RADIO
If you've survived this long and are playing into Week 16, then congratulations on being in either your league's championship game or the semifinal matchup (but most of you are probably in your championship week now). This column is for those of you who lost someone to injury in Week 15, are playing some matchups with your deeper plays, or just want to round out your bench for some dirty, dirty tinkering.
Week 15 was relatively quiet as far as injuries go, but we still saw Marcus Mariota, LeSean McCoy, Danny Amendola, Shaun Draughn and Melvin Gordon all go down with various knee injuries that we'll have to keep an eye on as far as severity goes. Knees are a bad time, I even hurt my knee running this weekend. David Johnson owners had a bit of a scare on Sunday night when he took a helmet to the knee as well (but he's fine, seriously, he's great). Adrian Peterson also scared his owners when he went down awkwardly on his left ankle, but he came back in no time. Other injuries included A.J. Green leaving with his back issue once Cincinnati had the game in hand, and Alshon Jeffery leaving with a hamstring issue that was not tied to the score of the game. Alshon has been banged up very often, so if you're relying on him you better send him some witch doctor remedies so he's 100%, but it's hard to imagine he sits unless it's really bad.
Let’s look around the league at who is worth a bid going into Week 16. I'll list the names in the order that I would attack them in. Be sure to also check out our weekly waiver wire analysis columns, with in-depth analysis for all Week 16 options.
Championship Waiver Wire Priorities - Quarterbacks
Tyrod Taylor (QB, BUF)
48% owned in Fleaflicker
Tyrod Taylor stays on this list as his ownership level continues to hover just below the 50% mark, and he responded with a very strong game with 235 yards and two touchdowns through the air as well as nine rushes for 79 yards on the ground. That is who Tyrod is. Taylor continues to construct some continuity with Sammy Watkins, which definitely helps his own passing stats and is also just wise given that he is far and away the most talented receiver on the team. TyGod flashed the rushing ceiling that he can give you with getting nearly 80 yards, and it boosted his pretty good passing line into a total line that got him over 30 fantasy points. He didn't even have to break 250 yards passing or throw for three plus touchdowns to give you QB1 numbers.
Buffalo now gets the Cowboys and Jets to finish up 2015. It's a little worrisome that he has to deal with Dallas' quick and stifling defense as well as their slow tempo offense, but his floor still appears to be very strong. With Karlos Williams coming back, naturally LeSean McCoy went down with a "minor MCL sprain". So while it's nice to get Williams back and to see Mike Gilleslee coming off of the bench for them, it still means Tyrod might have to do that much more with his own legs. He's shown good development through this year, and he can definitely be an asset to your team down the stretch.
Kirk Cousins (QB, WAS)
36% owned in Fleaflicker
Last week Cousins squared off with the Chicago defense (an under the radar improved unit) and threw for 300 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while also rushing for 13 yards and a touchdown on a crafty keeper on the read option. He followed that strong effort up with completing 22 of 28 passes for 319 yards, four touchdowns, and another rushing touchdown where he really flashed some agility. Cousins has all of his weapons around him, a speedy DeSean Jackson to stretch the field, a possession receiver in Pierre Garcon, and a reliable and big target in Jordan Reed. He utilized all of them on Sunday.
Couple this with the fact that the Redskins still can't seem to figure out how to run the ball all that consistently and a questionable defense, and you've got a good recipe for Cousins to have opportunities to put up numbers. From here on out he faces the Eagles and Cowboys. Not the prettiest of matchups in Week 17 as we saw from their first matchup on that ugly Monday night football game, but the potential is there next week for sure. The Eagles can show up for divisional games, but they are trending in the wrong direction and their defense really struggled. They also lost Byron Maxwell and Eric Rowe (both starting DBs) in the game Sunday night and their availability is in question for this Saturday. If one or both of them can't go, well the Redskins should just be able to pass, pass, and pass some more on Philly.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB, NYJ)
49% owned in Fleaflicker
Week 12: he rocked the Dolphins for 277 yards, four touchdowns, and zero turnovers. Week 13: destroys the Giants' terrible secondary for 390 yards and two touchdowns. Week 14: blows up the Titans for 263 yards passing and three touchdowns (plus 23 yards rushing). Most of those numbers came in the first half alone as the Jets jumped all over Tennessee. In Week 15 against the molasses Cowboys team he still completed two thirds of his passes for 299 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. It was a pretty ugly game and still managed to score over 20 points. He has one of the best pairs of wide receivers in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker at his disposal, along with a good receiving back in Bilal Powell.
