The Week 9 bye for the Pittsburgh
Steelers proved to be a much-needed break to allow the Big Ben and
the Steelers offense to rest and refocus for the playoff run. Before
the bye, Roethlisberger threw for more than one touchdown in only
three of the first eight games of the season and failed to score
more than 20 points in any contest.
From Weeks 10 through 14, Roethlisberger has been the top fantasy
quarterback, with three games of at least 28 fantasy points, including
a 35.54 monster score against the Packers Week 12.
With home-field advantage likely on the line in the tilt between
the Steelers and the 29th-ranked Patriot pass defense, Big Ben
will be a fixture in more than a few of my DFS tickets this week.
Here are a few other targets that you may want to consider playing
Week 15:
Can I get some respect? Case Keenum has
thrown 2 touchdowns in each of his last three games.
Quarterbacks
H2H/Cash - Case Keenum vs. Cincinnati ($6,100
on DraftKings)
Keenum continues to get no respect from the salary makers at
DraftKings as the ninth-ranked quarterback based on salary, behind
Jimmy Garoppolo, Jared Goff, and Drew Brees. Keenum has at least
two touchdowns in each of his last three games in road matchups
against the Panthers, Lions, and Falcons, and he gets to come
home to play against at banged up Bengals team that has given
up on the season during a shocking 33-7 loss at home against the
Bears.
GPP - Blake
Bortles vs. Houston ($5,700 on DraftKings)
If Bortles can put up nearly 19 points at home against Seattle,
it seems reasonable to expect at least 20 points in a home matchup
against the 32nd ranked pass defense. Pairing Blake with Dede
Westbrook is an excellent GPP stack.
Fade - Aaron
Rodgers @ Carolina ($6,800 on DraftKings)
Many of you know that I have a man crush on Aaron Rodgers that
is borderline creepy and I almost never recommend sitting the
best quarterback in the league. But with a road matchup against
the Panthers in his first game back from a fractured collarbone,
I think it would be prudent to wait a week to allow A-Rod to get
back into the groove.
Running Backs
H2H/Cash - Alex Collins @ Cleveland ($5,000
on DraftKings)
After failing to a scored a rushing touchdown in his first eight
games of the season, Collins has reached the end zone five times
in his last four games. The Browns have struggled against the
run over the past month, and the Ravens will look to control the
clock with Collins and Buck Allen on the ground.
GPP - Dion
Lewis @ Pittsburgh ($5,400 on DraftKings)
The loss of Ryan Shazier has greatly affected the Pittsburgh
run defense, particularly in covering passes out of the backfield
and runs to the outside. I am looking for any way to get a piece
of the action in this game, and Lewis and Burkhead are both excellent
options.
Fade - Joe
Mixon @ Minnesota ($5,100 on DraftKings)
Even if Mixon is fully cleared from his concussion and is available
to start, I want nothing to do with the Bengals offense in what
could be a hugely lopsided game against the Vikings.
Wide Receivers
H2H/Cash - Devin Funchess vs. Green Bay ($6,600
on DraftKings)
Funchess is my favorite sub-7k wide receiver for cash games based
on his consistent target volume and the matchup at home against
Green Bay. Funchess has at least 15 points in his last four games,
including a 26-point game Week 10 vs. Miami.
A GPP stack of Nick Foles and Nelson Agholor is a sneaky play
this week against the 22nd ranked Giants pass defense. Yes, Foles
is a sharp decline in talent from Wentz, but Foles has flashed
some ability in the past, and Agholor has been a target monster
as of late with 23 targets in his last two games.
Fade - DeAndre
Hopkins vs. Jacksonville ($7,700 on DraftKings)
Hopkins enters Week 15 on the heels of his second 39-point performance
of the season in a loss at home to the 49ers. I love Hopkins (the
most physically-gifted WR in the game), but I have concerns this
week with Nuk playing with T.J. Yates on the road against Jacksonville.
Although Hopkins did have a nice week vs. Jalen Ramsey Week 1,
I would rather use that 7.7k somewhere else.
Tight End
H2H/Cash - Vernon Davis vs. Arizona ($3,900
on DraftKings)
The best way to attack the Cardinals is over the middle of the
field and not outside. Davis is a cheap way to get at least six
targets at the tight end position, with the possibility of a multi-touchdown
game.
GPP - Ben
Watson @ Cleveland ($4,400 on DraftKings)
Watson went without a catch for only the second time of the season
in last week’s 39-38 loss to the Steelers. With the Browns
allowing the third most points to opposing tight ends, I doubt
that happens again. Look for another game similar to his 8/91
line set against the Browns Week 2.
Fade - Greg
Olsen vs. Green Bay ($4,000 on DraftKings)
My first consideration or fade of the week was Gronk against
the No.1 ranked Steelers defense, but though better of it as Gronk
is too much of a difference maker in the Patriots offense (see
cash options above). Instead, I am going to avoid Olsen at home
against the Packers. His foot injury is a concern, and I would
prefer to avoid a situation in which he starts and is unable to
finish the game.
D/ST
Vikings vs. Bengals
I watched
the film of the Bengals loss against the Bears, and I saw a team
that has given up on their coach and the season. The Vikings should
win this going away, and I would not be surprised to see a defensive
score by Minnesota.