The Fantasy Fix correctly predicted a down game from the Ravens offense, but whiffed on running back Javorius Allen, who came back down to Earth after several strong outings. Also missed was wide receiver Kamar Aiken, who put together a nice performance against the tough Seattle defense.
START: WR Kamar Aiken Although Richard Sherman and the "Legion Of Boom" got the last laugh in Week 14, fantasy owners had to be pleased with the effort from Aiken. In a daunting matchup against the feared Seattle Seahawks defense, Aiken showed good rapport with quarterback Jimmy Clausen in the loss, finishing with five receptions for 90 yards.
Aiken has been a target hog since Steve Smith Sr. went down for the season, averaging 10 per game since Week 10. The 26-year-old veteran also benefited from the Ravens' quarterback change, as Clausen's play was a fantasy upgrade over quarterback Matt Schaub, who missed Week 14 due to injury (chest).
The lone Ravens receiver still healthy from the Week 1 roster, Aiken now draws a Kansas City Chiefs defense that has been subpar against the pass this year, allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing receivers in 2015.
The Chiefs have been playing well as of late, and could force the Ravens' aerial game into extended work playing from behind for most of the game. If Clausen continues to start, expect another high-volume game for Aiken, enough to make him a back-end WR2 for the fantasy playoffs.
Week 15 Prediction: Six receptions, 70 yards, touchdown = 16 fantasy points
START: RB Javorius Allen The Fantasy Fix rolled the dice against a tough Seattle defense in Week 14 [space]... and got burned pretty badly.
Allen was stuffed routinely by the Seahawks, averaging a meager 1.8 yards per carry on eight attempts. With the Ravens playing from behind for most of the game, Allen did most of his damage out of the backfield, finishing with five receptions for 44 yards. Despite the nice volume in the passing game, his Week 14 numbers still fell well below his projection.
The receiving numbers were the continuance of a nice trend for Allen, but the sledding remains tough in Week 15 against a stingy Chiefs' run defense that ranks in the top five of fantasy points allowed to running backs.
However, the rookie rusher's value in the passing game should give owners hope for success in Week 15. While Kansas City's rush defense is elite when looking at the entire season, they have been trending in the wrong direction over the past few weeks. The Chiefs defense has allowed double-digit fantasy points from running backs in three of five contests since their Week 10 bye, with the two down games both coming from San Diego's Melvin Gordon.
"Buck" has a low floor in PPR leagues because of his lofty receiving totals. With the Ravens likely playing from behind, Allen should continue to find success through the air, which is fantasy gold for running backs. If the rookie can find a few holes in the defense on the ground as well, Allen should easily be able to produce mid-range RB2 numbers at the thin position.
Week 15 Prediction: 50 rushing yards, six receptions, 45 yards = 12.5 fantasy points
SIT: Ravens Tight Ends
Nothing irritates a fantasy owner more than the dreaded bagel. A zero-point outing from any player is often a fatal blow for fantasy teams, and anyone in a league deep enough to start rookie Maxx Williams got just that on Sunday against Seattle.
With tight end Crockett Gillmore out with a back injury, the Ravens offensive gameplan virtually phased out the position against the Seahawks. Williams wasn't targeted and played just 34 percent of snaps on offense.
Regardless of who plays, the position figures to be a non-factor once again fantasy-wise against the Chiefs. Kansas City is the second-best defense in the league against opposing tight ends, and has allowed just one double-digit scoring game this year. Even if Gillmore returns, it would be wise to turn elsewhere on the waiver wire for teams in need at the position.
Week 15 Prediction (for Ravens starting TE): Two receptions, 20 yards = 3 fantasy points
