Fantasy football advice, Week 15: Who to start/sit for Panthers vs. Giants
Carolina’s undefeated record will be put to the test against the team that most loves to ruin history.
It's funny. The New York Giants are 6-7, while the Carolina Panthers are 13-0, yet popular opinion about the teams' game against one another this weekend is that the Giants are likely to win. And the primary reasons for this appear to be (a) that the Giants are the home team, and (b) that the Giants have something of a history of ruining historical runs. The first is a valid reason; the second is a silly not-really-trend.
Carolina will sit running back Jonathan Stewart for this week with a foot injury. Wide receivers Ted Ginn Jr. and Jerricho Cotchery and tight end Greg Olsen are all on the injury report as well, but all three should play. The Giants, meanwhile, will have all of their fantasy players ready to go for Sunday's game.
Carolina will put its undefeated record on the line at the Giants’ home stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
PANTHERS
Start ‘em: It's been a great season for Cam Newton; he has seven games of 20-plus fantasy points and three of 30-plus. ... Yes, Greg Olsen comes into this game a little banged up, and it's possible Carolina will take it easy on him. It doesn't matter. You're playing him. ... Graham Gano's stretch of five straight games of 10-plus fantasy points ended a couple weeks ago, but he still has five or more points in all but one game this year. ... The Panthers' defense gets one of its toughest opponents in a while this week, but it's still a must-start unit.
Start ‘em?: With 10-plus fantasy points in three of his last four and five times on the season, Ted Ginn Jr. has made himself into a fine flex play with big upside.
Sit ‘em: Good luck parsing out the situation with the Carolina running backs with Jonathan Stewart out. If I'm playing one, it's Cameron Artis-Payne over Fozzy Whittaker or Mike Tolbert, but that's little beyond a guess. Best bet is to look elsewhere. ... The development hasn't really been there for Devin Funchess; after 12-plus fantasy points in two of three games, he has 10 total in his last three.
GIANTS
Start ‘em: Who he’s facing is irrelevant; you’re using Odell Beckham Jr. against anyone.
Start ‘em?: I still trust Eli Manning, despite the tough matchup. He's a top-of-the-heap QB2 with QB1 potential. ... Will Tye has seen his usage shoot up in recent weeks; he's a high-end TE2. ... Josh Brown has seen his numbers go down a bit of late, and the offense could struggle against a strong Carolina defense.
Sit ‘em: It was nice to see the Giants appear to select Rashad Jennings a week ago and lean on him, but with only one week of data and a tough matchup, I'm avoiding him, Shane Vereen, Andre Williams and Orleans Darkwa. ... There's some potential to Rueben Randle when he's in the right matchup, but this isn't that. ... The Carolina offense is clicking so well that you need to avoid the Giants' defense.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Cam Newton, Greg Olsen, Graham Gano, Carolina defense, Odell Beckham Jr.
Start if you're desperate: Ted Ginn Jr., Eli Manning, Will Tye, Josh Brown
Bench: Cameron Artis-Payne, Fozzy Whittaker, Mike Tolbert, Devin Funchess, Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, Andre Williams, Orleans Darkwa, Rueben Randle, New York defense
