Week 15 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet

Is this the week to trust names like Matthew Stafford, Benjamin Watson and Melvin Gordon? Dave Richard breaks down the players you care about in the Week 15 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet.

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Each week, the Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet will combine analysis, data and game predictions with a confidence scale to help owners get a definitive answer on who to start in their leagues.

Nice! But what about those numbers all over the place? That's our confidence scale. It slides from 10.0 for an amazing start to 5.0 for an average rating to a 1.0 for a nauseous rating.

Is the confidence scale based on a specific scoring system? It is based on standard leagues but is (mostly) applicable to PPR leagues. You should probably consult our PPR-specific rankings for more detail.

Who is listed below? Everyone that matters, but anyone already starting in 90 percent or more of CBSSports.com leagues is considered an obvious must-start. We're not going to waste your time trying to convince you to start Tom Brady.

What if someone isn't listed below? If someone's missing, it's not an accident. Anyone missing is a definitive must sit, if not a must-cut player. Or they're on bye.

What's the best way to find a specific player on this page? Use your personal search function -- CTRL-F on PCs and Command-F on MACs. If neither of those are options, or if you're on a mobile device, you can search by game. Games are listed by starting times.

But what if I am still unsure who to start or sit after reading this? Ask me! Shoot me a note on Twitter (@daverichard) (I'll keep an eye out for the #CBSFCS hashtag). You can also always consult our rankings, which constantly reflect our feelings on players around the league. They're pretty much updated every day.

Whether you're two weeks away from a title or three, I've sunk hours into helping you win this week. Let's make it pay off.

Jets at Cowboys, Sat., 8:25 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Ryan Fitzpatrick (7.2): One of the hottest and most consistent quarterbacks in the game, Fitzpatrick will take on a Cowboys pass defense that's allowed just two of the last eight passers it's faced to get multiple touchdowns -- and only one of them had over 20 Fantasy points (Rodgers last week). It's a tough matchup for the Jets but Fitzpatrick still has great pass protection and great receivers. The Cowboys offense could put its defense in bad positions during the game, further opening the door for Fitzpatrick to play well. He's a Top 12 quarterback.
Matt Cassel (3.1): The Fantasy points in Cassel's last three starts: 5, 8, 2. There are tight ends with better consistency.

Running backs
Chris Ivory (8.3): After the Packers ran up three touchdowns and nearly 270 total yards through their running backs last week, there's no reason to expect the Jets offense to shy away from the ground game. All eight of Ivory's 2015 games with 16-plus carries have delivered at least 10 Fantasy points. Expect that to continue.
Bilal Powell (6.1): Touchdown receptions in consecutive games have helped Powell's bottom line, but even without the scores he's been good for at least seven Fantasy points in three of his last four (12-plus in PPR). On the year the Cowboys are allowing 9.0 yards per catch to running backs, and the Jets won't hesitate to give Powell a little extra work in the event of a blowout to keep Ivory fresh for a playoff run. He's a No. 3 running back in standard formats and on the cusp of a No. 2 running back in PPR.
Darren McFadden (7.0): The matchups don't come much tougher than this one for McFadden, who takes on a Jets run defense that hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown to a running back in 10 straight games. And in those 10 games, only three running backs have posted at least 100 total yards. McFadden's a risky play but one you'll be forced into making as a No. 2 running back unless you're loaded at the position.

Wide receivers
Brandon Marshall (8.6) & Eric Decker (8.3): Both are obvious starts, but beware. The Cowboys have surrendered just seven touchdowns all season to receivers, and no pairs of teammates have scored on Dallas in the same game this season. In fact, no team has fielded two receivers with 10 or more Fantasy points against the Cowboys through 13 matchups. To be fair, they haven't played many teams with two really good receivers on it. Don't be scared to start Marshall and Decker.
Dez Bryant (4.3): The last thing Dez has been this season is a stud receiver, struggling to catch the limited targets he's been getting from Matt Cassel. Now he'll have to give it another try with Darrelle Revis expected to be in coverage. In their only meeting in 2011, Bryant had 71 yards and a touchdown against him. Expect much, much worse results this time around. Bryant is a risky start, even as a No. 3 receiver.

Tight ends
Jason Witten (2.8): There isn't a good reason to start him -- he's been a dud for weeks and the Jets have allowed two touchdowns to tight ends all season. Aim higher.

Defense/Special teams
Jets (8.5): Each of the last eight DSTs to play the Cowboys and not face Tony Romo for four quarters have posted 11-plus Fantasy points. The Jets should have an excellent game against a Dallas offense that hasn't gone over 300 total yards in two of its last three games.
Cowboys (3.0): The Jets have averaged 30.3 points and 437.7 total yards per game over their last three. You cannot go with the Cowboys on Saturday night.

Bills at Redskins, Sun., 1:00 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Tyrod Taylor (7.4): Last week was disappointing, but Taylor will find himself in another favorable matchup. The only quarterback to face the Redskins in the last eight games who didn't connect for multiple touchdowns was Matt Cassel. Every other one of them had two touchdowns and five of them had at least 21 Fantasy points. Taylor was less than 10 passing yards away from having 20 Fantasy points last week. He remains worth starting as a low-end option.
Kirk Cousins (7.1): Cousins is a big-time sleeper. The Bills defense has trailed off the past few weeks, giving up 25-plus Fantasy points to two of the last three passers. Cousins' best numbers have come at home in favorable matchups. It looks like DeSean Jackson is healthy, so Cousins should be in line for another good game.

Running backs
LeSean McCoy (9.2): Obvious must-start.
Karlos Williams (4.7): The matchup is nice but it's his first game back from injury. Let him knock the rust off and re-evaluate him for possible Week 16 use against the Cowboys.
Matt Jones (6.7) & Alfred Morris (3.7): Jones played twice as many snaps as Alfred Morris last week and had as many Fantasy points even though Morris found the end zone. The Bills have allowed a touchdown to a running back in nine of their last 10 games and they're allowing well over 4.0 yards per carry and 10.0 yards per catch on the year. Jones, who has 19 touches in each of his last two games, is in the best position to succeed for Fantasy owners in a favorable matchup.