Fitzpatrick and the Jets now face the Patriots and Bills to end the regular season. Jets-Patriots games are always nitty gritty, and while the Patriots defense has played better ball as of late, we've seen how difficult it is to defend the Jets' receiving duo and still account for the complementary pieces. Fitzy may not be the best or most consistent quarterback out there, but he is a much better fantasy quarterback than real life quarterback, he's got a hot hand right now, and that is what we care about. Scoop him if he's sitting there.
Jay Cutler (QB, CHI)
50% owned in Fleaflicker
This one is more about looking forward to his Week 16 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense that just gave up the world to Case Keenum and the Rams on Thursday night. Jay Cutler did still look alright on Sunday, passing for 231 yards and throwing for two scores while being picked off once (he completed 70% of his passes, which is encouraging). He lost Alshon Jeffery in the middle of the game and if he is out for Week 16 you'll want to re-think using Cutler, but for now this profiles as a good game for the Bears offense. Zach Miller can operate over the middle, and Matt Forte operating out of the backfield on screens and wheel routes can be lethal against a linebacking corps in Tampa Bay that is susceptible to those underneath and outside routes.
Obviously if Alshon Jeffery plays then he is at near Julio Jones levels of dominance and unlike Matt Ryan and the Falcons, Jeffery does get those red zone looks. None of those Tampa DBs can match up with him. If they double or bracket him, it means Zach Miller is one on one across the middle or that Matt Forte is unmarked coming out of the backfield. Even Eddie Royal might have a decent shot at a relevant game. That's saying a lot.
Championship Waiver Wire Priorities - Running Backs
Tim Hightower (NO, RB)
41% owned in Fleaflicker
This has to be submitted before the Monday night game really gets underway so here's last week's blurb again:
Tim Hightower managed to take 2015 by storm by taking over for Mark Ingram. He scored his first touchdown since September 11th of 2011 on Sunday, rushing for 85 yards on 28 carries and catching one ball for ten yards. The Saints will face the Lions, Jaguars, and Falcons to end the regular season. The Bucs are one of the strongest rushing defenses in the league, which contributed to Hightower's ~3.0 YPC, but the pure volume showed that the Saints really have no problem utilizing him heavily, and also that they really, really dislike C.J. Spiller.
Christine Michael (SEA, RB)
17% owned in Fleaflicker
I can't believe I'm finally writing this, but here we are. Christine Michael is your add out of the Seahawks backfield after he ran with purpose against a crappy Cleveland defense, going for 84 yards on 16 carries. When you rush for over five yards per carry, you're going to get some positive coachspeak and have a good chance on building on this for the next week. Pete Carroll praised Michael's effort and his focus compared to his past stints with the Seahawks, and while matchups against St. Louis and Arizona aren't great spots, if he's the lead back in Seattle he needs to be owned. Choo choo.
