NFL Week 15 $15,000 Monday
Week 15 is here which means that playoff are just around the corner. It has been a heart-breaking week for the number one seed Philadelphia Eagles as their red hot QB Carson Wentz has ruptured his ACL and is done for the season. Wentz has taken a huge stride this season with his play and has led his team to a league best 11 win 2 loss record. Backup QB Nick Foles is still a quality player, but Wentz’s absence leaves a huge hole. In other news, the Patriots have picked up former Browns wide receiver Kenny Britt. Britt is an explosive wide receiver, but has motivational issues. Hopefully he can recapture his brilliant best on the talented Patriots team. There are twelve matches to choose your team from with the highlight being a showdown between the two best teams in the AFC with the Patriots taking on the Steelers.
Here are our value players for the NFL $15,000+ Monday competition
Quarterback
Dak Prescott ($13,850)
After a quiet month Dak exploded back to his normal self with a dominant showing against the Giants. Dak had been struggling to run the offense without star running back Ezekiel Elliot, but he looks as though he has found his rhythm once again. Prescott and the Cowboys get a good matchup against the struggling raiders who have the worst pass defense in the league. Look for Dak to dominate in primetime and deliver a huge score.
Running Back
Jay Ajayi ($8,750)
With QB Carson Wentz out for the season, you can expect the Eagles to lean on their running game whilst their new QB Nick Foles gets up to speed. Ajayi is a gun running back who joined the Eagles mid-season in a trade with the Dolphins. He should see an increased workload against the Giants who have struggled to contain the run this season. Expect a big game from Ajayi.
Jonathan Stewart ($7,150)
The wily veteran has had a brilliant last month of football, culminating is a dominant game last week where he ran for over 100 yards and scored 3 TDs. Stewart is a strong running back who is suited to the Panthers brutal offense and is peaking at the right part of the season. The Panthers take on the Packers this week who welcome back star QB Aaron Rodgers. The Panthers will be keen to keep him on the sidelines and control the ball for long periods of time, meaning that Stewart should be used often. He looks a great value play.
Wide Receiver
Dez Bryant ($11,800)
Dez is looking like the Dez of old recently, catching TDs in back to back weeks. With Elliot’s suspension, Bryant has taken more of the load on offense and Dallas are seeing the results over the last two weeks. Bryant should be able to dominate in prime time against the porous Oakland defense. Expect Dez to have a big game and ‘Throw up the X’ when he scores a TD.
Wide Receiver
Josh Gordon ($12,050)
Gordon just keeps on getting better and better as he gets back to speed in the NFL. Gordon caught for a TD last week against the Packers before not getting targeted at all in the second half of the Brown’s overtime loss. Gordon is ready to post a huge day and he gets a chance against the Ravens whose best cornerback just got suspended for taking performance enhancing drugs. Gordon should be able to torch the Ravens and return a big score.
Tight End
Rob Gronkowski ($14,700)
After missing last week due to a suspension, the Gronk should be fit and ready to go. Gronk should be able to dominate the Steelers who were carved up by the Ravens last week. Gronk gets a great matchup against the Steelers who are missing their star linebacker Ryan Shazier. Look for the Gronk to catch for a couple of TDs and the Patriots to bounce back after last week’s shock loss.
Flex
Kenyan Drake ($12,850)
The Dolphins are running hot at the moment as they look to sneak into the playoffs. They have recorded two strong wins and it is no coincidence that Drake has balled out in both of those wins. The Dolphins take on the Bills who played in the snow last week and could be overly fatigued for this match. Expect the Dolphins to run the ball often and tire the Bills defense out.
Flex
Marqise Lee ($10,250)
Not many would have expected the Jags to be a Super Bowl contender this season, yet they sit at 9 wins and 4 losses on top of their division. The Jags have really improved their passing game in the last couple of weeks and Lee is a big part of that. The Texans have a great run defense so look for the Jags to air the ball out and try to exploit their weakened pass defense. Lee could be in for a big day.
Defense
New Orleans Saints ($8,200)
The Saints defense has been a little subdued in recent week due to the high quality opponents they have faced. They get the best matchup of the season this week as they face the New York Jets lead by Bryce Petty. Petty has come into the lineup to replace the injured Josh McCown, who has having a great season, but it is pretty clear that Petty is the worst QB in the league. Last week Petty completed only two out his nine passes and we can expect a similar stat line this week. Look for the Saints to run riot defensively.
The Lineup
QB: Dak Prescott ($13,850)
RB: Jay Ajayi ($8,750)
RB: Jonathan Stewart ($7,150)
WR: Dez Bryant ($11,800)
WR: Josh Gordon ($12,050)
TE: Rob Gronkowski ($14,700)
FX: Kenyan Drake ($12,850)
FX: Marqise Lee ($10,250)
DEF: New Orleans Saints ($8,200)
Cash Remaining: $400
NFL SCORING SYSTEM:
OFFENSE
Pass TD = 4 pts
1 Pass Yard = 0.04 pts
Interception = -1 pts
1 Rush Yard = 0.1 pts
Rush TD = 6 pts
1 Receiving Yard = 0.1pts
Reception TD = 6 pts
Reception = 1pt
Return TD = 6 pts
2 pt Conversion = 2pts
Lost Fumble = -2pts
DEFENSE
Sack = 1 pt
Interception = 2 pts
Fumble Recovery = 2 pts
Touchdown = 6 pts
Safety = 2 pts
Blocked Kick = 2 pts
Kickoff/PR Touchdown = 6 pts
Points allowed – 0 = 10 pts
Points allowed – 1-6 = 7 pts
Points allowed – 7-13 = 4 pts
Points allowed – 14-20 = 1 pt
Points allowed – 21-27 = 0 pts
Points allowed – 28-34 = -1 pt
Points allowed – 35+ = -4 pts