Weekly Fantasy Roundup: Bench/Start Week 15

BENCH

RB Tim Hightower (Cardinals) - Since taking over the starting RB position from Edgerrin James back in Week 9, Hightower has rushed for 100 yards only once, and has overall been pretty disappointing. He has been averaging only 2.1 yards per carry over his last five games, three of which have come against SF, SEA, and STL. Since the Arizona RB struggled against some of the weakest defenses in the NFL, it is highly unlikely that he will have success against the Vikings' second ranked rush defense. I own Hightower in a couple of my leagues, and there is no way I'm getting him in my lineup for Week 15.



RB Tatum Bell (Broncos) - With Peyton Hillis out for the rest of the season with a torn hamstring, the Broncos have named Tatum Bell their starting RB. For those of you who were desperate for a RB and grabbed Bell off of waivers, I would advise you NOT to start him this week. Mike Shanahan will surely rely more heavily on stud QB Jay Cutler, and it would not surprise me at all to see him throw the ball 50+ times. If the match up were better, Bell might warrant consideration for Sunday, but Carolina has only allowed one 100 yard rusher at home all season, and there is little chance that the former cell phone salesman becomes number two.




RB Willie Parker (Steelers) - Since his three TD game against Houston back in Week 1, FWP has only found the end zone once, and will have a hard time doing so against the NFL's third ranked rush defense. Baltimore has also only allowed three rushing TDs all season, and have simply shut down opposing RBs in recent weeks. If you are forced into playing Parker this week, or any Steeler for that matter, I feel bad for you. The Ravens are as hot as any team right now, winning seven of their last eight games, and will be looking to avenge their loss to Pittsburgh back in Week 4. If you can stay away from this match up, The Bad Guy suggests doing so.

START

RB Maurice Morris (Seahawks) - Let me point out that I would not at all want to trust Maurice Morris in my fantasy playoffs - but with that being said - the match up is simply too tasty to ignore. The Rams have given up an insane 22 rushing TDs and allow over 150 yards per game on the ground, meaning the potential is there for a big game. If you play Morris, you have to worry about TD thief T.J. Duckett stealing goal line carries, but with Julius Jones out of the picture (he didn't get one carry last week), Morris should definitely be considered flex worthy in deeper leagues.



RB Dominic Rhodes (Colts) - Going up against Detroit, Mr. Rhodes makes for a sneaky play this week. There should be plenty of carries to go around against the Lions, and considering that starting RB Joseph Addai is not 100%, Rhodes could very well play a larger role on Sunday. When you compare the two RB's numbers over the past couple of weeks, Rhodes has been the stronger play - Addai has carried the ball 25 times for 83 yards with a fumble, while his "backup" received 21 carries for 66 yards and a TD. If you're dealing with injuries and in need of a RB, Rhodes could definitely be the solution to your problem.



QB Matt Schaub (Texans) - While the match up isn't pretty and the numbers might suggest otherwise, The Bad Guy loves Matt Schaub this week. The Titans have only allowed eight passing TDs all season and are tied for third in the NFL with 18 INTs, but The Bad Guy loves Matt Schaub this week. In his first game back from an MCL sprain, Schaub lit up the GB secondary (in GB!), throwing for 414 yards, 2 TDs, and a INT, another reason why The Bad Guy loves Matt Schaub this week. I might be a little biased, as I'm relying on him in almost every one of my leagues, but none the less, The Bad Guy loves Matt Schaub this week.