Whether you're in the fantasy playoffs are planning to kick butt in a daily league, here are a few severely underrated players to target in Week 15, depending on your level of need.
QB Derek Anderson -- With Cam Newton expected to miss Sunday's contest, the veteran Anderson will step into a terrific fantasy matchup at home versus the Bucs--the same team Anderson played in Week 1, throwing for 230 yards and two touchdowns while completing over 70% of his pass attempts. It's also easy to forget that Carolina is a half-game behind Atlanta and New Orleans for the NFC South division lead. The Panthers should score 24+ points, giving Anderson at least 200 yards and two scores.
QB Johnny Manziel -- Never thought I'd recommend Manziel this season, but three things have broken his way. First, the recent and previously unexpected return of WR Josh Gordon (from suspension) and the return of TE Jordan Cameron (from concussion) give the Browns an entirely different passing attack than they had before Week 12. Second, realistically, Manziel is in no danger of getting pulled. Brian Hoyer's worst NFL performances couldn't have come at a worse time (or a better time for Manziel). The Browns won't go back to Hoyer unless Manziel poops on the 50-yard line (that's not a euphamism; he'd really have to poop to get pulled). Finally, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis stupidly referred to Manziel the other day as a "midget." Sure, he apologized, but if Manziel weren't motivated enough, he now has the opportunity shove those words back in Lewis's face. Predicting 175+ passing yards, 50+ rushing yards, and at least two touchdowns.
RB Jonathan Stewart -- After urging readers to start Stewart last week, I'm doubling down on what some thought was a fluky performance. Even if the the aging, "day-to-day" DeAngelo Williams plays, this is Stewart's job to lose. Expect 20+ touches en route to an 80+ yard, one-TD day.
WR Marlon Brown / WR Kamar Aiken -- If Torrey Smith (sprained knee) can't go Sunday, Brown should get a boost in targets and yards. Don't forget: this is the same guy who tallied seven touchdowns last season playing opposite T. Smith. But battling him will be Aiken, who took over opposite Steve Smith last week, reeling in six of seven targets to go with a TD. One of these guys has bust-out potential written all over him. Aiken has the momentum; Brown has the history.
DST Patriots / Giants / Titans -- There are three tiers of underrated DSTs heading into Week 15. The Pats will avenge their surprising Week 1 loss to the Dolphins by humiliating Ryan Tannehill and keeping Lamar Miller in check. I'm expecting a top 3 DST performance. The Giants should finish in the top 10 against a Redskins team boasting the NFL's worst QB trio. And the Titans' matchup against a likely Percy Harvin-less Jets makes them a worthy desperation play, with a likely top 14 finish.
QB Derek Anderson -- With Cam Newton expected to miss Sunday's contest, the veteran Anderson will step into a terrific fantasy matchup at home versus the Bucs--the same team Anderson played in Week 1, throwing for 230 yards and two touchdowns while completing over 70% of his pass attempts. It's also easy to forget that Carolina is a half-game behind Atlanta and New Orleans for the NFC South division lead. The Panthers should score 24+ points, giving Anderson at least 200 yards and two scores.
QB Johnny Manziel -- Never thought I'd recommend Manziel this season, but three things have broken his way. First, the recent and previously unexpected return of WR Josh Gordon (from suspension) and the return of TE Jordan Cameron (from concussion) give the Browns an entirely different passing attack than they had before Week 12. Second, realistically, Manziel is in no danger of getting pulled. Brian Hoyer's worst NFL performances couldn't have come at a worse time (or a better time for Manziel). The Browns won't go back to Hoyer unless Manziel poops on the 50-yard line (that's not a euphamism; he'd really have to poop to get pulled). Finally, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis stupidly referred to Manziel the other day as a "midget." Sure, he apologized, but if Manziel weren't motivated enough, he now has the opportunity shove those words back in Lewis's face. Predicting 175+ passing yards, 50+ rushing yards, and at least two touchdowns.
RB Jonathan Stewart -- After urging readers to start Stewart last week, I'm doubling down on what some thought was a fluky performance. Even if the the aging, "day-to-day" DeAngelo Williams plays, this is Stewart's job to lose. Expect 20+ touches en route to an 80+ yard, one-TD day.
WR Marlon Brown / WR Kamar Aiken -- If Torrey Smith (sprained knee) can't go Sunday, Brown should get a boost in targets and yards. Don't forget: this is the same guy who tallied seven touchdowns last season playing opposite T. Smith. But battling him will be Aiken, who took over opposite Steve Smith last week, reeling in six of seven targets to go with a TD. One of these guys has bust-out potential written all over him. Aiken has the momentum; Brown has the history.
DST Patriots / Giants / Titans -- There are three tiers of underrated DSTs heading into Week 15. The Pats will avenge their surprising Week 1 loss to the Dolphins by humiliating Ryan Tannehill and keeping Lamar Miller in check. I'm expecting a top 3 DST performance. The Giants should finish in the top 10 against a Redskins team boasting the NFL's worst QB trio. And the Titans' matchup against a likely Percy Harvin-less Jets makes them a worthy desperation play, with a likely top 14 finish.