How will Alshon Jeffery perform in his return from suspension?

Week 14 was one full of running back injuries and disappointing quarterback performances. If you managed to win your matchup, and especially if you beat the Le’Veon Bell owner, it’s time to pat yourself on the back for making it this far. There’s still more work to be done, however, so here are the questions that we should be asking heading into Week 15.

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How will backup running backs fare?

Injuries to Matt Forte and Melvin Gordon have likely taken two top-24 running backs out of the lineups for the semifinal week of playoff matchups. Many have been clamoring for Bilal Powell to take on a bigger role with the Jets, and he should get his chance this week against the Dolphins. Kenneth Farrow hasn’t garnered nearly the attention that Powell has but showed potential as both a rusher and receiver after filling in for Melvin Gordon in Week 14. Each should get the majority of their team’s touches this week, though Farrow could see some touches taken away by Ronnie Hillman, and Khiry Robinson could return for the Jets. Reminiscent of last season, shrewd waiver wire pickups at the running back position could be the difference between a championship and disappointment in the fantasy playoffs.

Can Alshon Jeffery make a difference?

Jeffery will return from a four-game suspension this week and will make his return in an extremely cold game against the Packers. While he is likely still owned in most leagues, he could be a player who flies under the radar in shallower leagues and DFS contests this week. The Packers have shown significant improvement in their pass defense since getting lit up by Washington in primetime, but it’s hard to completely disregard a talented and motivated Jeffery.

Are teams giving up?

By the time Week 15 rolls around, it is painfully obvious for many teams that they have no chance of making the playoffs. While tanking is a much more common theory in the NBA, some have raised a question as to whether that is happening in the NFL this season. The two prime suspects are the Jets and 49ers, both of whom face some relevant fantasy players this week, including Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Jay Ajayi, Jarvis Landry, and DeVante Parker. There is no proof that there is tanking going on, but it is important to consider which teams are mailing it in to avoid them in your lineup and to target their opponents.

Will elite quarterbacks bounce back?

The majority of elite fantasy quarterbacks were either awful or unspectacular last week, including Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, Derek Carr, and Ben Roethlisberger. This week, we are left with more questions than answers when pondering if some of the elite quarterbacks can bounce back. Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford are struggling with injuries, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger are both on the road, Tom Brady will face the stout Denver pass defense, and Marcus Mariota will also face a tough matchup at Arrowhead Stadium. It’s hard to place a lot of trust in many of these quarterbacks given their situation, but it’s even more difficult to find viable replacements for them on the waiver wire. That said, it may be hard to avoid an uncomfortable quarterback situation this week.

Should we trust Zach Ertz?

Tight end is always a difficult position to find trustworthy options, but in the past two weeks, Zach Ertz has 15 and 13 targets respectively. Philadelphia has a well-known lack of options at the wide receiver position, so Ertz should be in a position to continue to see work. In the past, just when it seemed as if Ertz had turned a corner, he let fantasy owners down, so many may still be hesitant to trust him.

This week, the Eagles will face a staunch Ravens defense, but one that has been vulnerable to tight ends in the past few weeks. Last week Martellus Bennett had four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown, while Tyler Eifert recorded five receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown in Week 12. That said, maybe this time Ertz’s breakout is for real.

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Daniel Marcus is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Daniel, check out his archive, visit fantasy-phenoms.com, or follow him @danmarcus3.