In fantasy football, it’s bizarre how the most unexpected players emerge as valuable weapons down the stretch. It’s common for reserves to surface from the shadows and play prominent roles, and week 15 was no different. Guys like Tim Rattay, Kyle Boller, Tavaris Jackson, Cedric Benson and D.J. Hackett came out of nowhere to play prominent roles and are in the mix for ample playing time the next two weekends as well. In this edition of Chutes ‘n’ Ladders, we’ll break down the top waiver-wire options if you’re looking to land that last piece of the puzzle for your championship run. Keep in mind – there’s some Thursday, Saturday and even a couple Monday Night football contests on the slate this week.
 
Quarterbacks
Tim Rattay, TB 20-for-35, 268 yards, three TD, INT
Jay Cutler, DEN 21-for-31, 261 yards, two TD, INT, 10 yards rushing
J.P. Losman, BUF 13-for-19, 200 yards, three TD, 11 yards rushing, FL
Kyle Boller, BAL 13-for-21, 238 yards, two TD, INT, 12 yards rushing, FL
Derek Anderson, CLE 23-for-32, 223 yards, two TD, two INT
Jeff Garcia, PHI 19-for-28, 237 yards, TD, INT, 16 yards rushing
Jason Campbell, WAS 13-for-28, 204 yards, TD
Tavaris Jackson, MIN 14-for-23, 177 yards, TD, INT, 20 yards rushing
David Garrard, JAC 22-for-37, 233 yards, TD, three INT, 43 yards rushing
Brad Johnson, MIN 10-for-17, 96 yards, TD
Chris Weinke, CAR 18-for-28, 170 yards, INT
Cleo Lemon, MIA 9-for-16, 98 yards
Aaron Brooks, OAK 11-for-19, 98 yards, INT, 10 yards rushing
Andrew Walter, OAK 14-for-20, 131 yards, two INT
Matt Cassell, NE 3-for-4, 20 yards
 
Rattay relieved ineffective Bruce Gradkowski Sunday and almost led the Bucs to a very improbable win against the mighty Bears. The backup came in and threw three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to rally Tampa back from a 24-10 and force overtime, where Chicago later won on a 25-yard Robbie Gould field goal. Rattay will likely remain the starter for the Bucs against the Browns next week. He should be a decent QB2 option if you need help at the position. … Anderson has done a fine job filling in for Charlie Frye in Cleveland. He’s now thrown for five touchdowns in his three contests and added a career-high 41 rushing yards Sunday. At 6’6”, 240 pounds, Anderson is a marvel of an athlete – he’s got a cannon and is very athletic for his frame. He’s a decent matchup in larger leagues in week 16 against Tampa Bay – Rex Grossman threw for a career-high 339 yards against them this weekend. … Tavaris Jackson replaced Johnson as the Vikings quarterback in the second half Sunday against the Jets, and threw for 177 yards and a touchdown. Coach Brad Childress hasn’t named his starter for Thursday against the Packers. Whoever gets the nod is a decent option against Green Bay, who ranks No. 27 against the pass allowing 221.5 yards through the air.
 
Running Backs
Kevin Faulk, NE four rushes, 22 yards, TD, two rec, 46 yards, TD
Justin Griffith, ATL 15 yards rushing, four rec, 34 yards, two TD, FL
Najeh Davenport, PIT 14 yards rushing, two rec, 31 yards, TD
Cedric Houston, NYJ 21 rushes, 53 yards, TD
Michael Pittman, TB four rec, 30 yards
Correll Buckhalter, PHI eight rushes, 48 yards, TD
Cedric Benson, CHI 15 rushes, 53 yards, TD
Mike Alstott, TB six rushes, 26 yards, TD
Arlen Harris, DET nine rushes, 18 yards, five rec, 33 yards
Ovie Mughelli, BAL two rec, 13 yards, TD
Jason McKie, CHI five rec, 34 yards
ReShard Lee, OAK five rec, 21 yards
Justin Fargas, OAK 12 rushes, 43 yards
Jason Wright, CLE eight rushes, 37 yards
 
With Laurence Maroney sidelined, Kevin Faulk has been very involved in the Patriots offense the past couple weeks. He came through with a rushing and receiving TD in the first half of last week’s blowout win against Houston and will continue to get a lot of playing time as the Pats receiving back down the stretch. … Benson is the most attractive option on this list of backs and he came through with 53 yards and a big four-yard, fourth quarter TD in Chicago’s win last week. With matchups against Detroit and Green Bay, he’s definitely worth using as a RB3 or flex option. … With Jerious Norwood out of action, Justin Griffith had his most productive game, catching two TDs out of the backfield. He’s now scored three times the past two games after scoring just two TDs in his previous 22 games. If the rookie has to miss another game, Griffith is worth some consideration because of his pass catching ability.
 
