Fantasy Football: Week 15 Quarterback Rankings

MIAMI, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Dare you bench 'Terrific' Tom Brady in the fantasy football playoffs?

Probably not, but there are many other borderline quarterbacks to consider for your starting spot at the most pivotal point in the season. You need to consider matchup, talent, consistency, and possibly even weather, when choosing your quarterback.

To help you figure out who to sit or start at the position, take a look at my top 20 quarterbacks for Week 15. You can also view my add/drops for the week and more positional rankings in the links below.

TOP SHELF

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is my top-ranked gunslinger for Week 15. Ryan battles a San Francisco 49ers defense tied for allowing the second-most touchdowns and the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Ryan completed 18-of-28 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. He is tied with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees with 30 passing touchdowns, second to only Aaron Rodgers' 32 touchdown tosses.

Washington Redskins stud Kirk Cousins is showing up in a big way this year. The quarterback faces a defense tied for allowing the third-most touchdowns to the position, in the Carolina Panthers. Cousins has now accounted for multiple touchdowns in eight consecutive games and is an easy start this Week against less-than-stellar opposition.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Reigning MVP Cam Newton might not be producing like last season, but his skill set still lends itself to huge numbers for your fantasy football squad. This week, Newton and the Panthers face a Redskins secondary allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing passers.

Buffalo Bills' Tyrod Taylor is getting back some healthy playmakers and gets to face a Cleveland Browns secondary allowing the most touchdowns and second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Taylor completed 15-of-25 passes for 228 yards, two scores, and one interception in Week 14. I expect his connection with Sammy Watkins to drastically improve against the winless Browns Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

LONGSHOTS

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is a borderline QB1 this week with a matchup against the Detroit Lions. The Lions are tied for allowing the fourth-most touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks. Manning has passed for multiple touchdowns in five of his last six starts.

Philip Rivers will be forced to throw this week in what is primed to be an AFC West shootout against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are tied for allowing the sixth-most touchdowns to quarterbacks. The San Diego Chargers veteran has thrown multiple touchdown passes in six straight contests and is a good bet to do it again Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.