Spencer Ware (KC, RB)
38% owned in Fleaflicker
Spencer Ware was an "emergency only" option at running back on Sunday (he registered two snaps), so Charcandrick West got to do all of the lifting. If Ware does come back into the fold for Week 16 though, Ware is the bigger guy who can punch in the ball on the goal line, whereas West is the smaller and shiftier type who is more suited for the "between the 20s" work. As such, West should see more snaps, but Ware will still get a chance to shine and won't disappear. The Chiefs get to pick on the Browns and Raiders to finish 2015. The Browns are awful against the run, and the Chiefs are very committed to utilizing their running backs and those matchups certainly make Ware and West both viable candidates for starting during the playoffs pending Ware's injury reports and practices this week. Keep an eye on it for sure, but if things are looking good for Ware then he is a great play in a great spot.
Karlos Williams (BUF, RB)
46% owned in Fleaflicker
Mike Gillislee (BUF, RB)
1% owned in Fleaflicker
LeSean McCoy is reportedly now dealing with a torn MCL and is considered "week-to-week" with a hope that he returns for Week 17. What this means for you is that he is out for most of your championship weeks and honestly that Week 17 hope looks very doubtful. You want to pick up Karlos first, but Gillislee has run very well in these past few weeks and is not a bad option at all. He actually outsnapped Williams 19-13 when all was said and done on Sunday, but do note it was Williams' first game and he probably was eased back in a bit. Clearly Buffalo runs enough to support two running backs, and while you hate to rely on Gillislee to break off a big touchdown run each week, this is the offense and system where it can happen. Karlos Williams still averaged over ten yards a carry himself though, carrying the ball four times for 41 yards (Gillislee had 81 yards and a touchdown on four carries). Buffalo faces the tough Dallas defense next followed by a date with the Jets, so both of those defenses play the run rather well. All the same, McCoy owners are definitely making these adds and the rest of you should be as well.
James White (NE, RB)
51% owned in Fleaflicker <-- yes I cheated a smidge to include him.
If James White is somehow still available in PPR leagues you need to get him. Even if standard though, he has proven that he is trusted by Tom Brady and the passing attack and is a reliable weapon for them. Danny Amendola went down and even without that, White is just becoming a key part of this offense. He caught seven of his eight targets for 71 yards and a touchdown where he scampered down the left side of the field just beating defenders on their angle pursuits. He has the trust of Brady and Belichick to be the passing down back. White has 27 targets in his past three games. That's really good.
With LeGarrette Blount out for the year and Brandon Bolden (39% owned)/Joey Iosefa (0% owned) grinding out the dirty work, White is the finesse and hurry up back. The Pats are reportedly signing Steven Jackson this week, but this shouldn't cut into White at all. While the Pats probably won't be falling behind like they were in Philly anytime soon, White will still see usage, just don't count on a game like the one against the Eagles for the rest of the way. As he just showed though, he can still certainly provide you with value. The Pats take on the Jets next and then finish the regular season against the Dolphins. The Jets are never beaten with the plodder, so James White should have many opportunities working out of the backfield on wheel routes and screen passes.
Jonas Gray (JAC, RB)
24% owned in Fleaflicker
Denard Robinson sprained his left foot in Sunday's contest and with T.J. Yeldon still a question mark moving forward thanks to his own knee injury, it may very well be Jonas Gray who gets the start in Week 16. Joe Banyard isn't someone you want to chase really, at least Gray has flexed before. The Jaguars face the Saints next week, and we all know how that defense profiles. I think the gamble is absolutely worth it for a starter against the Saints defense in a Jaguars offense that usually has to score considering its defense just isn't that good. This is about opportunity more than skill or name, but that'll play.
Jay Ajayi (MIA, RB)
29% owned in Fleaflicker
The way the Dolphins have been playing doesn't profile well for the running game to really get any consistent usage when they always find themselves in dogfights or having to play some serious catch up. All the same, it was Ajayi who ended up with the best running line for Miami this week (he outsnapped Lamar Miller 31 to 18), rushing six times for 27 yards and a touchdown (while also tacking on a 15 yard catch on three targets). This isn't that pretty of a situation, but the Dolphins should want to see what they have in Ajayi so he'll usually get a modest amount of touches to do something with.
