Week 15: Emergency Kickers and Defense

K Ryan Longwell, Minnesota Vikings – While it’s tough to bank on offensive production out of the Vikings, this week should be a good week for Longwell. With Tavaris Jackson playing well and Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson healthy, the Vikings’ offense is better than it’s been all year. Going up against the Chicago Bears with Kyle Orton at the helm, this promises to be a field goal battle. Expect at least two field goals from Longwell this week.

K Martin Gramatica, New Orleans Saints – With Olindo Mare out for the season with a dislocated hip, the Saints signed Gramatica to handle their kicking duties for the rest of the season. And honestly, this move is a big improvement for the Saints. Mare was only 10-for-17 on field goals this year and was virtually unstartable in the fantasy world. Gramatica, on the other hand, can’t be any worse and could flourish in an offense that is moving the ball rather well right now.

D New Orleans Saints – The Saints D has been playing better as of late. They still aren’t great at stopping other teams, but they are capable of making a big play at any moment. Against the Arizona Cardinals this weekend, they’ll have a couple shots to get a big play. While the Cardinals are decent offensively, they’re banged up and not firing on all cylinders. The Saints may be able to take advantage.

D Miami Dolphins - If you want a high risk, high reward defense this week, look at the Dolphins. Sure, they are winless. Sure, they are horrible. However, this week they are taking on the Ravens. No team has ever gone 0-16 and this looks to be the Dolphins best shot to win a game. Cleo Lemon is back at quarterback, which will help the offense. The defense is going up against a very average offense that due for a major letdown.