Hey there you! Welcome back! If you are here and reading this, congratulations! You did it! You have officially made the playoffs, and let me be the first to tell you well done! 14 weeks of smart start/sit calls, 14 weeks of superb add/drop decisions, and 14 weeks of results that got you to this stage. This year, this crazy, silly, stupid year, you have managed to join a group of elite fantasy players in making playoffs. Now, it is time to rattle off two or three wins in a row and get you to the promised land, a spot in fantasy immortality.
For those that weren’t as lucky yet are still here reading this, you are all lovely and I thank you for being here. I understand the disappointment that comes with not making playoffs, I truly do. Out of seven leagues this year, I have made playoffs in five leagues and missed out in two. It isn’t those five that I made playoffs in where I hold my hat, it is the two that I didn’t which fires me up the most. Those are the spots where I will learn from my mistakes and correct them to make sure I return to the playoffs next year, as will all of you.
A story from this past week for you, in my super flex league where we start two quarterbacks every week, I came up against an opponent who was a game behind me in the fight for one playoff spot. In this league, we play two opponents a week but as we took on the two last place teams, we knew that our matchup more than likely would decide who gets into the big dance.
Going into Sunday Night, I was in a world of trouble. Joe Burrow had just gone off in this league in the overtime thriller versus the 49ers. George Kittle had attempted to win the matchup all on his own after his monster game versus the Bengals. Meanwhile for me, Tyreek Hill had another down week at the absolute wrong time. Kirk Cousins completely disappeared in the second half against the Steelers Thursday Night. Ezekiel Elliott put up more underwhelming numbers and all hope seemed lost in my quest to make it to the show, until Sunday Night.
Going into Sunday Night, I was unaware of the tie break format. In this league, head-to-head record decides who gets in, not total points for (which is absolutely ludicrous). The fix was in. I was going at it with the commissioner like Toto Wolff was going after FIA Director Michael Masi after Sunday’s Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi which saw Max Verstappen steal, yes steal it was borderline robbery, the World Championship away from my guy, now Sir Lewis Hamilton. But that is a conversation for another day. I do love you Lewis, quite a bunch.
So here I was going at this commissioner for not making the tie break more abundantly clear. I knew nothing could be done, but pure frustration made me say to myself let’s just have a go at this poor man. Eventually the conversation subsided, which was definitely for the best. And then the fireworks started. Davante Adams put up 32.1 fantasy points versus the Packers, a monster day from the beautiful man.
Going into Monday Night Football, I was down 30 whole points in full point PPR. I needed a Monday Night Miracle from Cooper Kupp and Matt Prater. And boy did I get it. Kupp and Prater did the business in a big way, posting a combined 42.8 fantasy points to take me over the top and give me, quite arguably, the most satisfying win in my fantasy career. I have been playing fantasy football for about 13 years now, I don’t think I have ever been reduced to nerves, stress, and overall anxiety, like I was Monday Night. Thank you Davante. Thank you Cooper. Thank you Matt.
Some people will read that and laugh. Why get all worked up over a game? It isn’t life or death, right? Well, no, it isn’t life or death at all. Win or lose, I would have woken up all the same Tuesday morning, wrote my columns for this week, done my Christmas shopping, and lived my life as normal, yes true. However, it is the feeling of victory and triumph that fuels me. After the exchange with the commissioner Sunday Night, I felt I was due a lucky break. And I got it. My opponent here put up 165 points, a monster week in which all credit is given to him. A hell of a performance by any stretch. Yet with my 179, I am going dancing. Cue the music. It is time folks.
Here are my starts and sits for week 15, the first week of fantasy football playoffs. Let’s go.
Quarterback Starts for Week 15
Even with the knee injury to DeAndre Hopkins, which looks set to keep him out for the remainder of the regular season, give me all of Kyler Murray this week against the Detroit Lions. The Lions are 16th against opposing quarterbacks, but have not faced a quarterback of Murray’s skill since week 7 when they allowed Matthew Stafford to carve them up. Detroit has simply folded on the season, and this spot calls for a massive point tally from Murray. After underwhelming Monday Night versus the Rams, the Cardinals in general will be eager to bounce back in a big way. Murray is my QB1 this week.
Speaking of Matthew Stafford, he makes the start list this week as the Rams travel north to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. Stafford was very impressive Monday Night, snapping a winless 0-17 streak against teams that are 5+ games over .500 throughout his career. This spot may call for a bit of a let down given the highly emotional win Monday Night and the Rams current COVID-19 outbreak, but I think the Rams understand what they have to do here. They simply have to win the game to keep pace with the Cardinals, who are atop the NFC West. Stafford comes in as my QB8 this week, and is in a prime position to produce very good numbers for fantasy managers.
