Welcome to Week 15 of the fantasy football season. Christmas is right around the corner and the fantasy playoffs are in full swing. With next week’s championship game deciding fantasy titles, your start/sit decisions will be more crucial than ever.
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 15: Wide receivers
With the playoffs in full swing, we look at the top starting options at receiver this week.
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If you’re in a shallower league and still alive in the title hunt, chances are you won’t have to think about your wide receiver position too much. However, some owners don’t have the luxury of plugging in Antonio Brown or Odell Beckham Jr., so they still have to think about their RB starters. We’ll try to help you chase fantasy glory with these recommended starters, along with players you should be avoiding in this crucial week.
Start
Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Tennessee Titans)
There can be no question about it now — Hill is a born playmaker, and can get fantasy points even on limited targets. He was the difference in last week’s win over the Oakland Raiders, grabbing six catches for 66 yards and a touchdown while also taking a punt return to the house. Hill will be a solid WR3 even with Jeremy Maclin back healthy.
Jamison Crowder, Washington (vs. Carolina Panthers)
Crowder’s been kinda slumping lately, getting just five catches for 79 yards in his last two games. His fantasy ceiling has been dented by the return of DeSean Jackson. Still, Crowder is set up well for a good matchup with the Panthers’ 30th-ranked pass defense. He’ll continue to be useful in the flex spot.
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals (vs. New Orleans Saints)
Carson Palmer’s collapse has come at the expense of Fitzgerald’s fantasy value, but with Michael Floyd out of the picture he’ll be needed more than ever. Although he hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 5, Fitzgerald is getting plenty of targets and is a fine asset in PPR leagues. He’ll have one of his better matchups with the Saints’ defense at home this week.
Sit
DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)
This one hurts, but it has to be done. Brock Osweiler simply can’t get the ball to Hopkins on a consistent basis, and Nuk had yet another clunker last week (two catches, 33 yards). Now facing off with the Jaguars’ fourth-ranked pass defense, Hopkins just can’t be trusted in the fantasy playoffs.
Davante Adams/Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers (@ Chicago Bears)
Normally, Adams and Cobb would be good flex plays against the Bears’ middling defense. Unfortunately, this week won’t be normal circumstances. The weather will be frigid in Chicago with temperatures dipping below zero degrees and the wind chill even lower. On top of that, Aaron Rodgers is hobbled by hamstring and calf injuries. It’s entirely possible the Packers take the air out of the ball, leaving Adams and Cobb with minimal ceilings this week.
Terrelle Pryor, Cleveland Browns (@ Buffalo Bills)
Never a good sign when the biggest story from Pryor’s last game was getting into a feud with Pacman Jones. That will happen when you have just one catch for 3 yards. Oh, and Robert Griffin III is still a tire fire. If you played Pryor last week, chances are you got knocked out of the playoffs. He’s off the fantasy radar for the time being.
