Week 15 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em: Fire Up Rhamondre Stevenson
The final week of the fantasy football regular season is in the books. The fantasy football postseason has officially kicked off after the Kansas City Chiefs held off the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, 34-28 behind big-time efforts from Travis Kelce (10 receptions for 191 yards and two scores) and Tyreek Hill (12 receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown). Fantasy owners who started Patrick Mahomes, Kelce, Hill, Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, and Keenan Allen got off to a hot start in Week 15. Those who fired up Clyde Edwards-Helaire or Mike Williams are probably the only disappointed owners after the first game of the week.
The bye-week blues are a thing of the past as we gear up for the fantasy football playoffs. After four teams were missing from action last week, all 32 teams will be active in Week 15. This will also be the first week when games will be played on Saturday. Tons of playoff implications from the two Saturday games as the Las Vegas Raiders take on the Cleveland Browns before the night game featuring the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. The rest of the games will be played on Sunday before Week 15 ends with a Monday Night Football matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
Injuries and COVID-19 have taken a huge toll across the NFL over recent weeks. Christian McCaffrey has been ruled out for the rest of the season, which means rookie Chuba Hubbard will continue to serve as Carolina’s workhorse. However, Hubbard’s value is somewhat capped by Cam Newton’s rushing ability. It was recently revealed that stud wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals will miss the rest of the regular season. For fantasy purposes, his season is over. Christian Kirk, A.J. Green, and Rondale Moore should see an uptick in production.
D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams were both out in Week 14, meaning Craig Reynolds could serve as Detroit’s lead-back in Week 15 after surprisingly leading the team with 83 rushing yards in Detroit’s Week 14 blowout loss to the Denver Broncos. Lamar Jackson went down with a leg injury in the first half against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Although he is listed as questionable, an ankle injury is much more serious for Jackson than most other quarterbacks due to his propensity to run the ball. Fantasy owners may need to find a replacement for Jackson in Week 15, which could be the underrated Tyler Huntley (Jackson’s backup).
We still don’t know if Elijah Mitchell will return to the 49ers’ active lineup in Week 15. However, it is difficult to trust any of San Francisco’s backups considering their consistent lack of production. Kareem Hunt went down again in Week 14 with an ankle injury and was unable to return to action. The Browns still have Nick Chubb to lead the backfield, but D’Ernest Johnson should see an increased workload. Terry McLaurin didn’t catch a single one of his four targets in Washington’s loss to the Cowboys. He also left the game early with a concussion. If “Scary Terry” is not able to be cleared for Washington’s Week 15 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, fantasy owners will have to dig deep for a replacement. I’m not sure anyone else in Washington’s wide receiver room is worthy of a starting spot, though Cam Simms did produce 69 receiving yards and a touchdown in McLaurin’s absence. Washington’s quarterback, Taylor Heinicke, is the 22nd player to test positive for COVID-19 on Washington’s roster. Kyle Allen will be under center for Washington in Week 15.
Heinicke isn’t the only quarterback who tested positive for the virus. Baker Mayfield and second-stringer Case Keenum will both miss Saturday’s matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. Nick Mullens is expected to start for Cleveland. After missing his last two games, New York Giants signal-caller Daniel Jones is questionable for New York’s divisional matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.
The veteran wideout, Emmanuel Sanders, suffered a knee injury in Buffalo’s overtime loss to Tom Brady and the reigning Super Bowl champs. Gabriel Davis seems like the obvious replacement moving forward if Sanders is not healthy. Damien Harris and Aaron Jones are both highly questionable for Week 15. If they cannot suit up, their respective backups – Rhamondre Stevenson and AJ Dillon – will be low-end RB1s this week. Minnesota Vikings wideout Adam Thielen should be considered questionable after not practicing all week. The Los Angeles Rams currently have 11 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list including Darrell Henderson and Odell Beckham. And plenty of other fantasy-relevant players is still considered questionable for Week 15.
