Sunday Recap: Week 15

Texans @ Colts

T.J. Yates, Bradon Weeden, and Matt Hasselbeck? Yeah, this is about what you would expect. 26 points in this game between the two teams, and this was actually a game that mattered, in a bad AFC South. Yates left the game early, causing Weeden to take over. He managed the game, throwing for 105 yards, and one score. It was the running game that dominated, with Alfred Blue rushing for 107 yards, on 20 carries.

With the the passing game struggling, DeAndre Hopkins was the only noteworthy receiver. He finished with eight catches, for 94 yards. Jaelen Strong was the one to find the end zone.

Help me Andrew Luck, you're my only hope. This Colts' offense has been abysmal, and that was the case again this week. Hasselbeck has run out of gas, as he is walking to the gas station with a can for more. Donte Moncrief had a 5-51-1 line, while Andre Johnson was the next highest scoring receiver with 32 yards. The running game was nonexistent, as another veteran player, Frank Gore, is struggling to cross the finish line.

Bears @ Vikings

Another week, another cash game running back goes down. The victim of week 15 - Adrian Peterson. The injury doesn't seem serious, as he was probable to return, although did not have to do much. He finished the day with 63 yards.

It was the Teddy Bridgewater show, completing 17 of 20, for 231 yards, and five total scores. (one rush) Jerick McKinnon benefited from AP taking a seat, with a 4-76-1 line. Stefon Diggs had a 3-55-2 line, as it has been a while since we called his name. This was just one of those once in a blue moon games where Minnesota scores over 30 points.

Chicago continues their Jekyll-And-Hyde offense, scoring 17. Not sure if Alshon Jeffery was healthy or not, but he had one catch for 10 yards, but it was a TD. Matt Forte led the team, with a 6-57-1 line. Zach Miller, caught all six targets, for 57 yards. He continues to be a safe value tight end option.

Falcons @ Jaguars

Atlanta's offense looked very mediocre again, but it was good enough to get what we needed fro Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman. Jones finished with a 9-118-1 line, which was then quickly overshadowed by Antonio Brown later in the day.

Freeman had a huge workload this week, rushing 25 times, but for just 56 yards, and one score. He had a solid PPR week, with seven catches, for 45 yards. Atlanta will square off against Carolina next week, so they will head back into hibernation from my lineups.

Jacksonville disappointed, which they actually haven't done much of this season, well outside of a few games. Blake Bortles bailed out owners, with 44 yards, and a touchdown on the ground. He tossed for 297 yards, and one score, in a lackluster passing day. Julius Thomas led the team, with a 6-79-0 line. Allen Robinson was right behind him, with a 3-57-1 line.

Denard Robinson saw 14 carries, for 28 yards. So maybe that power back title will have to come another time? He saw 10 targets in the passing game, catching eight, for 46.

Panthers @ Giants

We have seen this a few times this season, where the Panthers and the opposing team go for over 60 combined points. That was the case this week, but you likely did not have many Giants' shares.

Eli tossed for four touchdowns, to four different receivers. When Odell Beckham Jr. and Josh Norman were not involved in a cage match, he finished with a 6-76-1 line. Much of his yardage, and his score came late in the game. God bless garbage time. Rueben Randle, Will Tye, and Shane Vereen were the other touchdown receivers. It took the Giants' 15 weeks, but Rashad Jennings had a very solid rushing game, with 107 yards, and a score.

Cam Newton might have sealed up his MVP season this week. He rushed for 100 yards on the ground, tossed for 340, and had five touchdowns. The Giants had no answer for the man, and he took over the starting RB role with Jonathan Stewart out. Cameron Artis-Payne did see the majority of the carries, with 14, going for 59 yards. He also had two catches, for 34 yards.

Tedd Ginn Jr. went off again for a 6-85-2 line, and seeing 14 targets was a big surprising. Greg Olsen had a 6-79-1 line, continuing to be an up-and-down scoring tight end.

