Fantasy Football: Starts And Sits Week 15 2021
By Pat Pitts
It's the first week of the fantasy playoffs. Here’s who you need to be putting on your Fantasy Avengers lineups to kickoff the postseason, and who should be getting sent into Outer space.
START
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins @ CHI
Kirk Cousins ranks as QB8 across fantasy platforms while on a seven game streak of averaging two touchdowns per game. Lately, the Bears defense has not been the best, making this a safe start during these unsafe times.
Kyler Murray @ DET
Kyler Murray comes off a tough loss against the Rams, but has a chance at redemption against the Lions. He has finished as QB1 three times this season, and has a good chance to finish a fourth time as he plays against one of the worst defenses in the league.
Ryan Tannehill @ PIT
Ryan Tannehill faces a beaten-down Steelers defense, who are coming off a brutal loss against the Vikings. The Steelers have allowed 30+ points in three of their last four games making this game a shootout in the Steel City.
Running Backs
Devonta Freeman vs GB
With Lamar Jackson likely out this week, the Ravens are going to rely on their running game to try and beat the Packers. Devonta Freeman has taken the reigns as the Ravens RB1 and lines up as a decent RB2 start this week.
Javonte Williams vs CIN
Javonte Williams scored 20+ fantasy points in the past two games. The Bengals defense defends the pass better than the run. He leads all rookies in YAC, making him difficult to stop. If he’s healthy, he’s starting.
Miles Sanders vs WFT
This game got moved to Tuesday because of the Washington Football Team’s inability to follow COVID-19 protocols. Most of Washington’s DL was on the COVID-19 list and even if they are back, it will be with little practice time and that should allow Sanders to run wild on them.
Wide Receivers
Christian Kirk @ DET
DeAndre Hopkins has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury, moving Christian Kirk up the depth chart. With Hopkins in the lineup, Kirk sits as WR29 across fantasy platforms. His success earlier in the season will be replicated as he lines up against a very bad passing defense.
Michael Gallup vs NYG
Since Week 11, Michael Gallup has averaged eight targets per game. It does not matter where he sits in the depth chart, any player averaging five targets or more per game needs to be in a starting lineup.
K.J. Osborn @ CHI
Since Adam Thielen’s injury, K.J. Osborn has eight targets, 65 yards, and a touchdown. Kirk Cousins has a bit of chemistry with Osborn, so feel comfortable starting him as a FLEX play this week against the Bears.
Tight Ends
Ricky Seals-Jones @ PHI
The Eagles have allowed the most receptions and touchdowns to TEs this season. That’s enough to make Ricky Seals-Jones a decent start.
Mike Gesicki vs NYJ
The Jets have allowed the fifth most yards to TEs this season. Also, Mike Gesicki saw 11 targets in the Dolphins win against the Giants. He’s an automatic start this week.
Pat Freiermuth vs TEN
Pat Freiermuth has a touchdown in three of his last four games. Ben Roethlisberger depends on him in the red zone so start him with confidence.
SIT
Quarterbacks
Carson Wentz vs NE
The Patriots have the number one overall defense in the league. They refuse to allow teams to score on them… Carson Wentz can take a week off on your bench.
Lamar Jackson vs GB All signs point to him being OUT this week. So he should be out of your lineup.
Taysom Hill vs TB
Taysom Hill is not a startable fantasy QB. He tallied 27 fantasy points against the Jets, without throwing for 100 yards. He faces the defending Super Bowl champions this week. Bench him.
Running Backs
Chuba Hubbard vs BUF
The Bills have only allowed two Top-5 RB performances in 2021. Chuba Hubbard does not have a coach like Bill Belichick or Frank Reich to repeat their performances. He gets the boot this week.
Joe Mixon @ DEN
Joe Mixon has averaged under ten points over the past few weeks. The Broncos defense has been dominant stopping the run. If you want to roster a Bengals player, make sure it’s a receiver.
Bills RBs vs CAR
The Bills’ backfield has more question marks than the Riddler. They are under utilized, and when an opportunity comes for them to shine, they blow it. Matt Brieda is the only ball carrier I trust, but I would start a lot of players over him this week.
Wide Receivers
Kendrick Bourne @ IND
The Colts passing defense has been stellar over the past few games, forcing turnovers at will, led by undrafted DB Kenny Moore and Darius “The Maniac” Leonard. This is a great week to keep Patriots players on your bench.
Michael Pittman vs NE
On the other side of the field, Michael Pittman deserves the bench this week. He has failed to notch ten points in his last two games, which is not going to change against the Patriots secondary. J.C. Jackson shadowing him all game puts frowns on managers faces.
Chase Claypool vs TEN
Mike Tomlin is benching Chase Claypool so you should too.
Tight Ends
Kyle Pitts vs SF
Kyle Pitts has failed to reach double digit fantasy points since Week 7. The 49ers defense wreaks havoc in backfields, forcing turnovers and sacks. Pitts can sit out to start the playoffs.
Tyler Conklin @ CHI
Tyler Conklin’s inconsistency puts him on the bench. He has not caught a touchdown since Week 10. Jimmy Graham is a better option to start this week.
Gerald Everett @ LAR
Gerald Everett failed to be relevant in Week 14 as he finished another game under 50 receiving yards. He is too touchdown dependent to be considered worthy of a start. There are better leftovers on the waiver wire to snag before kick off.