Wide receivers
Sammy Watkins (9.4): Obvious must-start.
Robert Woods (4.9): Here's an interesting sleeper. Woods could be on the cusp of a good opportunity in a very good matchup -- it really depends on the health of tight end Charles Clay, who got banged up last week. Not coincidentally, Woods had a season-high in yardage. He also has at least seven targets in four of his last five games. If you're hunting for a No. 3 receiver, Woods is worth a look.
DeSean Jackson (6.6): Jackson says he'll play. Maybe the matchup against the Bills motivated him -- they've given up a touchdown to a wideout in three straight games, two of them from 40-plus-yards out. Jackson's had a dozen Fantasy points in two straight home games and had a three-game streak with 12-plus points per game until getting nicked up last week.

Tight ends
Jordan Reed (8.4): The Bills have allowed at least eight Fantasy points to each of the last three tight ends they've faced. Reed has managed eight or more points in seven of 11 games this season. At this point he'd be a disappointment if he had eight points.

Defense/Special teams
Bills (5.4): The Bills should find enough room to rack up a few sacks, and playing against Cousins could always lead to a turnover or two. But the Redskins offense typically plays well at home and the Bills DST hasn't posted more than seven Fantasy points since Week 10. Use them only if you're really hurting for help.
Redskins (5.2): Washington's DST has been useful lately, racking up 10-plus Fantasy points in four of its last five games. But with Buffalo averaging 23.3 points and 372.7 total yards over its last six games, the Redskins are a risky start.

Falcons at Jaguars, Sun., 1:00 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan (5.7): Ryan hasn't been useful for weeks, and even though this matchup is favorable, the reality is he's playing his third straight game outdoors on natural grass. It's a better outlook than last week, but he's still not expected to put up the numbers of guys like Kirk Cousins, Tyrod Taylor or Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Blake Bortles (8.3): The Falcons supposedly sturdy pass defense allowed three touchdowns to the red-hot Cam Newton last week and will face another red-hot passer this week. It would be stunning for Bortles' streak of 25-plus-point Fantasy outings to snap against a Falcons defense that can't put much pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Running backs
Devonta Freeman (7.9): Last week was rough on Freeman as he had a tough matchup coupled with playing from behind early on. This week shouldn't quite be the same story, but there isn't a ton of upside either. Only one running back has fielded 10 or more Fantasy points against the Jaguars in their last five. That said, Freeman is one of the best backs the Jags will see this season. Expecting a rebound to at least 100 total yards isn't crazy. He's a Top 15 Fantasy choice for the week.
Denard Robinson (8.2): If T.J. Yeldon is sidelined then Robinson should pick up a ton of work against a Falcons run defense that has allowed five rushing touchdowns and 5.2 yards per carry to backs in its last three games. It sounds preposterous, but Robinson should have a good shot at finishing as a Top 12 running back in Week 15.

Wide receivers
Julio Jones (9.1): Obvious must-start. Jones will bounce back against a below-average Jaguars pass defense.
Allen Robinson (8.4): Obvious must-start.
Allen Hurns (7.6): Atlanta's pass defense has been stout for much of the season but in the last two weeks it has given up three touchdowns and an uncharacteristic 19.4 yards per catch to opposing receivers. Hurns could end up seeing a lot of cornerbacks Robert Alford and Phillip Adams, which would be huge for him. He's a quality No. 2 receiver.

Tight ends
Jacob Tamme (3.2): Given a big opportunity to play well over the last few weeks, Tamme has posted a grand total of 10 Fantasy points over three games. The matchup is really good as the Jaguars have been burned by tight ends but Tamme might be too risky to trust, particularly given how some other tight ends have broken out recently (Zach Miller, Will Tye, Ryan Griffin, Clive Walford).
Julius Thomas (8.2): Obvious must-start given the state of tight ends. The dude has scored in four straight games! The Falcons have allowed eight touchdowns to tight ends this season including one to Ed Dickson last week.

Defense/Special teams
Falcons (2.6): Jacksonville has been known to allow defensive touchdowns (it's done it each of the last two games), but that's not enough of a reason to start the Falcons DST. The Jaguars have exceeded 21 points in six of their last seven games.
Jaguars (6.2): Starting the Jaguars would mean betting against Matt Ryan & Co. That's been a good move lately as three of the last four DSTs to play the Falcons have posted 14-plus Fantasy points. It's a risk but the Jaguars are a nice streaming choice for Week 15 -- better than the Bills, Redskins, Lions or Buccaneers.

Chiefs at Ravens, Sun., 1:00 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Alex Smith (6.1): It's a great matchup for Smith as the Ravens pass defense has basically shriveled up. However, it would take either a legitimate change in offensive philosophy from the Chiefs or a lack of a run game (or a deficit on the scoreboard) for Smith to post big stats. Last week was a perfect example -- the Chiefs didn't have to throw to stay in a low-scoring game and Smith's stats suffered. It might come down to just how well the Chiefs can run the ball, which might end up favoring Smith.
Matt Schaub (3.3): One quarterback since Week 5 has managed to land more than 17 Fantasy points against the Chiefs. Schaub won't be the second.

Running backs
Charcandrick West (6.0) & Spencer Ware (4.8): Notes from last week include Ware starting and getting more touches in the first half, but West taking over in the second half. Also, the Chiefs had zero red-zone snaps in the game. None. Ware had a rib contusion following the game but should be okay. The Ravens run defense has managed to stay solid despite the drop-off of play everywhere else in Baltimore, so neither back stands out as a reliable option for Week 15, particularly if they're splitting reps.
Javorius Allen (6.8): Expect a pretty good bounce-back game for Allen, but maybe not a monster outing. The Chiefs have allowed 3.3 yards per carry, 6.5 yards per catch and two running backs to exceed 10 Fantasy points over their last five games. The hunch is Allen surprises and is well enough to work as a No. 2 running back, but surprise waiver rushers like Denard Robinson and Tim Hightower should get the nod ahead of him.

Wide receivers
Jeremy Maclin (6.3): The Ravens have allowed 24 touchdowns to receivers including five last week. Maybe the Chiefs look at that and figure to take some shots with Maclin. Or maybe the Chiefs stick to a conservative game plan and not throw much, which is what they've done in pretty much every game they haven't fallen behind in. Maclin's a risky play but the potential for a good game is obvious. Just a matter of opportunities based on game flow.
Kamar Aiken (5.4): Aiken seems to be developing into a better receiver before our very eyes. A five-catch, 90-yard game might not raise many eyebrows but doing so against the Seahawks with Jimmy Clausen as the quarterback is fairly impressive. Aiken has either 90 yards or 50 yards and a touchdown in three of his last four games with plenty of targets.

