Fantasy football: Andy Dalton owners have people to turn to

I have no connection to the city of Cincinnati. I’ve never even been there. But, man, did I feel awful for Bengals fans when quarterback Andy Dalton left the game Sunday with a broken thumb. Hopefully, he’ll be back for the Bengals’ playoffs, but he’s out at least for the fantasy playoffs this week.

Dalton entered Week 14 with the fifth-most basic-scoring points among quarterbacks, so his owners are left with quite a hole. That said, quarterback is probably the easiest position to fill. Here are some QBs who can help, along with other matchups to keep in mind for Week 15 playoff games.

Dalton replacements

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jets: In the last three weeks, he’s third among quarterbacks with 78 points, behind Russell Wilson (98) and Blake Bortles (79). Fitzpatrick has nine touchdown passes and no interceptions in that span. He’ll face a Cowboys defense that hasn’t allowed more than 18 points to a quarterback since Week 5. But with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, Fitzpatrick has the weapons to snap that streak. He’s available in more than half of ESPN leagues.

QB Kirk Cousins, Redskins: He has scored more than 20 points in four of the last seven games, and he has five 300-yard games for the season (two more than the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers has). Granted, he totaled only 28 points in those three other games. But he can help an owner in need against the Bills, who rank 22nd in pass defense and have the third fewest sacks despite facing the sixth-most pass attempts. Cousins is available in more than 75 percent of ESPN leagues.

QB Alex Smith, Chiefs: After scoring more than 20 points in back-to-back games for the first time this season, Smith had only 13 on Sunday, though messy conditions played a role. He’ll face a Ravens defense that has allowed the second-most points to quarterbacks and has a league-low four interceptions. Smith, who also ranks fourth in rushing yards among quarterbacks, is available in more than half of ESPN leagues.

Best matchups

RB Lamar Miller, Dolphins: He’s back . . . again. After being limited to 12 carries for 46 yards in Weeks 11-12, he had 32 carries for 202 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games. Now he faces the Chargers, who have allowed the fifth-most points to running backs.

WR Demaryius Thomas, Broncos: This hasn’t been one of those typical years for Thomas, but this could be one of those typical games. The Steelers rank 31st in pass defense and have allowed the seventh-most points to wide receivers.

Worst matchups

RB Darren McFadden, Cowboys: The 111 yards Sunday were nice, but what’s up with the nine carries? In fact, he has had three games in a row with fewer than 15 carries. Plus, the Jets rank first in run defense and have allowed only one touchdown run to a running back.

QB Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: Big Ben is averaging 23.4 points in nine games, and that’s with three single-digit totals (one because of injury). But the Broncos have allowed more than 15 points to quarterbacks only twice this season.

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RISING

RB Tim Hightower, Saints: There’s a new workhorse on the scene. Hightower out-touched C.J. Spiller 29-6 on Sunday, gaining 95 total yards and scoring a touchdown.

RB Darren Sproles, Eagles: He has scored in double digits in three of the last four games, despite being part of a three-pronged backfield.

FALLING

RB Alfred Blue, Texans: After leading the Texans in carries in four consecutive games, he had four in Week 13 and didn’t take a snap on offense Sunday.

WR Brandon LaFell, Patriots: He was rising when Patriots pass catchers started dropping. But after three games with no more than three points, it’s his turn.

Follow me on Twitter @JeffreyA22.

Email: jagrest@suntimes.com