Week 15 Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em is here to highlight a few players at each position that we would like to sit or start (where possible). It’s the first week of the fantasy playoffs for many and there is a lot on the line. If you need someone to plug in a bind, this is the place to be!
This series will avoid the “obvious” answers. So, just because I don’t tell you to start the RB1 in the week doesn’t mean you should sit him. It means I just felt it was a no-brainer and didn’t need to be discussed. Also, consider these suggestions in the context of your lineup. When I say to sit a player, there are obviously going to be situations where you have no choice but to play them. Bye weeks and injuries can cause us to start players with whom we are uncomfortable. Examine your squad’s situation before blindly following this column.
Week 15 Quarterback Starts Of The Week:
Marcus Mariota, WAS @ NYG
The Washington Commanders have had to turn to quarterback Marcus Mariota more times than they’d have hoped for this year. With the latest injury to Jayden Daniels, they need to turn him once again. He hasn’t been great filling in, but from a fantasy perspective, his use of his legs has made him semi-relevant as a potential streaming option. The matchup against the Giants, who give up the 2nd most rush yards per game, can make Mariota scramble together for a top-12 performance for the week.
Jacoby Brissett, ARI @ HOU
I DO NOT CARE that the Cardinals play the Houston Texans, the best defense in the league. Nor do I care that the Texans give up only 11.2 fantasy points-per-game to the position, 16 points-per-game to opposing offenses, and 172 passing yards per game. I AM 100% in on Jacoby Brissett for the rest of the year, and that includes this weekend.
Three times this year, Brissett has faced a top-tier defense: the Seahawks, Packers, and Jaguars. In all three of those matchups, Brissett had 250+ passing yards in each game, and his worst performance still yielded nearly 19 fantasy points. The Cardinals are going to be throwing the ball all game long, even if playing from behind or in the game, the stat sheet will be padded, and Brissett is going to surpass 225+ yards and have at least one touchdown. I have him as a top-12 quarterback for the week. The Texans might’ve stopped quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Daniel Jones, but Brissett will perform better than all 3 of those guys did.
Week 15 Quarterback Sits Of The Week:
Jordan Love & Bo Nix, GB @ DEN
The Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers face off on Sunday in what should be a lower-scoring affair. Both teams are in the top-6 for fewest points allowed per game. It’ll be a defensive battle, and I’m expecting both Jordan Love and Bo Nix to struggle. Both are inconsistent, especially when facing tougher teams. I’m not trusting either one of them to perform, and I’m looking for other options to take me to the semi-finals.
Week 15 Running Backs Starts Of The Week
D’Andre Swift, CHI vs. CLE
For the year, the Cleveland Browns look like a tough opponent against the run game, as they rank in the top 10 in fewest fantasy points allowed. Over the last 4 weeks, however, they’ve dropped down to the bottom-5 in fantasy points allowed, with nearly 30 per game to the position. The Browns are struggling on defense and just let Tony Pollard have over 160 yards. In no scenario should a player like Pollard be that productive. Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift is a better runner than Pollard and more elusive. He might not have 160 yards, but he should have his 4th 100+ yard game of the year and a top-12 finish.
Devin Neal, NO vs. CAR
With the likelihood that Alvin Kamara is out, if you’re in a plug and need someone, pick up Devin Neal and stream him. He’s coming off his best performance of his career, where he ended up with his 1st career touchdown. Out of volume alone, being the lone option in the backfield makes Neal relevant. Facing a Panthers defense that has been bottom-10 on the season and bottom-5 over the last month makes this matchup even more appealing.
Week 15 Running Back Sits Of The Week
Breece Hall, NYG @ JAX
The toughest team in the league to run the ball against is the Jacksonville Jaguars. They are only giving up 82.9 rushing yards per game. For the New York Jets, a team that relies on the run, it’s going to be a long day. For running back Breece Hall, he’s still ranked to be a top-20 running back for the week, but I have him outside my top-30. The Jets are going to get pounded by the Jaguars and will need to throw the ball. When they do run, it won’t go well, and Hall will have around the 3-yard-per-carry mark.
