The fantasy football playoffs are here in most seasonal fantasy football leagues, and with more injuries, Week 15 start 'em sit 'em decisions are more important than ever as you gun for a championship.
The byes are over, but with a Thursday night game (Chargers-Raiders), three Saturday games (Vikings-Bengals, Steelers-Colts, Broncos-Lions), the usual Sunday slate, and a Monday night game (Eagles-Seahawks), fantasy owners will have to be on their toes all weekend long.
Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer is here to help again with his combination of rankings, recommendations, information, and insight to help you make the right calls with the Week 15 "Decider."
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Fantasy Football Week 15 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must starts
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at SEA)
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at BUF)
- Josh Allen, Bills (vs. DAL)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at JAX)
- Brock Purdy, 49ers (at ARI)
- Justin Fields, Bears (at CLE)
Stronger starts
7. Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. WAS). He's been red-hot no matter the defense, and now he gets a pristine passing matchup with elite weapons vs. weak coverage.
8. Russell Wilson, Broncos (at DET). Wilson will need to pass for massive volume against a good run defense in a likely negative game script.
9. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. BAL). The Ravens proved vulnerable against better QBs with Matthew Stafford ripping them last week, and Lawrence is sizzling, at least in terms of yards and TDs.
10. Jordan Love, Packers (vs. TB). He doesn't seem to be the same without Christian Watson (hamstring), but this matchup vs. a crumbling pass defense at home says "yes."
11. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at NE). Mahomes is slotted around where his scoring has been all season, but be wary of benching him when his team desperately needs him to come through in a tough road spot.
12. Sam Howell, Commanders (at LAR). With Matthew Stafford going off last week against Baltimore, Howell should get it done again with garbage-based passing and running volume.
13. Geno Smith, Seahawks (if he returns, vs. PHI). The Seahawks' wide receivers have an exceptional all-around matchup here, and you want to attach to their starting QB, be it Smith or Drew Lock.
14. Jake Browning, Bengals (vs. MIN). Browning is getting it done with his key weapons and also using his legs well at times.
DFS picks
Brock Purdy, 49ers (at ARI, $6,800 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel). Purdy returns home to the Phoenix area and he'll stay heated in the desert ripping apart a terrible pass defense with plenty of family there to watch.
Will Levis, Titans (vs. HOU, $5,400 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel). Levis looked confident against the Dolphins defense on Monday night and he can take advantage of some good spots here with his key receivers.
WEEK 15 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
15. Jared Goff, Lions (vs. DEN). The Lions need to go back to running like nuts with their elite backs in a great matchup to protect their QB and their defense.
16. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (vs. NYJ). He did fine the first time minus the turnovers, but he's not playing well of late, so don't expect reliable numbers.
17. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (at GB). The Packers are much weaker vs. the run than the pass, and Mayfield can't get rushing yards either.
18. Gardner Minshew, Colts (vs. PIT). He's become tough to trust despite his weapons, so avoid him here.
19. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. SF). The 49ers' defense is getting on point vs. the pass, so no.
20. Zach Wilson, Jets (at MIA). He lit up the Texans, but do you really think he can do it again, this time on the road?
21. Derek Carr, Saints (vs. NYG). He was terrible in victory last week, so no (see Jordan Love).
22. Tommy DeVito, Giants (at NO). Give me crabcakes, crawfish, oysters, and shrimp over Cutlets facing a tough Saints D away from Jersey.
23. Joe Flacco, Browns (vs. CHI). The Bears' defense is playing much better of late, which will likely cool him off.
24. Desmond Ridder, Falcons (at CAR). He's a different (read: worse) QB on the road against decent pass defenses.
WEEK 15 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts | Projections
Fantasy Football Week 15 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must starts
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at ARI)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. NYG)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at CAR)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (at LV)
- Rachaad White, Buccaneers (at GB)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. DEN)
- David Montgomery, Lions (vs. DEN)
- Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (vs. NYJ)
- Kyren Williams, Rams (vs. WAS)
- Zack Moss, Colts (vs. PIT)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. GB)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. MIN)
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. BAL)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. HOU)
- Breece Hall, Jets (at MIA)
- Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at BUF)
- Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots (vs. KC)
- James Cook, Bills (vs. DAL)
- Javonte Williams, Broncos (at DET)
Stronger starts
20. D'Andre Swift, Eagles (at SEA). We're back to being Swifties, as the "run the ball" game plan will come to fruition in this matchup.
21. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (vs. ATL). He's still getting the key work over Miles Sanders, and the Falcons' run defense has gotten weaker the past few weeks.
22. Najee Harris and 23. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (at IND). The Colts can be destroyed on the ground, and they'll be like Joe Mixon and Chase Brown were against Indianapolis last week.
23. Ty Chandler, Vikings (at CIN). The Bengals' run defense is still very vulnerable, and he'll be the guy with no Alexander Mattison (ankle).
23. Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt, Browns (vs. CHI). They'll be the bread and butter of the offense, and although the Bears can be good against the run, they give up a lot of key receiving work to the position.
24. Tyjae Spears, Titans (vs. HOU). He's earned the right to maintain a dynamic change-of-pace role vs. a zone defense.
25. De'Von Achane, Dolphins (vs. NYJ). They need his big-play burst to return, and it can happen in this matchup behind a hot Raheem Mostert.
DFS Picks
Rachaad White, Buccaneers (at GB, $7,000 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel). White has been smashing it for several weeks as he gets closer to finishing as RB2 overall, and he will be doing everything great in Green Bay.
Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. at CAR, $6,800 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel). He's the White of Atlanta, and there's no way the rookie should receive fewer than 20 explosive touches against the Panthers' wilting front seven.
WEEK 15 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
26. Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (vs. PHI). The matchup stinks and his usage post-injury is questionable.
27. James Conner, Cardinals (vs. SF). He should be terminated from lineups with no revenge game vs. a tough run defense.
28. D'Onta Foreman, Bears (at CLE). The game script will turn him back into an ordinary juror in this committee.
29. Devin Singletary, Texans (at TEN). This matchup isn't great for a below-average rushing attack.
30. AJ Dillon, Packers (vs. TB). The Bucs have shown more cracks vs. the run, but not enough to start Dillon.
31. Gus Edwards and 32. Keaton Mitchell, Ravens (at JAX). Let Lamar cook in this bad matchup for an inconsistent running game.
32. Zamir White, Raiders (vs. LAC). Ugh. With no Josh Jacobs (knee), there's no trust in him or Ameer Abdullah.
WEEK 15 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Fantasy Football Week 15 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must starts
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at BUF)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (at ARI)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (vs. NYJ)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (vs. PHI)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. MIN)
- Cooper Kupp, Rams (vs. WAS)
- Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. WAS)
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at ARI)
- Chris Olave, Saints (vs. NYG)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. DEN)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at DET)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (at SEA)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at SEA)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at CIN)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. DAL)
- DJ Moore, Bears (at CHI)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at GB)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (vs. LAC)
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (at MIA)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (at LV)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. NYJ)
- Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (vs. PHI)
- Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (vs. PIT)
- Zay Flowers, Ravens (at JAX)
- Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (vs. BAL)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. MIN)
- Amari Cooper, Browns (vs. JAX)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Titans (vs. HOU)
- Rashee Rice, Chiefs (at NE)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at LAR)
Stronger starts
31. Adam Thielen, Panthers (vs. ATL). The Falcons are nasty outside but can give it up inside, and he's coming off a nice rebound game.
32. Odell Beckham Jr., Ravens (at JAX). It's a prime-time game, so you know he'll show up for a big scoring play.
33. Jayden Reed, Packers (vs. TB). He's getting the ball a ton in different ways, so keep playing him.
34. Diontae Johnson, Steelers (at IND). He's their best passing game option with Mitch Trubisky at the helm.
35. Noah Brown, Texans (at TEN). They need to throw to somebody decent, and this favorable spot says he will do a lot better than a third straight zero.
36. Romeo Doubs, Packers (vs. TB). The Buccaneers are struggling on the outside, and they need him with Christian Watson (hamstring) ailing.
37. Brandin Cooks, Cowboys (at BUF). Let's hope he can cook vs. Buffalo's defense away from CeeDee Lamb.
38. Curtis Samuel, Commanders (at LAR). He should continue to see plenty of short-area and downfield targets for Sam Howell.
39. Marquise Brown, Cardinals (vs. SF). He can do something here with big target volume in a negative game script.
DFS picks
Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. WAS, $7,300 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel). Nacua will do some major damage against the Commanders along with Cooper Kupp, and there's no way Washington can cover either anywhere on the field.