The majority of Ajayi's value is still his being a handcuff. If he were to get the lion's share of snaps in the backfield he would have great value, but for now he is a low-end to mediocre option with great upside if Miller goes down. For what it's worth, Miami faces the softer defense of the Colts next, and then the Patriots to end the year. You can throw Ajayi in there as a hail mary play if you'd like, but this is not recommended as of now.
Theo Riddick (DET, RB)
32% owned in Fleaflicker
This has to be submitted before the Monday night game really gets underway so here's last week's blurb again:
The Lions resurgence really stalled out against the Rams, as Aaron Donald made the Lions' offensive line his lunch. Of course this meant that there were plenty of checkdowns to Riddick to be had as a result. Riddick finished the day with eleven targets, catching seven balls for 44 yards. He also rushed three times for 18 yards. In Week 12 Riddick caught all five of his targets for 62 yards and a touchdown. In Week 13 against the Packers he caught five of six targets for 27 yards. Ameer Abdullah does seem to be taking back the majority of snaps at running back, and Joique Bell will mix in as well, but Abdullah still wasn't getting the passing down work and it seems to be strictly Riddick's territory. They know what they've got in Theo. Available in two thirds of leagues, Riddick shouldn't be forgotten in PPR leagues. Don't forget about him as Detroit faces the Saints next (ooh la la) and then the 49ers and Bears to round out the year.
Bilal Powell (NYJ, RB)
32% owned in Fleaflicker
It appears the Jets have finally found a really nice way to utilize Powell out of the backfield. He is showing some strength in his runs and his usually reliable set of hands in the passing game. With defenses trying their best to key in on Marshall and Decker, Powell can take advantage of the linebackers in coverage and trickle out in the face of blitzes. Powell's previous two games looked like this: 13 targets, catching eight of them for 91 yards and a touchdown, and then 46 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches (all targets were caught). This most recent game against the stingy Cowboys defense saw him rush the ball six times for 25 yards and a touchdown while catching all seven targets for 54 yards. The Jets will face the Patriots and Bills in the last two weeks. In PPR leagues he's definitely worth it if you need some help, and he's looking like a viable low end flex play in standard leagues as well. The Patriots are somewhat difficult to run over, so Powell may be called on to run some nifty routes and screen passes.
"Dammit" Donald Brown (SD, RB)
3% owned in Fleaflicker
For the uninitiated on the nickname: here you are.
Melvin Gordon went down with a knee injury and was out for the rest of the game. As of now there hasn't been any update given on the San Diego rookie, but while Danny Woodhead was out there scoring touchdowns, it was Donald Brown who rushed for 90 yards on 12 carries and caught two of three targets for 14 yards in relief of Gordon in the "north-south" rusher role. Woodhead got the goal line plunge as he was getting in the beginning of the year. San Diego gets Oakland on Thursday before dealing with Denver's defense in Week 17. If Gordon can't go then Brown makes for an intriguing low end flex dart throw for Week 16.
Cameron Artis-Payne (CAR, RB)
10% owned in Fleaflicker
He easily led the committee out of Carolina, rushing 14 times for 59 yards and catching both of his targets for 34 yards. We don't know yet what Jonathan Stewart's status will be for Week 16, but if he can't go then it looks like Artis-Payne is the add over the likes of Fozzy Whittaker and Mike Tolbert. Though it's clear that Cam Newton is still the best running back on the team right now. Carolina faces off with the Falcons and Buccaneers to end the year, with Atlanta being a much nicer matchup than Tampa Bay as far as a running back's prospects go.
Championship Waiver Wire Priorities - Wide Receivers
Ted Ginn (CAR, WR)
49% owned in Fleaflicker
Two weeks ago I tried to talk about how Ted Ginn was the guy to own over Devin Funchess despite the competing reputations, and at least I can pat myself on the back for that one thing.