Tight ends
Travis Kelce (4.4): Remember how awesome it was to see Kelce score two touchdowns back in Week 1? Yeah ... those were the days. He has scored two since then and has been better than 70 yards just three times. He played limited snaps last week and could be dealing with a groin injury that's more significant than he's letting on. It doesn't help that the Ravens have allowed two touchdowns to tight ends all season, nor that the Chiefs might be content to play conservatively and limit the amount of times they throw. See if you can pass on Kelce for someone with more upside.

Defense/Special teams
Chiefs (8.0): Four of the last five DSTs to play the Ravens have posted double-digit Fantasy points, four of them holding Baltimore to 20 points or less. The Chiefs should have a good game against a depleted Ravens offense.
Ravens (5.8): Two straight DSTs have landed 12 Fantasy points against the Chiefs, one in a high-scoring game, one in a low-scoring slopfest. The Ravens DST has actually been pretty good for Fantasy owners of late, posting 11 or more Fantasy points in three in a row before running into Russell Wilson last week. Against the Chiefs, they could surprise with a decent game. Take a chance on them if you're streaming DSTs.

Titans at Patriots, Sun., 1:00 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Marcus Mariota (5.9): Like most quarterbacks on losing teams facing the Patriots, Mariota figures to throw a lot to play catch-up. His track record in such situations isn't so bad -- in six games with at least 35 pass attempts he's averaged 23.7 Fantasy points with a low of 17 points and four games with 20-plus. However, the Patriots pass defense has impressed of late, allowing just one of the last seven quarterbacks its faced to get more than 16 points. Mariota's a risky choice but given his track record, he could still be considered a serviceable starter if you're desperate.
Tom Brady (9.6): Obvious must-start.

Running backs
Antonio Andrews (4.5): The Titans are back to using Andrews as their primary workhorse following the wrist injury to Dexter McCluster. If he were a little more elusive then this would be an interesting matchup. The Patriots lost big defensive tackle Dominique Easley to an injury and their run defense has started to sag a little bit (4.8 yards per carry allowed to backs over their last three games). Andrews isn't overly appealing but if he can piece together 15-plus touches then he should be in the conversation as a No. 3 running back for owners who are desperate.
Brandon Bolden (6.6) & James White (6.5): Well kids, here we are. The Patriots run game is down to these two. Because the game figures to be a blowout win for the Patriots, Bolden gets the nod as the better play since he best fills the clock-killing role like LeGarrette Blount. That's not to say White won't do well -- both have the feel of a low-end No. 2 running back -- but the Pats would be nuts to risk hurting him and give him a ton of work, particularly in garbage time.

Wide receivers
Dorial Green-Beckham (4.2) & Harry Douglas (2.0): If Mariota's going to throw it around, someone has to catch it besides Walker. Unfortunately, neither receiver offers much appeal against the Patriots, partially because both guys have had eight points or more a combined three times this season.
Danny Amendola (7.1): So long as Edelman is still out, Amendola should take advantage of a Titans pass defense that's struggled with receivers of all shapes and sizes this season. The Titans are giving up 14.6 yards per catch on the season. Slot receivers have accounted for three touchdowns against them over their last three games.
Brandon LaFell (4.8): It's a great matchup -- the Titans have allowed nine touchdowns to wide receivers in their last three games. A lot of people will be gun shy to start LaFell but he's worth the risk as a No. 3 option.

Tight ends
Delanie Walker (6.7): Most people have high expectations for Walker and will start him rain or shine, but Bill Belichick gave Walker some serious praise this week. That typically translates into him being a target for his defense to take away in the red zone and on third downs. The matchup isn't good on paper -- the Patriots have allowed just four touchdowns to tight ends on the year and no tight end has had more than seven Fantasy points against the Pats since Week 3. Losing safety Devin McCourty could play to Walker's favor a little bit but he shouldn't be expected to have a big game.
Rob Gronkowski (10.0): Obvious must-start.

Defense/Special teams
Titans (2.8): Only DSTs that have scored touchdowns have managed to post 10-plus points against the Patriots this season. The Titans seem unlikely to pull that off, so you should expect minimal numbers.
Patriots (7.8): Four of the last five DSTs to play the Titans have been good for 12 or more Fantasy points. The Patriots are down a couple of key starters but should still have what it takes to hold the Titans to under 21 points. It's worth noting the Titans have been held under 300 yards in two of their last three, which would also mean big points for the Pats DST.

Panthers at Giants, Sun., 1:00 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Cam Newton (9.2): Obvious must-start.
Eli Manning (6.7): You know the deal -- only three quarterbacks have stung the Panthers for 20 or more Fantasy points this season and only two others came close. But Carolina's secondary is in iffy shape behind stud corner Josh Norman. That's about all you can hang your hat on here -- Manning has faced a defense coached up by Ron Rivera four times in his career and has hit exactly 20 fantasy points once and failed miserably the other three times. He was a dynamo last week but this week's matchup suggests a tough matchup for him. He's on the low-end No. 1 quarterback radar but not a great option.

Running backs

Mike Tolbert (5.9) & Fozzy Whittaker (4.95): With Jonathan Stewart, these guys will run against a Giants defense that crashed down to earth last week at Miami, giving up 6.1 yards per rush and two rushing touchdowns. Before then they were pretty good and typically play quality football at home, but running the ball is vital to the Panthers offense. They average 24.8 carries per game to running backs. Don't be surprised if Tolbert actually leads the way -- he's the most veteran and most tenured member of the group, plus he has a knack for the end zone. In 17 career games with at least 10 carries he has scored a touchdown an incredible 14 times! That's enough to make him the most interesting Fantasy rusher on the Panthers this weekend. Whittaker could come home with around 60 rush yards.
Rashad Jennings (3.4): After Monday, Jennings might be the only Giants running back you'd even think about starting. That is until you recognize how great the Panthers run defense is. They've held opposing teams to under 60 rush yards and 100 total yards in six straight games. Don't take the risk with any Big Blue running back.

Wide receivers
Ted Ginn (6.4): Given the state of the Giants pass defense and Ginn's incredible recent play (four touchdowns in his last two games), he's a boom or bust receiver with a solid lean toward being great. Think about it -- the Panthers run game is down a pretty big contributor in Stewart and Newton clearly doesn't mind throwing to Ginn, even with his occasional drops. Take a chance on him as a scoreboard booster with less downside than you might think.
Odell Beckham (9.3): Obvious must-start. Don't think about Josh Norman shutting him down -- think about him opening up on Norman.
Rueben Randle (4.4): No one should want to trust Randle but the matchup isn't bad for him at all. The Panthers are down to third-string cornerbacks outside of Norman and those are the guys who Randle will go up against. He's had six targets in three straight and should see more with the Giants not expected to run effectively. He's in the mix as a desperation No. 3 Fantasy receiver.

