It has arrived; the Fantasy Playoffs are among us. Whether you were 10-4 in the regular season, or 8-6, the records do not matter anymore; everyone is equal game right now. And in fantasy football, anything can happen, on any given week.
For instance, last week I found myself in a win and in situation. However, my team put up a total dud. I came into Monday Night down 26 points, with my only player being Julio Jones. I thought I was done, finished, and my season was over. But, I was wrong. As I checked up on the score I found myself just down 7 points in the fourth quarter, I couldn’t believe it. A few plays later, Jones caught a 21-yard TD pass to give me the win.
So, to summarize, never give up, because anything can happen in fantasy. I’m in the playoffs, and hopefully so are you. Whether you’re the top team or the wildcard, I’ll help you make your playoff lineup decisions a bit easier, because I know how hard they can get.
Remember: If you win, thank me. But if you lose, it’s your team. Let’s get started.
Week 15 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em
Start Of The Week: Justin Forsett vs. Jacksonville
Projected Fantasy Points: 15
I will once again apologize, because my start of the weeks has been off as of late. However, I’ll hope to turn it around this week with Forsett. Forsett has been on a roll lately, having double-digit fantasy points in every game since Week 10. That stretch also includes two games that he has had at least 23 fantasy points. Forsett will face up with Jacksonville at home this week, a team that has allowed the 27th most fantasy points to running backs this season. I’ll give the nod to Forsett this week, as he should continue rolling.
Bust Alert Of The Week: Rashad Jennings vs. Washington
Projected Fantasy Points: 7
I’ll give Jennings a chance to bust this week, as Jennings is coming off a game where he was barely involved, due to injury. Without Jennings, we saw rookie Andre Williams have an awesome day, which could mean he gets more involved in the immediate future. To add, Jennings faces the Redskins’ defense that has allowed just 12 fantasy PPG to opposing rushers this season, which ranks 2nd in the NFL. Just last week, the ‘Skins allowed red-hot Tre Mason to just 3.3 YPC. Williams could be the goal line back also, so I’d take Jennings out of my lineup if I could this week.
Quarterbacks Start ‘Em: Jay Cutler vs. New Orleans
Projected Fantasy Points: 25
Cutler hasn’t been good this season, but he has actually done descent in fantasy. Last week, Cutler put up 29 fantasy points, which really clinched a lot of playoff spots for fantasy owners. I would roll with Cutler again this week, as he faces the Saints, which just last week allowed the struggling Cam Newton to reach 41 fantasy points. I know, trusting Cutler in a crucial fantasy matchup is tough, but I think it’s safe to play him on Sunday.
Other QBs To Start:
Matthew Stafford (vs. MIN): Stafford should continue his recent success against a struggling Vikings’ pass defense.
Matt Ryan (vs. PIT): Pittsburgh was shredded by Andy Dalton last week.
Eli Manning (vs. WAS): I’m hoping he does well in his plus matchup versus the Redskins.
Quarterbacks Sit ‘Em: Ryan Tannehill at New England
Projected Fantasy Points: 14
I’ve been on the Tannehill bandwagon the last two weeks, but he’s really disappointed. In two plus matchups, Tannehill had 8 fantasy points, followed by a mediocre 15. The matchup won’t be there on Sunday, as the Patriots’ secondary has been lockdown lately. On SNF, Phillip Rivers had just 11 fantasy points against the Patriots. Tannehill is certainly hard to start, and I wouldn’t trust him in this tough matchup this Sunday.
Other QBs To Sit:
Colin Kaepernick (at SEA): It’s time to give up on the once must-start fantasy quarterback.
Drew Stanton (at STL): I can’t imagine having to start Stanton, even with his good matchup.
Running Backs Start ‘Em: C.J. Anderson at San Diego
Projected Fantasy Points: 15
Anderson proved last week that he is matchup-proof, as despite a matchup with the top-ranked Bills’ rush defense, Anderson managed to rack up 23 fantasy points. Anderson has been gold, as he has had over 20-fantasy points in all but one game that he has started this season. I can’t imagine anyone considering sitting Anderson, as he is a must-start in all leagues.
