Believe it or not, quarterback rankings aren't getting any easier despite the fact that it's probably your semifinal week in fantasy. If you're still playing a mid-level QB or are riding with a hot guy you hope continues his upward trend, this is your biggest decision of Week 15. Remember, you start Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Eli Manning regardless of matchups. So here are my rankings of 6-10 for the week before Christmas.
- Tony Romo @ TB. At least Romo can say the collapse against the Giants wasn't his fault. But he's rolling now more than ever with Miles Austin back (if they had their timing back, that third-and-5 to Austin in the final 3:00 goes for another TD). You can expect days like this the rest of the way as Dallas will emphasize throwing the football to keep the wear and tear low on Felix Jones. Again, Romo completed nearly 70 percent of his passes. And the Bucs are giving up nearly 250 yards a game through the air. Romo is just outside the list of must-starts.
- Matthew Stafford @ OAK. What can I say, he's a machine -- Calvin Johnson or no Calvin Johnson. With teams double- and triple-teaming Megatron, Stafford has been just fine finding his complementary WRs. (Not so good if you own Calvin Johnson, though.) He's also been completing nearly 70 percent of his passes the last six weeks and is in the zone once again. You can't count on him for Rodgers or Eli-type numbers, but he's not far behind. The Raiders are middle-of-the-pack against the pass but Stafford will find a way as he has all season.
- Michael Vick vs. NYJ. As a Jets fan, I feel like Ebenezer Scrooge at the end of "A Christmas Carol." Michael Vick? You are the ghost I fear most of all. He energized the Eagles last week against the Dolphins, and while it didn't translate in fantasy, I think that will happen this week. The Jets defense brings pressure, but they're still slow. I think this is a huge game on the ground for Vick, where he could be worth nearly 15 points before you count any of his passing stats. Remember, the Jets' first game without Jim Leonhard last year was New England 45, Jets 3.
- Tim Tebow vs. NE. Normally you'd think "It's Bill Belichick, he'll find a way to mystify this relatively-new-to-the-NFL-QB." But look at New England's last three games. Vince Young went for 400 and a TD. Dan Orlovsky 353 and 2 TDs. Rex Grossman 252 and 2 TDs, with one called back by a penalty. They've also allowed a 400-yard game to Chad Henne and a 344-yard one to Jason Campbell. Do you need any more than that?
- Matt Ryan @ JAX. It's hard to resist putting T.J. Yates or Rex Grossman here because they've been surprisingly good the last couple of weeks, but as you know I subscribe to the theory of "If You Lose, Lose With Your Stud." Ryan's been hot, and while he doesn't have the greatest matchup against the Jaguars, he's been pretty consistent since November. His lowest yardage day the last six weeks has been 262 yards, and he's totaled 14 TDs in that time.
See Jason Smith on NFL Fantasy Live, airing Sundays at 11:30 a.m. ET on the Red Zone Channel, and Tuesday-Friday on NFL Network at 2 p.m. and midnight ET. He writes Fantasy and other NFL pith on NFL.com daily. Talk to him on Twitter @howaboutafresca. He only asks you never bring up when the Jets play poorly.