Tight ends
Greg Olsen (8.0): He's banged up but the Giants are known for not being good at covering tight ends. It's worth noting Olsen has yet to score on the Giants, his hometown team as a kid. Four career matchups, no games with 10-plus Fantasy points. So what? Start him.
Will Tye (5.0): We're starting to see Tye evolve in the Giants offense and be more of an easy outlet for Manning. The Panthers have been more hit than miss at covering tight ends on the season but Tye's usage and consistency makes him a low-end starting choice.

Defense/Special teams
Panthers (7.6): You'll start them, but only one of the last seven offenses to play the Giants got over the 10-point Fantasy hump. Luckily, the Panthers pass rush should feast on a depleted New York O-line, and that could make the difference in the game.
Giants (3.4): The Panthers aren't as dominant on the road as they are at home, and the Giants defense could come to play knowing their season is on life support with a loss. Still, they're not worth trusting against Cam and the rest of Carolina, even with Stewart sidelined.

Texans at Colts, Sun., 1:00 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
T.J. Yates (5.5): Two things work in Yates' favor -- he's got a cherry matchup and he's got Nuk Hopkins. In Yates' previous start he recorded 19 Fantasy points against a depleted Jets defense thanks to Hopkins. That less-than-100 percent Jets defense is better than the mess he'll see at Indy on Sunday. There's actually some pretty decent sleeper appeal for Yates, who will look for his third career game with two touchdowns.
Matt Hasselbeck (4.5): He's a better starter for the Colts than Charlie Whitehurst -- how's that for an opening compliment? Two of the last six quarterbacks to play the Texans have posted good numbers (over 20 Fantasy points), both in the last two weeks. That's all well and good, but Hasselbeck has been mediocre (15 Fantasy points over seven quarters of play) after a decent start. There's no real upside or excitement in using him.

Running backs
Chris Polk (5.6): Polk seems to be the Texans' lead back, good for maybe 13 touches per week. He'll lead the way against a Colts defense that's fallen off, giving up 5.1 yards per carry to opposing rushers over the last four weeks. If the Texans have a lead, he'll get some decent numbers. Think of him as a No. 3 running back candidate.
Frank Gore (5.1): Gore's in a tough spot. The Colts offensive line has been ugly and the matchup against the Texans is pretty stiff. Houston allowed a rushing score to a back for the first time in six contests last week. One running back has landed 10 or more Fantasy points against the Texans in those six games. They're much improved from when Gore teed off on them for 98 yards and a touchdown against back in Week 5. I believe he's barely a No. 3 Fantasy running back.

Wide receivers
DeAndre Hopkins (9.6): Obvious must-start.
T.Y. Hilton (5.8): Don't feel compelled to start Hilton because of who he is. Yes, he finally had a big game without scoring a touchdown last week but it was in a favorable matchup. This one isn't as good as the Texans have played better defense lately. Only two wideouts have hit 10 or more Fantasy points against the Texans in their last six games, and Hilton had just 88 yards on five grabs back in Week 5 when they were much worse against the pass.
Donte Moncrief (3.5): Remember when Moncrief was automatic for a touchdown? Good times. These days he's good for five Fantasy points or less (nine or less in PPR) -- that's what he's brought home in five of his last six games. He also hasn't scored since Week 7 and will have to play through a foot injury (if he plays at all).

Tight ends
Ryan Griffin (3.8): We've seen Griffin start to work as a regular in the Texans offense. This week he has a pretty great matchup -- the Colts have allowed a score to a tight end in six of their last eight games. Consider Griffin a solid sleeper.
Coby Fleener (2.0): Oh man, the matchup suggests good things for Fleener as the Texans have allowed a touchdown to a tight end in consecutive games. But Fleener's been unreliable and inconsistent. Don't use him unless you absolutely have to. Will Tye is a better option.

Defense/Special teams
Texans (7.0): A must! They're going from taking on Tom Brady to facing off against Hasselbeck and an offense that has recorded 26 points over its last two games combined. This should be a really good game for a defense itching to get back on track after getting blown off the week before.
Colts (3.8): Indy started the week as a sleeper unit based on T.J. Yates starting for a Texans offense that scored six points in Week 14, but they've allowed 96 points in their last two games! We can all do better.

Bears at Vikings, Sun., 1:00 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Jay Cutler (6.5): It's a good matchup for Cutler as the Vikings' pass defense has been shredded by quarterbacks for at least 21 Fantasy points in four of its last five games. Injuries have played a major role in the Vikings' downturn -- Harrison Smith is still out -- but their pass rush could improve immensely if Everson Griffen and Linval Joseph get back on the field. Nonetheless, Cutler is a borderline No. 1 Fantasy quarterback -- the matchup is good but his passing track record against Mike Zimmer's Vikings isn't real clean.
Teddy Bridgewater (4.1): Bridgewater played great last week and still didn't get over 20 Fantasy points. Trusting him, even in a good matchup like this one, is a risk not worth taking.

Running backs
Matt Forte (7.5): What looked like an obvious must-start is unraveling. Forte will take on a Vikings defense expected to get big man Linval Joseph back on the D-line, which will make things tough on running between the tackles. Losing as many as 11 carries per game to Jeremy Langford also will sting. He's still a No. 1 running back, but it's kind of by default.
Adrian Peterson (9.6): Obvious must-start.

Wide receivers
Alshon Jeffery (8.7): Obvious must-start.
Stefon Diggs (2.9) & Mike Wallace (2.8): Wallace had a touchdown last week and Diggs had a touchdown ... well, a long time ago. Neither guy can be trusted in Fantasy lineups against a Bears defense that's actually been pretty good against receivers over their last six games (just three touchdowns allowed with no 100-yard games).

Tight ends
Zach Miller (6.75): A favorable matchup remains with Harrison Smith still sidelined for the Vikings. Since that's the case, Miller still is good enough to start as a low-end No. 1 option.
Kyle Rudolph (4.8): If you've bought into Rudolph as Bridgewater's most trusted target then you should look into him as a borderline starting option. The Bears got ripped by Jordan Reed last week and lost quality safety Antrel Rolle for the year. There's a shot Rudolph scores.

