1. LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) – In his last 2 games, Tomlinson has accumulated 323 rushing yards and 4 TD’s. He is a must start against a struggling Lions run defense.2. Joseph Addai (IND) – While Addai has struggled to find yards on the ground in recent weeks, he has maintained his ability to find the end zone with 5 TD’s in his last 4 games. Look for him to get the ground game going this week against the Raiders 31st ranked run defense. Addai should also have little trouble finding pay dirt as Oakland leads the NFL in rushing TD’s allowed. He should be golden in week 15.
3. Brian Westbrook (PHI) – This week’s match up against Dallas’ 4th ranked run defense looks tough for Westbrook on paper, but Westbrook usually steps up against them, and the Cowboys have allowed 276 rushing yards and 5 rushing TD’s in their last 2 games. In a week 9 meeting against them, Westbrook rushed for 65 yards and a TD, and caught 14 passes for 90 yards. He will have his work cut out for him, but Westbrook should be more than up to the challenge. (Check injury report: knee)
4. Ryan Grant (GB) – He continues to blow through opposing defenses with ease. In his last 5 games, Grant has accumulated 621 total yards and 5 TD’s. Grant should carve up the Rams 21st ranked run defense with ease.
5. Adrian Peterson (MIN) – He continues to shock and surprise, only last week, it was of the negative variety. Peterson only managed 3 yards on 14 carries in what looked to be a great match up. In week 15, Peterson will face the 24th ranked run defense of the Bears. In week 6, he rushed for 224 yards and 3 TD’s against them. You should consider last week a fluke, and Peterson should bounce back nicely against Chicago at home on Monday night.
6. Willis McGahee (BUF) – After 7 straight weeks with a TD, McGahee had a bit of a let down against the Colts last week. He should easily get back on track in week 15 against a Miami defense that ranks last in the NFL in stopping the run.
7. Earnest Graham (TB) – Graham has turned into one of the top fantasy RB’s of the ’07 season. He has now found the end zone at least once in 5 straight games. He should be able to make it 6 in a row this week against a Falcons team in turmoil. Atlanta ranks a pathetic 27th in stopping the run, and Graham rushed for 102 yards and 1 TD against them in week 11. Graham is a must start.
8. Jamal Lewis (CLE) – He has been on fire in recent weeks scoring at least 1 TD in 4 consecutive games. Lewis has now scored a total of 9 TD’s in his last 6 contests. He should be able to continue his hot streak this week against a mediocre Bills run D.
9. Marshawn Lynch (BUF) – After missing 3 weeks with a bad ankle, Lynch returned in week 14 with a nice 107 yard rushing effort. He should be able to keep the momentum rolling into week 15 when he will the Browns 28th ranked run defense. If Lynch gets enough carries, he should have a nice day.
10. Steven Jackson (STL) – He will have a tough test in front of him this week against the Packers. Green Bay ranks a solid 12th against the run, but more importantly, they have only allowed 4 rushing TD’s all season. Jackson is a very capable fantasy RB, and a big game is never out of the question for someone of his talent, but this one is a bit scary.
11. Marion Barber (DAL) – He has been streaky this season, but luckily, his current streak is of the hot variety. Barber has now scored 4 TD’s in his last 3 games, including 3 last week. He also had an impressive 10 receptions for 61 yards in week 14. This week he will face a tough, but manageable Eagles run defense. In week 9, Barber accumulated 106 total yards and a TD against Philadelphia.
12. LenDale White (TEN) – After a stretch of horrible games, White appears to be back on track. In his last 2 contests, White has totaled 204 yards with 2 TD’s. This week he will face a beat up and struggling Kansas City defense that ranks 25th against the run, and has now allowed 5 rushing TD’s in their last 3 games. White is a solid week 15 starting option if there are no further issues with a sore knee. (Check injury report: knee)
13. Rudi Johnson (CIN) – Johnson’s late season surge has put him back on the fantasy map. He has now scored a TD in 3 straight games. This week he will face the 26th ranked run defense of the 49ers. While there are no guarantees that Johnson’s run of good fortune will continue, the match up bodes well for him.
14. Frank Gore (SF) – While Gore has been an effective tool in the 49er passing game in recent weeks, he does not get the number of carries necessary for him to be effective on the ground. If San Francisco can hang with the Bengals in the scoring department, Gore could have a huge day, but like most weeks, that probably won’t happen. Under any circumstance, Gore should put up decent numbers as a receiver out of the backfield, and a TD is not out of the question. The potential is there, but they must get him the ball. (Check injury report: ankle)
15. Brandon Jacobs (NYG) – He did not have a great week 14 return from a hamstring injury, but Jacobs should be in much better shape this week against the Redskins. It will be a tough match up, but a healthy Jacobs usually runs over any and all opponents. He may not bounce back from his mediocre outing in a huge way, but Jacobs should put up solid numbers.
