie Joe Flacco lead the offense into the postseason. This week against the Bears, the Ravens are once again trying to play their way into the playoffs and they should be looking for Mason to move the chains. He has come on as of late and should continue his recent streak of solid stats at home.

Fred Davis, TE WAS - Talk about a guy who is making a case to be considered one of the better tight ends in the league. The Redskins like to work the tight end down the field and Davis has proven to be one hell of a receiver. The Giants struggle mightily against tight ends and Davis has four touchdowns over his last four games. Put the kid in your starting lineup and he won’t disappoint you.

Arizona Cardinals, DEF - This defense did not lose the game last week against the 49ers. That honor belongs to the offense and their seven turnovers. I really like what I am seeing out of the Cards’ defense these days. Darnell Dockett is as good as any defensive lineman in the league and Adrian Wilson is a man among boys in the defensive backfield. This week they draw the Detroit Lions. Count on the Cards D to carry your team this week.

Sit

Eli Manning, QB NYG - The Giants prefer their offensive identity to be based on their rushing attack. In recent weeks, Eli has shown a propensity to make it happen through the air, but his receivers continue to be riddles, wrapped in mysteries, stuck inside of enigmas. The Redskins boast the 4thbest pass defense and are starting to look like they can get pressure on the quarterback with their front 4. Eli can be pressed into making mistakes and his receivers have shown they can start a tip drill at any point on the field. They will try their best to establish the run, but between the Redskins’ defense and the East Coast weather this weekend, Eli might have a long night if they have to rely on his arm.

Brandon Jacobs, RB NYG - Hahaha...I am prepared for the heat coming my way for sitting all these Giants against my Skins. One of the lasting memories of last season was Brandon Jacobs running over LaRon Landry. In the season opener, the Giants were able to get chunks of yardage on the ground against the burgundy and gold. But as we see every year, Jacobs starts to slow down as the year wears on. He puts a beating on opposing defenses, but takes a beating himself. The Giants would be smart to use Ahmad Bradshaw a LOT this week. He is the kind of back that can get it done against the stingy defense in Washington. Jacobs will find it hard on Monday night, and don’t underestimate the crowd either. Running the ball on offense and stopping the run on defense is more about heart, effort, and desire than most anything else. You have to want to put your nose in there and either fight for the extra yard or fight to stop the extra yard. D.C. is going to be hosting one of the biggest lovefests since Joe Gibbs returned from his retirement. Even though their record is 4-9, expect them to play like they are 9-4, and expect the crowd to factor into this game.

Steve Smith, WR CAR - Hehehe, NOT the Steve Smith for the Giants. Not that Steve Smithof the Panthers has been a huge fantasy stud in recent weeks, but this week against the Vikings, he looks to draw coverage from Antoine Winfield. Winfield is back on the field after having missed a chunk of time due to injury and he looked very healthy last week against the Bengals. This a very tough matchup for Steve Smith and an even tougher matchup for his quarterback.

Kevin Boss, TE - I have always played my best poker when all my chips are in the middle of table. Consider this my “all-in” move of the week. LaRon Landry’s switch to strong safety will put him against Boss this week while Landry is not the greatest cover guy in the world, the Redskins have shut down tight ends all season. In Week 1, Boss had 62 yards receiving. That is the most the Skins have allowed all year, and they are undoubtedly playing better defense these days than they were in Week 1.

Cincinnati Bengals, DEF - I have loved recommending this unit all season as a start option. This week they go to San Diego and face a very, very hot Chargers team. The Chargers really have the look of a team that could make some noise in the AFC playoffs. They are definitely capable of shocking the Colts in the postseason (again.) The weather for affair: 70 degrees and mild. Philip Rivers could have a monster day.