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Well that didn't last long. Just last week we were lamenting the fact that the Patriots were not one of the top projected offenses of Week 14. Rob Gronkowski made a surprise return and to no one's surprise, the Patriots are back at the top of the list in Week 15.
The other four teams on this list all have one thing in common -- outstanding matchups. With that being said, it is a bit surprising with the team with the best mathcup didn't make the cut. That's because they're the Detriot Lions. The Lions aren't consistent enough to play in cash, but they're still stack-worthy despite their relatively mediocre projected total.
New England Patriots (30.25) vs. Tennessee Titans:Tom Brady ($9,500) and Rob Gronkowski ($8,500) just don't move the needle for me this week. That's not to say I woudn't play them, just that I don't have much to say about them. They're great players who are priced like it. There are two interesting angles in this game.
The first is the possible return of Julian Edelman. Edelman is not in the player pool as of Wednesday, but he affects the value of Danny Amendola ($7,000) and James White ($6,400). I wouldn't play either if Edelman returns.
Speaking of White, the loss of LeGarrette Blount creates a vacuum at RB. The most likely player to fill Blount's role is Brandon Bolden ($5,500). If he gets 18-20 touches, he'll likely be one of the top value plays on the slate. It's extremely rare that we get a value play at running back on highest projected offense.
Seattle Seahawks (28.75) vs. Cleveland Browns: I have certainly enjoyed this recent run by Russell Wilson ($8,800) and Doug Baldwin ($7,400), and it has restored my faith in touchdown regression. That being said, it's gone a bit far. Wilson is not a guarantee for three or more touchdowns a week. In fact, I'd project the under this week.
I'm not sure the Seahawks have figured out their running back situation yet, so you'd be pretty wise to say you've figured it out yourself. Bryce Brown isn't available and I don't think you can count on Fred Jackson ($5,300) or Derrick Coleman ($4,500).
I will have a lot of the Seahawks defense this week, and I'll probably pair them up with Tyler Lockett ($6,000) in some places. Remember, if you do that and Lockett returns a kick for a touchdown, it's worth 12 to your team.
Arizona Cardinals (27) at Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Palmer ($8,700) has been outstanding this year and should absolutely be considered against this secondary. David Johnson ($6,500) is a little banged up, but as long as he's healthy, he should be one of the more highly owned backs. The receivers aren't quite that easy to figure out.
I still believe that Larry Fitzgerald ($7,200) is the Cardinals best wide receiver. He also has a long history of success against the Eagles, if you're into that type of thing. John Brown ($6,300) and Michael Floyd ($6,100) are still better tournament plays because of their big play ability and lower cost.
New Orleans Saints (27) vs. Detroit Lions:This is the most stackable game of the weekend and I'm comfortable using either quarterback. I would not buy into Marques Colston's big Week 14 and would focus more on Brandin Cooks ($7,000) and Willie Snead ($6,000). Benjamin Watson ($5,600) is one of my favorite tight end plays of the week.
No matter which Saints you use in your stacks, I would include Calvin Johnson ($8,000) and Golden Tate ($6,900) in a few. There is no game in Week 15 that is more likely to be a shootout.
Carolina Panthers (26.75) at New York Giants:With Jonathan Stewart banged up, your only real hope for value is at the running back position. I do believe that it would be a timeshare between Fozzy Whittaker ($4,800) and Mike Tolbert ($4,600), with both needing a touchdown to present any type of significant value. Cam Newton ($9,400) and Greg Olsen fit into the Brady/Gronk category. They'll cost you, but they should produce.
There aren't really cash game running backs in the group above. Thankfully we've got Adrian Peterson ($8,600) for that. Peterson should run all over the Bears at home and may be the highest owned running back on the slate.