Last week Ginn saw only three targets, but the connection and timing was there and Ginn didn't drop them. He caught two of them for 120 yards and two touchdowns. This week against the horrid Giants' coverage scheme he saw 14 targets (that'll happen when the teams combine for 73 points), catching six of them for 85 yards and two touchdowns. He is burner and a boom/bust type who relies on the long ball much more often than your average wide receiver, but this week he reminded new eyes that he can run some of those intermediate routes as well. Luckily Cam Newton has no fear when it comes to chucking the pigskin and the Panthers are a juggernaut right now, so Ginn is getting plenty of chances.
Carolina gets to face the Falcons and Buccaneers now. The Buccaneers are a defense that we target for their susceptibility in the secondary, and the Falcons are trending downwards quickly. Ginn can beat all of these secondaries deep week in week out. Know what you're getting into, but Ginn should be owned.
Kamar Aiken (BAL, WR)
39% owned in Fleaflicker
Yup, we're going to be talking about this until the end of the year. He is the #1 receiver for the Ravens, and all #1 receivers should be rostered. Available in many leagues, you're going to want to find a spot for him if you need some help at wide out. Let's look at his resume lately. He did well against a strong Rams' secondary, posting five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown on eight targets, he then posted six catches for 80 yards and a touchdown against the soft Browns' defense, and in his worst effort of late, he caught six balls for 48 yards against the Dolphins on 11 targets. Last week he caught five balls on seven targets for 90 yards (against Seattle no less).
This week against the Chiefs he caught 8 of 12 targets for 128 yards and one gloriously broken touchdown (he caught a Hail Mary at the end of the first half when he just cut in front of the pack that had formed and strolled into the end zone). It won't be pretty but the guy is drowning in targets lately. Since the Ravens came out of their bye in Week 9 he has posted target totals of 14, 8, 10, 11, 7, and now 12. That plays.
Aiken is simply going to get plenty of opportunities to put up numbers despite the bounty of fleas that surround him. His ownership is hovering around the 40% mark, despite a string of nice games. Baltimore finishes their season against the Steelers and Bengals. Not the prettiest, but he's put up numbers against great defenses and soft ones alike at this point. Aiken might get 10 targets a week out of those and fall into a touchdown or two thanks to nothing but opportunity and volume, but it's not the best setup. PPR owners will want to pay more attention, but standard leaguers, well I couldn't blame you for wanting to just stay away but he's really showing that he deserves to be on your roster.
Tyler Lockett (SEA, WR)
45% owned in Fleaflicker
The Seahawks are on fire. Specifically, their passing game is on fire. They are missing Marshawn Lynch no doubt (and now Thomas Rawls), but they're putting their faith on Russell Wilson's arm and he is rewarding them. The past five weeks have seen the Seahawks put up 171 points and Wilson has been doing most of the damage. Most of this has gone through Doug Baldwin, but in Weeks 11 and 14 Lockett scored two touchdowns and this past weekend he scored one touchdown while catching five of seven targets for 55 yards. In their past five games Lockett has 29 targets and 25 receptions. When the ball goes his way he comes down with it. Coaches and quarterbacks notice this. The Seahawks get the Rams and Cardinals to close the year. Bonus points (and he's probably already owned) for leagues where return yards matter, but the fact that he can chip in a return touchdown any given week on top of his receiving stats only sweetens the pot a bit. Get it.
Rueben Randle (NYG, WR)
52% owned in Fleaflicker
I'll cheat again a little here just to throw in a general FYI and reminder to pick up Rueben Randle if he's out there. Odell Beckham is suspended for Week 16 as of now (he'll appeal, but I suspect this will go the way of Aqib Talib's appeal) and so Rueben Randle steps into the #1 slot for the Giants. Randle is one of the most inconsistent guys you could ever hope to find, as he is capable of taking himself out of entire games with running the wrong route or just dropping the football. That said, he has the opportunity to really put in some work against Minnesota this week. His ceiling is high and his floor is...well, zero.
