Week 15 Start 'Em/Sit 'Em

Many of you are in the thick of the playoffs needing one more victory to reach the Championship. Here is my Start 'Em/Sit 'Em for Week 15, hopefully it will help you reach the Promised Land. 

QB

Start Alex Smith - Alex Smith won't rack up the completions or gaudy passing numbers, but he does manage the game well and should have success against a Raiders defense that allowed the Jets to score 30 points on them. 

Predicted Stats - 18/26, 229 yards, 2 TD, 26 yards rushing - 19.76 points

Sit Mike Glennon - Glennon has ahead a solid rookie campaign and has steadied the once sinking Buccaneers. But this week he faces the 49ers who have been extremely tough on opposing quarterbacks. Plus, the Buccs run the ball on more plays than they pass. Don't expect big numbers from Glennon this week. 

Predicted Stats - 16/31, 178 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int - 9.12 points

RB

Start Rashard Mendenhall - Mendenhall has quietly shown that he is deserving of his starting running back job for the Cardinals. He has scored a touchdown in his last three games and has looked better running the ball as well. The balance between him and Andre Ellington has worked nicely and Mendenhall should continue with a solid game. 

Predicted Stats - 76 yards, 1 TD, 2 rec, 16 yards - 15.2 points

Sit Reggie Bush - Bush missed last game with a calf injury and it's quite possible he misses this week too. If he does play, you should probably bench him still. He goes up against the Ravens defense that has allowed the fourth least fantasy points to opposing running backs. Plus the presence of Joique Bell will take away touches from the injured Bush. 

Predicted Stats - 43 yards, 3 rec, 26 yards - 6.9 points

WR

Start Cordarelle Patterson - The Vikings have finally figured out how to use the speedster rookie and it has paid off in recent weeks. Patterson is a threat to score each time he touches the ball. The Vikings are out of contention so they shouldn't hold back Patterson at all and continue to get him the ball. He also faces the Eagles defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing receivers which helps also. 

Predicted Stats - 5 rec, 88 yards, 1 TD, 45 yards rushing - 19.3 points

Sit Julian Edelman - With Rob Gronkowski done for the year, you would think that Edelman becomes a must start each week. However that is not true this week. Tom Brady has missed practice with a sore throwing shoulder and even though he will most likely play, that needs to be taken into consideration. Also, Miami is the number three defense against wide receivers in fantasy football. Edelman could be marked all day since Gronk is out. 

Predicted Stats: 4 rec, 56 yards - 5.6 points

TE

Start Delanie Walker - I told you to start Walker last week coming off a concussion because he had a good matchup, and he ended up not playing (my apologies). This week Walker has an even better matchup against the Arizona Cardinals who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Walker is a must start. 

Predicted Stats: 6 rec, 72 yards, 1 TD - 13.2 points

Sit Dennis Pitta - Pitta had a good game in his season debut last week returning from injury and many fantasy owners rushed to claim him off waivers. If you were lucky enough to grab him, you should consider benching him this week against Detroit. The Lions has been a very solid against tight ends this season so don't expect another good game for Pitta in his second week. 

Predicted Stats - 3 rec, 27 yards - 2.7 points