CLEVELAND, OH — The fantasy football playoffs are in full swing. Congratulations for making it this far, but a key lineup decision could be the difference between advancing and being eliminated.
Feel free to send me your fantasy questions on Twitter or Instagram.
Here are the players you should start in Week 15:
Start 'Em
Ryan Tannehill — Tannehill has scored 20 or more fantasy points in seven straight games. He threw for 391 yards and three touchdowns in the Titans’ blowout win over the Raiders last week. Tannehill has a great matchup against Houston in Week 15. The Texans are allowing the 5th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season and have given up 13 completions of 20 or more yards in their last two games, which is the most in the NFL.
Odell Beckham Jr. — Beckham has been awful from a fantasy standpoint and he’s hard to trust with the season on the line, but this matchup is juicy enough to put him on this list. The Cardinals have given up the 3rd most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Jarvis Landry should also be in your Week 15 lineups.
Kyler Murray — Murray should break out of his two-game slump this week against a Browns’ defense that hasn’t been the same without Myles Garrett. Murray should have plenty of time to throw and his ability to move in the pocket could disrupt any pass rush the Browns can muster. Murray is a QB1 with high upside this week.
Raheem Mostert — Mostert has another big game last week, which helped those that were smart enough to snag him on the waiver wire. He’s the main back in San Francisco (for now), which puts him on the RB1 radar. He has at least 13 PPR points in three straight games and 54 PPR points in his last two contests. Start him with confidence against the Falcons.
Kenny Golladay — Golladay has been great with David Blough under center. He has 10 receptions for 216 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets in two games. The Buccaneers have allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Golladay should thrive, especially with Marvin Jones (ankle) out for the season.
Kareem Hunt — Hunt continues to deliver for fantasy owners. He has at least 11 PPR points in all five games he’s played in this season. The Cardinals have allowed the 13th most fantasy points to running backs. Hunt’s ability to catch out of the backfield makes him an RB2 in PPR leagues and a flex option in standard. Nick Chubb is worth starting as a weekly RB1.
Darius Slayton — Slayton has scored double digit PPR points in five of his last six games. He had a huge Week 14 game and should continue to flourish this week against a poor Miami secondary. The Dolphins have allowed 23 touchdowns to wide receivers this season, which is the most in the NFL. Trust Slayton this week and consider starting him in daily leagues.
Sit 'Em
Tyler Boyd — Boyd has been great in recent weeks — finishing with at least 12 PPR points in each of his last three games. Despite the recent success, it’s hard to imagine him having a big day against the Patriots. New England has allowed the fewest Fantasy points to receivers this season. They’ve given up just three touchdowns wide receivers. Boyd is a boom-or-bust WR3 against the Patriots this week.
John Brown — Brown has been great this season, but he has two tough matchups in Week 15 and 16. He’s nearly impossible to start this week against Pittsburgh. He struggled last week against a tough Ravens’ defense and now he has to deal with Joe Haden and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Brown hasn’t topped 40 receiving yards in three straight games. Brown is a risky WR3 against the Steelers.
JuJu Smith-Schuster — It’s hard to trust any player that has been out for an extended amount of time due to injury. Smith-Schuster is set to return this week against a Bills’ secondary that has given up the fourth fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Smith-Schuster was a fantasy disappointment before his injury and shouldn’t be trusted with the season on the line. Leave him on your bench in Week 15.
Devonta Freeman — Freeman was on our “Start ‘Em” list last week and he delivered with 19 PPR points. He finds himself on the opposite end of the spectrum in Week 15. San Francisco has kept running backs in check all season long. They shut down Alvin Kamara last week in a high-scoring affair. The 49ers have allowed the 3rd fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Leave Freeman on the bench, even though he played well in Week 14.
Josh Allen — Allen is tough to trust against a tough Steelers’ defense. Much like Brown, he was a bust last week against the Ravens. Pittsburgh has allowed a 73.7 passer rating since Week 7, which is the second best in the NFL over that span. Allen could have a decent day, but Ryan Tannehill, Baker Mayfield, Tom Brady, Kyler Murray and Jameis Winston are just some of the signal-callers that I’m starting over Allen.
Sleepers
Terry McLaurin — McLaurin lit up the Eagles for five receptions, 125 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. He’ll try to do it again this week against a secondary that hasn’t improved since their first matchup. McLaurin scored last week for the first time in six games. He’s a WR3 with plenty of upside in Week 15.
Tyler Higbee — Higbee has been on fire for the Rams and is a big reason why that offense looks like it did last season. He has 14 receptions for 223 yards and one touchdown in his last two games. Gerald Everett is expected to be out again this week, which makes Higbee a TE1 against the Cowboys.
Justin Watson — Watson had five receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown last week after Mike Evans injured his hamstring. He has sneaky sleeper potential with Evans out for the season. Breshad Perriman is another wide receiver to consider in deeper leagues. Jameis Winston could have another high-volume passing day, which puts Watson and Perriman in the WR3 conversation.
Zach Pascal — Pascal has been dominant with T.Y. Hilton dealing with a calf injury. Even if Hilton returns, Pascal has WR2 potential. Pascal has 37 PPR points in his last two games. The Saints are a solid defense, but they were torched last week by the 49ers. Pascal is a WR3 with plenty of sleeper potential.
James White — White should get plenty of touches this week against a Bengals’ defense that has struggled at stopping running backs this season. White has at least 11 PPR points in his last two games and is a safe flex option in standard leagues.