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In a win-or-go-home matchup, fantasy owners surely have tons of questions about who to start. Fortunately for you, FantasySP has the answers. Be sure to use FantasySP’s Start / Sit Tool to help you make the most informed decisions in the industry. You know to start your studs each week, no matter what. But what about those flex players? What about those WR3’s? We don’t need to tell you to start Tom Brady, Dalvin Cook, Davante Adams, or George Kittle. This article is reserved for less obvious options. If you don’t see a player you are curious about in this writeup, be sure to check out our projections and customizable rankings!
Now that you've checked out this week’s top waiver wire options, used Predictive Analytics, and have sifted through our exclusive Trade Value Charts, it’s time to optimize your seasonal lineups ahead of your pivotal Week 15 playoff matchup. Get ready for this week’s edition of Start ‘Em and Sit ‘Em!
Fantasy Football Quarterbacks To Start In Week 15
QB Start of the Week: QB Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
Cousins gets a juicy matchup against a Chicago Bears defense that is allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. The veteran signal-caller has thrown multiple touchdown passes in six consecutive matchups and should only see a boost in value if Adam Thielen can return from a one-week absence. Even if Thielen remains sidelined, Justin Jefferson has been an absolute beast in his second NFL season and K.J. Osborn is proving to be a trustworthy big-play option in the passing game. Cousins tallied 21+ fantasy points in each of his two starts against the Bears last season, and Chicago has allowed six of the past eight opposing quarterbacks to produce 20+ fantasy points, including five to score 26+ points. Cousins has been better on the road than at home this season, as he has a 109.6 QB rating away from U.S. Bank Stadium (15 points better than his home rating) and has thrown 16 touchdowns compared to just one interception on the road. The Bears have yet to force an interception in any of their previous three outings and have allowed eight touchdown passes over that span. Cousins should be a trusted QB1 in Week 15.
Start: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Tua has started to turn it on over the last few games and has thrown at least two touchdown passes in two of his last three games. The last time he faced the Jets, Tagovailoa threw for 273 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. On the season, the Jets have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. With DeVante Parker back in action, Tua gets another weapon to add to his arsenal. He already developed an excellent rapport with rookie wideout Jaylen Waddle, and Mike Gesicki has served as one of the most trustworthy tight ends in the NFL this season. Tua should tally 20+ fantasy points in Week 15. As long as the Dolphins don’t blow the Jets out, Tagovailoa should be considered as a starting option, particularly in SuperFlex leagues.
Fantasy Football Quarterback To Sit In Week 15
Sit: QB Carson Wentz, Indianapolis Colts
Wentz and the Colts have a pivotal Week 15 matchup against a New England Patriots defense that allows the second-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. The Pats aren’t nearly as effective at stopping the run as they are at shutting down the passing game, so the Colts will turn to MVP candidate, Jonathan Taylor. Before the Colts’ bye last week, Wentz only managed 158 passing yards and one touchdown against the dreadful Houston Texans. Something tells me that we could be looking at similar numbers in what is expected to be a very low-scoring affair. In three of his previous four games, Wentz has thrown one touchdown or fewer. Don’t expect a shootout in Indianapolis this week. Wentz should be benched if you have other options.
Check out our Start / Sit tool to see which players to start.
Fantasy Football Running Backs To Start In Week 15
RB Start of the Week: RB James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Most fantasy owners are probably staying away from anyone associated with Urban Meyer and the Jaguars. Robinson is very difficult to trust considering he hasn’t scored a touchdown in three straight games. He also has just 14 carries for 28 yards over his last two contests and didn’t see a single target in the passing game in Week 14. However, J-Rob faces a Houston Texans defense that allows the most rushing yards per game (128.9) and the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. The Texans have allowed a whopping six rushing touchdowns over their last three matchups.
The Jaguars have no choice but to lean on Robinson in this matchup against a poor run defense, especially given Trevor Lawrence’s struggles this season and the injuries to the Jaguars’ wide receiver room. Carlos Hyde, who has recently been eating into Robinson’s touches, is dealing with a concussion and may not be active on Sunday. J-Rob may not be the easiest man to trust in the fantasy football postseason, but sometimes the biggest risks provide the greatest rewards. Fire Robinson up as an RB2 in Week 15.
