Every Friday throughout the NFL regular season I will be sending you this lineup helper that I like to call: Tough Decisions. In this article I will breakdown players with similar value, ranking and projection heading into this coming week.

Since this piece does come out on Fridays, injury news may pop up after posting time. Make sure you’re checking all your sources so you have up to date information regarding injuries, playing status, etc. Once again, if you want your lineup question featured in this piece, just hit me up on Twitter and your question could be featured. Anyways, let’s get into it.

Let's take a look at the TOUGH DECISIONS for Week 14:

QUARTERBACKS

Tyrod Taylor (vs. CLE) or Carson Palmer (vs. NO)

The Case for Taylor: Since the Bills are facing Cleveland, Taylor must be mentioned in this low-end QB1 tier. Buffalo boasts a heavy rush attack with LeSean McCoy but I expect Taylor to push 6-8 rushing attempts in this one. He’s been uninspiring of late in terms of fantasy points, but when you face the winless Cleveland Browns, suddenly most of that can be forgotten. He also has Sammy Watkins back, which opens up that long ball potential. Cleveland has allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season, giving Taylor potential to perform as a low-end QB1 on Sunday.

The Case for Palmer: After throwing for 300 yards and three scores in Week 13 against the Redskins, Palmer decided to respond with a 145-yard showing with three turnovers against the Dolphins. As a whole, Palmer has been a dumpster fire this season. However, in his defense, he does have 17 or more fantasy points in two of his last three outings. We all know the deficiencies in the New Orleans defense, so Palmer does have a glimmer of hope this weekend. The Saints have allowed 19 passing touchdowns this season and Palmer does have quite a few weapons to get the job done. He’s risky, but you can’t ignore the potential upside.

The Verdict: Taylor. I’m going to stay away from Palmer’s inconsistencies.

RUNNING BACKS

Bilal Powell (vs. MIA) or Robert Kelley (vs. CAR)

The Case for Powell: An injury to Matt Forte allowed Powell to rumble for 145 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries against a subpar San Francisco run defense. Powell’s Week 15 fantasy value is directly tied to Matt Forte’s availability. Forte logged just three carries last week and he will undergo more testing to determine whether or not he can play on Saturday night. Say Forte doesn’t play, well, Powell becomes a must-start against this Dolphins defense. Bryce Petty is under center, which means a healthy dosage of the running attack. Powell has an opportunity to post low-end RB1 or above-average RB2 numbers in Week 15.

The Case for Kelley: Kelley has posted 63 yards rushing in each of the last two weeks, but at least he scored a touchdown last week to boost those fantasy numbers. He even caught two passes, showing that when called upon, he can do a little damage in the passing attack. Carolina boasts a stout run defense, but in the past two weeks, they’ve allowed an average of 97 rushing yards and a touchdown to opposing running backs, not to mention eight receptions on nine targets.

The Verdict: If Forte doesn’t play, Powell is your man. If he does, go Kelley.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Julian Edelman (@DEN) or Golden Tate (@NYG)

The Case for Edelman: Since the team’s bye in Week 9, Edelman has had at least seven receptions and 73 yards in each game. The injury to Rob Gronkowski has really pushed Edelman into the top possession role, and despite the tough matchup against the Denver Broncos, you have to run Edelman out there. He has a chance to dodge some of the more elite Denver defenders, but Edelman shouldn’t be viewed as a WR1 in Week 15. He has 11 targets in each of his last four games and considering the elite playmakers outside for Denver, Edelman could be well in line for another double-digit target game. He’s still a reliable WR2 against this stout Denver defense.

The Case for Tate: Marvin Jones was all the rage earlier in the year, but Tate has been the team’s best receiver of late. He has six or more receptions all but two of his last eight games and even though he isn’t getting in the end zone a ton, his possession role makes him a valuable asset in PPR formats. The Giants are allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, so if you’re expecting WR2 numbers from Tate this week, you’re going to be shit out of luck. Consider him more of a middle-of-the-pack WR3, given this tough matchup.

The Verdict: Edelman. Both are tough matchups, but I’m rolling with Edelman.

THE FLEX CONUNDRUM

Spencer Ware (vs. TEN) or Alshon Jeffery (vs. GB)

The Case for Ware: Ware continues to get plenty of run in the Kansas City offense, but he hasn’t been able to do much with it lately. He hasn’t rushed for more than 70 yards since Week 7 when he ran for 77 against the Saints. Thanks to a consistent workload in the rushing attack and the fact that he’s caught two or more passes in five of his last six games, he continues to remain in that RB2 echelon. While he does have all this going for him, the fact remains that he faces a Titans defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. It’s not an ideal matchup by any means, but since he will receive right around 22 touches, he’s an RB2 for me yet again in Week 15.

The Case for Jeffery: Jeffery is coming off a four-game suspension in the optimism in me is saying that he is fresh and ready to produce for us! Will that be the case? Who the hell knows. Green Bay’s secondary is very vulnerable and a lack of established weapons in the passing attack could lead to some big results from Jeffery. Matt Barkley will be under center again and it’s hard to imagine him continuing to consistently throw to Cameron Meredith and Joshua Bellamy. He may not have an established synergy with Jeffery, but it shouldn’t take long on Sunday.

The Verdict: Ware. It’s going to be close, but I’ll go to battle with Ware this week.

TIGHT ENDS

Cameron Brate (@DAL) or Zach Ertz (@BAL)

The Case for Brate: Believe it or not, Brate has been one of the more reliable tight ends since Week 6. He ranks in the top six at the position in receptions, yards and touchdowns since the team’s bye. He’s had at least four receptions in five of his last six games, scoring three touchdowns during that span. As you probably know, the tight end position has been tough to nail down this year, especially when you account for injuries to studs like Rob Gronkowski and Jordan Reed. Chances are you are going to start this guy anyway, but you should feel comfortable doing so this week.

The Case for Ertz: After a three reception outing in Week 12 against Green Bay, the Philadelphia Eagles decided to put some attention back towards their best receiving threat. Ertz has 19 receptions over the last two weeks, totaling 191 yards with one touchdown. The injuries out wide for the team has helped with the recent influx in targets, but he’s far and away the best pass catcher this team boasts. Baltimore is no easy match for any offensive player, but his volume of work keeps him in the TE1 category.

The Verdict: Ertz. He’s a monster.

You can find me on Twitter: @colbyrconway