Fantasy Football: Week 15 Starts And Sits
By Pat Pitts
Another week of playoffs calls for another week of tough decisions. If you read my blog last week, you most likely won your matchup. The only piece of advice, besides this blog, that I can give you is to trust your gut. Sometimes the safest matchup doesn’t always end up being the right one. So, that being said let’s get to it!
START Quarterbacks
Ryan Tannehill vs DET
Tannehill has been a Top-10 QB all season and has finished with 15+ points four straight weeks. The Lions defense has allowed the 9th most passing touchdowns this season, which should bode well for Tannehill getting the ball to AJ Brown and Corey Davis all afternoon.
Jared Goff vs NYJ
Goff is going to torch this defense like every other QB has this season. What a dream semifinal matchup if you’re a Goff manager.
Justin Herbert @ LV
Since Week 4, Herbert has thrown for multiple touchdowns in all but two games. The Raiders defense has struggled as of late, allowing three or more touchdowns in each of their games since Week 11. Fire Herbert up with Top-10 value for this week.
Running Backs
All Colts RBs vs HOU
Last week, Jonathan Taylor finished with 150 yards and two touchdowns, Nyheim Hines is responsible for almost 25% of the Colt’s rushing attempts, and the Colts have a Top-5 rushing attack in the NFL because of it.
Houston has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs this season, so you can start both with confidence.
Mike Davis @ GB (SATURDAY)
Mike Davis has been everything and more fantasy managers could ask for from a handcuff this season. He has been efficient in both the rushing and passing game, and Week 14 was no different as Davis rushed 11 times for 57 yards and two touchdowns and added five catches for 42 yards. Mike Davis is a must start when Christian McCaffrey is ruled out, especially playing against Green Bay’s poor run defense.
Miles Sanders @ ARI
The Eagles saw a jolt of energy with the QB switch to Jalen Hurts in Week 14, which opened up the running game for Miles Sanders. Although the carries were still lower than Sanders managers would like (14), he made the most of them. Sanders can be fired up as a low-end RB1 this week against a middle of the pack Cardinals defense.
Wide Receivers
Robert Woods vs NYJ
Woods will have a bounce back week against the worst team in the league. Seems fair to put him inside the Top-12 WRs in Week 15.
Terry McLaurin vs SEA
The Seahawks have allowed the most receiving yards to opposing WRs this season. Alex Smith will most likely be back putting McLaurin back on the fantasy radar for the semifinals.
T.Y Hilton vs HOU
Hilton has historically demolished the Houston Texans and with the Colts battling for first place in the AFC South, every win matters. Hilton is going to have a field day in Week 15.
Tight Ends
Jared Cook vs KC
The Chiefs are the worst defense inside the red zone allowing a touchdown on 75% of opposing red zone drives. There will be points in this game and Cook should be a big benefit of the game script all afternoon.
Eric Ebron @ CIN (MONDAY)
The Bengals are just what the fantasy doctor ordered for Eric Ebron. The Steelers’ TE has struggled over the past few weeks, but gets the perfect “get right” game for not just Ebron, but the entire Steelers roster.
Robert Tonyan vs CAR (SATURDAY)
Big Bob Tonyan has become Aaron Rodgers new best friend this season. He only trails Davante Adams in every receiving stat on the team. Tonyan also got the Pat McAfee Show bump this week, so it’s only natural that he’s going to have a Top-5 TE performance in Week 15.
SIT
Quarterbacks
Tua Tagovailoa vs NE
Tagovailoa has to deal with the two of the best DBs in the league this week in Stephon Gilmore and J.C Jackson. Look for a better streamable option this week like Jared Goff, who is available in 48% of ESPN leagues.
Jalen Hurts @ ARI
It’s the semifinals of the fantasy playoffs. Don’t be the guy relying on a rookie QB with ONE NFL start under his belt.
Drew Lock vs BUF
Buffalo's defense is top notch and Drew Lock leaves a LOT to be desired. There's no reason to start Lock in the fantasy playoffs whatsoever.
Running Backs
James Robinson @ BAL The Ravens defense as a whole is going to stuff the Jaguars like there’s no tomorrow. Robinson’s ceiling isn’t worth the risk in a win or go home scenario.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire @ NO
Edwards-Hilaire has been extremely inconsistent in his rookie season. He has not rushed for over 100 yards since Week 6 and has only scored three touchdowns since Week 7. The Saints defense is going to come into this game pissed off following their embarrassing performance against the Eagles. The juice is not worth the squeeze.
David Johnson @ IND
The Colts defense is arguably the best in the league and Johnson has been less than ideal all year long.
Wide Receivers
Devante Parker vs NE
Parker is dealing with a hamstring issue and gets a matchup with Stephon Gillmore. There’s no shot you should be starting him.
Panthers WRs @ GB
If the Panthers are going to win this game, they are going to need to keep the ball on the ground. The Packers defense is one of the best covering the pass this year with top defensive backs Adrian Amos and Jaire Alexander. This will be a Mike Davis week for Carolina.
Adam Thielen vs CHI
The Bears defense has been the saving grace for the team this season. Adam Thielen is nothing more than a WR3 this week, which means you can do better in your semifinal matchup.
Tight Ends
Tyler Higbee vs NYJ
I just want this on the record: This will be a Gerald Everett game causing Higbee to be irrelevant.
Cole Kmet @ MIN
Kmet has potential to be fantastic in the long term, but using him as your TE1 in the fantasy playoffs is just silly. Play smarter not harder
Noah Fant vs BUF
The Bills are one of the best teams in the NFL and their defense is no joke. Fant hasn’t seen double-digit fantasy points since Week 8 and he’lll be on blocking duty more than usual in this game.
Best of luck to everyone playing this week and go clinch a spot in your Fantasy Championship!