Chris Olave, Saints (vs. NYG, $7,100 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel). Olave should be more active in a more favorable passing matchup working both inside and outside.
Rashee Rice, Chiefs (at NE, $6,100 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel). You can bet the Patriots will try to slow down Travis Kelce above all else, opening things up nicely for the rookie downfield.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
40. Drake London, Falcons (at CAR). He had a great matchup at home last week, but fade him in a trickier one on the road.
41. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (at GB). The Packers can contain him OK in the slot, so no.
42. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (vs. LAC). He's faded hard with Aidan O'Connell.
43. Gabe Davis, Bills (vs. DAL). He keeps putting up zeroes at wrong times, and the man-to-man defense hurts him.
44. Jordan Addison, Vikings (at CIN). The rookie has failed to step up without Justin Jefferson (chest), and the QB play has hurt big-time.
45. George Pickens, Steelers (at IND). He needs Kenny Pickett back.
46. Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (at DET). He almost scored last week, but this is a Courtland Sutton game.
47. Zay Jones, Jaguars (vs. BAL). This isn't a bad thought based on the targets, but not this week.
48. Josh Downs, Colts (vs. PIT). We're down on this rookie with more mouths being fed.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must starts
- T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at CIN)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. DEN)
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at NE)
- George Kittle, 49ers (at ARI)
- Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (at BUF)
- Trey McBride, Cardinals (vs. SF)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at SEA)
- David Njoku, Browns (vs. CHI)
- Evan Engram, Jaguars (vs. BAL)
Stronger starts
10. Isaiah Likely, Ravens (at JAX). The Jaguars got destroyed by David Njoku last week, and he's similar.
11. Logan Thomas, Commanders (at LAR). They should rev him up short after the bye.
12. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (at IND). He should get back to being more involved, and Indy did give up another score last week.
13. Tucker Kraft, Packers (vs. TB). He was unlocked a lot for Jordan Love, and the Buccaneers can be burned here.
14. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (vs. DAL). Dawson Knox makes this shakier, but Kincaid still getting the key targets.
15. Cade Otton, Buccaneers (at GB). He can dent the end zone here, and that's the only way he's viable.
16. Tyler Conklin, Jets (at MIA). He should stay busy with a revived Zach Wilson.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
17. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at CAR). He scored with low volume last week, but this matchup is tough.
18. Cole Kmet, Bears (at CLE). Don't chase last week's Engram points.
19. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans (vs. HOU). The idea is OK, but the upside is low.
20. Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. KC). He doesn't get to celebrate his birthday this time.
21. Tanner Hudson, Bengals (vs. MIN). He isn't getting enough looks as a TD-dependent play.
22. Gerald Everett, Chargers (at LV). Not with the QB issues in a brutal spot.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Start 'Em: Defenses
Stronger starts
- Dolphins (vs. NYJ)
- Browns (vs. CHI)
- Chiefs (at NE)
- 49ers (at ARI)
- Saints (vs. NYG)
- Cowboys (at BUF)
- Falcons (at CAR)
8. Raiders (vs. LAC). They'll stick it to Easton with Maxx and friends.
9. Colts (vs. PIT). They just keep making plays, and they're facing Mitchell Trubisky.
10. Steelers (at IND). They'll do some damage vs. the Gardner.
11. Rams (vs. WAS). Aaron Donald and sacks are coming.
12. Chargers (at LV). They ripped AOC the first time.
13. Texans (at TEN). They can get some big plays vs. Will Levis, just like the Dolphins.
14. Bengals (vs. MIN). They came alive vs. the Colts, and they're at home vs. a shaky QB situation.
DFS pick
Cowboys (at BUF, $3,200 DraftKings, $4,000 FanDuel). They are a great big-play team and facing a QB who can give them up. Don't be afraid of the 'Boys in the elements at this nice price.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
15. Ravens (at JAX). The Browns came through with takeaways, but they're not worth it on the road vs. Trevor Lawrence.
16. Eagles (at SEA). The Seahawks' passing game can light them up a bit.
17. Packers (vs. TB). The Buccaneers' rushing attack can gash them a bit.
18. Jets (at MIA). Not against that running game despite Tua's struggles.
19. Lions (vs. DEN). This is a sneaky shootout, and they're just not playing well.
20. Vikings (at CIN). Not against a solid Jake Browning despite the Colts scoring on him last week.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's weekly analysis by listening or watching the daily Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
