Stars of Week 15

QB:      Alex Smith: 17-20, 287 yards, 5 TDs

RB:      Jamaal Charles: 8 carries, 20 yards, 1 TD (8 catches, 195 yards, 4 TDs) 

WR:     DeSean Jackson: 10 catches, 195 yards, 1 TD

TE:      Tim Wright: 7 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD 

Two Chiefs find their way into this week’s honor roll, one being a surprise and one not. The Alex Smith-Jamaal Charles connection resulted in four TDs as the Chiefs throttled the Raiders. DeSean Jackson had another productive game, and has shown great chemistry with Nick Foles. Tim Wright, as discussed in a earlier writeup, is a developing offensive weapon for the Bucs, and he has shown promise for the future in his rookie season. 

Week 15 Takeaways – A Closer Look 

Each week we take a closer look at a handful of performances and sort out what such performances mean going forward. 

- Jay Cutler: 22-31, 265 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs                                        

Analysis: To the dismay of Josh McCown’s owners, Marc Trestman elected to insert Jay Cutler back into the starting lineup. Cutler took advantage of the opportunity, throwing for 3 TDs against the Browns. Sure, two INTs were mixed in there as well, but overall Cutler posted quite useful numbers. With the emergence of Alshon Jeffery opposite of Brandon Marshall, the Chicago QB, regardless of whether it’s Cutler or McCown, will put up useful numbers. The Bears face the Eagles next week, making Cutler a nice option to roll with at QB. 

- Kirk Cousins: 29-45, 381 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs

Analysis: If you tack on 100 yards of passing, Cousins' line against the Falcons reads similarly to Cutler's line against the Browns. While Cutler is likely to be rostered in many leagues already, Cousins is widely available. Was this performance a sign of things to come? Well, next up on the docket for the Redskins is none other than the Dallas Cowboys. Juicy matchup? Well, Matt Flynn, who three teams have discarded over the past year, posted nearly 300 yards and 4 TDs against the Cowboys this past Sunday. Expect Cousins to put up strong numbers against the Cowboys, and if you need a QB, dial up Cousins and watch him produce. 

- Jordan Todman: 25 carries, 109 yards, 0 TDs

Analysis: With Maurice Jones-Drew out against the Bills, Todman had the floor to himself, and did quite well. He was the first Jaguars’ RB this season to top 100 yards in a game, and looked good doing it. Assuming that Jones-Drew remains out next week, Todman deserves a look if you need an RB. The Jaguars face the Titans next week, which means that the matchup for Todman is quite nice.

- Matt Asiata: 30 carries, 51 yards, 3 TDs

Analysis: With AD and Toby Gerhart out this past Sunday, undrafted free agent Matt Asiata had a chance to serve as the lead back for the Vikings, and while the yards per carry left much to be desired, his three TDs were eye-catching nonetheless. Both AP and Gerhart are expected to return this weekend, but even if the RBs were not to return, Asiata would not be a recommended waiver add. This performance reeks more of a career day than one of a sign of things to come, and the yards per carry, especially after 30 totes, should scream red flags.

- Greg Jennings : 11 catches, 163 yards, 1 TD

Analysis: Greg Jennings appears to have solid chemistry with Matt Cassel, as evidenced most recently with his line against the Eagles this past Sunday. Jennings' performance brought back memories of his days against the Packers. While those days are over, Jennings can still be useful to teams needing a WR. The Vikings face the Bengals next, so Jennings has a tough matchup. But, he should be fine in the WR3/flex role, so if you need another WR, give Jennings some thought.

Strategy Discussion  - In Big Games, When in Doubt, Go With Your Stars

If your team is still alive, congratulations! You’re either in your league championship, or one step away. With the season on the line these last few games, lineup decisions become critical. Without belaboring the point too much, with the significance of these playoff/championship games, don’t get too cute with lineup decisions. For example, Marshawn Lynch has a very tough matchup against the Cardinals run D, while Danny Woodhead has a very favorable matchup against the Raiders run D. Reasonable thought to sit Lynch for Woodhead? Absolutely not. This example runs a bit to the extreme, but illustrates the following point: when in doubt, go with the players that got you to the playoffs. This does not mean that you shouldn’t evaluate players with terrific matchups, but with all the marbles on the line, make sure you’ve got a great reason to sit on of your stars before you elect to do so.

And finally, just a note - this is the last writeup of the season. For those who have championship games next week, hit me up on email or twitter with any fantasy questions. Best of luck to you all in your playoff matchups, and thanks very much for reading each week. 