Defense/Special teams
Bears (4.4): Three of the last four DSTs to play the Vikings have scored 13-plus Fantasy points, but the Bears had a hard time with them back in Week 8, allowing 23 points and 327 total yards.
Vikings (5.6): Desperate for a win and faced with a pretty decent matchup for the first time in three weeks, expect the Vikings to come through with a decent outing. If they were healthier they'd be a must-start but as it stands they're not terribly bad if you're streaming.

Browns at Seahawks, Sun., 4:05 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Johnny Manziel (3.9): He actually looked good last week. Expect him to make his case to stay on the Browns roster in the team's last three games. He shouldn't be on Fantasy rosters, though, and he certainly shouldn't be a starting consideration against the Seahawks at Seattle.
Russell Wilson (9.7): Obvious must-start.

Running backs
Duke Johnson (3.6) & Isaiah Crowell (3.5): Expectations are at grassroot levels here -- the Seahawks run defense has been outstanding and typically limit opposing run games in their own building. Seattle has allowed less than 40 rush yards in each of its last four games! If an impact is going to be made, it's catching passes out of the backfield, an area that has typically favored Johnson.
Bryce Brown (6.3) & Fred Jackson (5.3): Following the release of DuJuan Harris, the hunch is Brown will get the most carries, losing some running downs work to Derrick Coleman. The Seahawks like Jackson in the passing downs role, which he's thrived in before. The good news is the matchup is rich -- Cleveland is allowing 4.8 yards per rush and 10.4 yards per catch to running backs on the season. Both backs are worth starting as No. 3 options, with the gap between them closer in PPR than in standard leagues. Brown seems like the one most likely to dominate touches in a Seahawks runaway win.

Wide receivers
Travis Benjamin (4.5): We saw Aiken rack up 90 yards on the Seahawks last week while catching passes from an inferior quarterback. With the Browns figuring to be trailing, Benjamin should end up somewhere in between there yardage-wise and is near the No. 3 receiver territory.
Doug Baldwin (9.5): Obvious must-start. He's earned it.
Tyler Lockett (7.5): In the two games since Jimmy Graham's injury Lockett has had seven targets per game, at least six catches per game, at least 90 yards per game and two touchdowns last week. There isn't a defensive back in Cleveland who can hang with Lockett. He's worth starting as a No. 2 wideout.

Tight ends
Gary Barnidge (7.8): The good news is that Barnidge has connected with Manziel for touchdowns in each of their last two games together. The better news is that the Browns should take on the Seahawks without safety Kam Chancellor. When he was out earlier this year tight ends did well against Seattle. It wouldn't be a surprise if it happened again on Sunday. Barnidge is a Top 10 Fantasy tight end.

Defense/Special teams
Browns (2.4): Oh yeah, sure. Start these guys against Wilson during his red-hot streak! Why not sell your children for VCR cassettes while you're at it?!
Seahawks (9.2): Anyone who has the Seahawks DST is going to start them against a Browns team that has topped 21 points just twice in their last seven games. Seven of the last eight DSTs to play the Browns posted at least 11 Fantasy points.

Packers at Raiders, Sun., 4:05 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers (8.4): Obvious must-start.
Derek Carr (6.8): The Packers' worst game against quarterbacks came when top cornerback Sam Shields was out. He's not going to play again this week. With him sidelined, Carr will throw against at least one rookie cornerback (two when the Raiders move into three-receiver sets). That's a plus for him, as is his playing at home, where his better games have come. After landing 17 points in each of the last two weeks against tough defenses, expect more from Carr this week. He's a borderline No. 1 Fantasy quarterback.

Running backs
Eddie Lacy (8.0): The big guy has at least 20 touches and at least 10 Fantasy points in three of his last four (you know the one he didn't get those totals in -- stinkin' curfew). Over the last four weeks the Raiders run defense has held up backs for 2.9 yards per carry and one touchdown, but they've taken on mediocre running backs in that span. Lacy should be a tough test for the Raiders -- expecting another 10 point effort isn't something you should sweat.
James Starks (4.3): He looked good last week, at times way better than Lacy, but there's no promise of touches for him from game to game. Like last week, he'll have to break a play for a touchdown and real good yardage. Be careful using Starks -- he had seven points or less for three games before last week's effort.
Latavius Murray (7.1): Murray's best games have typically involved a touchdown. The Packers have allowed a touchdown to a running back in three of their last four. Just a hunch, but Murray should continue to pick up a decent amount of work and run behind his nearly-healthy O-line (Rodney Hudson is back). By default he is a No. 2 Fantasy running back.

Wide receivers
Randall Cobb (6.8): Volume helped Cobb pick up 81 yards, the most for him since Week 9. But that's also the last time he had more than eight Fantasy points in a standard league (16 in a PPR). This could be another good week for him since he'll line up inside and take on the likes of Travis Carrie and D.J. Hayden. Both are favorable battles Cobb can win on the field. He's just barely good enough to be called a No. 2 Fantasy receiver based on the matchup.
James Jones (4.0) & Davante Adams (3.2): Neither guy inspires confidence but both have pretty favorable matchups given the state of the Raiders cornerbacks. Jones might finally break back into the end zone against his former team. Adams might not even play after dinging his foot in practice.
Amari Cooper (6.9) & Michael Crabtree (6.7): Cooper's foot is fine and the matchup is actually decent with Shields out for the Packers. One of these guys will play against veteran Casey Hayward, who's given up a few touchdowns this year. The other will go one-on-one with rookie Damarious Randall. Cooper had a 100-yard game two weeks ago and should still have enough in the tank to get some decent numbers this week. He has at least eight targets in six of his last seven games. Crab has that amount of targets in three of his last four and has scored in two of his last three -- he just hasn't been any better than 10 Fantasy points in any of his last five games.

Tight ends
Richard Rodgers (6.6): Two weeks ago he was a big part of the Packers offense and scored on a Hail Mary. Last week he had one catch but scored on it. This week he takes on a Raiders pass defense that struggles against tight ends. He's considered one of the top sleepers for the week.
Clive Walford (3.6): If you thought the Raiders pass defense against tight ends was bad, check out the Packers. They've allowed a touchdown to a tight end in six of their last seven games. Walford has 12 targets over his last two games -- he's done little with them but the matchup could give him an extra push toward being a sneaky sleeper.

Defense/Special teams
Packers (6.6): They're starting to come around, notching 12 sacks in their last four games. Four of the last five DSTs to play the Raiders landed at least 13 Fantasy points. The Packers have a shot at getting close to that number, making them good enough to start.
Raiders (5.0): If you go off of last week, the Raiders DST is good enough to start. Khalil Mack was an animal! But that was against a very soft offensive line -- the Packers' line is banged up but still more of a challenge than the Broncos, plus the Packers have Rodgers. The Raiders are a desperation DST choice.

