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Ravens week 15: fantasy flash

The Miami Dolphins have lost all 13 of their games this year, but this week they face the team with the second-longest losing streak in the NFL: the Ravens. That's the good news. The bad news for Miami is that the Ravens are fresh off of playing the two (or two of the) best teams in the NFL. As long as the Ravens aren't half asleep like on Sunday night, they should feel like they're playing a high school team after facing such stiff competition. The key for the Ravens will be to score first - they are 0-9 when they don't.

Kyle Boller, QB (BAL): Kyle Boller is the starter by default with Steve McNair on injured reserve. Boller hasn't won a road start since 2004 and if you are starting him for fantasy purposes, your team is likely playing for a consolation prize.

Willis McGahee, RB (BAL) Willis McGahee is the key to victory for the Ravens and should have a bounce-back week against the 28th-ranked run defense. The Dolphins will be without their top two linebackers, Zach Thomas and Channing Crowder, and McGahee, a former Hurricane, has some extra incentive coming back to Miami. If you have him, you start him.

Derrick Mason, WR (BAL): The Dolphins have the third-ranked pass defense in the NFL, but I'd say that's more because opponents know they can grind out wins on the ground. Mason is tough to rely on for fantasy purposes right now. He might have a few grabs, but big plays are few and far between.

Mark Clayton, WR (BAL): If you want a sleeper pick at wide receiver, here is your guy. Mark Clayton has shown some signs of life over the last two weeks and I think he gets into the end zone this week for the first time this season. He caught seven passes for 90 yards last Sunday and seems to be finding a little bit of rhythm after injuries and quarterbacking inconsistency kept him out of sync throughout most of the season.

With injuries to Todd Heap and Demetrius Williams, there aren't any other viable fantasy players on this offense.

Baltimore Defense: It's fairly simple: if the Ravens are up for this game, they won't give up much to the Dolphins. After facing Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in consecutive weeks, shutting down Cleo Lemon should be a much simpler task. The Ravens don't give up rushing yards very frequently, so if Lemon has to beat them through the air, his prospects aren't so good. The Ravens defense is a quality fantasy defense this week.

Comments

Kyle Boller is the worst quarterback in the NFL.

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About this blog

Dave Golokhov
Fantasy sports are to Dave Golokhov what a lack of power is to the Orioles lineup; it is not just a hobby, it is a way of life. Dave has been a fantasy expert for Rotowire and hosts a weekly fantasy show on Saturdays at 12 p.m. EST on Hardcore Sports Radio, Channel 186 on Sirius Satellite Radio. From draft day decisions to waiver-wire watching, he'll be the fantasy version of your fantasy Dr. Phil: just ask the questions and he'll dole the advice. E-mail Dave
Dean Jones
Dean Jones Jr. is a Web producer at baltimoresun.com. Thanks to fantasy sports, he is able to make decisions that he wishes the Orioles and Ravens would make for their teams. He will be a regular contributor to the fantasy blog.
E-mail Dean
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