Fantasy football advice, Week 15: Who to start/sit for Lions vs. Saints on Monday night

Week 15 winds up with what some might call a dud of a Monday night game, with the 4-9 Detroit Lions facing the 5-8 New Orleans Saints in a game the schedule-makers probably thought would be much more interesting than it has turned out to be.

The two teams come into Monday's game largely healthy. Detroit should have wide receiver Calvin Johnson and tight end Eric Ebron ready to go despite their appearances on the injury report. New Orleans wide receiver Marques Colston, too, should be good to go.

Start ‘em: You always like a quarterback facing New Orleans, even after the team kept Jameis Winston in check a week ago. Matthew Stafford should have a big game. ... Calvin Johnson should rebound from a rough Week 14 in a nice matchup.

Start ‘em?: It's been good times for Golden Tate of late; he's a strong flex play. ... Matt Prater had only two fantasy points a week ago, but had averaged 11.5 a game for the month before that. ... The Lions' defense has improved of late, and it's not like the Saints have a total sure thing on offense.

Sit ‘em: There's just no way to trust a Detroit running back (Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick), and no way to know which to trust even if there is one. ... Eric Ebron hasn't had a lot to offer fantasy owners of late.

Start ‘em: It's all shaping up well for Drew Brees this week. Two straight good games, home matchup. He's a must-start. ... From a yards-per-carry perspective, Tim Hightower wasn't anything special a week ago. But he got so many carries that the fantasy production was still there, and it should continue. ... Brandin Cooks has alternated good and bad games the last four, but has had more good than bad over the season's second half. ... Benjamin Watson is a low-end TE1.

Sit ‘em: Even with Mark Ingram out, C.J. Spiller didn't do anything last week. Stay away. ... Willie Snead, Marques Colston and Brandon Coleman battle for targets too much for any one guy to be a great fantasy option. ... In seven games with New Orleans, Kai Forbath is averaging only five fantasy points a game. ... The Saints' defense has improved since Rob Ryan's dismissal, but not that much.

* * *