Titans @ Patriots

Another injury bug in this game, with Marcus Mariota having a knee injury early in the first. This led the way for Zach Mettenberger, who finished with 242 yards, and two scores. Delanie Walker had two catches this week, and both of them went for touchdowns. He had one of the more impressive touchdowns of the week, with a 57 yard TD, after a truck stick type of hit. Dorial Green-Beckham had a 6-113-0 line, and led the team with nine targets. However, Tennessee created more fantasy points for the Patriots D/ST than they did themselves.

The Patriots dominated the game as expected, but once again, nobody really posted a big game. Even though 33 points were scored, Stephen Gostowski was the best points-per-dollar play. Rob Gronkowski finished with a 5-54-1 line, which is not good if you paid up for him. Brandon LaFell had 88 yards, on four catches.

With LeGarrette Blount out, Bill Belichick did what he does best. He had Joey Iosefa lead the team in carries, as he rushed for 51 yards. He is a rookie back out of Hawaii. Brandon Bolden had 36 yards, on 10 carries. James White finished the day with a 7-71-1 line. He had eight targets, and if there is a back worth looking at the next two weeks, it is him.

Bills @ Redskins

YOU LIKE THAT? Captain Kirk Cousins goes off with a Cam Newton like game. He tossed four touchdowns, and rushed for another. He had over 300 yards, as he dominated the Bills at home. DeSean Jackson had a monster 6-153-1 line, and Jordan Reed continued to be the guy, with a 7-84-2 line. Even Pierre Garcon scored a touchdown, but I do not want him suing us.

Washington dominated the game, as Buffalo made a late garbage time run. Buffalo scored all 25 of their points in the second half. Tyrod Taylor salvaged his day, with 79 yards on the ground, 235 through the air, and two scores. Sammy Watkins had another big week, with a 5-111-2 line. He was hardly targeted in the first half, so game flow helped him out quite a bit.

LeSean McCoy left this week, and with Buffalo being down by 20, Karlos Williams was not used much. Mike Gillislee broke off a 60 yard touchdown, but Williams would be the guy to own if McCoy misses time.

Chiefs @ Ravens

The Chiefs' defense emerged as one of the top plays of week 15, with two defensive touchdowns. It was another week of Kansas City putting up 30+, but it was the defense. Alex Smith did what he does best, which was going 21 of 25, for 171, and a score. Jeremy Maclin had a 7-50-1 line, on ten targets. He continues to produce, and be targeted in that 8-10 range per game.

With Spencer Ware out, Charcandrick West took advantage of his increase in carries, rushing for 76 yards, and one score. However, if Ware comes back, I still believe we see a split backfield.

Thank you Baltimore, regardless of whoever is under center, we get some pick sixes. Kamar Aiken is the only notable Raven to take right now, with a 8-128-1 line. He saw 12 targets, and should continue to get WR1 volume the next two weeks, especially given they will be chasing the games.

Browns @ Seahawks

We didn't expect much from the Cleveland offense, but we did expect them to help out the Seattle defense a little more. Manziel threw for 161 yards, and one score, with one pick. He was sacked three times, as it was an average day for the Seattle D/ST, who were the popular play. Gary Barnidge scored another touchdown, but was held to just 29 yards. 13 points in Seattle, it could of been worse I guess.

Russell Wilson had three touchdowns, with two of them going to Doug Baldwin, and one to Tyler Lockett. This has been the story for the last five games or so. Jermaine Kearse led the team in receiving yards, with 110. There is still no clear cut target leader, but Baldwin and Lockett are the main options.

Christine Michael came back to Seattle, and led the team in carries, and rushing yards. He had 84 on 16, and well if he came back quickly and received 16 carries, there is no doubt he is the number one.

Packers @ Raiders

50 points combined, in an ugly rain storm, in Oakland. Even though 50 combined points were scored, you had to be precise with who you played to really gain an advantage. The Packers led for the entire game, which you thought would of been a good thing for Eddie Lacy, yet it was not. Green Bay struggled to run the ball for most of the game. Lacy finished the day with 23 yards, on 11 carries. James Starks had 51, on 9, and a long 25 yarder to make his day look respectable.

Outside of James Jones, the passing game looked out of sync, as it has all year. He finished the day with 6-82-1 line, and would of had more, yet was called back with a few offensive pass interferences.

