HOLY CRAP we’ve reached the semi-finals of the fantasy football playoffs!!!
Folks, it has been a long 15 weeks but we are finally here. One victory away from reaching the fantasy football championship game. Whether you’re one of the ones that had a first-round bye or one of those that fought your way through week 14 now is the time where all your focus must go into making the championship game. Fortunately, for you, I and the rest of us here at Fantasy In Frames are here to help you do just that!
Make sure you go back and re-read our 4-EYED OBSERVATIONS, 4-EYED WAIVER CLAIMS, and 4-EYED ASSESSMENT articles from this week as well as listen to our latest fantasy football podcast episode to help get you ready for your semi-final matchup.
As I always do in my 4-EYED PREVIEWS I give you a list of players on offense and defense that I’m sure will put you in great position to lead you to victory this week.
**DISCLAIMER**
As always when discussing fantasy point production we’re referring to 0.5 PPR scoring. IDP fantasy point scoring is solely based on our very own IDP scoring rubric which will be presented to you when we discuss IDPs later on in the article.
Here are my 4-EYED OBSERVATIONS from Week 15
Quarterback: Baker Mayfield and the Browns will rise in the desert.
The Arizona Cardinals, on the season, have allowed 24.2 fppg, the most in the NFL, to the quarterback position, has the 7th pass rush in the NFL, yet just released their veteran pass-rushing Terrell Suggs, and now face a Browns team that’s hungry for a victory. There’s not much to be hopeful for in Cleveland but given the matchup between two of the most pass-happy teams in the NFL bodes well for offensive fireworks in this matchup in the desert. Stream Baker Mayfield this week.
Running Back: David Montgomery is in a great spot for the Bears this weekend against the Packers.
David Montgomery and the Chicago Bears face off against their divisional foe in the Green Bay Packers this week which rank 5th in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to the running back position with 22.1 and is 27th in run defense. With the emergence of Bears’ quarterback Mitchell Trubisky finally utilizing his legs in the running game, running lanes are now more frequently open for Bears running backs to take advantage of. Montgomery, over the last 4 games played, has out-attempted fellow Bears running back Tarik Cohen in rushing touches 63 to 21 times. While their fantasy point production during that span has been fairly equal a lot of that has been Cohen’s work in the receiving game. THAT type of usage can fluctuate from week-to-week. Consistent volume running the ball is almost a constant the deeper we go into the regular football season. Feel confident rolling with Montgomery in this week’s matchup.
Wide Receiver: Darius Slayton will go 2-for-2 in the fantasy playoffs this week in Miami
In the last 4 games played, Darius Slayton has averaged 18.7 fantasy points per game. In last week’s matchup against a decrepit Eagles secondary, he went off for 5 receptions for 154 receiving yards, 2 TD, and 29.9 fantasy points. This week he lines-up against a Dolphins secondary ranked 2nd to last in the league in coverage and are allowing 27.9 fantasy points per game to WRs. Eli Manning, in his return to starting action, last week targeted Slayton a team-leading 8 times. Look for the same versus Miami this week with similar results.
IDP START OF THE WEEK
Defensive Back: Tashaun Gipson Sr and his amazing solo to assisted tackle ratio will look to curtail the Titans receiving game this week!
Tashaun Gipson Sr. is coming off of two double-digit fantasy point scoring weeks (11.8 and11 fpts), and in that time period has 8 total tackles, 3 passes defensed, and 1 interception. While those numbers don’t, generally, speaking don’t jump off the page what SHOULD is his ability to make plays all over the field not just at the line of scrimmage which is where most strong safeties play nowaday. Consistency is the name of the game and Gipson has displayed that in recent weeks. With a run-heavy Titans team on the horizon look for those solo tackle numbers to increase this week meaning more fantasy point production for you in your semi-final matchup!
Those are my 4-EYED PREVIEWS for WEEK 15!
Good luck this week, folks!
May the fantasy football gods bless all of you with victory!
Thanks for visiting Fantasy In Frames!
*Stats provided by FantasyData.com, FantasyPros.com, and ProFootballFocus.com