Fantasy Player Projections

Colin Kaepernick

The NFL sophomore threw for 238 yards against the Dolphins in Week 14, and while he was unable to throw a touchdown pass, he did score on the ground. He should be considered a viable fantasy starter in Week 15 at New England because the Pats' pass defense is sketchy. But cold weather makes him a borderline play.

Frank Gore

Gore had 12 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins in Week 14. The Patriots are similarly tough against the run, but Gore is a must-start player in all fantasy formats. He has more than 1,000 rushing yards for the sixth time in his career and is on pace to put up the second-best fantasy numbers of his career.

LaMichael James

James got his first regular season NFL carries in Week 14 against the Dolphins, with eight rushes for 30 yards and one reception for 15 yards. James will continue to get backup touches behind Frank Gore with Brandon Jacobs suspended for three games, but the rookie isn't someone to consider in fantasy play just yet.

Michael Crabtree

Crabtree caught a season-high nine passes for 93 yards against the Dolphins in Week 14. While he hasn't scored in the past three games, he's still a solid fantasy contributor, especially in PPR leagues.

Mario Manningham

Manningham sat out Week 14 with a shoulder injury, but he could return in Week 15. Fantasy owners should steer clear for now, though. Randy Moss would see more chances again if Manningham can't play.

Randy Moss

Moss caught two passes for 30 yards against the Dolphins in Week 14. With Mario Manningham (shoulder) sidelined, Moss was targeted a bit more. Even so, he's not worth a look in most formats at this stage of his career.

Vernon Davis

Davis had yet another bad fantasy performance, this time against the Dolphins in Week 14, catching just one pass for four yards. It's tough to blindly start him these days, so look for better alternatives before Week 15. It's possible you don't have better options, and it's possible that he breaks off another 83-yard performance, like he did in Week 11. It's Big risk/big reward with Davis these days.

David Akers

Akers had two field goals and three extra points against the Dolphins in Week 14. After a rough middle stretch, Akers has settled down and made four of his past five field goals. The cold weather in New England isn't conducive to a kicker dealing with inconsistency, however.

The 49ers allowed just 13 points to the Dolphins in Week 14 and tallied two sacks and a fumble recovery. They have a much bigger problem on their hands in Week 15 against the Patriots. It's tough to think about sitting the Niners, though, even against a red-hot Tom Brady and Co.

Tom Brady

Brady came through on Monday night with another big performance. He threw for four touchdowns against the Texans and he now has 11 touchdowns in his past four games. The 49ers are excellent against the pass, but Brady remains a must-start player in his 13th year.

Stevan Ridley

Ridley rushed 18 times for 72 yards against the Texans Monday night, and he scored a rushing touchdown for the sixth consecutive game. The 49ers have a stout run defense, however, so a seventh game with a touchdown is going to be tough to come by. The 49ers have allowed just three rushing touchdowns all season.

Shane Vereen

Vereen gave Stevan Ridley a breather at different points in Monday’s game against Houston, and he finished with eight carries for 40 yards. If Ridley gets hurt, Vereen will be a solid pickup, but he won’t do much against a strong 49ers defense in Week 15.

Wes Welker

Welker had one of his quietest games of the season in Week 14 against Houston, catching just three passes (nine targets) for 52 yards. Keep the playmaker active in Week 15 against a tough 49ers defense. He has 226 receiving yards and two touchdowns in his past three games.

Brandon Lloyd

Lloyd came through on Monday night against the Texans with his best game of the season, catching seven passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots likely will have more success against the 49ers through the air than on the ground, but another game with a touchdown might be a stretch for Lloyd.

Donte' Stallworth

Just a few days after signing back with the Patriots, Stallworth caught a 63-yard touchdown pass against the Texans in Week 14. Even so, he was only targeted twice, so don't expect a similar game against the 49ers.

Aaron Hernandez

Hernandez caught eight passes for the second straight game and finished with 58 yards and two touchdowns Monday against Houston. He's healthy once again. The 49ers have a tough defense, but they also have allowed five touchdowns to tight ends this season.

Stephen Gostkowski

While Gostkowski didn't get any field-goal opportunities in Week 14, he did kick six extra points. Even so, fantasy owners need the three-point kicks, and he should see more chances against a 49ers defense that should stall the Patriots a couple times in scoring position.

New England recorded two sacks and one interception against Houston in Week 14. The Patriots gave up 14 points and just 323 yards to one of the better offenses in the league, and young quarterback Colin Kaepernick may have a tough time in Week 15.