Week 15. Things have gotten real. If you're reading this, chances are that you're in the playoffs or may have already survived one round of the postseason. I could spend several words prattling on about how every move you make could be the difference between moving on or packing it in until next year. But you already know that. So let's get on with it, shall we?
Game Balls
Defensive line: Just about everything went right for the Falcons in their win over the Rams. You can count Vic Beasley among that number. The Atlanta pass rusher logged three tackles and three sacks. That would be understating things a bit since Beasley not only picked up a strip sack of Jared Goff, but recovered it and returned it for a touchdown. Just another week in the life of a man tied for the NFL lead in sacks.
Linebacker: It feels strange to realize that we've gone through 14 weeks of the NFL season without having written much about Sean Lee. The Cowboys linebacker has remained healthy all season and reminded us of just how good he can be. The Giants saw that up close on Sunday night when Lee racked up 11 tackles and recovered a fumble. There's no reason to think he won't finish the season as a top five linebacker.
Defensive back: McKelvin hasn't been on anyone's fantasy radar this season, but he had quite a day on Sunday. The Eagles corner was picked on quite a bit -- as his five tackles and four pass defenses can attest -- but he also picked back. McKelvin jumped a route and took a Kirk Cousins pass back for a score. He's sure to see plenty of action in Week 15 against the pass-happy Baltimore Ravens.
What went wrong
» Remember earlier when I said that just about everything went right for the Falcons? It was the other way for the Rams. That included Alec Ogletree, who has otherwise been having a nice fantasy campaign. Ogletree wasn't quite the factor he's been for much of the season with just four total tackles and 4.50 fantasy points. Fantasy owners shouldn't worry. This just has the makings of an off week and Ogletree should return to being a force this week against the Seahawks.
Week 15 boomer
Danielle Hunter, DL, Minnesota Vikings: Hunter has attracted plenty of attention with his play this season. The Vikings second-year lineman has posted 10.5 sacks and has notched at least one-half sack in five straight games. This week, he'll set his sights on Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts offensive line. The Houston Texans might have only recorded one sack, but they applied plenty of pressure. Look for Hunter and the Vikings to do the same.
Week 15 buster
Carlos Dunlap, DL, Cincinnati Bengals: Dunlap left last week's game with a neck injury, which curbed any of his fantasy production. He's expected to be back in action this week but the matchup against the Steelers doesn't offer much comfort. One of Dunlap's worst fantasy performances this season was against Pittsburgh in Week 2 -- a Pittsburgh team that didn't have Le'Veon Bell. It could be tough on the Bengals defensive front this weekend.
Week 15 sleeper
Nick Fairley, DL, New Orleans Saints: Fairley has been a boom or bust fantasy option this season. He went boom in Week 14 with six tackles and a sack against the Buccaneers. There's a good chance of him repeating the feat this week against the Cardinals. Arizona's offensive line and Carson Palmer's diminished mobility have conspired to contribute to 38 sacks this season -- fourth-most in the league. Fairley should have ample chance to get after the quarterback in this one.
Four downs
First down:Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso missed Sunday's game against the Cardinals because of a hamstring injury. However the playmaker said he feels like he'll be ready to go for Saturday's game against the New York Jets. As a top 10 IDP linebacker, Alonso's return to the field will be welcomed by all parties. At least all parties not wearing green and white.
Second down: The Panthers played a third straight game without Luke Kuechly on Sunday as the linebacker continues to recover from concussion symptoms. Despite not being able to pass the league's concussion protocol, head coach Ron Rivera says the team has not made a decision to shut Kuechly down for the remainder of the season. If Kuechly is able to get back into the lineup, he is undoubtedly worth a start. When that time may come, however, is anyone's guess at this point.
Third down: Ziggy Ansah left Sunday's win over the Bears with a shoulder injury. However, it appears that the issue is a stinger and it's not expected to keep him out of Sunday's contest against the Giants. After logging a career-high 14.5 sacks in 2015, Ansah is still looking for his first of 2016. His return to the field is nice, but he hasn't shown anything that would warrant lineup consideration.
Fourth down: It wasn't a surprise that Johnathan Joseph missed last week's game against the Colts after suffering cracked ribs and a bruised lung the previous week. But signs point to the Texans corner being back in action for Sunday's tilt with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Joseph's return could mean Kareem Jackson is targeted more often by the pass-heavy Jaguars offense.
Marcas Grant is a fantasy editor for NFL.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarcasG or on Snapchat at marcasg9.
