Daniel Portillo – host of Another Damn (Fantasy) Podcast – is here to give you the players with the most (and least) favorable fantasy football matchups for week 15 to help you make your playoff push!
Quarterbacks
Starts
Geno Smith has been a top 10 fantasy football QB this season, a shocker to just about anyone in the football world. If you were able to scoop him up on waivers early in the season, then good on you. This is the week to start him. They play a tough defense, but do not let that deter you. The Seahawks have a lot to play for in their matchup with the Niners, look for Geno and the offense to ball out.
The Chargers draw one of the more favorable matchups this week in the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have allowed the second most points to opposing fantasy QBs, so Justin Herbert is in for a massive game with plenty of playoff implications for his team and yours.
Sits
Tua Tagovailoa has been a bit of a skid and I do not see if ending this week. The Dolphins draw one of the tougher defenses in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills. Add in the possibility of three to six feet of snow and the warm weather Dolphins are at an even greater disadvantage. Steer clear of Tua this week.
Justin Fields, who missed practice on Wednesday due to an illness, is in a day-to-day status as he tries to get healthy. While that certainly plays a part, the matchup against the stout Eagles defense draws even greater concern. They have allowed the 4th lowest point total to opposing QBs. Fields carries
Running Backs
Starts
Isiah Pacheco and the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the lowly Houston Texans this Sunday. I do not think I need to defend my position here, but when your RB faces the 32nd best defense against fantasy RBs, you keep that player in the line up.
The Eagles run game has been impecable this year. A lot of that is due to Jalen Hurts, but Miles Sanders has been a TD machine in his own right. Last week we saw him put up over 140 yards on the ground with a couple of scores and this wek they draw the Bears weak rush defense. Lock him in for another top ten performance.
Sits
Although James Conner had himself a night against a stingy Patriots defense, I do not trust him enough to pull off another performance like that one. The Cardinals face off against the Denver Broncos who have not only been one of the best scoring defenses in the league this year, but they are among the top 15 against the rush. Let Conner ride the bench this week.
Travis Etienne Jr. has been on a bit of a slump the last few weeks. With just 21.3 PPR points in his last four games – including RB-friendly games against KC and Detroit – Etienne has not been the productive monster we saw when the Jags first shipped James Robinson off to New York. Now the Jags face a top five defense against fantasy RBs in the Dallas Cowboys. Do not let Etienne cost you a trip to the championship.
Wide Receivers
Starts
When Zach Wilson isn’t on the field, Garrett Wilson has been an absolute stud. If you are not putting Wilson in your fantasy football lineup each week, then you need to give him a run n week 15. Detroit has been a point factory for opposing WRs, so Wilson may end up a top five fantasy receiver this week. Lock it in.
Keenan Allen has seen a nice uptick in volume since returning fully healthy from his hamstring. With at least eight targets in his last four contests – including 14 the last two weeks – Allen has the volume to back this claim up. But where it really adds weight is the Chargers pending matchup against the worst defense against fantasy receivers, the Tennessee Titans.
Sits
Tee Higgins has been one of the best fantasy football receivers this year, posting top 25 production. However, he has burned us twice this year with pre-game injury designations that resulted in him recording any receptions. That is not his fault, of course, but the Bengals have shown a tendency of protecting their star players regardless of the cost. Better to be safe than sorry with so much on the line.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got stomped by the 49ers last weekend. Chris Godwin had plenty of volume, but five catches for 54 yards isn’t going to cut it in fantasy football with the playoffs on the line. This week, the Bucs have a tough Cincy pass defense on the schedule and that doesn’t bode well for Godwin.
Tight Ends
Starts
Juwan Johnson has been one of Andy Dalton’s favorite red zone targets this year. With the Saints poised to play the Falcons – a defense that has 9th most points to opposing TEs – Johnson is in line for a solid fantasy football outing. If you are short on TE help, Johnson is secured in just 15.2% of leagues according to ESPN Fantasy App. Go grab him.
Dalton Schultz has been on a tear en route to the playoffs and should almost be a no-brainer to start this week. The Dallas Cowboys face off against fantasy football’s 26th best defense against tight ends, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Lock him in for a big one.
Sits
Evan Engram was fantasy football’s number one tight end last week as he shelled out over 40 PPR points! However, the Jaguars are not playing the Titans weak passing defense this week. They draw the Dallas Cowboys, one of the stingier defenses in the league. Let him cool down on your bench for playoff time.
The Bears and Cole Kmet have the unenviable task of playing the Philadelphia Eagles this week. While they will be the home team, I have little confidence in their offense getting things going. I do not see much fantasy football value for Cole Kmet in this contest.
Team Defenses
Starts
The Kansas City Chiefs defense was set to dominate against the Denver Broncos, but then they gave up 28 points in the final 31 minutes of regulation. Even so, they finished as a top fantasy football defense and have a much easier matchup against the Houston Texans. Plug them in and watch the Chiefs defense feast.
Green Bay Packers draw the LA Rams this week in a primetime slot. The Packers defense has not had the best performance this season, but I see them as one of the better plays in fantasy football this week.
Sits
New York Jets have been one of the top 10 fantasy football defenses this season. However, they are going up against the third highst scoring offense in the NFL. The Detroit Lions offense has been nearly unstoppable during their current winning streak, I would stear clear.
Speaking of offense on a tear, the Cincinnati Bengals have been incredible of the second half of the season. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers schedule to play them this weekend, I would hold off on any starts. Especially with the number of injuries the Tampa defense is dealing with.
More Fantasy Football Content
In the meantime check out Dan and his co-host, Trevor Steinbacher, on Another Damn (Fantasy) Podcast every Wednesday, live at 8:15 PM Central Time, or Thursday mornings on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Best of luck in week 15!
