Week 15 finds us in the middle of our Fantasy Football playoffs and hopefully you are reading this column because you are still alive in your leagues. I’d like to think that I’ve helped you along the way with some valuable flex plays in these Sexy Flexies articles and I want to do that again for you in a crucial week. That is exactly why I write this column, to help you make these tough decisions and win your weeks!
As you know, every Thursday here on Razzball, I will be posting the weeks “Sexy Flexies” to give you a couple of players to consider starting in your flex spot. The objective isn’t to point out the obvious guys you’re starting in your RB or WR slots, but to take a look at a couple of players who are a bit more under the radar. These will likely be guys that you don’t start every week but will be good rotational pieces in the flex spot of your lineup based on matchup and opportunity.
What I do here is look at the matchups and opportunities and highlight for you a couple of guys who I believe will perform in the situation they are in for the given week. For this column, we will be looking at players who are ranked 60th or later at the flex position for the week, according to Fantasy Pros Consensus Ratings, but will still get you double digit fantasy points in your flex spots. Let’s take a look at the players who will be the “Sexy Flexies” for week 14!
Russell Gage– WR – Atlanta Falcons – vs Tampa Bay
I used Gage earlier in the year in the Flexies article and I am going back to the well here again this week. Ever since the Falcons bye week Gage has been an important part of the offense. In fact, he has scored 13 or more PPR points in 3 of the 4 weeks since the bye. The past 4 weeks, he has received target totals of 12,5,8 and 7. Gage is coming off back-to-back games with a touchdown and finished last week as WR 16.
Entering week 15 there is question as to whether Julio Jones will be able to play. If Julio doesn’t go, it makes Gage even more valuable. Last week we even saw Gage used outside in addition to his usual slot role. The Buccaneers young secondary has shown some vulnerability lately, especially at the 2nd and 3rd CB position. Carlton Davis is the shutdown outside corner who will likely spend most of the day on Ridley which will leave Gage plenty of time matched up with Sean Murphy-Bunting who has been the weakest link of the secondary. I expect Gage to take advantage while drawing another 8 or more targets for another solid double digit fantasy day.
Darnell Mooney – WR – Chicago Bears – at Minnesota
Taking a bit of a deeper dive we find ourselves here with Darnell Mooney. Not a household name, but the #2 WR for the Bears nonetheless. Mooney has been fairly consistent with at least 7 points in 7 of his last 8 games and at least 8 points in 5 of his last 6. We all know Allen Robinson is the focal point in the Bears passing offense, but after him it seems to be Mooney who would be next in line. I think there will be enough targets in a plus matchup this week to return value for us.
Mooney and the Bears face the Minnesota Vikings this week who have a young, inexperienced secondary. They haven’t been able to stop anybody this season and I don’t see it starting now in week 15. Mooney will see a combination of Jeff Gladney and Chris Jones who both grade out in the 50s in PFF cornerback grades. Even with Robinson monopolizing most of the targets, I believe Mooney can catch 5 balls, including a deep ball, and get us 70 yards and a touchdown when we need him most!
As always, lets crush this week and hopefully these Sexy Flexies will help you get some wins. Both players have great double-digit point upside and should have significant roles in their team’s game plan this week. Don’t forget, for some more help with setting your lineups check out Rudy Gamble’s Pigskinator for weekly projections! I always encourage you to follow me on twitter @fantasycoachjb and ask me all your questions there as well. Good luck in all your matchups this week! Lets dominate these fantasy playoffs!
