Fantasy Overview - Week 15

WEEK 15 PLAYOFF PREPARATION

9 THOUGHTS WORTH THINKING

I like to follow stats, trends, and matchups, as well as a little thing I like to call a hunch. These thoughts are based on those observations.

1. Matthew Stafford can help you advance - In his last three games, 15-year veteran Matthew Stafford has 802 yards passing but, more importantly, 10 touchdown passes with 1 interception. Both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are healthy and contributing to the cause of his dominance of late. To make matters even more appealing, the Rams will face the Commanders at home in Week 15. Washington has allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, and since Week 10, their average allowance is 307 yards per game with 2.8 touchdown passes. You want to take advantage of matchups in the playoffs and also play the hot players. You get both with Stafford against Washington this week. If he's on your roster, you try to play him unless you have a top-3 starter option. This also includes a big stamp of approval for Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Kyren Williams. All Rams fantasy weapons should benefit greatly this week.

2. Rachaad White helped get you here - he will help you advance - As long as the weather cooperates, White at Green Bay is a decent matchup that you should take note of. Not only has White been solid lately (RB3 since Week 10), but the Packers have been struggling against the run, allowing an average of 121 rushing yards and 1.2 rushing touchdowns per game to running backs over the last five games. If you have White on your roster, you have most likely benefited from him to get you to this spot in the playoffs. Continue to ride White's hot streak to get you to the next level.

3. Is Jake Browning worth starting for your team in the playoffs? In three games as a starter, Browning is 69 of 87 for 856 yards (79.3 comp%) with 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He also has two rushing touchdowns. His yards per attempt is a robust 9.84, and it's even higher over the last two games. He has shown that he can make plays downfield, and let's not forget he has the horses to reel in those passes led by Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Tanner Hudson is also making a splash over the last few games. On paper, Browning looks like a good option. This week's opponent is Minnesota, who have blanketed Aidan O'Connell and Justin Fields in back-to-back weeks. The Vikings have not allowed a 300-yard passer since Week 3 and have only allowed three passing touchdowns since Week 9. It's not a great matchup. But this game is at home, and Minnesota is struggling to find their rhythm with a quarterback issue of their own. Browning has done enough to warrant a start. He may not have the best game of the week, but Top 10 seems likely.

4. Evan Engram, David Njoku, and Isaiah Likely for the win - All three tight ends are peaking at the right time and all three have a quarterback who has leaned on them lately. If we chase points, especially in the playoffs, we want to be sure there is reason to believe the production won't drop off. Engram has been on fire lately, with three touchdowns in the last two games after having zero the whole season prior. Njoku has found a good connection and rapport with Browns quarterback savior Joe Flacco. His 14 receptions in the last three games lead the team. He also has two scores in that span to lead the team. It took a game or two for Isaiah Likely to gel with Lamar Jackson, but he appears to be a key contributor moving forward, handling the same plays and routes that Mark Andrews would've handled. All three weren't much of a consideration earlier in the year, but now, due to injuries, changes on offense, or momentum from success, all three are fantasy-relevant and worth starting for the playoff stretch.

5. Lean on Seattle wide receivers regardless of who is quarterback - This week, the Seahawks play Philadelphia at home. The Eagles have struggled against the pass this year, allowing 23 passing touchdowns - to WIDE RECEIVERS! The last time they had a game where at least one wide receiver didn't score was Week 6 against the Jets. DK Metcalf has been the scoring threat for Seattle lately, but Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are also capable of putting up game-winning numbers. This week's matchup is one you should take advantage of. Metcalf is a known starter, but consider Lockett and Smith-Njigba as flex options.

6. Can you rely on Zach Wilson to come through for Garrett Wilson at Miami? Miami lost their first home game last week in a rare fourth-quarter meltdown. They have been sharp against wide receivers this year, allowing a score approximately once per game. They let Will Levis throw for 300 yards last week, which included 7-124-1 from DeAndre Hopkins. Garrett Wilson has been up and down this year, but for the most part, he has been up, with nine games of 14.0 PPR points. Wilson was on last week against Houston, throwing for 300 yards and 2 touchdowns, targeting Wilson 14 times and connecting 9 times for 108 yards. Wilson has a good chance of producing 14-15 PPR points and could deliver more if he finds the end zone. In the earlier matchup against Miami from Week 12, Wilson had 7 catches for 44 yards with a touchdown (17.40 PPR points).

7. Hunch time! Browns running backs as a flex - Since Week 6, when Kareem Hunt became more familiar with the Browns' offense, either he or Jerome Ford has scored a touchdown in every game but one (Week 12 at Denver). Hunt has scored in six of those nine games. In that same span, Jerome Ford is the RB15 accumulating 3 touchdowns but also 25 receptions and 662 total yards. In the two games with Joe Flacco at quarterback, Ford is RB17 and Hunt is RB31, each scoring at least once. Ford has 8 receptions with Flacco under center in two games. This week's opponent, Chicago, has improved compared to earlier in the year, but they can still be problematic against a tough offense and running game. Ford is the better bet for mid-teens PPR points and Hunt is the wild card. This is a home game for Cleveland and they are sitting at 8-5 with a good chance to reach the postseason. A convincing victory this week would go a long way to securing that playoff berth.

8. Shy away from Adam Thielen - Adam Thielen may have helped get you to this point. However, he has struggled lately, failing to score a touchdown since Week 6. This week, he will face the Falcons' defense, who have not allowed a single wide receiver touchdown over their last four games. The Panthers' offense has improved on the ground lately, but they are still not finding their way on passes downfield. Bryce Young has not topped 200 yards since Week 8, and the current coaching staff is reportedly "going through the motions" until the season ends. Young is doing what he can, but the offensive weapons are few and far between. That includes an injury-riddled offensive line. Carolina has shown promise rushing for 200+ yards last week against the Saints, establishing the ground game as their identity. Look for them to try that approach again this week, thus limiting the passing game, which ultimately affects Thielen. If they do resort to the pass, Atlanta has the defense in place to give them problems. Earlier in the year, Atlanta intercepted Young twice, including a pick-six. To make matters worse, a nor'easter is expected to form in the area on Sunday, bringing cold, wet, and windy conditions. Pass on Thielen this week.

9. Don't rely on Davante Adams to carry you - Davante Adams has four touchdowns this season. Three of those came with Jimmy Garoppolo under center. In seven games with Aidan O'Connell at quarterback, Adams has averaged 6.2 catches per game for 66 yards. He has only one touchdown in those seven games (Wk11 at MIA). You may get 12-14 PPR points from Adams, but a 20-point game with a score is not likely. This week's opponent, the LA Chargers, has allowed 5 touchdowns to wide receivers in their last seven games (less than one per game). Aidan O'Connell has thrown four touchdown passes in seven games. This is not the best outlook for Adams.

Good luck this week. Here's hoping you all Survive and Advance.

Thank you for reading. Questions, suggestions, and comments are always welcome. Follow @JeffHaseley