Dorial Green-Beckham (TEN, WR)
39% owned in Fleaflicker
The man known as DGB caught five of his six targets for 119 yards and a touchdown in a Week 13 shootout with the Jags. He faced a tough assignment with a heavy dose of Darrelle Revis in Week 14, but still managed to catch three of seven targets for 53 yards. This Sunday he went out against the Patriots and caught six of nine targets for 113 yards. He is getting involved and the Titans are seeing what they have in him. While Marcus Mariota going down with a knee injury this weekend doesn't bode well for him, Zach Mettenberger has a strong arm and should be able to deliver DGB the ball still.
You know the deal by now with DGB, he's a huge guy with plenty of potential that needs to be brought out and refined. He's had some ugly drops all year, but it was clear that his size and speed is just a matchup nightmare. He and the Titans get to face the Texans and Colts in the waning weeks of the 2015 regular season. His size makes him somewhat matchup proof, but obviously going against Johnathan Joseph and Vontae Davis still isn't ideal.
Markus Wheaton (PIT, WR)
45% owned in Fleaflicker
The Steelers are here to steal your significant other, eat your cookies, trash your room, and score a lot of points. Markus Wheaton's involvement is certainly surprising given where his reputation started in 2015, but we can't really just ignore it at all anymore. Wheaton had 13 targets three games ago, whereas he had seen 12 targets in the previous four games, and ever since then it's been clear that he is involved. Two weeks ago against the Colts he had six targets, of which he caught three for 50 yards and a touchdown. Last week against the Bengals he saw seven targets come his way, catching four of them for 65 yards. This week against the Broncos he saw 11 targets, catching six of them for 62 yards and a touchdown. So he's fallen in that range of five or six catches for 50-65 yards and a strong possibility of a touchdown. That'll do.
The Steelers get to tee off against the Ravens and Browns' secondaries now, so have fun with that Baltimore and Cleveland. Big Ben and company should have their way with those defenses, and it seems like Wheaton has a great chance of being a part of the festivities. There's also the added kicker that if they go up by a metric tonne, Wheaton won't come out of the game, he should step in for Antonio Brown if the situation calls for it. Just a sprinkle on the cupcake there.
Willie Snead (NO, WR)
41% owned in Fleaflicker
This has to be submitted before the Monday night game really gets underway so here's last week's blurb again:
Willie Snead returned to action just in time to beat up the Buccaneers' secondary. He pushed Brandon Coleman back down to fourth in the wide receiver pecking order in New Orleans and stepped back into his regular duties. He actually led the Saints' receivers in snaps (60 to Cooks' 59 and Colston's 56). He caught seven of eight targets for 122 yards and looked very good out there. Now the Saints get the Lions, Jaguars, and Falcons to end the year. Snead owners shouldn't be afraid of only of those defenses, with Week 16 looking very promising against Jacksonville in Championship Week.
DeVante Parker (MIA, WR)
25% owned in Fleaflicker
DeVante Parker was the beneficiary of some garbage time passing for the Dolphins, and he ended up with four receptions on six targets for 87 yards. The man is talented and can stretch the field. Parker has made value three of the past four weeks really, making some tremendous catches along the way where he has shown that he can "go and get it" with the best of them. With Rishard Matthews out with a rib injury, the door is open for DeVante Parker to finally see the field in earnest and show Miami why they drafted him. Parker has stepped up for them when they needed him, and they really shouldn't stop seeing what they have in him all of a sudden. He needs to be owned in all leagues, despite the apparent scaling down of the passing game out for Miami under new offensive coordinator Zac Taylor. The Dolphins get to beat up on the Colts' poor defense next week and then finish against the Patriots where they could just get trounced early and see more garbage time opportunities. He's nothing more than a flex play, but you could do worse here for sure.
