Fantasy Football Starts & Sits for Week 15
Welcome to our Fantasy Football Starts & Sits for Week 15 of the 2022 fantasy football season!
We’ve finally made it to the fantasy playoffs and the World Cup final – what a weekend. After last week’s chaos, we no longer need to worry about bye weeks, just wins. Let’s get one step closer to that elusive fantasy championship. Here are my Fantasy Football Starts & Sits for Week 15.
Quarterbacks
START: Justin Fields versus Philadelphia Eagles
I’ll admit, the matchup looks tough, given the Eagles have allowed the second-fewest points to quarterbacks this season. However, Fields’ rushing upside over recent weeks means he must be viewed as a solid QB1 again this week. The second-year QB has rushed for at least 60 yards in each of his last seven games, scoring seven rushing touchdowns over that same period. Very few quarterbacks offer fantasy managers that kind of upside. Fields has been a revelation through the second half of this season. I would struggle to sit him now.
Additional Start candidates: Aaron Rodgers vs. LAR, Mike White vs. DET
SIT: Jared Goff versus New York Jets
Jared Goff has been a solid streamer for large parts of this season and was listed as a potential start last week against the Vikings. While Goff has thrown for a total of 670 yards over the last two weeks against the Jaguars and Vikings, this week’s matchup is a different story. Goff faces an elite Jets defense who have allowed the eighth fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks, according to FantasyData. Per Football Outsiders, they also rank sixth in defensive pass DVOA this year. This offense has certainly started to click, but given the matchup, better streaming options should be available.
Additional Sit candidates: Tom Brady vs. CIN, Daniel Jones vs. WAS
Running Backs
START: Isiah Pacheco versus Houston Texans
His running mate Jerrick McKinnon may have taken all the plaudits last weekend with his two-touchdown performance, but Isiah Pacheco has been quietly producing consistent fantasy production in recent weeks. The rookie has now scored double-digit points in half-PPR scoring in each of his last four games, per FantasyData. Another promising aspect is the slight uptick in passing work, seeing a season-high three receptions from three targets on Sunday. He now faces the Texans, who have allowed the most fantasy points to running backs this weekend, in a game where Pacheco should face a favorable positive game script.
An angry run to secure the win 😤 @isiah_pachecoRB
— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2022
📺: #KCvsDEN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/TzmdzbFm9o pic.twitter.com/fDk2vZO3WO
Additional Start candidates: Miles Sanders vs. CHI, Brian Robinson vs. NYG
SIT: Travis Etienne versus Dallas Cowboys
After an electric series of games earlier in the season, Etienne’s fantasy production has fallen quicker than a British Prime Minister. The second-year back has averaged just 44 yards from scrimmage over the last four games. On Sunday against the Titans, Etienne saw 17 rushing attempts for just 32 yards while failing to see a target. With the Jaguars successfully leaning on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Etienne’s usage and production have deteriorated. He will now face a Dallas team who have allowed the fourth fewest points to running backs this season.
Additional Sit candidates: Cordarrelle Patterson vs. NO, D’Onta Foreman vs. PIT
Wide Receivers
START: Mike Williams versus Tennessee Titans
With his starting receivers back in the lineup, Justin Herbert has started to get back to his best. On his return on Sunday against the Dolphins, Mike Williams posted a stat line of six receptions from six targets for 116 yards and a touchdown. Not bad for a guy who only played in around two-thirds of snaps in his first full game since week 7. His matchup this week represents one of the best for wide receivers this year with the Titans allowing the most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. Opposing teams have passed for at least 350 passing yards in each of the last two games, allowing both AJ Brown and Devonta Smith over 100 yards and 8-77-1 to Zay Jones on Sunday. I’m expecting fireworks again this week.
MIKE WILLIAMS FOR SIX 💥
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) December 12, 2022
pic.twitter.com/CUGrS6xs8M
Additional Start candidates: Michael Pittman vs. MIN, Christian Watson vs. LAR
SIT: Mike Evans versus Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Evans’ stock continues to fall. His four catches (nine targets) for 44 yards means he has now failed to reach double-digit points in half-PPR scoring in each of the last five games. Scoring only three touchdowns on the season (all in the first three weeks), the veteran is on course for his lowest points per game average in his career this season. And on paper, this week’s matchup isn’t a favorable one, with the Bengals allowing the fifth-fewest points per game to wide receivers this season. It’s always tough to bench someone with such talent as Mike Evans, but this is the fantasy playoffs we’re talking about…
Additional Sit candidates: Marquise Brown vs. DEN, Drake London vs. NO
Tight Ends
START: David Njoku versus Baltimore Ravens
The former first round pick has actually been a later round tight end option who has provided fantasy managers with solid production. Njoku has been a key part of the Browns passing attack when healthy, seeing at least five targets in six of his last eight games. He produced one of his best fantasy performances last week finished as the TE3 after amassing 59 yards and a touchdown from seven receptions (nine targets).
Additional Start candidates: Greg Dulcich vs. ARI, Gerald Everett vs. TEN
SIT: Tyler Higbee versus Green Bay Packers
While Higbee showed signs of promise earlier in the season, recent production has been almost non-existent. Over the last three weeks, Higbee has accumulated a total of just four receptions for 25 receiving yards (including none in week 12). Mayfield may have given a little life to this offense with his performance last week, but I can’t trust Higbee in the playoffs. There should be plenty of better streaming options available.
Additional Sit candidates: Foster Moreau vs. NE, Austin Hooper vs. LAC