Editor's Note: Be sure to get your picks in for the Stampede Blue Prediction Contest. You have until 1:00 ET Sunday. Get your picks in sooner rather than later.
Welcome to Week 15 of your Fantasy Football Sleepers and Busts. I'll review last week before going into this week's studs and duds.
Sleepers:
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Matt Cassel: 268 passing, 1 TD/0 INT, 14 rush yds, 2 PT = 19 pts. Cassel led the Patriots to a victory in the 4th quarter last week, playing well throughout. That's a victory for me.
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Tim Hightower: 32 yds rush, 1 TD = 9 pts. Ok week for Hightower in a blowout win for the Cardinals. I really don't get why they didn't run the ball more at the end of the game, but that's the Cardinals for you.
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Laveranues Coles: 5 yards = 0 pts. This is why I never pick him for my fantasy team. Always disappointed when he shouldn't.
Busts:
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Tony Romo: 210 yds passing, 1 TD/3 INT, 6 rush yds, 1 FL = 6 pts. Why couldn't he have played the Steelers one week earlier? The turnover machine doesn't disappoint.
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DeAngelo Williams: 186 yds rushing, 2 TD = 30 pts. Tampa's run defense decided not to show up, and both Williams and Stewart ran wild. Oops.
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Andre Johnson: 55 yards, 1 TD, 2 PT = 13 pts. The Texans went into Lambeau and won, and Johnson didn't have all the yards, but caught a TD and a crucial 2 pointer.
Bonus Pick: Gus Frerotte: 70 yards, 2 INT = -2 pts. He got injured in the 2nd quarter and didn't return. Tavaris Jackson came in and led the Vikings to a win in Detroit.
So I was 2/7 last week, and 43/88 for the season. I'm dropping quickly. This is harder than I first expected. Here are you fantasy nuggets for Week 15:
Sleepers:
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Tyler Thigpen vs. SD: The Chargers have had difficulty stopping fantasy QBs from having big weeks (28th), and Thigpen should have a big week for the Chiefs.
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Maurice Morris vs. STL: I'm going back to the well again, and picking against the Rams for my RB. My only question is whether more than 5000 people will actually watch this game.
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Davone Bess vs. SF: Who? The rookie from Hawaii has averaged 7 catches, 82 yards over the past 3 weeks. The 49ers are 28th against WR this season. He'll get his 2nd TD this week.
Busts:
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Jay Cutler vs. CAR: The Panthers are undefeated at home this season, and are 7th best against QB this season. They also have absolutely no running game, so I can't imagine Cutler will get many yards.
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Marshawn Lynch vs. NYJ: JP Losman starts again this week for the Bills, which means the Jets will load 8-9 in the box and make Losman beat them. I won't hold my breath.
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Calvin Johnson vs. IND: Of the 4 passing TDs the Colts defense has given up, only 2 have been to WR (Andre Johnson and Vincent Jackson). I'm guessing we'll be rolling a safety to Johnson's side on each play, as he's the Lions only real play-maker.
Bonus pick: Peyton Manning vs. DET. Heh, this isn't a fair fight, so I won't count it. It's really interesting though, looking at the Lions' schedule: The best QB they've faced this season? Aaron Rodgers. But they get Manning and Brees in back-to-back weeks.
Couple other fantasy notes: Brandon Jacobs and Frank Gore both out today. Make sure they aren't in your lineup. Update: Jeff Garcia is out as well today. I wouldn't start any other TB QB though. Makes this game a little easier for the Falcons.
Update #2: Addai is out (expect full inactive list from shake as soon as it is up). LenDale White is active.
I'll update this as the morning goes on, for all your playoff needs.