Dontrelle Inman (SD, WR)
5% owned in Fleaflicker
It was nice to see Inman return to action after a scary neck injury, and he responded by catching three of his five targets for 78 yards in a spirited crushing of the Dolphins defense. Inman led all Chargers' receivers (70 snaps) despite what the target count might lead one to think. He is involved, and while you should keep an eye on Stevie Johnson's injury status, Inman is probably worth a buck considering his strong potential to get you 50-70 yards on 4-5 catches and you could get a touchdown out of it. The Chargers face off against the Raiders on Thursday night who are pretty mediocre against opposing receivers. Stevie is the key, but if he can't go on the short week then firing up Inman could really pay off.
Championship Waiver Wire Priorities - Tight Ends
Zach Ertz (PHI, TE)
36% owned in Fleaflicker
The Eagles seem to be realizing that they have a great athlete in Zach Ertz who can convert for them in big opportunities. Last week he turned seven targets into five catches for 98 yards, including one big catch and run where he leveled a tackler with a hard shoulder and then stiff armed another defender for an extra ten yards or so. This week he saw 13(!) targets, catching eight of them for 78 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles take on the Redskins and Giants the rest of the way, so boy if you play into Week 17 you've got to love seeing the Giants lined up even if you don't have any real faith in this offense. The Redskins aren't great against TEs either, ranking 25th in FootballOutsiders DVOA metric. Tap him if you need him, the stars are aligning.
Zach Miller (CHI, TE)
24% owned in Fleaflicker
Zach Miller stepped up for Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears in a big way last Sunday, posting five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown on six targets. He didn't catch a touchdown this Sunday, but he still caught all six of his targets for 57 yards. Martellus Bennett is on the shelf and so is Marquess Wilson. Eddie Royal continues to be nothing special. The Bears have a great group of running backs who can help in the passing game, but for the most part the Bears have Alshon Jeffery and then Zach Miller is the second best option for Cutler to throw to. The Bears now face the Buccaneers and Lions to end 2015. As we pointed out earlier, the Bucs are certainly known to struggle against the tight end so that will definitely play. Also, if Alshon Jeffery cannot go then Zach Miller is Cutler's #1 receiving target out there, especially towards the end zone when he needs some size.
Will Tye (NYG, TE)
8% owned in Fleaflicker
The man has gained some serious momentum. Will Tye has now either broken 50 yards or scored a touchdown in each of his past five games. The Giants simply do not have a running game despite what Rashad Jennings is trying to do, and after Odell Beckham the Giants don't have any real consistent "#2" type receiver. Any given week it might be Dwayne Harris, Rueben Randle, Will Tye, or even Shane Vereen. Or as this past week showed, three out of the four can contribute. The Giants are an inconsistent bunch, but having a big target in Will Tye out there is nice for Manning and when the Giants' passing game is clicking you can believe that Tye has a good chance at getting you 5-8 points and if he scores a touchdown, well then bully for you. It only helps that the Giants have such a poor defensive unit that can set up the Giants passing game well for needing to get to work. Now the Giants get Minnesota (24th in DVOA against TEs and quite injured) in Week 16 and then finish up against Philadelphia (13th in DVOA against TEs but this isn't the same defense that started the year in body count or in spirit) in Week 17.
Heath Miller (PIT, TE)
39% owned in Fleaflicker
Heath Miller returned to action in Week 14 with ten targets coming his way, catching all ten of them for 66 yards. Unfortunately Week 15 wasn't as kind, as he only saw five targets and caught three of them for a paltry 12 yards. He still is good for usually 5-7 targets from Ben Roethlisberger in a potent Pittsburgh offense. Big Ben knows he has a trustworthy checkdown safety valve type of guy in the grizzled veteran. Pittsburgh now gets to pick on Baltimore and Cleveland to finish out 2015, so no one should really afraid of firing up Heath and trying to catch a piece of the action through Miller as Big Ben airs it out for the Steelers in their quest for a playoff berth.
