Start/Bench - Week 15 Dec 12, 2012 | More
More articles from Jim Bukowski

Hello, and welcome to Week 15! It's playoff time, which also means that it's time to man- or woman-up. No more blaming the Start/Bench guy for your lineup miscues. My job is to make mention of some favorable, or unfavorable matchups, with the occasional gut-call thrown in for good measure.

I'm a big believer in going with your gut, your intuition, your sixth sense. So, if you're unsure of who to start or bench, then feel free to use my advice free of charge. But, if you have a gut feeling, then go with it. This way you'll only have yourself to blame.

Now on to Week 15's 'pearls of wisdom.'

QUARTERBACKS

STUDS

Tom Brady
Drew Brees
Robert Griffin III *Status uncertain as of Wednesday*
Peyton Manning
Carson Palmer
Aaron Rodgers
Ben Roethlisberger
Matt Ryan

START

Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay at New Orleans: The Saints are the most generous team in fantasy in regards to giving up points to opposing quarterbacks. The last time the Bucs faced New Orleans, Freeman threw for 420 yards and three touchdowns. Just two weeks ago, Atlanta's Matt Ryan was held to 165 yards passing and just one touchdown, that's why you don't sit your uber-studs for a guy like Freeman, regardless of the matchup.

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati at Philadelphia: While Dalton has only thrown one touchdown pass in each of the past two weeks, look for him to rectify that problem this week as he'll be facing an Eagles defense that has allowed multiple touchdown passes in seven straight games. The Eagles have not held an opposing quarterback to single-digit scoring since Week 2.

Brandon Weeden, Cleveland vs. Washington: Especially if RG3 does not play this week. Regardless of who is under center for the Redskins, the Washington defense has allowed three touchdown passes in two of the last three games. I know that Weeden has been terrible over the last six games, but he's playing for his NFL career as Cleveland is a team in transition and he needs to show that he can be the 'man' at quarterback.

BENCH

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo vs. Seattle: Since starting the season 'en fuego' by throwing 12 touchdown passes in the Bills' first four games, Fitzpatrick has thrown nine touchdown passes in the last nine games. Meanwhile, the Seattle defense has allowed one-or-less touchdown passes in 10 out of 13 games this season.

Jake Locker, Tennessee vs. New York Jets: Over his last three games, Locker has thrown only three touchdown passes while giving up seven interceptions. Meanwhile, the Jets defense has befuddled two rather inexperienced quarterbacks, the Cardinals Ryan Lindley and the Jaguars Chad Henne, holding them to 257 combined passing yards and zero touchdowns.

Nick Foles, Philadelphia vs. Cincinnati: Do you want to know why the Tampa Bay defense is the second worst in all of fantasy when it comes to defending the quarterback position? Well, I'm going to tell you anyway. How about Nick Foles being able to throw for 381 yards and two touchdowns. Foles had thrown a total of two touchdowns in the previous four games combined. This week, Foles will be facing a Bengals defense that has only allowed two touchdown passes in their last five games.

<< prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | next >>