Let’s hear it for the top fantasy performer of Week 15: the weather! The only good thing that may come about from global warming is not worrying that your top receiver will have a bad game because there is three inches of snow on the field. Never mind the Meadowlands, Gillette Stadium and all of Florida will be underwater …

STARS
– Fred Taylor, RB, Jaguars. Taylor is going to end up as one of the top five fantasy running backs this season — who would have thunk it? He delivered another solid performance with 147 rushing yards and a touchdown.

– Drew Brees, QB, Saints. New Orleans might not be able to catch a wild-card spot, but Brees is getting them close, especially after a 26-for-30, 315-yard, two-TD game.

– Steven Jackson, RB, Rams. It’s been a rough fantasy season for Jackson, but when healthy, he’s still a top-five pick, as evidenced by his 143-yard, one-TD rushing day against the Packers (as well as four receptions for 27 yards).

SURPRISES
– David Garrard, QB, Jaguars. Garrard did throw an interception, but still posted a decent game in the elements with 197 yards passing and three touchdowns.

– Aaron Stecker, RB, Saints. Reggie who? Deuce what? Stecker stepped up with 95 yards and two TDs.

– Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots. Maroney has become the forgotten man in the Pats’ offense, but he was a top-10 fantasy pick back in August. He turned in his best game in a long while, rushing for 104 yards and a touchdown.

SLOTHS
– Tom Brady, QB, Patriots. For fantasy owners in the playoffs, ones who have been carried by their quarterback’s incredible 2007, Brady’s performance must have hurt at the worst time — 14 yards passing, no touchdowns.

– Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys. I can’t even think of one Jessica Simpson song to tie into Romo’s bad game. (Actually, that might be a good thing.) Romo was 13-for-36 for 214 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions against the visiting Eagles.

– Derek Anderson, QB, Browns. Blame it on the snow (speaking of bad songs, didn’t Milli Vanilli sing that?) but Anderson put up atrocious fantasy numbers, going 9-for-24 for 137 yards and zero TDs.