Editor's note: Each week Senior Fantasy Writers Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg will debate the value of a handful of key Fantasy players heading into a certain week that they genuinely disagree on. They not only state their case below, but they also provide owners with some alternatives as it relates to their respective rankings. Read their takes, then make the call.
I'm a big believer in the Saints secondary -- I have been all season. And typically I like to play the matchups as much as anyone. But Joe Flacco has been playing really well, and sitting him in a crucial Fantasy week is tough. After a slow start to the season, Flacco has thrown 20 touchdowns vs. three interceptions in his last 11 games with at least 225 yards in nine of them. His production has especially been good at home, where he's totaled 11 touchdowns vs. one pick in six games with an average of 254 passing yards per game. I'm not sure the Saints have taken on a quarterback with this kind of pedigree this season, and certainly not on the road. New Orleans has given up just eight passing touchdowns this season -- expect that number to swell to double digits after Week 15.I'd start him over: Jon Kitna (vs. WAS), Jay Cutler (at MIN), Eli Manning (vs. PHI)
Flacco has become a standout Fantasy quarterback in the majority of leagues this season, and he's been great at home. But this should be a week where you consider benching him. Even though he has at least 21 Fantasy points in six of his past eight games and nine total touchdowns and one interception in his past five home outings, the Saints have been great against opposing quarterbacks. New Orleans has only allowed nine total touchdowns to opposing passers, and Matt Ryan is the lone quarterback to score multiple touchdowns with two in Week 3. Flacco had 15 Fantasy points in his last home game against Pittsburgh in Week 13, and that's the type of performance you can expect from him in this matchup. This should be a game where Ray Rice and even Willis McGahee lead the way for the Ravens.I'd rather start: Jon Kitna (vs. WAS), Kerry Collins (vs. HOU), Josh Freeman (vs. DET)
After studying his runs last week, I think a lot of Ryan Torain's big game had to do with the Bucs' porous run defense. Torain is a good running back with decent speed and the Redskins will definitely use him against the Cowboys, but I view Dallas' run defense as a big upgrade over Tampa Bay's, and they shouldn't give up long carries to him. Another note: Last week the Redskins were inside the Buccaneers 10-yard line for a total of 12 plays (that excludes a field-goal attempt) and Torain had three carries, with two going for negative yardage. Keiland Williams had two attempts. There's no guarantee that Torain will get the rock if the Redskins get near the goal line, and with the Cowboys allowing only five running backs to total over 100 rush yards against them (all big names in Fantasy), Torain strikes me as more of a flex option than anything else.I'd rather start: Tim Hightower (at CAR), Mike Goodson (vs. ARI), Matt Forte (at MIN)
It was great to see Torain healthy last week because he reminded us once again what he's capable of doing when he's on the field. Three times this season Torain has had at least 20 carries -- Week 6 against Indianapolis, Week 7 at Chicago and Week 14 against Tampa Bay -- and he's responded with double digits in Fantasy points in each outing. He has four games with double digits in Fantasy points for the season, and he should run well again this week against the Cowboys. Dallas has allowed four touchdowns to opposing running backs in the past three games with Chris Ivory, Javarris James and LeSean McCoy reaching double digits in Fantasy points. I feel that as long as Torain is healthy he is worth starting in the majority of leagues, including this week.I'd start him over: Matt Forte (at MIN), Cedric Benson (vs. CLE) and Rashard Mendenhall (vs. NYJ)
The guy scores last week and now all of a sudden we're ready to trust him? Let's not forget: Brandon Marshall has two total touchdowns on the season. He has no more than five catches in any of his last six games. He's averaging 11.8 yards per catch and under 10.0 yards per catch since October. Do you think the Bills are a favorable matchup for him? The guy was healthy as a horse when he faced them in Week 1 and he totaled 53 yards. Oh, and his quarterback hasn't come close to being accurate since hurting his knee in Week 10 and is coming off a joke of a game. Look for Miami to run, not throw, their way to victory. Here's the bottom line: It's Week 15, it's Fantasy crunch time and you've probably made it to this point with Marshall out of your lineup. Keep it that way.I'd rather start (no joke): Lance Moore (at BAL), Earl Bennett (at MIN), David Nelson (at MIA)
I know what you're thinking. This guy has been terrible all year long, how can I trust him in the Fantasy playoffs? Well, you should show a little faith here since he's facing the Bills at home. Marshall returned last week at the Jets from his two-game absence with a hamstring injury and scored a touchdown, just his second of the season. In Week 1 at Buffalo he had eight catches for 53 yards on 13 targets, and he should be heavily involved again with Brian Hartline (finger) on injured reserve. The Bills have allowed 14 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers this year, including five in the past five games. Marshall has the chance to finish the season strong with this matchup against Buffalo and next week's home game against Detroit, and he should be considered a starter in the majority of leagues this week.I'd start him over: David Nelson (at MIA), Lance Moore (at BAL) and Chad Ochocinco (vs. CLE)
I have no idea why we're debating this guy. Our projections are nearly equal for crying out loud! But here's why I'm not as excited about Javarris James as Jamey is: There are running backs with far more potential than he has. With James, we're looking at a back with an excellent nose for the end zone (he's scored three touchdowns in his last two games and six in his last six overall) but not a lot of splash in the run game. If you want a quick 10 Fantasy points, this is your guy. Otherwise, check out other backs with just as exploitable matchups and expect more.I'd rather start: Ronnie Brown (vs. BUF), Felix Jones (vs. WAS), Fred Jackson (at MIA)
Joseph Addai (neck) and Mike Hart (ankle) continue to deal with injuries, which has allowed James and Donald Brown to share the backfield for the Colts. Brown is considered the starter, but James has more Fantasy value with his ability to score touchdowns with six in his past six games. He has another favorable matchup in Week 15 against Jacksonville, which struggled to stop Darren McFadden last week and has allowed nine running backs to reach double digits in Fantasy points this season. James had 17 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown at Tennessee last week, and he should be able to reach at least 10 Fantasy points in this matchup.I'd start him over: Felix Jones (vs. WAS), Fred Jackson (at MIA), Mike Tolbert (vs. SF)
Do you agree with Dave or Jamey? Cast your vote and send your thoughts or questions to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Fantasy Faceoff in the subject field. Include your full name, hometown and state.
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