Lineup Locks: Week 15

12. December 2008  - Published by Jimmy Dinsmore

Here is our Line-Up Locks for Week 15. It's a push for the super bowl or a playoff win for you by now, so make sure you watch your match ups and make the right choices. Here's a quick look at those who has favorable matchups (LOCK IN) and those who deserve a spot on your bench this week (LOCK OUT):

QUARTERBACKS
Lock In:
--Donovan McNabb vs. Cle
My take: This time of year I look for players on teams that need to win and have good match ups. This one fits that criteria.

--Aaron Rodgers @ Jax
My take: As the competition for the NFC North heats up, Rodgers will have to step up. I think he does that this week.

--Phillip Rivers @ KC
My take: There have been very few quarterbacks as frustrating to fantasy owners as Rivers, but this week, expect a lot of passing and a couple TDs.

Lock Out:
--Matt Ryan vs. TB
My take: The Panthers exposed the Bucs run defense last Monday, so I think the Bucs come out with something to prove and I think the Falcons try to follow that formula with a lot of running.

--Ben Roethlisberger @ Bal
My take: A low scoring trench fight is not where you'll find fantasy points. Stay away.

--Matt Schaub @ Ten
My take: Schaub looked good in his return to action last week, but that was against a weaker defense. This week, I don't expect a lot from him.


RUNNING BACKS
Lock In:
--Clinton Portis @ Cin
My take: He was mad at his lack of touches and gets a soft defense. Run with that chip on your shoulder Clinton, all the way to the end zone.

--Stephen Jackson vs. Sea
My take: In a year of first round busts, Jackson ranks right up there with all of them, but this week, he's a safe bet for a lot of touches and a lot of production.

--Michael Turner vs. TB
My take: As I mentioned, the Panthers RBs lit up the Bucs on Monday night and the Falcons will look to follow that blueprint with lots of touches for Turner.

Lock Out:
--Tim Hightower vs. Min
My take: He's sometimes good for a goal line TD, but moving the ball on the ground is not very likely for the Cardinals.

--Marion Barber vs. NYG
My take: I think he suits up and plays, but I don't think he gets a full workload, which is why he makes this list. Tashard Choice looked serviceable backing him up and I think the Cowboys play it safe with Barber this week.

--Willie Parker @ Bal
My take: This one will be a real slobber knocker, so avoid anyone on the offensive side of the ball in this game.


WIDE RECEIVERS
Lock In:
--Antonio Bryant @ Atl
My take: Bryant has been quite a nice surprise for most owners. He's a solid WR2 play this week.

--Davone Bess vs. SF
My take: A waiver wire find could earn you a playoff win if you start him this week.

--Dwayne Bowe vs. SD
My take: The Chiefs have all of a sudden become a passing team and Bowe is the beneficiary of this change. He's a solid play this week against a soft Chargers defense.

Lock Out:
--Santonio Holmes @ Bal
My take: Holmes is normally a borderline starter or WR3 option, but this week, the match up is too tough to count on him for much.

--Domenik Hixon @ Dal
My take: He is too inconsistent to be counted on in the playoffs for you.

--Braylon Edwards @ Phi
My take: Remember when lots of experts thought Edwards could be a steady WR1 option? He's not even worth a start at this point, too many drops and a bad QB throwing to him.


TIGHT ENDS
Lock In:
--Tony Gonzalez vs. SD
My take:  The Chiefs are a virtual passing juggernut. Okay, not so much, but Gonzalez is a safe start.

--Antonio Gates @ KC
My take: Yes, yes, I know. He should be listed a couple notches down from here in the lock out part after his recent performances. But, his last productive game came against this Kansas City team. Give it one more chance.

--Tony Scheffler @ Car
My take: The Broncos might throw the ball 100 times with no running game to speak of, so Scheffler should benefit from additional targets.

Lock Out:
--Zach Miller vs NE
My take: There's a lot of love going around for this guy from a lot of fantasy experts. But he's only scored one touchdown and has tough match up this week. I'll pass.

--Todd Heap vs. Pit
My take: He re-emerged from the scrap Heap (get it?) to become a viable fantasy TE, but not this week.

--Heath Miller @ Bal
My take: If you're wondering why he's listed here, you probably missed my comments about staying away from all Steeler and Ravens offensive players this week.


TEAM DEFENSE/ST
Lock In:
--Miami vs. SF
--Phi vs. Cle
--Was @ Cin

Lock Out:
--Minnesota @ Ariz
--Carolina vs Den
--San Diego @ KC

Fantasy Football

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