With Week 15 here, the fantasy football are in full swing.
Fantasy football, Week 15: Who to start and sit across the NFL
A look at the biggest decisions facing your fantasy team with the fantasy playoffs in full swing.
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With that in mind, here is a look at the biggest start-sit decisions facing your fantasy team(s) in Week 15.
With Carson Wentz now done for the season, expect the Eagles to rely more on the ground game, which is good news for Jay Ajayi. The former Dolphin has done well since being traded to Philadelphia, but Week 14 was the first time he got 10-plus carries. Expect that to grow in Week 15 against a Giants team allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. Get Ajayi into your starting lineup this Sunday.
Yes, Blake Bortles has become a quarterback you can start in the fantasy playoffs. The enigmatic passer is on a bit of a hot streak as the playoffs heat up. Now, he’ll to face a depleted Texans defense that’s allowing the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. It’s already risky playing Bortles, but with such a great matchup on deck, start him this week.
The Bengals look like a team ready for their season to be over. It doesn’t help that so much of their defense is banged up, including Vontaze Burfict (concussion), who still isn’t practicing. That makes for an enticing matchup for the Vikings and running back Latavius Murray. Cincinnati is allowing the second-most fantasy points to running backs over the last five weeks Murray may be coming off a dud against the Panthers, but they have one of the league’s best run defenses. Start Murray against the Bengals in Week 15.
Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton vs. Green Bay Packers
Cam Newton continues to carry the Panthers toward a postseason berth. He’s coming off a so-so performance against a strong Vikings defense, but up next is a struggling Packers team allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks over the last three weeks. If you have Newton, start him this week.
Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams vs. Carolina Panthers
Despite all of the Packers’ issues, Davante Adams has scored the fifth-most fantasy points among receivers over the last five weeks. Even with Aaron Rodgers out of the lineup and the inexperienced Brett Hundley under center, Adams has remained an elite fantasy receiver. It looks like Rodgers might return to action this week, but regardless of who’s under center, they’ll get a great matchup with Carolina’s porous secondary. The Panthers are allowing the most fantasy points to receivers over the last five weeks. Start Adams in Week 15.
SIT
Alex Smith was an MVP candidate for the first two months of the season, then fell off a cliff along with the Chiefs’ season as they endured a 1-6 stretch. But thanks to new play-caller Matt Nagy, Smith is finding his groove again. He’s thrown for 634 yards and four touchdowns over his last two games, but don’t expect that to continue against the Chargers’ surging defense. Los Angeles is allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, including the second-fewest over the last three weeks. Keep Smith benched in Week 15.
DeMarco Murray has been battling several nagging injuries throughout the season. While they haven’t kept him from playing, they have helped limit his production, which includes just 215 total yards over his last four games. He now faces a 49ers defense allowing the fewest fantasy points to running backs over the last five weeks. Keep Murray on the bench this Sunday.
Green Bay Packers RB Jamaal Williams vs. Carolina Panthers
Jamaal Williams has been a godsend for the Packers’ offense, but now that Aaron Rodgers is set to return, that should lead to a smaller workload for the rookie running back. And even if Williams does get a lot of touches against the Panthers, they’re allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Put Williams on the bench for Week 15.
T.Y. Hilton faces the unenviable task of going against a Broncos defense that features Chris Harris and Aqib Talib. Those two are a big reason why the Broncos are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to receivers this season. Making this even more challenging for Hilton is Donte Moncrief is out due to injury. Moncrief would have at least made it harder for Denver to focus on shutting down Hilton, which is likely what happens now. Sit Hilton this week.
Washington WR Jamison Crowder vs. Arizona Cardinals
Washington is struggling to get to the finish line of this season, as evidenced by being outscored 68-27 over the last two games. The offense has taken a nosedive, which has led to Jamison Crowder catching just eight balls for 101 yards over the last two games. He now faces a Cardinals defense that features Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson. They’ve helped Arizona allow the second-fewest fantasy points to receivers over the last five weeks. Keep Crowder on the bench this Sunday.
