Weekly Matchups: Strong Plays, Weak Plays Week 15

STRONG PLAYS

Kerry Collins vs. HOU

Collins is coming off a strong three-touchdown performance against the Colts, and this week has an outstanding matchup against a poor Texans secondary. The Texans are last in the NFL in points allowed to quarterbacks and have given up multiple touchdown passes in 10 out of their last 11 games. The weather in Tennessee is not expected to be a factor, so Collins should be a good play this week, especially for playoff owners who own Rodgers or Favre.

Tim Hightower vs. CAR

Hightower is coming off his best game of the season and looks to have another strong week against the poor Panthers run defense. The Panthers are 30th in the league in fantasy points allowed to running backs and have allowed nine rushing touchdowns in the last three weeks. Furthermore, the Panthers are giving up 143 yards a game on the ground in that span. Look for Hightower to continue his strong play and give his owners plenty to smile about this week.

Santana Moss vs. DAL

Moss broke out of his mini-slump last week, hauling in seven passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Buccaneers. While Moss has been up-and-down all season, he has been very good against bad pass defenses. In his best three matchups, Moss has 22 catches for 319 yards and two touchdowns. This week is an excellent matchup against a Dallas pass defense that is last in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. Dallas has allowed more than 200 yards to wide receivers in five of its last six games and has allowed at least one touchdown to wide receivers in every game since Week 1. Look for Moss to be a nice flex or No. 2 receiving options for playoff owners.

Kevin Boss vs. PHI

Boss has been under the radar in the fantasy tight end world but has been producing solid numbers lately. Boss has touchdown catches in four of the last six weeks and faces an Eagles pass defense that ranks 31st in fantasy points allowed to tight ends. The Eagles have given up the most receiving touchdowns (9) to tight ends this season. In a game that may have light snow, Boss could be a nice passing option for Eli Manning and could be a nice option for owners without an elite tight end.

Arizona Def vs. CAR

If you don't have an elite defense going into the playoffs and have waiver-wire options, pick up the Cardinals if they are available. The Cardinals have been up-and-down all season but have the potential to be really good as evidenced by last week's strong showing against the Broncos when they forced six turnovers and scored a touchdown. While the Cardinals don't have a great pass rush, the current Panthers offense can turn any defense into the '85 Bears. The Panthers are last in the NFL in scoring offense and rank in the bottom five in sacks allowed and turnovers. Look for the Cardinals defense to have another strong outing this week.

WEAK PLAYS

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. MIA

After being hot earlier in the season, Fitzpatrick's fantasy numbers have slowed down considerably. Fitzpatrick has only thrown for more than one touchdown once in the last seven weeks and has thrown for just 290 yards in the last two weeks. This week, Fitzpatrick travels to Miami to play a Dolphins pass defense that has been very good this season. The Dolphins have given up the eighth fewest points to fantasy quarterbacks all season and has given up just three touchdown passes in the last five weeks. Look for Fitzpatrick to struggle and not be a viable option for owners who have quarterbacks with tough matchups or injuries.

Rashard Mendenhall vs. NYJ

Mendenhall has been shut down the past two weeks and, with the exception of the Bills game in Week 12, hasn't been big producer for much of the second half of the season. This week, Mendenhall has a tough matchup against a Jets run defense that continues to be strong despite the team's recent woes. The Jets rank second in fewest fantasy points allowed to running backs. The Jets have not allowed 100 yards rushing to a running back all season and are giving up just 3.4 yards per carry. Look for Mendenhall to struggle and be a possible bench candidate depending on your team's depth.

Anquan Boldin vs. NO

In a great matchup last week, Boldin was held to just three catches for 41 yards in a win against the Texans. Boldin's fantasy star has not shown bright lately, as he has caught more than three passes just twice in the last six weeks, with only two touchdowns in that time frame. This week Boldin has a very tough matchup against the Saints pass defense. The Saints are allowing the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers and have given up just four touchdowns all season. Look for Boldin to struggle in this all important week for fantasy owners.

Larry Fitzgerald vs. CAR

This season looks to be Fitzgerald's worst since 2006 when he caught just 68 passes for less than 1,000 yards and six touchdowns. Fitzgerald has been plagued by terrible quarterback play all season and will have rookie John Skelton at the helm this week against Carolina. For as poor as the Carolina offense has been this season, the pass defense statistically is one of the better ones in the league. They have given up the third fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season, and the fifth fewest to quarterbacks. Fitzgerald has just one touchdown and one 100-yard receiving game in the last six weeks. Expect much the same this week.

Green Bay DEF vs. NE

While it may be nearly impossible to sit the outstanding Green Bay defense, the Packers might have the toughest matchup of the week as they face the Patriots. New England has scored more than 30 points in each of its last five games and has not turned the ball over in that span either. For the season, the Patriots have given up the sixth fewest sacks in the league. Furthermore, if Aaron Rodgers is unable to play and Matt Flynn starts, it is likely that the Green Bay offense will not be able to keep the Patriots offense off the field. Look for the Packers defense to have their worst outing of the season and struggle for the first time in several weeks.