Another prime time game for the Chicago Bears, yawn. However, they just got carved to pieces by Aaron Rodgers and that beautiful man who catches passes and wears number 17 (I love you a lot Davante). This calls for a good opportunity to start Kirk Cousins. Cousins’ prime time record has been discussed over and over, I know. Yet I simply cannot ignore this opportunity to start him. The Vikings have got to win this game, and against a Chicago team that isn’t very good, this screams great start from Cousins. The Bears offense has started to click over the last few weeks as well, so it shouldn’t be a blowout situation where Cousins stops throwing. He should get plenty of dropbacks, and plenty of opportunity to put up points. Cousins is my QB11 this week.
Other QB Starts This Week: Taysom Hill is a money play this week versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The former BYU man should have plenty of chances to show off his wheels versus Tampa, in a game where controlling the clock may just be the Saints best form of defense against Tom Brady and company. Start Hill this week, and while we are at it just to confirm, you are starting Brady too sillyhead. A sneaky play, Jimmy Garoppolo is a go for me this week versus, you guessed it, Atlanta. Atlanta has to travel cross country for this game, and as we have discussed what seems like a million different times, Atlanta cannot stop a thing! Garoppolo has been super consistent as well, throwing for two touchdowns in every game but one for the 49ers since week 9. Jimmy G is my QB15 this week with massive amounts of upside. Oh and that guy Aaron Rodgers, start him too. But you didn’t need me to tell you that, did you?
Start of the Week: Aaron Rodgers
Quarterback Sits for Week 15
Perhaps a crazy, bold, call to make here, I am sitting Dak Prescott this week if you can afford it. Prescott simply has not been himself since he hurt his calf in week 6 versus New England, and the results have shown. He has had three games under 11 points in his last six starts, including two in a row. This version of Prescott simply cannot win his fantasy managers, or Dallas, a championship that both are looking for. I have Dak as my QB10 this week, way lower than I would have him most weeks especially in what looks like a plus matchup versus the New York Giants.
Russell Wilson is back at home on the sit list for me this week versus the Los Angeles Rams. While Wilson had a nice day last week versus Houston, it is Houston. The Rams are in an entirely different ballpark compared to the Texans, and this matchup should show it. Wilson will be under duress all game long from Aaron Donald, Von Miller, and company. Wilson is my QB16 this week, which seems low and it is low. I am even tempted to move him lower in these ranks, that is how much I would want to avoid Wilson this week.
Do it again. That is what I am going to preach in regards to Ben Roethlisberger and his potential as a start this week. I personally have to see more from him to consider him a worthwhile start in fantasy. Although a home date with the Titans is particularly sweet, there are most certainly better options available for consideration. Big Ben slots in as my QB17.
Other QB Sits This Week: Despite the recent turnaround, I still cannot trust Justin Fields versus the Vikings on Monday Night. The Bears offense has been better lately, but he simply is too risky. With Baker Mayfield out due to COVID-19, Case Keenum is set to start for Cleveland against the Raiders on Saturday. While the matchup is great, Keenum is a backup for a reason. Do not consider Keenum unless you are in the most dire of situations, mainly in 2QB and super-flex leagues.
Sit of the Week: Justin Fields
Running Back Starts for Week 15
While his team is in all sorts of trouble with their recent COVID-19 outbreak, as long as he remains healthy and on track to play I love Nick Chubb this week for the Browns taking on the Raiders. Chubb has been underwhelming over the last few weeks, but in a game where the Browns will be down their best receiver in Jarvis Landry, and potentially all four of their tight ends, the plan seems to be to give Chubb all he can handle. The Raiders also conceded four, count them four, touchdowns to running backs last week versus the Chiefs. His highest mark of the year so far, Chubb is my RB3 this week.
After another monster week, it is finally time to crown Javonte Williams top dog in Denver. Williams was a beast last week versus the Lions with two total touchdowns, and now takes on the Cincinnati Bengals this week. Williams will still share with Melvin Gordon who is questionable for the contest with a hand injury. Gordon also scored twice last week. Yet even at a 60/40 split, the talent is hard to ignore with Williams. He is the future of this football team, and it is time the Broncos really see what they have with this kid. Williams, in my book, is a future star, and ranks as my RB14 this week.
James Conner projects as a very strong play this week for the Arizona Cardinals against the Detroit Lions. The Lions allowed four touchdowns to the Broncos last week, and Conner is coming off of a very strong performance versus the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night, scoring twice. It will be interesting to see if Chase Edmonds makes his return from injured reserve this week, but it likely will not hamper Conner that much. That is just how good Conner has been this year for the Cardinals. This screams boom play here, and Conner comes in as my RB8 this week.
