Fantasy football advice, Week 15: Who to start/sit for New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos

With only four teams remaining in each fantasy league across the board, it’s not exactly a news flash to say that fantasy owners have to be at the top of their game. Several factors present themselves for the matchup between the Patriots and Broncos on Sunday, and fantasy owners will absolutely have to examine them closely to get the upper hand on their opponent. Let’s take a look:

Tom Brady has the toughest matchup of any quarterback in Week 15, going up against the NFL’s No. 1 pass defense. It is one that limited him to one touchdown and a pair of interceptions in the 2015 playoffs, but allowed three touchdowns and no interceptions to him during their regular season matchup in the same year. Fantasy owners can’t assume Brady will have success against the Broncos, but they would have a tough pill to swallow if they left him on the bench and he had another game like he did during 2015. Brady remains a QB1, albeit one with a lower ceiling than usual. Julian Edelman, who has had absurd usage with Rob Gronkowski sidelined, remains a WR2 as Brady’s top option.

LeGarrette Blount could be the forgotten commodity in a game that focuses so much on Brady vs. the Broncos’ secondary. Blount’s role hasn’t diminished even with Dion Lewis’ return, and he faces a run defense that ranks 29th in the NFL. Blount is a low-end RB1 and it wouldn’t be surprising at all if Bill Belichick devises a run-heavy game plan to attack the Broncos’ weakness.

Though Brady remains capable, it will be hard to trust the rest of the Patriots’ receiving game against the formidable Broncos pass defense. Fantasy owners should probably look elsewhere than Malcolm Mitchell, Martellus Bennett and Chris Hogan for Week 15. James White and Lewis continue to cannibalize each other’s opportunities and can remain on benches despite their big play ability.

Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders both erupted against the Titans’ leaky pass defense. The Patriots’ middling secondary will likely sell out to stop the impressive receiver duo, but each offers upside to remain in WR2 territory. With the Broncos’ running game in disarray, Trevor Siemian could see many passing attempts once again, which would make Sanders and Thomas attractive options once again.

With Devontae Booker and Justin Forsett in a full-blown timeshare, neither is a flex option for Week 15. Siemian has streamer appeal due to his likely heavy volume of pass attempts in store, but fantasy owners have options with higher floors available.