Fantasy Football Week 15 Waiver Pickups

If every game were like the Vikings-Ravens showdown, I wouldn’t even need fake football. Fantasy nurtures my need for drama, glory and apparently anxiety. Turns out, all I need is two minutes of snow football, with two teams who don’t play defense in purple outfits.

If you haven’t heard by now, you must must must find the highlights. Six fourth-quarter lead changes. Four touchdowns in the final 125 seconds. And a lot of disheartened Vikings fans when Joe Flacco connected with Marlon Brown in the final 4 seconds for the win.

 I hope Minnesota has a sense of humor.

As if that weren’t enough, just minutes later, the poor Browns almost pulled off an upset but fell to the Patriots 27-26 after losing an onside kick that gave Brady the chance to do what he does best. Win. I was rooting for the Browns so I didn’t find that game as riveting. But wow. I’m sure Boston fans everywhere are toasting chowda, proclaiming how wicked awesome that was. 

So how did your fantasy teams do? Big disappointments for those who own Matt Stafford. And yikes, Adrian Peterson and Rob Gronkowski left early with injuries. Josh Gordon amazed. Again. I don’t have his stats at my fingertips, but I’m pretty sure he has 10,000 yards over the last four games. Or pretty close to it.

Congratulations to those still alive in the playoffs. Here are this week’s waiver pickups: 

Toby Gerhart, RB, Minnesota Vikings – Peterson’s injury may only be a mild sprain, but Gerhart is worth the gamble, as he becomes the hottest waiver add if Peterson doesn’t play. After Peterson exited early, Toby put together a respectable performance with 15 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown… and a fumble, but that’s ok. It was slippery. Available in 46 percent of Yahoo leagues. 

Daniel Thomas, RB, Miami Dolphins – Impressive performance for Thomas, who collected 105 yards on 16 carries in relief for Lamar Miller, who left the game early with a concussion. Thomas also added a 4-yard touchdown run. If Miller can’t go, Thomas is a solid replacement. Available in 89 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Marcel Reece, RB, Oakland Raiders – Reece became a hot waiver add just seconds before the early games began on Sunday. Once again, Reece looked good in relief with 123 yards on 19 carries. I don’t love the Kansas City matchup this week, plus Rashad Jennings will likely be back. Keep your eye on this one. So yeah, Reece is my list fave RB on the list. Available in 88 percent of Yahoo leagues. 

Joique Bell, RB, Detroit Lions – Argh. I would have lost anyway, but I choose to blame Reggie Bush’s pre-game calf injury. Bell stepped up with 69 yards on 23 attempts, plus a touchdown. Bush is day-to-day. Bell becomes a must-start if Reggie sits. Available in 34 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Minnesota Vikings – I don’t care that the defenders were on a Slip’N Slide surface, Patterson blazed pass them with 141 yards on five receptions, including a touchdown. This week, the speedy wideout faces the Eagles who are weak against the pass. Available in 74 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Sunday Ticket – Thank you, Sunday Ticket. I don’t share my appreciation enough. But you earned your keep today in a single game. I will never ever question you again.

Erin Skelley joins Texans Radio every week on SportsRadio 610. Follow her on Twitter @erinskelley. She’ll babble fantasy to anyone who will listen.