Week 15 has come and gone and as I do each week my goal here is to give you not only a recap of what happened from a fantasy football perspective but to also give you insight on whether these performances by the players mentioned are indicative of future success or failure for you going forward this season.
This week’s 4-EYED OBSERVATIONS article is different from others this season because as we all know, those who survived in the semi-finals of their playoff matchups, are now one win away from a fantasy football championship or as we call them here at Fantasy In Frames, a #4EYEDtitle. Therefore, the players I give you a recap on will specifically be about individuals who not only impressed in Week 15 but ALSO will be in a GREAT position to help bring you home a #4EYEDtitle in Week 16.
**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: Fitzmagic helped seal the deal for you on Sunday and likely will going forward
On Sunday against the New York Giants, Ryan Fitzpatrick posted:
- 7th most fantasy points by a QB (20.5)
- 3rd most rushing yards by a QB (33)
- 9th most passing yards (279)
- Tied for 5th among TDs thrown (2)
In fact, when looking over the past month, Fitzpatrick has averaged 21.2 fantasy points per game by doing exactly what we mentioned all successful quarterbacks are doing nowadays in our Playoff Primer Podcast episode, that being not only passing but running with the football. Over the last three games played Fitzpatrick is second in rushing yards by a quarterback with 100 only behind Lamar Jackson. Those rushing yards add up, folks. He is literally laying everything on the line for the Dolphins and, by association, fantasy managers alike. In week 16, Miami takes on a Bengals team that allows 20 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks on the season. For all that’s sacred please, PLEASE let Fitzmagic help guide you to a #4EYEDtitle in Week 16.
Running Back: Mike Boone to the rescue!!!!
Against the Chargers, Mike Boone came on in relief for an injured Dalvin Cook and posted the following stat line:
- 11th most fantasy points by a RB (17.6)
- Tied for 2nd in total touchdowns scored (2)
That’s it.
You figure with me mentioning in my introduction how I’d be emphasizing players that can help you win a championship next week that I would mention a player that WOW’d and AMAZED you with a dazzling stat line in Week 15. Nope. Not here.
However, let’s take a minute to understand what his limited performance represents. The opportunity for Mike Boone to step into the starting role for your fantasy teams, if Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison are declared out for Week 16, is a great one. As he showed you on Sunday he doesn’t need that much productivity on that Vikings team to be fantasy relevant. Does he provide as high of a ceiling as Cook or Mattison could? Probably not. Can he help save you chances of victory at your RB position if you’re the Cook or Mattison manager? Absolutely. Let’s not forget who the Vikings face in Week 16, the Green Bay Packers. With a division title likely on the line if you think head coach Mike Zimmer wants to deviate from his plan of establishing the run and playing solid defense in this pivotal matchup then you have another thing coming. Green Bay allows 21.5 fantasy points per game on the season to running backs. If it were Cook playing I’d bet the over on that. However, with Boone playing I’d slightly bet the under with 18-20 fantasy points scored in this matchup. Either way, there’s not really a scenario where you can go wrong here. If Cook and Mattison are out this week, start Boone and don’t look back.
Wide Receiver: Breshad Perriman is now the guy in Tampa….for the rest of this season that is.
On Sunday versus Detriot, Breshad Perriman posted:
- Most fantasy points by a WR (32.1)
- Most TDs by a WR (3)
- 10th most receiving yards (113)
- 18.8 yards per target
- 22.6 yards per reception
His quarterback Jameis Winston, as you may or may not have heard, REALLY likes throwing the ball downfield….. no matter if he should or not. That being said at the end of the day someone has to catch those passes. Before it was Mike Evans, but now he’s out for the season. Chris Godwin was the next benefactor for Winston but he injured his leg on Sunday and is likely out for Saturday’s game in Week 16. That leaves Perriman as the number one WR target in that offense going into your fantasy football championship. His performances have been getting better and better each week as he’s been given more opportunities. Over the last 3 games, he’s averaged 19.3 fantasy points per game and now faces a Texans team in Week 16 that gives up 23.2 fantasy points per game to WRs. With target volume surely on his side and his propensity for making big plays downfield you should probably start him in your championship matchups this week and feel pretty damn good about it.
Defensive End: Vince Biegel has come on strong as of late and is in a good spot for you this week
This past Sunday Vince Biegel posted a team-leading at defensive lineman 6 total tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 pass defensed, and 1 interception. A defensive lineman did THAT?!?!
In fact, against back-to-back teams he’s racked up 14.9 fantasy points per game. Now, granted these fantasy performances were against the two woeful teams from New Jersey but still who cares? As long as he does what he’s supposed to do against easy opponents that’s all that matters from a fantasy perspective. In Week 16, he’ll take on a Bengals team that ranks 28th in pass blocking. Biegel is the stream of streams at the defensive lineman position this week.
Defensive Back: The newbie for the Giants helped you out on Sunday
Sam Beal, who took over for Janoris Jenkins at cornerback, in Week 16 and WOW did he put on a football and fantasy football performance. He played more like a strong safety than a cornerback this past week with his 11 total tackles (8 solo/3 assisted). Again, folks it comes down to opportunity. Being the new kid on the block in that Giants secondary he is likely to get targeted early and often by opposing offenses. What does that mean? More opportunities for tackle and passes defensed production. Start him against my Redskins inexperienced quarterback this week and reap the rewards.
Linebacker: Ryan Anderson was a BEAST on Sunday
Ryan Anderson posted 5 total tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, and 3 forced fumbles. He was the highest fantasy point scoring linebacker in most IDP leagues with 22.8 fantasy points. In fact, over the past four weeks, he’s recorded 4 sacks and has averaged 13.2 fantasy points per game at the outside linebacker position. If Ryan Kerrigan is declared out for Week 16’s matchup against the Giants please, PLEASE put Ryan Anderson into your IDP lineup.
Those were my 4-EYED OBSERVATIONS from Week 15!
Be sure to read our 4-EYED WAIVER CLAIMS on Tuesday evening, our 4-EYED PREVIEWS for WEEK 16 on Wednesday, our 4-EYED ASSESSMENT on Thursday, and our HEROES & VILLAINS article from the previous week’s action this week as well!
ALSO, our Week 16 Fantasy Preview podcast will be dropping this Friday!
Make sure to follow us Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram as well as reach out to us to get your personalized fantasy football questions answered!
Thanks for visiting Fantasy In Frames.
Go get that #4EYEDtitle!
*Stats provided by FantasyData.com, ProFootballFocus.com, and FantasyPros.com