Get it? Andrew Hawkins? Hawkin’? Eagles? So much pun, so little time. The truth of the matter is it’s playoff time and we all know you’re most likely a strong enough team or else you wouldn’t be here. But injuries can always happen. It’s why I carry around a first aid kit where ever I go and have learned to make splints out of those umbrella sticks found in mojitos. When I come to a bar, I come prepared! Just ask the Eagles if you don’t believe that injuries can strike at any time. Michael Vick has been singing that Foreigner song since about week 10 and looks to be out for the rest of the season while Bryce Brown has show more LeSean than LeSean since McCoy got his bell rung week 11. Injuries can change a team quickly so as you prep for your first week of the playoffs – or if you’re a really eager consolation bracket player – its time we look at some great week 15 plays that could pay huge dividends but are probably not much of a concern for week 14. With the season ending injury to Mohamed Sanu declared this week, the person who gets sloppy WR seconds from AJ Green should fall to the small, speedy Andrew against an Eagles secondary that hasn’t given up less than 300 yards passing in its last two games through the air and have been atrocious in general against the pass since they fired ‘the problem’ over the bye week in defensive coordinator Juan Castillo. I think the Eagles have 99 problems but the defensive coach ain’t Juan and it shows. So if you’re struggling at WR3 or just really like wide receivers that are barely tall enough to ride roller coasters, Andrew could be your guy. In other thinking forward ideas for week 15 for 2012 fantasy football…
Benjamin Watson – Once you take your team to Brown town, it’s sometimes hard to escape. I know and I get that but hear me out. The Redskins are terrible at defending opposing TE; just ask Martellus Bennett after dropping a TD and 82 yards on them if they know what Brown town looks like. He’s proven that given a match up to exploit – 80 yards on 6 receptions vs the Raiders – Benjamin can get the job done. If you’re still bouncing between TEs while missing your beloved Gronk, you might want to practice your Mr. Miyagi impersonation. Wats-on for week 15, Wats-off for week 16. Actually Broncos are terrible vs opposing TEs too. You might just Watson the rest of your season.
Alshon Jeffrey – Hi all. Sky doesn’t let me talk very much but this is his gut talking. Do you remember when Alshon started the season and there was all this hype and optimism about him? And then do you remember when he had that big first game and everyone was all like ‘yeah man he’s gonna be awesome!’ and then reality set in and then he broke his arm? Did you know guts speak in italics? And that we occasionally upset ourselves on purpose just to give you bad gas? Woah, that’s quite enough, guts. I will give my guts this, that Green Bay game could have major playoff implications so I don’t see anyone sitting. If Marshall starts getting double-teamed and if Bennett is still dinged, Jeffrey might just sneak into being a worthwhile add but it would take quite a pair of balls to rely on him during the playoffs. Hey! Or guts, I guess. You hungry? Want a hot pocket? Yes please.
Justin Forsett – So I’m not saying this to be cruel but I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked about Ben Tate recently. It’s ‘Should I pick him up?’, or ‘Would you trade for him?’ or ‘Do you think he’s a ‘T’ or an ‘A’ guy?’. That last one really has me worried, honestly but at the same time extremely curious. But the reality is that Tate is still fairly well owned (63%/33% over in ESPN and yahoo leagues, respectively) for a guy with only 3 rushing attempts last weekend. Meanwhile, Forsett matched Arian Foster for carries with 14 and actually led the team in rushing yards against a mediocre Titans rush defense in week 13. Well the cool thing is, the Texans get the Titans again in week 15. Main difference? Houston might have basically clinched their division. Look, I’ve already warned all you Foster owners about his mileage early this year. I’ve also told you that I’m thinking forward about things because that’s what the title says. So I’m pulling out my magic 8 ball to see what Forsett might get to do against the 5th worst fantasy points against rushing defense if he sees a load increase.  Answer cloudy, please come back later. Hrm, let’s try again.  Answer unattainable without credit card information and a $500 cash advancement.  Well you heard the ball, pay up! In all seriousness, he’s less than 2% owned in both yahoo and ESPN leagues right now and if you see another 14 carry performance out of him that actually nets him a touchdown in week 14, you’re gonna have to fight everyone else for him to get in on week 15. Besides, do you really need Brandon Lloyd now after he’s done nothing on your bench for the last 6 weeks? Exactly.