Other RB Starts This Week: Perhaps the “where did he come from” player of the season, Rashaad Penny exploded onto the scene last week for the Seahawks against the Texans with a two touchdown, over 100 yard performance. Now, he goes home to take on a Rams team that was just gashed in the run game by the Cardinals. Penny is my RB21 this week, and that could be low. Fire up Devonta Freeman this week versus the Packers, with or without Lamar Jackson, who is questionable with an ankle injury. Freeman is my RB24. Pending his return from concussion protocol, Elijah Mitchell is a solid start this week at home versus Atlanta. Mitchell comes in as my RB16.
Start of the Week: James Conner
Running Back Sits for Week 15
Now that we are in the win or you are out phase of the season, tough decisions need to be made regarding key players with high draft pedigrees that have not performed. Ezekiel Elliott cannot be trusted any more until his knee heals up and he shows otherwise. It pains me to say this, but Elliott should not be playing. He clearly is banged up, and why he hasn’t been given a game off to heal his knee is a mystery to me. He takes on a very friendly Giants defense that bleeds points to the running back position, but Zeke will probably require a touchdown to return value. And even then, what really is Zeke’s ceiling? 15 touches with a score, maybe? I can’t get behind someone with that capped of a ceiling in fantasy playoffs. Zeke is my RB20 this week. Go prove me wrong, please.
Another man victim of I don’t really know what, I cannot wrap my head around what on earth the Jacksonville Jaguars are doing with James Robinson. Has he been battling injuries for most of the season, yes he has. Yet it honestly makes no sense to me, to not give your best offensive player the reps he is due? It is bewildering to me. If the man is playing, you give him the rock. It isn’t like the Jaguars have anybody better at their immediate disposal. Robinson has only 15 touches COMBINED over the last two games, to go along with 39 yards of total offense. You read that right. Robinson has a great matchup versus Houston this week, but he is simply too risky to start. If only Jacksonville made the right coaching hire this offseason, also known as anyone other than Urban Meyer. Robinson is my RB28 this week.
Pending he is able to clear COVID-19 protocols this week, I am saying a big no thank you to Myles Gaskin and every last running back on the Miami Dolphins for that matter. Gaskin is the ultimate fantasy football pain, you start him and he is dreadful, you bench him and he erupts and makes you question everything. I can’t start Gaskin with a clear conscience, but I sure can bench him. Gaskin, if he is able to clear, will rank as my RB33. That is how much part I want in Gaskin, none as he doesn’t crack my top 30.
Other RB Sits This Week: Another one with the if he clears COVID protocol tag, I just think Jamaal Williams is best served on benches this week. This game for the Lions could get ugly against the Cardinals, and I don’t see the Lions being able to go without throwing for very long. Williams would rank as my RB29 if he is able to clear. Any running back on the Buffalo Bills is a sit from here on out, whether it is Devin Singletary, Zack Moss, or Matt Breida. No thank you, as this team wants to throw more than run. And when they do run, it usually is Josh Allen scrambling on a busted called pass.
Sit of the Week: Myles Gaskin (Can’t wait for him to have 2 touchdowns)
Wide Receiver Starts for Week 15
After calling for Mike Evans to have a nice game last week, this week it is his teammates turn Chris Godwin. To me, it screams like a Godwin week as Evans will be locking horns with star corner Marshon Lattimore on the outside, leaving the slot wide open for Godwin to operate. It also helps that over the last two weeks, Godwin has reeled in 25 catches combined. Yup, you heard that right. He has been a beast for fantasy this year, and look for him to keep it up versus the Saints. Godwin is my WR6 this week, ahead of his teammate Evans who is my WR11.
With the return of Elijah Mitchell pending for San Francisco, this is the week we probably see Deebo Samuel move back to his more natural wide receiver position. And what a week for it to happen against the Atlanta Falcons, oh goody. Samuel should have no problem feasting against the Falcons, who allow the 4th most points to opposing wide receivers. Even with George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk around, I still am all in on the Deebo Samuel train this week. Samuel is my WR8 this week.
Whilst I wouldn’t start his quarterback, give me all of Diontae Johnson this week versus the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field. It was a quiet week for Johnson in week 14, only reeling in 5 balls for 76 yards, but that changes this week. The Titans concede the 2nd most points to opposing receivers and Johnson should have no problems against Tennessee’s man coverage defense, also allowing Johnson to potentially burn a member of the secondary and catch a big one. Johnson comes in as my WR5 this week.
Other WR Starts This Week: Keenan Allen is all cleared to return for the Chargers this week, as they take on the Chiefs Thursday Night. Allen figures to step right back in as the leading receiver for the Chargers after missing last week with COVID. He should see a decent amount of the target share for this Chargers offense. Allen is my WR9 this week. All systems go for Jaylen Waddle this week as he goes up against the gift that keeps on giving, the New York Jets. Sorry Jets fans, you guys stink. Waddle is my WR17 this week, and that could be low. Hunter Renfrow will look to keep a streak of three straight 100 yard outings going as his Raiders host the Browns on Saturday. I think it happens, and Renfrow gets the start for me as my WR15. A sneaky start, how about Amon-Ra St. Brown for the Detroit Lions against Arizona. St. Brown has double digit targets in the last two weeks, and in a game that should have the Lions throwing a lot, I see some sneaky appeal for those that are dealing with injuries or COVID issues.