Start: RB D’Onta Foreman, Tennessee Titans
Nobody expected Foreman to be a potential starting option in Week 15 of the fantasy football season. But here we are… Foreman gets a Week 15 matchup with a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that allows 115.1 rushing yards per game and the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.
Since Derrick Henry went down with his injury, Foreman has proven to be the most capable running back in Tennessee. Despite splitting touches with Adrian Peterson, Dontrell Hilliard, and Jeremy McNichols over the last few weeks, Foreman has earned the role of a workhorse. In Week 12, Foreman tallied 109 rushing yards on 19 carries against the New England Patriots. Then following Tennessee’s Week 13 bye, the veteran rushed for 47 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for an additional 15 receiving yards. He scored his first rushing touchdown since Week 11 against the Jags last week and is averaging 87 scrimmage yards per game over his last two contests. Foreman will continue to see the majority of touches in the Titans’ backfield and should score a touchdown against a Steelers defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to running backs over the last four games.
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Bonus Start: RB Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
The New England Patriots just ruled Damien Harris out for their Week 15 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. The last time Stevenson got a sport-start for the injured Harris, he turned 20 carries into 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns, plus he tacked on four receptions for an additional 14 receiving yards. That was against a stingy Cleveland Browns defense, so why shouldn’t we expect another dominating performance out of the rookie against the Colts? The Pats have been dependent on the run all season, opting to play conservatively with rookie quarterback Mac Jones under center. Stevenson is a high-end RB2 in Week 15.
Fantasy Football Running Back To Sit In Week 15
Sit: RB Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Although the Bills have been very generous to opposing running backs over the last four weeks, they still allow the 10th-fewest fantasy points per game to the position on the season. Despite scoring a touchdown last week, Hubbard still failed to produce double-digit fantasy points. With Cam Newton under center, Hubbard’s upside is significantly impacted by Newton’s ability to run the ball into the end zone himself. With Christian McCaffrey out for the rest of the season, Hubbard will continue to serve as Carolina’s lead running back. However, he didn’t see a single target last week and likely won’t be utilized in the passing game this week as the temperature in Buffalo is expected to reach single digits this weekend. Something tells me that the Panthers won’t be throwing the ball a lot and that Buffalo’s defense will stack the box to contain Hubbard and Newton in the rushing game.
Fantasy Football Wide Receivers To Start In Week 15
WR Start of the Week: WR Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
Mooney had tallied 12+ fantasy points in four straight contests before entering a two-week slump in which he has only produced nine combined fantasy points over his last two games against the Cardinals and Packers. However, he gets a Week 15 matchup against a Minnesota Vikings defense that is allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. Over their last five games, Minnesota has allowed 76 receptions for 1,044 yards and six touchdowns to receivers from the Chargers, Packers, 49ers, Lions, and Steelers. Over that span, nine players have tallied at least 12 PPR points. Mooney has become the WR1 in Chicago, as he has outplayed Allen Robinson exponentially. Despite his recent lack of production, the second-year wideout is averaging eight targets per game over his last four games and had back-to-back 100-yard games before his two-week slump. Mooney will bounce back in Week 15 and score a touchdown against Minnesota’s depleted secondary.
Start: WR Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals
With DeAndre Hopkins out for the rest of the season, Kirk and A.J. Green should see a massive uptick in targets. Kirk has produced at least 11 PPR points in five of his previous eight contests and has produced 53 receptions for 718 yards and four touchdowns this season. This week, Kirk faces a Lions secondary that has allowed six receivers to score at least 14 PPR points in their past five games. Given the number of targets Hopkins was drawing per game, Kirk should see about 10 balls thrown his way Sunday. He has big-play upside and is worthy of a starting spot in Week 15.
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver To Sit In Week 15
Sit: WR Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens
Hollywood Brown has not scored a touchdown since Week 7 and is now recovering from an illness. Brown has failed to exceed 55 receiving yards since Week 9 and will be playing this week with a hobbled Lamar Jackson or second-stringer Tyler Huntley.