Week 16 Rankings

Quarterbacks

1. Peyton Manning, Broncos (at HOU)

2. Nick Foles, Eagles (CHI)

3. Cam Newton, Panthers (NO)

4. Drew Brees, Saints (at CAR)

5. Philip Rivers, Chargers (OAK)

6. Matthew Stafford, Lions (NYG)

7. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (ARI)

8. Colin Kaepernick, 49ers (ATL)

9. Jay Cutler, Beras (at PHI)

10. Andy Dalton, Bengals (MIN)

11. Kirk Cousins, Redskins (DAL)

12. Tom Brady, Patriots (at BAL)

13. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (at GB)

14. Tony Romo, Cowboys (at WAS)

15. Andrew Luck, Colts (at KC)

16. Alex Smith, Chiefs (IND)

17. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins (at BUF)

18. Aaron Rodgers/Matt Flynn, Packers (PIT)

19. Jason Campbell, Browns (at NYJ)

20. Joe Flacco, Ravens (NE)

Running Backs

1. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs (IND)

2. LeSean McCoy, Eagles (CHI)

3. Eddie Lacy, Packers (PIT)

4. Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks (ARI)

5. Matt Forte, Bears (at PHI)

6. DeMarco Murray, Cowboys (at WAS)

7. Alfred Morris, Redskins (DAL)

8. Adrian Peterson, Vikings (at CIN)

9. Le'Veon Bell, Steelers (at GB)

10. Zac Stacy, Rams (TB)

11. Reggie Bush, Lions (NYG)

12. Knowshon Moreno, Broncos (at HOU)

13. Frank Gore, 49ers (ATL)

14. Rashad Jennings, Raiders (at SD)

15. Giovani Bernard, Bengals (MIN)

16. Ryan Mathews, Chargers (OAK)

17. Chris Johnson, Titans (at JAC)

18. Bobby Rainey, Buccaneers (at STL)

19. Andre Brown, Giants (at DET)

20. C.J. Spiller, Bills (MIA)

21. Shane Vereen, Patriots (at BAL)

22. Ray Rice, Ravens (NE)

23. Fred Jackson, Bulls (MIA)

24. Lamar Miller, Dolphins (BUF)

25. Danny Woodhead, Chargers (OAK)

26. Jordan Todman, Jaguars (TEN)

27. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers (NO)

28. Andre Ellington, Cardinals (at SEA)

29. Montee Ball, Broncos (at HOU)

30. Chris Ivory, Jets (CLE)

Wide Receivers

1. Calvin Johnson, Lions (NYG)

2. Josh Gordon, Browns (at NYJ)

3. Brandon Marshall, Bears (at PHI)

4. A.J. Green, Bengals (MIN)

5. Alshon Jeffery, Bears (at PHI)

6. Dez Bryant, Cowboys (at WAS)

7. Antonio Brown, Steelers (at GB)

8. Andre Johnson, Texans (DEN)

9. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos (at HOU)

10. DeSean Jackson, Eagles (CHI)

11. Pierre Garcon, Redskins (DAL)

12. Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers (at STL)

13. Jordy Nelson, Packers (PIT)

14. Keenan Allen, Chargers (OAK)

15. Eric Decker, Broncos (PIT)

16. Mike Wallace, Dolphins (at BUF)

17. Julian Edelman, Patriots (at BAL)

18. Michael Crabtree, 49ers (ATL)

19. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals (at SEA)

20. Anquan Boldin, 49ers (ATL)

21. Wes Welker, Broncos (at HOU)

22. Marques Colston, Saints (at CAR)

23. Torrey Smith, Ravens (NE)

24. T.Y. Hilton, Colts (at KC)

25. James Jones, Packers (PIT)

26. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs (IND)

27. Roddy White, Falcons (at SF)

28. Riley Cooper, Eagles (CHI)

29. Steve Smith, Panthers (NO)

30. Greg Jennings, Vikings (at CIN)

Tight Ends

1. Jimmy Graham, Saints (at CAR)

2. Vernon Davis, 49ers (ATL)

3. Julius Thomas, Broncos (at HOU)

4. Greg Olsen, Panthers (NO)

5. Jason Witten, Cowboys (at WAS)

6. Delanie Walker, Titans (at JAC)

7. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons (at SF)

8. Jordan Cameron, Browns (at NYJ)

9. Charles Clay, Dolphins (at BUF)

10. Martellus Bennett, Bears (at PHI)

11. Dennis Pitta, Ravens (NE)

12. Tyler Eifert, Bengals (MIN)

13. Antonio Gates, Chargers (OAK)

14. Heath Miller, Steelers (at GB)

15. Zach Miller, Seahawks (ARI)

Neema Hodjat is the fantasy sports writer for RealGM.  He can be reached via email at nhodjat@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @NeemaHodjat.