16. Aaron Stecker (NO) – He put together a solid 100 yard rushing effort in his first game carrying the load for the Saints. This week he will face an up and down Arizona run defense at home. There are no guarantees, but he has decent value in week 15.
17. Willie Parker (PIT) – The negative aspect of starting a guy like Parker is his inability to score TD’s on a consistent basis. He typically puts up great yardage totals, but in most leagues, rushing yards are given secondary consideration compared to rushing TD’s in fantasy scoring. Parker is capable, but he will have to fight for yards against Jacksonville’s 5th ranked run defense.
18. Kevin Jones (DET) – He can be a very dangerous guy to start, but when he gets a reasonable number of carries, Jones typically comes up big. In week 15, he will face the 19th ranked San Diego run defense. The Chargers D is susceptible to giving up big plays in the run game, and they will be without their top defender this week, Shawne Merriman. Jones must get the ball at least 17 times to be effective, but the potential is there.
19. Chester Taylor (MIN) – The fact that Taylor has to make do with Adrian Peterson’s leftover carries makes him a risky start, but the numbers don’t lie and his numbers have been great. He has now scored a TD in his last 4 games, and has 6 total TD’s over that same span. Taylor may get scraps, but he definitely makes the most of them. He has a favorable match up against the Bears 24th ranked run defense.
20. Fred Taylor (JAX) – He has been pouring it on opposing defenses in recent weeks. Taylor has now posted 3 straight 100 + yard games in a row. He also has a TD in 2 out of those 3 games. He will have a very tough test this week in the form of the 2nd ranked run defense of the Steelers. Taylor is a capable fantasy RB, but you can probably expect the 100 yard game streak to end here. If you start him, lower your expectations this week.
21. Clinton Portis (WAS) – He has really struggled to find yards on the ground in recent weeks. Over his last 4 games, Portis is averaging a miserable 47.5 yards rushing per game. He was effective last week in the passing game, catching 6 passes for 86 yards. Portis will have his work cut out for him in week 15 against the Giants 7th ranked run defense. While ground yards will be hard to come by, Portis is always capable of hitting pay dirt any week. Consider him a risky start this week.
22. Edgerrin James (ARI) – He continues to struggle in the ground game averaging 68 yards per game in his last 6. James has also gone scoreless for 3 straight weeks. Life will not get any easier in week 15 against the Saints 8th ranked run defense. James is not a safe start this week.
23. Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX) – He has not fared well in recent weeks in the ground yardage department, but he does have 3 TD’s in his last 4 games. He will match up this week against Pittsburgh’s 2nd ranked run defense, so if you are planning on starting him, your best bet is to pray for a TD.
24. Justin Fargas (OAK) – After 2 huge rushing efforts in a row, Fargas was forced to leave last week’s Green Bay game early with a rib injury. Fargas will be back this week against the Colts. While Indy claims a pretty average run defense, Fargas may not be much of a factor against them, especially if the Colts jump out to a big lead as expected.
25. Shaun Alexander (SEA) – After a decent week 13 effort, Alexander fell back into obscurity in week 14. This week’s match up against Carolina’s 20th ranked run defense holds some promise, but Alexander has not shown that he can get the job done against anyone all season.
26. Adrian Peterson (CHI) – Peterson has not shown much since taking over the starting job, and should not be seriously considered for a week 15 start against Minnesota’s top ranked run defense.
27. Laurence Maroney (NE) – If you are trying to make a playoff run, Maroney is not a guy you want to start. He does not get enough carries, and TD’s have been few and far between for him this season. In spite of a good match up against the Jets, he is not worth the risk.
28. DeShaun Foster (CAR) – He continues to struggle, and is not worth much consideration in week 15 against Seattle.
29. Chris Brown (TEN) – He is capable of doing a lot with a little. While Brown will likely see his usual back up scraps, he has the ability to do some damage, especially against a weak and beat up Kansas City run defense. He won’t have a monster game by any means, but 40 or 50 yards and a TD is not out of the question for him.
30. Thomas Jones (NYJ) – He has little value this week against New England.
31. Jesse Chatman (MIA) – He should be back this week, but Chatman will likely be limited, and has little value against Baltimore’s 3rd ranked run defense. (Check injury report: ankle)
32. Julius Jones (DAL) – In a week 9 meeting with Philadelphia, Jones had 79 total yards and a TD. A repeat performance is not likely, and Jones has minimal value this time around.
33. Jerious Norwood (ATL) – He has the ability to do some damage against Tampa Bay, but a lack of touches limits his fantasy value.
