The last thing fantasy football owners want to do is bench a star during the playoffs.But those who have hoisted fantasy league trophies understand that sometimes lineups with some of the biggest names on the bench end up winning.While there is no exact science to fantasy football, playing the best possible matchups while looking at a wide variety of factors is better than throwing names at a dartboard.Let's take a look at matchup comparisons at each position before taking a deeper dive into some start-sit dilemmas.QuarterbackStar to Know: Kirk Cousins, WAS (vs. CAR)Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins likely helped many owners get to this point, providing 17 or more fantasy points eight times this year. He's attractive as a playoff option because of his floorhe's scored 15 or more points in all but one game since the season's opening week.Cousins gets a nod in Week 15, though, thanks to his ceiling. He gets to torch the Carolina Panthers, who allow the ninth-most points to quarterbacks on average.Carolina has allowed seven opposing quarterbacks to hit on two or more touchdown passes, including three or more three times.At home, look for Cousins to have a huge day against a weak secondary. Star to Sit: Matthew Stafford, DET (at NYG)Owners need to avoid Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford at all costs.The veteran has a fantasy double whammy in Week 15a terrible matchup and an injury.Stafford will play through a finger injury. Plus, he'll attempt to do so against the New York Giants, who allow the second-fewest points to quarterbacks on average.New York hasn't allowed any quarterback to hit 20 points this year. Expecting an injured Stafford to do so on the road in the cold would be silly.Running BackStar to Know: LeGarrette Blount, NE (at DEN)Owners and fans usually consider the New England Patriots to be Tom Brady's team, so it's easy to forget what a great season LeGarrette Blount has put together.Entering Week 15, Blount sits seventh in scoring at his position, having posted 10 double-digit outings.Owners can expect an 11th against the Denver Broncos. Seasoned owners might think this sounds like a terrible matchup at first glance, but the Broncos cough up the 11th-most points to backs on average this year.Seven opposing backfields and two in a row have hit on more than 100 rushing yards against the Broncossomething the bruising Blount can do on his own.Star to Sit: Todd Gurley, LA (at SEA)Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley has been one of fantasy's bigger disappointments this year, reaching double digits just four times.The fact that Gurley enters Week 15 after a 14-point performance shouldn't steer bettors away from the truthhe's not a good option against the Seattle Seahawks.This is a bad-sounding matchup that is actually bad, as Seattle allows the third-fewest points to backs on average. In fact, three opposing backfields in a row have scored single digits against the Seahawks.For those who are still unconvinced, Gurley met the Seahawks in Week 2 and rushed 19 times for 51 yards and six points. Wide ReceiverStar to Know: Sammy Watkins, BUF (vs. CLE)Buffalo Bills wideout Sammy Watkins isback and a great option for owners who need him most.Many were likely skeptical about Watkins' return from injury, but he caught four passes for 54 yards and a score in Week 14, which was good for 11 points. More importantly, according to his ESPN.com fantasy profile, he played on 94.2 percent of the team's snaps.In other words, Watkins is a full go against the Cleveland Browns, who surrender the ninth-most points to opposing wideouts on average.This one is as easy as it sounds, given that the Browns have allowed eight sets of opposing receivers to hit on 25 or more points this year.Star to Sit: Terrelle Pryor Sr., CLE (at BUF)Flip to the other side of the Browns vs. Bills matchup for one of the week's most important sitsCleveland's Terrelle Pryor Sr.One of the best stories of the year, Pryor has taken a fantasy nosedive in recent weeks. He's scored in double digits six times but has fallen short in three of his last four.Week 14 represented rock bottom for Pryor, as he didn't score a fantasy point at all. He could have a similar performance against a Buffalo defense that allows the 11th-fewest points to the position.The Bills have permitted three sets of opposing wideouts to score more than one touchdown in a game, and Pryor has only four total. Sit him. Tight EndStar to Know: Antonio Gates, SD (vs. OAK)Owners can't afford to go away from San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates.The future Hall of Famer has taken a bit of a backseat to Hunter Henry in recent weeks. Henry has a touchdown in three of his last four games, while Gates has one over the same span.But this matchup is too good to avoid. The Oakland Raiders are traditionally a team that owners have targeted for tight ends. This year is no exception, with the Raiders giving up the 11th-most points to the position.Gates scored a touchdown in Week 5 against these Raiders and knows a thing or two about beating up on the unit. Him doing so again would be one of the more predictable happenings of the week. Star to Sit: Coby Fleener, NO (at ARI)Coby Fleener of the New Orleans Saints has been an interesting depth option and matchup-based play this year, hence his 62.5 ownership percentage.Owners who are alive in the playoffs can't afford to lean on Fleener, though. While he has a consistent floor and has hit double digits twice in predictably good matchups, he faces a nightmarish one in Week 15. The Arizona Cardinals cough up the fewest points to opposing tight ends on average and have allowed just one touchdown to the position.Granted, that touchdown came in Week 14. If bettors want to live and die with this scenario, well, best of luck.All scoring info and statistics courtesy of ESPN.com standard leagues, as are points-against info and ownership stats. Follow Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) on Twitter.
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