Wide Receivers
Demetrius Williams, BAL two rec, 100 yards, TD
Travis Taylor, MIN six rec, 81 yards, TD
Reggie Brown, PHI four rec, 77 yards, TD
Ronald Curry, OAK nine rec, 87 yards
D.J. Hackett, SEA eight rec, 87 yards
Roddy White, ATL three rec, 104 yards
Troy Williamson, MIN six rec, 74 yards
Arnaz Battle, SF five rec, 97 yards
Josh Reed, BUF four rec, 50 yards, TD
Ike Hilliard, TB three rec, 55 yards, TD
Rod Smith, DEN four rec, 40 yards, TD
Michael Jenkins, ATL three rec, 37 yards, TD
Brandon Marshall, DEN five rec, 58 yards
 
With Randy Moss likely out for the season and Jerry Porter stuck in owner Al Davis’ doghouse, Ronald Curry emerged as the Raiders No. 1 receiver the past couple weeks. In fact, he’s racked up an impressive 17 receptions for 186 yards and a TD the past two games. Especially if Aaron Brooks is announced the starter of Andrew Walter, Curry could have some value as a WR3 despite the Raiders anemic offense. … The Seahawks were minus stud wideout Darrell Jackson last week, so D.J. Hackett came through with his biggest game of the year, registering a career-high eight catches. Jackson is expected to miss next week’s contest as well, so Hackett is an intriguing option against the Chargers.  
 
Tight Ends
Jeremy Stevens, SEA five rec, 64 yards, TD
Robert Royal, BUF three rec, 62 yards, TD
Alex Smith, SF five rec, 24 yards, TD
Vernon Davis, SF three rec, 15 yards, TD
Courtney Anderson, OAK four rec, 52 yards
Michael Gaines, CAR four rec, 54 yards
Tony Scheffler, DEN three rec, 58 yards
 
Injury News
The Jaguars lost Fred Taylor to a hamstring injury on his second carry Sunday against Tennessee. He broke a 35-yard run and had the daylight to make it to the end zone, but pulled up lame with tight hammy. Afterwards, he said it was more of cramping in the leg than a pull or tear, so he'll be questionable for next week's contest against the Patriots. Teammate Maurice Jones-Drew, who finished with 98 yards rushing and a TD, also limped off the filed with a bum hamstring. He had X-rays after the game and isn't expected to miss any time.
 
Chester Taylor returned from a one-game absence because of a rib injury and was forced to leave because of a wrist injury. He finished with 38 yards rushing on 11 carries and Artose Pinner relieved him afterwards. Taylor's status for Thursday's contest against the Packers doesn't look good so Pinner could be a decent fill-in RB3/flex option in a next week's fantasy championship.
 
Steve McNair left early in the first quarter Sunday against the Browns after LB Andra Davis stepped on his hand. Kyle Boller relieved him and came through for 238 yards passing and a couple TDs. X-Rays on Air McNair's hand came back negative and his status is up in the air for next week. The Ravens take on the Steelers in week 16 and there' s a possibility Boller will make his first start of the season behind center. Teammate Todd Heap also left with a knee injury. He did finish with five receptions for 58 yards before departing though. Be sure to keep tabs on his health throughout the week – he's a must-start when healthy.
 
Randy Moss sat out Sunday's blowout loss because of a knee injury and there remains a lot of speculation that the controversial receiver will sit out the final couple regular season games as well. … Willis McGahee briefly left Sunday's game against Miami with a head injury from a shot from LB Zach Thomas. He was able to return in the Bills next drive and finished with a respectable 79 yards on 28 carries. … Marty Booker left with an ankle injury during Sunday's contest vs. Buffalo and was unable to return. … Joe Jurevicius also was forced out of action due to headaches. He did rack up five receptions, 46 yards and a score, but is questionable for next week's action.
 
Week 16 Schedule
Thursday, Dec. 21
Minnesota at Green Bay 8:00 pm
 
Saturday, Dec. 23
Kansas City at Oakland 8:00 pm
 
Sunday, Dec. 24
Baltimore at Pittsburgh 1:00 pm
Carolina at Atlanta 1:00 pm
Chicago at Detroit 1:00 pm
Indianapolis at Houston 1:00 pm
New England at Jacksonville 1:00 pm
New Orleans at N.Y. Giants 1:00 pm
Tampa Bay at Cleveland 1:00 pm
Tennessee at Buffalo 1:00 pm
Washington at St. Louis 1:00 pm
Arizona at San Francisco 4:05 pm
Cincinnati at Denver 4:15 pm
San Diego at Seattle 4:15 pm
 
Monday, Dec. 25
Philadelphia at Dallas 5:00 pm
N.Y. Jets at Miami 8:30 pm

Questions, comments, quandaries? Contact me at tycoon4477@hotmail.com.