Week 15: Semi-Final Weekend
WE HAVE ARRIVED AT CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK!
It’s been a long road to this point, including a couple of extra days to get this article posted. But we’re here. You survived and advanced. You saw heartbreak and tears of joy. You laughed. You cried. You. Are. Ready. Let’s go get those #4-EYEDtitles! But first, let’s look back on the week that was in Week 15.
Quarterback: Jalen Hurts
| Format | Fantasy Points Scored | Avg FPPG (as the starter) |
| FanDuel (0.5PPR) | 37.8 | 28.6 |
When we look back at the 2020 fantasy football season, we will be reminded of one thing: rushing QBs are fantasy gold. Jalen Hurts has proved this in his short tenure as Philly’s starting QB. In his two games as a starter, Hurts has rushed for 169 yards and 1 rushing TD. Oh, and he had 338 passing yards and 3 passing TDs just last week. As much as we want to stick with the players that got us to championship week, don’t miss what’s in front of you. Facing a middling Dallas defense, Hurts is capable of winning plenty of fantasy championships.
Running Back: Tony Pollard
| Format | Fantasy Points Scored | Avg FPPG |
| Non-PPR | 25.2 | 6.2 |
| FanDuel (0.5PPR) | 28.2 | 7.1 |
| PPR | 31.2 | 8.0 |
Saying Tony Pollard came through in the 11th hour for Zeke owners is an understatement! Rushing for 69 yards and 2 TDs, including a monster 40-yard TD run, and catching 6 balls on 9 targets for 63 yards, Pollard put up the best fantasy game by a Cowboys running back all season. You heard that right. Ezekiel Elliot, even with Dak in the line-up, never put up what Pollard just did against the 49ers. Even as of today, reports are not clear as to whether Zeke will play in Week 16. Regardless, Pollard is going to see some snaps and clearly has some game-breaking potential that an injured and tired Zeke just may not. The Eagles have become only a middling option against running backs (12th-fewest fantasy points allowed). Although it’s risky, you’ll probably fire up Pollard again in your championship week, even if Zeke plays.
Wide Receiver: Diontae Johnson
| Format | Fantasy Points Scored | Avg FPPG |
| Non-PPR | 11.9 | 8.5 |
| FanDuel (0.5PPR) | 15.9 | 11.5 |
| PPR | 19.9 | 15.0 |
A baker’s dozen! That’s how many targets Diontae Johnson saw against the Bengals on Monday night. He nabbed 8 balls on 13 targets for 59 yards and 1 TD. The yardage numbers are not eye-popping. Given that Johnson is only seeing an average depth of target of 7.1 yards (135th among WRs and TEs), it’s not surprising. But Johnson has seen the 8th-most targets among WRs while starting only 12 games. In a thought match-up against the Colts, the Steelers are going to keep chucking the ball. Heck, even if the Steelers grab a lead, they’ll still probably chuck the ball. Target volume is Diontae Johnson’s path to more fantasy goodness.
Tight End: Logan Thomas
| Format | Fantasy Points Scored | Avg FPPG |
| Non-PPR | 10.1 | 6.3 |
| FanDuel (0.5PPR) | 16.6 | 8.5 |
| PPR | 26.1 | 11 |
You’ve had plenty of heads up on Logan Thomas and hopefully you rostered him last week. He was my 4-EYED RECAP honorable mention from Week 9 and Week 15, David’s 4-EYED WAIVER CLAIM in Week 14, and Jorge’s 4-EYED START in Week 15. Come Week 16, and Thomas had a whopping 13 catches on 16 targets for 101 yards against the Seahawks. Next week, he faces the Panthers, who have given up the 12th-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. No matter if it’s Dwayne Haskins, Alex Smith, or Taylor Heinicke under center, I’d expect Thomas to keep up the streak of 5+ targets in every game since Week 9.
Defensive Lineman: Yannic Ngakoue
| Format | Fantasy Points Scored | Avg FPPG |
| FantasyPros | 18.5 | 6.9 |
REVENGE GAME! Yannic Ngakoue came out like a man on fire against the Jaguars for his first blow-up performance since being dealt to the Ravens in Week 6. He had 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. He’ll have a great chance to add to his 8 total sacks against the Giants, regardless of whether Colt McCoy or Daniel Jones gets the start.
Linebacker: Devin White
| Format | Fantasy Points Score | Avg FPPG |
| FantasyPros | 39.50 | 16.8 |
If you don’t play in an IDP league, you’re seriously missing out on talents like Devin White. Although he’s been a little hot and cold this season, White put up his SECOND 3-sack performance this year against the Falcons. Oh, and he has 12 tackles (10 solo, 2 assisted), 4 tackles for loss, and 2 passes defended. White is a beast against the run and should have plenty of opportunities to chase D’Andre Swift around the field in your championship week.
Defensive Back: Kevin Byard
| Format | Fantasy Points Scored | Avg FPPG |
| FantasyPros | 22.0 | 10.4 |
Kevin Byard also had his top performance of the year this Sunday. Against the Lions, Byard had 11 tackles (6 solo, 5 assisted), 1 tackle for loss, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception. Byard is now just 3 tackles shy of his first 100 tackle season of his career. Against the Packers, Byard will be on the field for lots of snaps and will get to tackle Aaron Jones busting through the front line or Davante Adams deep down the field.