Mulligan’s Fantasy Forecast, Week 15
The season is winding down and the fantasy playoffs are underway. It’s always a bittersweet time of the season when you’re fighting for your league’s championship but in the back of your mind you know that the fun will be over in a few short weeks. So soak up all the fantasy football you can now (assuming you’re still playing meaningful games and haven’t been eliminated yet) because it’s all going to be over before you know it.
Good match-ups
Jonathan Stewart vs. Cardinals defense: With Mike Goodson banged up, Stewart stands to shoulder a heavy workload this week against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals. Stewart has managed three good games in a row and the Cardinals are allowing more than 143 rushing yards per game to opponents this season so look for him to have another good performance this week.
Kenny Britt vs. Texans defense: Britt has been the main man in the Titans’ passing game this season when healthy. The Houston Texans are giving up the most passing yards per game to opponents in the league this season, and there’s no reason to think Britt, who is now healthy, won’t have a good game this week when the two sides meet.
Not so good match-ups
Michael Crabtree vs. Chargers defense: Crabtree owners were teased by the receiver’s nine catch, 105 yards and a touchdown performance against the Eagles in Week 5, but Crabtree hasn’t really done much since then. With the merry-go-round at QB for the 49ers and the fact that San Francisco will take on the Chargers, who are allowing a league-low 173 passing yards per game this season, there’s no way you can start Crabtree with any confidence this week.
LaDainian Tomlinson vs. Steelers defense: After a strong start to the season, Tomlinson has cooled off quite a bit, not having rushed for more than 49 yards in any of his past four games played. The schedule doesn’t do him any favors this week either as the Jets travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers and their NFL-best run defense. Adding a degree of difficulty is the fact that the Jets will be without starting tackle Damien Woody this week after he suffered an injury in last week’s game. Tomlinson should be on your bench this week, no matter what.
Waiver wire watch
Rashad Jennings, RB, Jaguars: Jennings had himself a big game last week as there was plenty of rushing yards to go around for the Jacksonville running backs against the Raiders defense. The problem is that Maurice Jones-Drew has been on fire lately, rushing for at least 100 yards in each of his last six games. Jennings has talent but won’t have much opportunity to be a consistent fantasy producer down the stretch with Mo-Jo playing like he is, so you’re better off leaving him on the waiver wire.
Kyle Mulligan is a contributing sports writer for the Observer. He welcomes your feedback and can be reached at kjmulli@gmail.com.