David Montgomery, DET @ LAR
Arguably, the best one-two running back duo in the NFL is Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. The Lions play the Rams, a top-5 defense against the rush. Gibbs has the explosiveness and elite-level playmaking to still be a difference maker in this game and can contribute through the pass game. For Montgomery, he’s dependent on the rush at his age as a ground and pound runner, and that’s just not going to happen this week. He’s only had 4 top-20 finishes on the year, and this won’t be one of them.
Week 15 Wide Receiver Starts Of The Week
Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG vs. WAS
This is a dream matchup for Wan’Dale Robinson fantasy owners in PPR formats. The Commanders and Giants are both awful, and both are going to score with no defense. Robinson might not be the one to score, but he’ll help move the ball down the field with plenty of targets. Last week, he had 7 receptions, but only 34 yards. His receptions are what make him relevant, but this week, I have him having 80+ yards on 6+ receptions and am confidently starting him this weekend.
Jakobi Meyers, JAX vs. NYJ
Jakobi Meyers has made his ascent to being a WR1 again and is a must-start no matter what now. He’s had three straight top-15 finishes and has scored in all 3 of those matchups. Even without those three touchdowns, he’s averaged roughly 5 receptions and 60 yards per game, good enough for 11 PPR points per game. That’s better than players like Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Stefon Diggs during this same span. Meyers is a top-15 wide receiver for another week in a row.
Week 15 Wide Receiver Sits Of The Week
Michael Pittman Jr, IND @ SEA
It’s a big question mark on the quarterback situation for the Indianapolis Colts this weekend. After the devastating loss to Daniel Jones, the Colts have turned to Riley Leonard and considered Philip Rivers as an option. This is going to hurt the entire Indianapolis Colts offense, but there are two players in particular who need to be benched, and one of them is Michael Pittman Jr. Even if Jones were to play, the Seahawks are a bottom-5 opponent for wide receivers this year, making Pittman a risk. It’s a tough draw for the Colts and their season.
Emeka Egbuka, TB vs. ATL
Yes, I am sitting Emeka Egbuka in round one of the fantasy playoffs. It’s not due to the matchup, but due to his downward trend in production. He hasn’t had more than 9 fantasy points in PPR leagues since week 10. He also hasn’t topped 42 receiving yards in that same span, and in the last two weeks, Chris Godwin has taken back his spot on the depth chart over Egbuka. With the potential of Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan also playing this week, Egbuka will see fewer targets. I’m not taking the risk on the rookie to bounce back with so much on the line.
Week 15 Tight End Starts Of The Week:
Kyle Pitts, ATL @ TB
The person who has benefited the most from Drake London being out these last two weeks is Kyle Pitts. He’s had a resurgence in his play, with back-to-back weeks of 80+ yards and 6+ receptions. London was ruled out for another week, and I’m banking on Pitts for another monster performance in what should be a pass-heavy game script.
Harold Fannin Jr, CLE @ CHI
It was a career day for not only Shedeur Sanders, but also fellow rookie Harold Fannin Jr. Fannin led the team in targets, receptions, and yards, which all led him to finishing as TE1 for the week. I’m not sure he’ll be able to repeat that stellar 114-yard performance, but I view him as a top-5 option in what should be another high-volume day with David Njoku sidelined.
Week 15 Tight End Sits Of The Week
Tyler Warren, IND @ SEA
Along with Michael Pittman Jr, the other member of the Indianapolis Colts that I am fading is tight end Tyler Warren. Warren has been excellent this year and is TE4 on the year. He’s projected to finish as a top-5 tight end again this week, but I just don’t see that happening without Daniel Jones at quarterback. He might be able to accomplish that later on in the year, but definitely not in the first game post-Jones, even against a Seahawks defense that gives up the 2nd most points to the position.
Darren Waller, MIA @ PIT
Don’t trust the name; that’s all Darren Waller is nowadays. He was only relevant in weeks 4-6 when he found the end zone, but in his 2 games since coming off the IR, he’s managed a combined 60 yards on only 3 receptions. It’s been underwhelming for Waller, and if any tight end in this Monday Night matchup does well, it’ll be Jonnu Smith against his former team.
For your final lineup decisions, check out the FSAN Rankings Page or check out our Sit & Start live show every Sunday before kickoff on Spilled Coffee.