Dolphins at Chargers, Sun., 4:25 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Ryan Tannehill (5.3): He can't be trusted, plain and simple. Not only has he failed to get 20-plus Fantasy points in three of his last four games, but the Chargers haven't allowed 20 Fantasy points to a passer in three of their last four games.
Philip Rivers (6.9): The lack of reliable weapons, not to mention a good offensive line, have kept Rivers' numbers low. But there's a growing sense that the Chargers will make their last game at home (and maybe the last one ever in San Diego) very special. Eli Manning lit up the Dolphins for four touchdowns on Monday and Miami has allowed 10 touchdowns over its last four games to quarterbacks. Rivers is a borderline No. 1 starting quarterback even with all of his deficiencies.

Running backs
Lamar Miller (7.3): An ankle injury is to blame for Miller's lack of touches on Monday against the Dolphins. Provided he's healthy, the Dolphins should give him at least a decent amount of touches (15? Please?) against a Chargers run defense allowing 4.6 yards per carry and 15.7 yards per catch to backs over its last five games.
Melvin Gordon (6.2) & Danny Woodhead (4.2): For whatever reason, Woodhead's been lost in the Chargers offense. But Gordon has retained a role as the primary back, even though he's completely stunk. This week affords a heck of an opportunity for him to play well against a poor Dolphins run defense that not only played on Monday but will travel across the country for a meaningless game without two starters. It doesn't help that they've given up at least 10 Fantasy points to a running back in each of its last eight games. Gordon is a high-risk, high-reward sleeper who might be worth trotting out in daily league tournaments.

Wide receivers
Jarvis Landry (6.5): Landry continues to serve as the de facto No. 1 receiver for the Dolphins, though because he plays mainly in the slot it seems unlikely he'll match up against solid Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett. The Chargers have allowed one touchdown to a wideout in three straight games.
DeVante Parker (3.6): Last week's lack of targets and stats was a real downer. With his playing time up in the air and a potential date with Jason Verrett, this isn't the week to bank on Parker in Fantasy play.
Malcom Floyd (4.1): I doubt the Chargers lose sight of the fact that the Dolphins have allowed 19 touchdowns to receivers including 15 in their last eight games and three last week. The question is whether or not Floyd will get the chance to score, and if you're willing to trust him? Maybe for Daily Fantasy, but not quite for seasonal leagues.

Tight ends
Antonio Gates (6.8): Last week the Chargers faced a team that was solid against tight ends and Gates had 76 yards. This week the Chargers face a team that's pretty terrible against tight ends. The matchup should help Gates put up at least eight Fantasy points.

Defense/Special teams
Dolphins (4.8): The matchup suggests good things for the Dolphins as three of the last four DSTs to meet the Bolts have walked away with an astonishing 17 Fantasy points or more. But the Dolphins stink and chances are their defense is worn out after playing on Monday. They're a better risk-reward pick for daily leagues rather than seasonal.
Chargers (3.6): You'd like to think the Chargers can pull together a good defensive showing against a Dolphins offense that's allowed 10-plus Fantasy points to six of the last seven DSTs it's faced. But they've struggled pretty much all year and figure to come up short statistically again, even against Miami.

Bengals at 49ers, Sun., 4:25 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
A.J. McCarron (5.1): The matchup isn't particularly good as six of the last seven quarterbacks to play the Niners fell below 20 Fantasy points. The offense for the Bengals figures to go a little more conservative with McCarron making his first NFL start. It all makes McCarron a desperation quarterback replacement for those of you who lost Andy Dalton.
Blaine Gabbert (4.3): The Bengals pass defense is pretty darn good (zero passing touchdowns allowed in three straight) and Gabbert has proven to be a low-upside passer. You can do better than this.

Running backs
Jeremy Hill (7.2) & Giovani Bernard (6.4): Bank on the Bengals leaning on both backs for two reasons. One, the matchup says it should as the Niners have allowed 5.0 yards per carry and six rushing scores to backs in their last four games. Two, the Bengals will start McCarron instead of Dalton and they don't want to overload or put too much pressure on him. Expect Hill to get the majority of the touches and whatever goal-line work the Bengals can get. He's a solid No. 2 rusher while Bernard is closer to a No. 3.
Shaun Draughn (5.8): Last week was rough on the Bengals defense as they allowed two touchdowns to DeAngelo Williams but they're ultimately a good defense. Draughn should bounce back a little bit from last week's disappointment effort but don't expect anything more than 80 total yards. He's fine as a third option.

Wide receivers
A.J. Green (8.5): Obvious must-start. You better believe McCarron will target him a ton.
Marvin Jones (4.6): Jones has a shot at being good, not great, because all of the targets Tyler Eifert would get have to go somewhere else. Plus, McCarron throws a pretty deep ball and the Bengals aren't afraid to dial one up to Jones. The Niners have been pretty good against receivers lately -- not one has scored on them or had 100 yards in three straight weeks. Jones is a decent receiver to turn to if you're really low on options.
Anquan Boldin (3.0) & Torrey Smith (2.6): The Bengals are fresh off a game where they held the Steelers receivers to 11.2 yards per catch, building on consecutive games where they held wideouts below 10.0 yards per catch. Neither receiver can be trusted.

Defense/Special teams
Bengals (8.4): The Niners have scored 17 points or less in six of their last seven games and have been held below 300 total yards in their last two. The Bengals DST is a must.
49ers (4.6): Don't get cute and try the 49ers DST just because McCarron is starting for the Bengals. That might help keep the damage to under 24 points, but it shouldn't keep the Bengals from becoming the bungles.

Broncos at Steelers, Sun., 4:25 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Brock Osweiler (4.9): The matchup looks good, and the Broncos are probably going to have to pass a lot in this game against a secondary that allows a bunch of breakdowns and missed tackles. The only way Osweiler gets to 20 points or more is if the Steelers play sloppy football. The likelihood of you trusting the Broncos' quarterback is slim. You can do better.
Ben Roethlisberger (8.2): In Week 12, Roethlisberger and the Steelers went to Seattle and had a productive, but not quite successful, game. In that matchup Big Ben accumulated 456 passing yards despite connecting with Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant for only 120 yards. Expect the Steelers to find creative ways for Roethlisberger to distribute the ball against Denver's excellent defense. Playing at home helps. He doesn't have the 30-plus-point upside he normally has, but he should be given a good shot at 20 to 25 points.