Oh and one random John Kuhn touchdown happened, furthering our hate for fantasy football.

Oakland's offense had some shining moments, especially Amari Cooper. He had a 6-120-2 line, and this is really his first breakout game in a while. Derek Carr was tossing them up, and Cooper was grabbing them. Michael Crabtree led the team in targets, but Cooper was the only one to have over 100 yards, and find the end zone.

Lat Murray looked great running the ball, with 78 carries, on 21 yards. He had 21 carries, but did not find himself in the red zone to grab a chance at finding the end zone.

Broncos @ Steelers

It was a battle of two aerial attacks, as expected. Brock Osweiler kept up as long as possible. He threw for 296 yards, and for three scores. Demaryius Thomas had a 5-61-2 line, finally putting up a solid line this season. He saw 12 targets, to Emmanuel Sanders' 16. Manny Sanders had a 10-181-1 line, going big for all the revenge game lineups.

Denver's rushing game is still a pretty easy avoid, but Ronnie Hillman did see 14 carries, to C.J. Anderson's four.

My lord. Antonio Brown. 16 catches, 189 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Pittsburgh was chasing the game, being down by a few scores very early. This did help Brown's ceiling, but he still delivered a monster line this week. Martavis Bryant had 10 catches, for 87 yards. 10 catches is something we do not see often from Bryant. Markus Wheaton also found the end zone, and had six catches, for 62 yards.

DeAngelo Williams had 14 carries, still getting a bulk of the offensive calls, but rushed for 26 yards, and a score. He also caught five catches, for 30 yards.

Dolphins @ Chargers

Miami is the only offense to make San Diego look like a top five defense. I am a bit on edge with this one, as a Lamar Miller owner. He carried the ball nine times, and had two targets in the passing game. It was Jay Ajayi and Damien Williams who saw the majority of snaps in the second half.

It doesn't matter who is coaching the Dolphins, they only combine for a handful of brain cells.

San Diego dropped 30 on a bad defense, which was not surprising. All four touchdowns were from one player, Danny Woodhead. He had a 6-50-3 line, as well as ten rushing yards, and a score. Antonio Gates led the team in targets, and receiving yards. With a battered receiving core, Gates still leads the way.

Bengals @ 49ers

Cincinnati won this one just as expected. Limit AJ McCarron's work, and run the ball. They ran the ball 36 times, yet not effectively. Giovani Bernard, and Jeremy Hill combined for 64 yards. Hill did find the end zone twice, which helped him be a nice value pick for week 15. The defense had four sacks, three INT's, and a fumble recovery.

Once again San Francisco going up against a top defense, we did not expect much. Anquan Boldin did have some garbage time life, with an 8-74-1 line. Other than that, San Francisco is trying for that number one pick.

Cardinals @ Eagles

Arizona came out flying, just as we expected, dropping 40 points on this Philly defense. However, if you had shares of Carson Palmer, his final stats were a disappointment. He had just 274 yards, and one score. He tossed a late touchdown to John Brown, who finished with a 3-38-1 line, although it could of been a lot more. Brown dropped several passes, including what could of been a long bomb on the first play of the game. As a Brown owner, these drops essentially summed up week 15 for me. Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald were all popular plays this week, but neither found the end zone, or broke the 100 yard mark.

It was the David Johnson show, rushing for 189 yards, and three scores, on 29 carries. He also caught four balls, for 42 yards. He had one of the more memorable runs of 2015, channeling his inner beast mode. Johnson's workload was the highest we had seen since he stepped into the starting role, showing he could be the biggest weapon of this offense. He takes on Green Bay next week, who have given up some monster plays to opposing running backs in the last two weeks.

Philly was hit in the mouth from the start, and something we have seen often this season was the running game going invisible. DeMarco Murray had two carries the entire games, yes two. Ryan Matthews saw 11 carries, for 53 yards. Philly had a late garbage time touchdown, otherwise this offense was held in check. Jordan Matthews finished with an 8-159-1 line, but had a 78 yard touchdown late in the game when it didn't matter. Zach Ertz led the team in targets, and finished with an 8-78-1 line. This is encouraging going into the final two games of the season, against teams that are weak against opposing tight ends.