It’s an extremely importantly time in fantasy football in Week 15. We’re either beginning the playoffs in some leagues, or it is the final week of the regular season. Either way, now more than ever, it’s critical to make the right moves.
The last six teams had their bye in Week 14, and from this point forward, we’ll have all teams in action and a full array of players for all fantasy teams.
As get into December, we have another major challenge, however, and that’s from Mother Nature. We’ve seen games in Buffalo and Cleveland already affected by weather, and a cold rain affected the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in the first half of Thursday’s Week 15 game before the weather pulled out.
Looking to the early weather forecast, Cleveland will once again be a trouble spot in Week 15. While it will be of the liquid variety, and not of the frozen variety, it’s worth mentioning. In addition to a 50% chance of rain showers, winds will be howling at 16-18 mph, potentially affecting Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes, Cleveland QB Jameis Winston, and the kicking game for both sides.
The same holds true for Nashville, as the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans might be dealing with showers, too. There is just a 35% chance of rain, while winds will be whipping up at 11-13 mph.
On Saturday night or Sunday morning, be sure to double-check the forecast before finalizing your lineups.
Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.
Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.
Feel free to ask any specific start/sit questions via X, formerly Twitter, (@danieledobish), or check out our start/bench list for Week 15:
Quarterbacks
Start ‘Em
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders: Cousins has been disastrous in the past four games, and this will take a leap of faith. He has not thrown for a touchdown in that time, while tossing eight interceptions. It’s a weekly question for head coach Raheem Morris at postgame pressers asking about Cousins’ status as starter. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. waits in the wings, but Cousins remains the guy. This week could be it, though, as Atlanta can ill afford another loss or poor performance. The Raiders allow the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs, so a favorable matchup is there for the high-priced Cousins.
Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs: As mentioned, this comes with an asterisk. The weather could make Winston a little less attractive, although he seems to do OK negotiating the snow in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Anyway, the Chiefs allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing signal callers. In addition, Winston has built an amazing rapport with WR Jerry Jeudy, making for one of the most potent pass-catch combos in the game in the past month. The Browns also are likely to find themselves down against the visiting Chiefs, perhaps leading to an abandoning of the running game and more pass attempts. All of those are good things for Winston’s fantasy viability.
Sit ‘Em
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos: Richardson has completed a dismal 47.4% of his pass attempts in nine games this season, passing for seven scores while tossing nine picks. That’s not good, and things don’t figure to get any better against Denver’s suffocating defense. The Broncos allow just 315.7 total yards, and just 94.7 rushing yards per game, so that aspect of Richardson’s game won’t help him this week, either.
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles: The battle of the Keystone State could be rather defensive. The Eagles are No. 1 in the NFL with just 284.2 total yards allowed, while ranking No. 2 in passing yards (178.5) and points (18.0) per game. Philadelphia allows the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, too. It should be a slow-go for Wilson when fantasy managers need a big performance the most.
Running backs
Start ‘Em
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers: For the second straight game, Dowdle posted a career high in rushing yards in Week 14. He gobbled up 131 rushing yards on 18 carries on Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals, besting the 112 yards he posted against the New York Giants on Thanksgiving in his first 100-yard performance. Dowdle played his college ball at South Carolina, and he is an Asheville, N.C. native, so he figures to have throngs of friends and family in the stands, too. He will be amped up in front of loved ones while facing a defense allowing the most fantasy points to opposing running backs.
Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts: The last time we saw the Broncos in Week 13, McLaughlin was leading the backfield on a Monday night against the Cleveland Browns. In fact, he had a career-high 84 rushing yards against the Browns, while averaging 6.0 yards per carry for the second straight game, and third time in the past four outings. It’s been difficult to get a gauge on Sean Payton’s thinking, as one week Javonte Williams would be featured, before rookie Audric Estime for a hot minute, and then McLaughlin. It looks like McLaughlin is the flavor of the month, and he did nothing to hurt his standing prior to the bye.
Sit ‘Em
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Chubb was able to return to action in mid-October, which was great news after he suffered a gruesome knee injury in Week 2 at Pittsburgh last season. He missed over a calendar year for rehab, so it’s a miracle he returned at all. However, he has had very little burst since returning, and he is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry. In his career, he has never averaged fewer than 5.0 yards per attempt, so he has an uphill climb to avoid a new low.
D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings: In Monday’s doubleheader, Swift (groin) faces a tough matchup against the Vikings in the Twin Cities. Minnesota’s rush defense has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tailbacks, and he managed just 30 rushing yards on 13 carries in Week 12 in the first meeting in Chi-town. In fact, his 2.3 yards per attempt was his worst since Week 3 when he had just 1.5 yards per attempt in Indianapolis.
Wide receivers
Start ‘Em
Malik Nabers, New York Giants vs. Baltimore Ravens: The Giants might be the biggest underdogs in the NFL this season, but don’t let that dissuade you from playing the rookie. Yes, QB Tommy DeVito is back under center for Big Blue, and that’s not optimum for Nabers (hip), either. However, the Ravens allow the third-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts, and the G-Men figure to be behind early and often, likely taking to the air frequently.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans: The receiver is battling a hamstring ailment, so be sure to double-check the official injury report Friday before proceeding. If Waddle is greenlit to play, he faces an ultra-favorable matchup. Both he and Tyreek Hill should have giant stat lines against a Houston defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Just be sure to verify that injury info ahead of kickoff.
Sit ‘Em
A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: There has been a very public dispute between Brown and QB Jalen Hurts, although cooler heads have appeared to prevail. It all stemmed from a less-than-stellar showing by the offense against the Carolina Panthers, and Brown wanting the ball more, etc. The receiver really isn’t going to like Week 15’s version of the offense, as the Steelers are a stingy pass defense, allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens at New York Giants: Flowers isn’t likely top find a ton of open spaces against a Giants pass defense which allows the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts. In addition, the Ravens are the largest favorites of any game this season, so a big Baltimore lead early on could be more of a ground-based attack, and fewer passing situations and targets for Flowers.
Tight ends
Start ‘Em
Jordan Akins, Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs: If the Browns are able to have any modicum of success in the passing game, production is likely to come from the tight end position. While saying he’s closer to being a deep sleeper than a lineup lock is an understatement, Akins is likely to be the primary TE target with David Njoku (hamstring) poised to sit. The Chiefs allow more fantasy points than any other AFC team to opposing tight ends, and Akins is a sneaky option to replace the veteran for those in a bind.
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders: It’s a rather high-risk, high-reward play, but Pitts has a very favorable matchup against the Las Vegas pass defense. The Raiders have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. In fact, Tampa Bay’s Cade Otton had 70 receiving yards in Week 14 against the Raiders, while Travis Kelce managed 68 yards in Week 13 against the Silver and Black. Can Pitts finally live up to expectations when it matters most?
Sit ‘Em
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens at New York Giants: Again, Baltimore is favored by more than two touchdowns on the road, which means it is expected to win by a rather sizeable margin. If it builds a big early lead, it could lean upon the run a lot more, leading to fewer opportunities for the pass catchers. Andrews has scored in consecutive games, while posting seven touchdowns in the previous eight outings. If he scores in this one, it most likely will be in the first half. Expect his yardage totals to be rather unsubstantial, though.
Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans: Smith has really seemed to blossom playing in South Florida, which is where he starred at FIU in college. Smith is easily in the mix as a TE1 in most fantasy leagues, but this week he faces a suffocating Houston Texans defense allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing TEs. Remember, last week Smith had a tough matchup against the Jets, and he didn’t have any catches in regulation, although he did eventually score the walk-off TD in overtime.