Running backs
Ronnie Hillman (4.9) & C.J. Anderson (4.0): On the year the Steelers are allowing 3.9 yards per carry, 8.3 yards per catch to running backs with five total scores allowed. In seven games at home the Steelers are allowing 4.0 yards per carry and 7.5 yards per catch but just one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown have been yielded. If Anderson's back and these guys are splitting in a pretty tough matchup, neither one can be totally trusted beyond a No. 3 running back.
DeAngelo Williams (9.5): Obvious must-start, even against a tough Broncos run defense.

Wide receivers
Demaryius Thomas (7.7): Thomas' consistent targets and potential for a big play keep him as a must-start in Fantasy, even though it's closer to a No. 2 status than a No. 1. Five of the last six top target receivers to play the Steelers have posted 10-plus Fantasy points.
Emmanuel Sanders (5.3): Three of his last four games have been so disappointing -- ONE Fantasy point or less. Are you kidding me?! There's no doubt Sanders is a boom or bust receiver at this stage of the game, and everyone should be nervous to start him, but the matchup isn't bad and Sanders seems motivated to show up his former team. Give him the expectations of a No. 3 receiver.
Antonio Brown (8.8): The hunch is that the Broncos will aim to take Brown away by covering him with Chris Harris or Bradley Roby with safety help over the top. Teams that have beaten the Steelers have limited Brown in the process, but every team has tried to contain Brown and he's broken them more often than not. It's his potential for a huge game, particularly at home, that keeps him in line as an obvious starter.
Martavis Bryant (7.3): Like Brown, Bryant has plenty of upside as a deep threat that the Broncos will have to deal with. It'll be interesting to see how the Broncos cover Bryant but it'll probably involve some help over the top in obvious passing situations. With at least 13 Fantasy points in three of his last four (last week was disappointing), Bryant is a No. 2 receiver who's still worth starting because of his tremendous upside.
Markus Wheaton (5.0): It'll take some guts to start Wheaton considering, well, he's Markus Wheaton. But his last three games have established him as a capable third option for the Steelers. That huge game against the Seahawks could be a blueprint for what to expect from him this week against the Broncos, who will surely make plans to contain Brown and Bryant before turning to Wheaton. Since the bye he has 26 targets, 16 grabs, 316 yards, two touchdowns and two of three games with at least 11 Fantasy points. There is legitimate sleeper appeal for him in seasonal and daily leagues.

Tight ends
Vernon Davis (4.0) & Owen Daniels (2.6): The matchup is good for both tight ends, and figure both of them to see a good dose of work against the Steelers. That'll mean both will take work away from each other, making them risky Fantasy options. At least Davis saw nine targets last week, potentially coming out of his shell.
Heath Miller (4.2): This is another teammate of Roethlisberger's to potentially pick up some good work. Broncos opponents have leaned on their tight ends for a whopping 49 targets over the last three weeks, so there's something there they see. If the Steelers see it too, Miller could come down with a bunch of catches and some decent yardage. He's not quite a Top 12 tight end but close to it.

Defense/Special teams
Broncos (6.4): If you have to use the Broncos because you don't want to carry two DSTs, go for it. But they're hard to call a Top 10 unit given the likelihood that the Steelers will find ways to put up some points and yardage.
Steelers (7.2): Here's something to chew on -- the Broncos have allowed five sacks to three of their last five opponents and three or more sacks to four of their last five. They've given up 19 of their 32 sacks over their last five games, most of them with Manning sidelined. Expect the Steelers to bring a heavy blitz and force Osweiler into some sacks and turnovers. They're a better DST option than the Broncos.

Cardinals at Eagles, Sun., 8:30 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Carson Palmer (9.5): Obvious must-start.
Sam Bradford (3.5): The Cardinals have held three straight quarterbacks to 17 Fantasy points or less. Bradford hasn't posted more than 17 Fantasy points in a game since Week 5. You shouldn't use him.

Running backs
David Johnson (9.1): It looks like another week for Johnson to handle a heavy workload. That's especially good considering the Eagles have allowed 10-plus Fantasy points to a running back seven times over their last five games. Johnson was close to scoring twice last week against the Rams and should punch one in this week against Philadelphia.
Darren Sproles (5.4), Ryan Mathews (5.0) & DeMarco Murray (4.1): There isn't a running back anyone should get behind here, which is a crying shame given the run-centric approach of the Eagles offense. Sproles and Mathews should see most of the work with Murray pitching in on some run downs and short-yardage situations. Between all of them rotating reps and the Cardinals tough run defense, none of them are reliable options.

Wide receivers
Michael Floyd (8.1): There's no denying his game now -- Floyd has emerged as a stud receiver (and the best Cardinals option for Fantasy). In his last seven games he's had 10-plus Fantasy points six times with 100-plus yards in four of his last five. The Eagles don't have an answer for him defensively -- they allow the second-most Fantasy points to receivers in the league.
John Brown (8.0): Maybe the only drawback to this matchup is that the Eagles haven't allowed a lot of deep pass plays this season. But they allow a lot of smaller pass plays, including 21 touchdowns to receivers all year long. Brown is a must as a No. 2 receiver.
Larry Fitzgerald (7.0): Fitz's numbers have been slowing down but he's always seemed to have a soft spot for the Eagles. In seven career games against them he's scored at least once every time and has averaged 6.7 catches and 114.6 yards per game. Last season he ripped them up for 160 yards and a touchdown, and the year before he had 72 yards and a touchdown (his worst-ever game against the franchise). His numbers have been down this season but the track record, especially the last two seasons when the coaching scheme hasn't changed much for the Eagles, is tough to ignore. It's also tough to ignore his targets (at least 11 in five of his last six matchups). He's worth trusting as a No. 2 receiver.
Jordan Matthews (3.7): Matthews probably won't see much of Patrick Peterson, but he might see a good amount of Tyrann Mathieu. That's not a good matchup for him. Last week's lack of scoring sort of reaffirmed his volatility, making him a sub-Top 30 receiver.

Defense/Special teams
Cardinals (7.4): Philly has come alive over the last two weeks but the Cardinals defense is pretty solid and should be able to hang with the Eagles meek offense. They're a Top 10 unit.
Eagles (4.2): Arizona has scored 23-plus points and 350-plus yards in six of its last seven games. There's no way Philadelphia's defense will be effective here. You'll need a special-teams touchdown in order to save face, and that's not worth counting on.