34. Kolby Smith (KC) – Smith has proven to be a capable fantasy back, but with both starting OT’s out, he is pretty much useless against a very tough Titans run defense. Smith only rushed for 12 yards on 13 carries last week against Denver without his big boys leading the way. He is not worth starting, especially if you are trying to make a playoff run. (Check injury report: knee)
35. Maurice Morris (SEA) – With the return of Shaun Alexander, Morris does not get enough touches to be considered a worthy fantasy starter.
3. Brian Westbrook (PHI) – This week’s match up against Dallas’ 4th ranked run defense looks tough for Westbrook on paper, but Westbrook usually steps up against them, and the Cowboys have allowed 276 rushing yards and 5 rushing TD’s in their last 2 games. In a week 9 meeting against them, Westbrook rushed for 65 yards and a TD, and caught 14 passes for 90 yards. He will have his work cut out for him, but Westbrook should be more than up to the challenge. (Check injury report: knee)
4. Ryan Grant (GB) – He continues to blow through opposing defenses with ease. In his last 5 games, Grant has accumulated 621 total yards and 5 TD’s. Grant should carve up the Rams 21st ranked run defense with ease.
5. Adrian Peterson (MIN) – He continues to shock and surprise, only last week, it was of the negative variety. Peterson only managed 3 yards on 14 carries in what looked to be a great match up. In week 15, Peterson will face the 24th ranked run defense of the Bears. In week 6, he rushed for 224 yards and 3 TD’s against them. You should consider last week a fluke, and Peterson should bounce back nicely against Chicago at home on Monday night.
6. Willis McGahee (BUF) – After 7 straight weeks with a TD, McGahee had a bit of a let down against the Colts last week. He should easily get back on track in week 15 against a Miami defense that ranks last in the NFL in stopping the run.
7. Earnest Graham (TB) – Graham has turned into one of the top fantasy RB’s of the ’07 season. He has now found the end zone at least once in 5 straight games. He should be able to make it 6 in a row this week against a Falcons team in turmoil. Atlanta ranks a pathetic 27th in stopping the run, and Graham rushed for 102 yards and 1 TD against them in week 11. Graham is a must start.
8. Jamal Lewis (CLE) – He has been on fire in recent weeks scoring at least 1 TD in 4 consecutive games. Lewis has now scored a total of 9 TD’s in his last 6 contests. He should be able to continue his hot streak this week against a mediocre Bills run D.
9. Marshawn Lynch (BUF) – After missing 3 weeks with a bad ankle, Lynch returned in week 14 with a nice 107 yard rushing effort. He should be able to keep the momentum rolling into week 15 when he will the Browns 28th ranked run defense. If Lynch gets enough carries, he should have a nice day.
10. Steven Jackson (STL) – He will have a tough test in front of him this week against the Packers. Green Bay ranks a solid 12th against the run, but more importantly, they have only allowed 4 rushing TD’s all season. Jackson is a very capable fantasy RB, and a big game is never out of the question for someone of his talent, but this one is a bit scary.
11. Marion Barber (DAL) – He has been streaky this season, but luckily, his current streak is of the hot variety. Barber has now scored 4 TD’s in his last 3 games, including 3 last week. He also had an impressive 10 receptions for 61 yards in week 14. This week he will face a tough, but manageable Eagles run defense. In week 9, Barber accumulated 106 total yards and a TD against Philadelphia.
12. LenDale White (TEN) – After a stretch of horrible games, White appears to be back on track. In his last 2 contests, White has totaled 204 yards with 2 TD’s. This week he will face a beat up and struggling Kansas City defense that ranks 25th against the run, and has now allowed 5 rushing TD’s in their last 3 games. White is a solid week 15 starting option if there are no further issues with a sore knee. (Check injury report: knee)
13. Rudi Johnson (CIN) – Johnson’s late season surge has put him back on the fantasy map. He has now scored a TD in 3 straight games. This week he will face the 26th ranked run defense of the 49ers. While there are no guarantees that Johnson’s run of good fortune will continue, the match up bodes well for him.
14. Frank Gore (SF) – While Gore has been an effective tool in the 49er passing game in recent weeks, he does not get the number of carries necessary for him to be effective on the ground. If San Francisco can hang with the Bengals in the scoring department, Gore could have a huge day, but like most weeks, that probably won’t happen. Under any circumstance, Gore should put up decent numbers as a receiver out of the backfield, and a TD is not out of the question. The potential is there, but they must get him the ball. (Check injury report: ankle)
15. Brandon Jacobs (NYG) – He did not have a great week 14 return from a hamstring injury, but Jacobs should be in much better shape this week against the Redskins. It will be a tough match up, but a healthy Jacobs usually runs over any and all opponents. He may not bounce back from his mediocre outing in a huge way, but Jacobs should put up solid numbers.
16. Aaron Stecker (NO) – He put together a solid 100 yard rushing effort in his first game carrying the load for the Saints. This week he will face an up and down Arizona run defense at home. There are no guarantees, but he has decent value in week 15.