Start of the Week: Chris Godwin
Wide Receiver Sits for Week 15
Marquise Brown is an instant sit for me this week, as he has done absolutely nothing the last few weeks. Since week 10, Brown has less than 15 fantasy points in each game he has played in full PPR scoring. That simply isn’t good enough, or worthy enough to start him. Another problem is trying to decipher whether it will be Lamar Jackson or Tyler Huntley starting at quarterback this week for the Ravens. If I had to bet, I would lean towards Jackson playing at this moment in time, but it is too close of a call. Brown charts in as my WR22 this week.
D.J. Moore comes in as a sit for me this week as the Panthers take on the Buffalo Bills. For one, Moore is dealing with a bum hamstring that may limit him in the contest. Two, the Panthers have zero idea which QB will be the most competent for them. Whether it is Cam Newton or P.J. Walker starting for Carolina, Moore will have to develop continuity with both of them and that isn’t an ideal recipe for success, no matter which way you want to look at it. Moore is a borderline starter in PPR, but elsewhere he is a no go. Moore is my WR24 this week, just barely staying in the WR2 category.
Michael Pittman Jr. will be taking a seat for me this week, with the Colts taking on the Patriots at Lucas Oil. The one thing Bill Belichick does better than absolutely anyone is take the best players away, and that is what I fear may happen with Pittman Jr. this week. J.C. Jackson figures to see a lot of Pittman Jr., and Jackson has been fantastic this year for the Patriots secondary. Pittman Jr. comes in low on the ranks this week, sitting as my WR29.
Other WR Sits this Week: Although I really want to think the glory days of Julio Jones aren’t done, they are done folks. Jones has been a shell of himself in Tennessee, and even without A.J. Brown, Jones has been unable to find it this year. He is a sit for me this week as my WR38. Fade the Broncos receiving corps all together, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, and Courtland Sutton. These three are very droppable in fantasy at the moment, as I can’t see any one of them cracking my top 30 going forward.
Sit of the Week: Julio Jones
Tight End Starts for Week 15
Gosh, I am going to hate myself for this. But I kind of like Mike Gesicki this week against the New York Jets. The Jets have given up three touchdowns in three games to opposing tight ends, and I see the appeal here for Gesicki to get his finally. While I am not confident at all, Gesicki is a boom-or-bust play with the potential for a big boom. Gesicki is my TE12 this week.
Temper expectations a bit for Rob Gronkowski this week, however I still like him as a confident start. The Buccaneers tight end has been a vital part of the Bucs passing attack this year, and Terrific Tom Brady wants to get him the ball especially near the end zone. The Saints have only allowed three touchdowns to tight ends this year, but a five or six catch game feels appropriate to project for Gronk, my TE4.
Other TE Starts this Week: Zach Ertz has a very favorable projection this week for the Cardinals against the Lions. I do like Ertz to have a nice game here, putting him as my TE10. Tyler Higbee is a flier start at tight end, requiring a touchdown to require any sort of value. Ditto for Hunter Henry. I do like both the Rams tight end and the Patriots tight end to both score this weekend.
Start of the Week: Mike Gesicki
Tight End Sits for Week 15
I know I sound like a broken record at this point, but I can’t trust Kyle Pitts this week or any week. The Falcons offense is that bad, and even after his best showing in nearly a month and half in week 14, I need to see it again from the former Florida Gator. It doesn’t help that the 49ers also concede the 6th fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Pitts is my TE9 this week, as I am just not confident he can deliver the goods for fantasy managers in crunch time.
A popular streaming candidate this week given his last licks status on Monday Night, I would still be fading Tyler Conklin at all costs. Outside of an anomaly in week 13 which saw Conklin reel in 7 catches, Conklin has been averaging 3 catches per contest in the last 5 weeks. The Bears also defend the tight end position very well, conceding the 7th fewest points to the position. I cannot trust Conklin with my fantasy life on the line, as Conklin is my TE16 this week.
Other TE Sits this Week: I can’t trust Dalton Schultz this week for the Dallas Cowboys as they take on the Giants. Schultz absolutely needs a touchdown to return value, and I don’t see him getting a score here. While everyone and their mother wants every piece of Thursday Night they can get, do not start Jared Cook this week. He was a popular streaming candidate last week by fantasy managers, and now he should be back to where he belongs and that is your waiver wires.
Sit of the Week: Tyler Conklin
To everyone in the first round of fantasy playoffs, the very best of luck! To those on byes this week, I envy your peace of mind. I cannot wait to see you all back here next week when you come out victorious in your matchups. Godspeed.
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