Lions at Saints, Mon., 8:30 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford (7.0): I want to love this matchup for Stafford. So many quarterbacks have destroyed the Saints defense. But two details keep Stafford from being an absolute must-start. One, the Saints defense has allowed 7.18 yards per pass attempt since the bye (and since Rob Ryan coached the D) versus 8.85 yards per pass attempt pre-bye week. Two, there's something up with Stafford. He's played good enough to help Fantasy owners over his last five games, but he's not posting gaudy numbers by any stretch. The game versus Philly on Thanksgiving was a lay-up. This one, against a revved up and improved Saints defense that will bring some pass rush heat, won't be. He's good enough to call a low-end No. 1 quarterback with the assumption of him getting 20 to 21 Fantasy points.
Drew Brees (9.3): My colleague Jamey Eisenberg did a great job summarizing Brees' Monday night habits. This game has the feel of a Saints spotlight game where they just blast the Lions. Suspect quarterbacks have struggled with the Lions but the quality passers have all done well against them. Brees should keep it going. Playing against them last year and notching well over 300 yards and two touchdowns (with a pick) should help in his preparation for the game. Also, Brees has never had a game under 24 Fantasy points against the Lions in his career, regardless of their coaching staff.

Running backs
Theo Riddick (5.2): Because the Lions are expected to play from behind, this should be a matchup that features Riddick. New Orleans has allowed a touchdown to a running back in four straight games and are allowing 10.1 yards per catch on the season. Those are numbers that should solidify Riddick as a decent No. 3 running back in all leagues, including non-PPR.
Tim Hightower (6.9): If the Saints move the ball like we think they will, Hightower should be presented with a few goal-line chances. It feels like the team is rallying around the veteran, who is making a nice comeback story for himself after suffering so many injuries. He's very, very touchdown dependent -- without one he's not going to help you out much. That said, he's still worth trusting as a No. 2 running back.

Wide receivers
Calvin Johnson (8.2): We'll see how the Saints decide to cover Johnson -- they might try Brandon Browner with a safety over the top. Last week he was taken away by the Rams and it really hindered the Lions offense. The Saints have been awful against receivers all season, including surrendering at least one touchdown to the position in all but one game this year. Johnson should remain a capable starter for Fantasy owners.
Golden Tate (5.1): Tate came alive last week in a matchup where Johnson was pretty much shut down. That's the story with Tate -- when Johnson's being double-teamed or off the field, Tate takes charge. He should still see a good amount of targets and be considered helpful as a third receiver in PPR leagues, but trusting him as more than that could be harmful.
Brandin Cooks (7.8): Cooks has at least one touchdown and 13-plus Fantasy points in each of his last three at home. The Lions' pass defense has been solid since the bye week but the matchups have been fairly favorable for the Lions. This is a game where the Saints figure to go off for lots of points, which should mean a solid outing for Cooks. He's a nice No. 2 receiver to bank on.
Willie Snead (5.9): Snead has at least nine Fantasy points in each of his last two home games and at least eight Fantasy points in four of five games at the Superdome. He's a pretty safe bet as a No. 3 receiver in standard leagues and a borderline No. 2 choice in PPR.

Tight ends
Eric Ebron (4.6): You might end up kicking yourself over starting Ebron but the matchup is favorable since four of the last five tight ends to play the Saints have posted 10-plus Fantasy points. He's a fine player to pick up off waivers and start this week if you're desperate. It helps that he'll see a few more snaps and targets with Brandon Pettigrew sidelined.
Benjamin Watson (6.9): This is a fantastic player to try in lineups if you've been skating by at tight end. The Lions have been awful against tight ends, allowing 10 touchdowns to them on the season including six in their last seven games. Watson has four games this season with at least nine Fantasy points, three of which came in the Superdome including two of his last three. He's a better tight end to go with than Ebron.

Defense/Special teams
Lions (4.0): The Saints tend to rack up a ton of points at home. This isn't the time to bank on them when New Orleans could hang 30 points and 400 total yards.
Saints (3.2): The Lions offense should come to play and contend for well over 21 points and 300 total yards. No one in their right mind would consider the Saints DST a start-worthy unit.

Buccaneers at Rams, Thu., 8:25 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Jameis Winston (4.7): The Rams have allowed multiple passing scores and at least 19 Fantasy points in four of their last five as their pass defense continues to take hits. But with a depleted receiving corps, and specifically after stinking it up at home against the Bucs, Winston isn't worth trusting -- especially on a short week.
Case Keenum (3.7): Only two of the last six quarterbacks to take on the Bucs have managed more than 17 Fantasy points. The Rams are a decidedly run-first team, so Keenum's chances of putting up nice numbers are slim.

Running backs
Doug Martin (8.6): Obvious must-start.
Todd Gurley (9.4): Obvious must-start.

Wide receivers
Mike Evans (7.2): The Rams stuck cornerback Trumaine Johnson on Calvin Johnson last week and held him to one catch. Expect Evans to receive the same kind of coverage, limiting his ceiling. Johnson has only allowed one touchdown on the year. Think of Evans as a No. 2 receiver at best.
Tavon Austin (4.7): Austin had a special-teams score taken away from him due to a penalty last week and is the perfect kind of weapon for the Rams to lean on this week against a tired Buccaneers defense. He's a low-end No. 3 receiver behind the likes of Ted Ginn and Markus Wheaton but ahead of quasi-busts Dez Bryant and Emmanuel Sanders.

Tight ends
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (3.4): Two weeks of poor performances will scare most people off of starting him. But with Vincent Jackson sidelined, ASJ should be able to build on the six targets he's had in each of his last two games. The Rams were wiped out by tight ends for three straight weeks until the Cardinals and Lions combined for eight total targets to their tight ends against them. There's actually a shot for Seferian-Jenkins to come through, so consider him if you're streaming tight ends.

Defense/Special teams
Buccaneers (6.0): The Rams aren't an offensive juggernaut, posting 21 or fewer points in each of their last six games. But it's not like the Buccaneers defense is a stifling unit. Because this figures to be a sloppy low-scoring game, you could use the Bucs if you're in a pinch.
Rams (6.8): Three of the last four DSTs to play the Buccaneers have scored seven Fantasy points or less. However, the Bucs have scored 23 points or less in each of their last three games and will travel to The Lou on a short week without Vincent Jackson in the lineup. In three games without Jackson this year the Bucs averaged 17.0 points per game. The Rams defense is banged up but they should match up well with the Bucs and the return game is always a threat with Austin.