With Huntley taking over in the second quarter last week, Brown finished with just five catches on eight targets for 41 yards. He has scored more than 10.5 fantasy points just once in his last four contests. This week, Brown faces a Packers secondary that has allowed the sixth-fewest receptions to wideouts this season. It’s difficult to bench Hollywood given that he’s the WR1 in Baltimore’s offense, but if you are in a shallow league, you should consider benching the struggling receiver. The Ravens are going to have a very run-heavy game script to try to keep the ball out of Aaron Rodgers’ hands.
Fantasy Football Tight Ends To Start In Week 15
TE Start of the Week: TE Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Goedert exploded with Gardner Minshew under center in Week 13 against the Jets. He hauled in all six balls thrown his way for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Although Washington has been solid against opposing tight ends this season, Goedert tallied eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown in his only meeting with them last season. With Jalen Hurts potentially hobbled with his ankle injury, the Eagles may elect to throw the ball more often than they typically do. Look for Hurts to try to get the young tight end more involved after his breakout performance in Week 13.
Start: TE Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
Gesicki wasn’t phenomenal in Week 11 against the Jets, but he did manage to haul in five receptions for 50 yards. New York has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season and the fifth-most fantasy points to the position over the last four weeks, including three touchdowns. In Miami’s last game before their Week 14 bye, Gesicki produced seven receptions on 11 targets for 46 yards against the New York Giants. Those 11 targets were the most the tight end has seen since the 12 he saw in Week 3. Gesicki may not have the same upside as the elite tight ends, but he is a solid option, particularly in PPR formats. Look for the veteran to find the end zone for the first time since Week 7.
Fantasy Football Tight End To Sit In Week 15
Sit: TE Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
Fant has been incredibly difficult to trust this season despite his obvious talent. He has produced double-digit PPR points just once since Week 7 and hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 6. Fant has seen a decrease in targets and production ever since Jerry Jeudy returned from injury. He is now battling for targets with Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and Tim Patrick. Not to mention, the Broncos are very committed to the running game. Last week against the Lions, Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon scored two touchdowns apiece. Although the Broncos have a matchup with a Bengals defense that has allowed five touchdowns to tight ends in their previous six games, I wouldn’t start Fant if my life depended on it. He hasn’t even seen more than four targets in three consecutive outings. Keep Fant on the bench in the fantasy football postseason.
Fantasy Football Defense / Special Teams To Start In Week 15
Start of the Week: D/ST Miami Dolphins
Miami’s defense has been absolutely lights out over their five-game winning streak. They have only allowed more than 10 points in one of those five contests and get a favorable matchup against a New York Jets offense that is allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to defenses this season. Over the winning streak, the Dolphins have produced 19 sacks, forced a whopping 12 turnovers, and have scored two defensive touchdowns. They are averaging 14.4 fantasy points per game over that span, the second-best in all of fantasy football, only trailing the New England Patriots.
Considering the Jets are completely out of rhythm on offense and recently lost their top two wideouts in Corey Davis and Elijah Moore, Miami should dominate New York at the line of scrimmage. The Dolphins have one of the league’s best run defenses, so Brian Flores’ unit will force rookie quarterback, Zach Wilson, to beat the secondary. Something is telling me that is unlikely to happen with Jamison Crowder and Braxton Berrios serving as New York’s top wide receivers in Week 15. Miami could finish as fantasy’s top defense this week. Expect double-digit fantasy points yet again from the Dolphins.
Fantasy Football Kicker To Start In Week 15
Start of the Week: K Matt Prater, Arizona Cardinals
I’m a sucker for the revenge narrative, so I absolutely love Prater going up against a franchise that he spent seven seasons with in the Detroit Lions. Prater converted three field goals in Week 14 against the Rams, including two from 50-plus yards. The Lions are allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers this season and have allowed four of the past six kickers they have faced to make three field goals. Prater has converted six-of-eight field goals from over 50 yards and hasn’t missed one since Week 5. Considering he plays for one of the most high-powered offenses in the league (despite the absence of DeAndre Hopkins), Prater could finish as the highest-scoring kicker in Week 15.
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