17. Willie Parker (PIT) – The negative aspect of starting a guy like Parker is his inability to score TD’s on a consistent basis. He typically puts up great yardage totals, but in most leagues, rushing yards are given secondary consideration compared to rushing TD’s in fantasy scoring. Parker is capable, but he will have to fight for yards against Jacksonville’s 5th ranked run defense.
18. Kevin Jones (DET) – He can be a very dangerous guy to start, but when he gets a reasonable number of carries, Jones typically comes up big. In week 15, he will face the 19th ranked San Diego run defense. The Chargers D is susceptible to giving up big plays in the run game, and they will be without their top defender this week, Shawne Merriman. Jones must get the ball at least 17 times to be effective, but the potential is there.
19. Chester Taylor (MIN) – The fact that Taylor has to make do with Adrian Peterson’s leftover carries makes him a risky start, but the numbers don’t lie and his numbers have been great. He has now scored a TD in his last 4 games, and has 6 total TD’s over that same span. Taylor may get scraps, but he definitely makes the most of them. He has a favorable match up against the Bears 24th ranked run defense.
20. Fred Taylor (JAX) – He has been pouring it on opposing defenses in recent weeks. Taylor has now posted 3 straight 100 + yard games in a row. He also has a TD in 2 out of those 3 games. He will have a very tough test this week in the form of the 2nd ranked run defense of the Steelers. Taylor is a capable fantasy RB, but you can probably expect the 100 yard game streak to end here. If you start him, lower your expectations this week.
21. Clinton Portis (WAS) – He has really struggled to find yards on the ground in recent weeks. Over his last 4 games, Portis is averaging a miserable 47.5 yards rushing per game. He was effective last week in the passing game, catching 6 passes for 86 yards. Portis will have his work cut out for him in week 15 against the Giants 7th ranked run defense. While ground yards will be hard to come by, Portis is always capable of hitting pay dirt any week. Consider him a risky start this week.
22. Edgerrin James (ARI) – He continues to struggle in the ground game averaging 68 yards per game in his last 6. James has also gone scoreless for 3 straight weeks. Life will not get any easier in week 15 against the Saints 8th ranked run defense. James is not a safe start this week.
23. Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX) – He has not fared well in recent weeks in the ground yardage department, but he does have 3 TD’s in his last 4 games. He will match up this week against Pittsburgh’s 2nd ranked run defense, so if you are planning on starting him, your best bet is to pray for a TD.
24. Justin Fargas (OAK) – After 2 huge rushing efforts in a row, Fargas was forced to leave last week’s Green Bay game early with a rib injury. Fargas will be back this week against the Colts. While Indy claims a pretty average run defense, Fargas may not be much of a factor against them, especially if the Colts jump out to a big lead as expected.
25. Shaun Alexander (SEA) – After a decent week 13 effort, Alexander fell back into obscurity in week 14. This week’s match up against Carolina’s 20th ranked run defense holds some promise, but Alexander has not shown that he can get the job done against anyone all season.
26. Adrian Peterson (CHI) – Peterson has not shown much since taking over the starting job, and should not be seriously considered for a week 15 start against Minnesota’s top ranked run defense.
27. Laurence Maroney (NE) – If you are trying to make a playoff run, Maroney is not a guy you want to start. He does not get enough carries, and TD’s have been few and far between for him this season. In spite of a good match up against the Jets, he is not worth the risk.
28. DeShaun Foster (CAR) – He continues to struggle, and is not worth much consideration in week 15 against Seattle.
29. Chris Brown (TEN) – He is capable of doing a lot with a little. While Brown will likely see his usual back up scraps, he has the ability to do some damage, especially against a weak and beat up Kansas City run defense. He won’t have a monster game by any means, but 40 or 50 yards and a TD is not out of the question for him.
30. Thomas Jones (NYJ) – He has little value this week against New England.
31. Jesse Chatman (MIA) – He should be back this week, but Chatman will likely be limited, and has little value against Baltimore’s 3rd ranked run defense. (Check injury report: ankle)
32. Julius Jones (DAL) – In a week 9 meeting with Philadelphia, Jones had 79 total yards and a TD. A repeat performance is not likely, and Jones has minimal value this time around.
33. Jerious Norwood (ATL) – He has the ability to do some damage against Tampa Bay, but a lack of touches limits his fantasy value.
34. Kolby Smith (KC) – Smith has proven to be a capable fantasy back, but with both starting OT’s out, he is pretty much useless against a very tough Titans run defense. Smith only rushed for 12 yards on 13 carries last week against Denver without his big boys leading the way. He is not worth starting, especially if you are trying to make a playoff run. (Check injury report: knee)
35. Maurice Morris (SEA) – With the return of Shaun Alexander, Morris does not get enough touches to be considered a worthy fantasy starter.