Running Backs Start ‘Em: Joique Bell vs. Minnesota
Projected Fantasy Points: 14
Bell is another running back that is on fire, Bell with 20+ fantasy points in two straight games. He has taken advantage of his good matchups, and he’ll enter another good one this week. The Vikings enter Sunday allowing the 26th most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season, and allowed Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory both to be productive last week. Bell is a safe start on Sunday, and should be productive.
Other RBs To Start:
Fred Jackson (vs. GB): Steven Jackson ran well against the Packers last week.
Isaiah Crowell (vs. CIN): He scored the last time he faced the Bengals.
LeGarrette Blount (vs. MIA): The Dolphins’ run D has been struggling recently.
Running Backs Sit ‘Em: Ryan Mathews vs. Denver
Projected Fantasy Points: 6
Mathews has run really well since he’s returned from injury, but the Chargers just can’t seem to get him the ball enough as they should. Mathews is getting carries for yards, but near the red-zone the Chargers have thrown the ball a lot. I wouldn’t expect much from Mathews again this week, as Denver’s rush D has allowed the 5th least fantasy points to opposing running backs this year. Unless you have to start him, I’d consider other options in your fantasy playoff match.
Other RBs To Sit:
Pierre Thomas (at CHI): He hasn’t done much since he returned from his injury.
Kerwynn Williams (at STL): The Arizona backfield is a mess without Andre Ellington.
Wide Receivers Start ‘Em: Mike Wallace at New England
Projected Fantasy Points: 11
This matchup isn’t necessarily great on paper for Wallace, but he has been historically good against the Patriots. In his career versus the Patriots, Wallace has at least 70 receiving yards and/or at least one TD in all but one game. And in this road game, I’m expected the Dolphins to have to throw, considering they may find themselves behind in this contest. The matchup isn’t there on paper, but sometimes that doesn’t matter. I think Wallace does well this week, like he did earlier this year against New England.
Wide Receivers Start ‘Em: Emmanuel Sanders at San Diego
Projected Fantasy Points: 14
It’s no secret that Sanders has put together an outstanding first season with the Broncos, as he enters this week with just four games in which he hasn’t reached double-digit fantasy points. What’s the issue? Well, two of those four games have come in the last two weeks and it is causing some concern. However, both of his games were against two very good defenses in Kansas City and Buffalo, and both games have not been duds. This week, he’ll get to take on a Charger secondary that allowed Julian Edelman to put up 19 fantasy points last week. Not to mention, Sanders put up 30 fantasy points when he played the Chargers earlier this season. It’s great to start Sanders, don’t be worried about his last two games.
Other WRs To Start:
Golden Tate (vs. MIN): He should bounce back this week against Minnesota.
Michael Floyd (at STL): He has played well recently, and has a plus matchup against the Rams.
Marques Colston (at CHI): Colston should continue to be productive against a weak Bears’ secondary.
Wide Receivers Sit ‘Em: DeAndre Hopkins at Indianapolis
Projected Fantasy Points: 6
Hopkins didn’t respond well after his 35-fantasy point performance, as he had just 4 fantasy points last week against the Jaguars. I don’t expect him to be better this week against the Colts, a team that has allowed the 4th least fantasy points this season to opposing receivers. Just last week, the Colts only let up 1 fantasy point to Josh Gordon, and that was without star corner Vontae Davis, who should be back this week.
Other WRs To Sit:
Pierre Garcon (at NYG): Despite his success last week, it’s tough to trust Garcon in the fantasy playoffs.
Michael Crabtree (at SEA): Don’t start him in a matchup with Richard Sherman.
Tight Ends Start ‘Em: Heath Miller at Atlanta
Projected Fantasy Points: 8
Miller was productive for the third straight week last week, as he caught just two passes, but one was for a TD, and the other for a two-point conversion. However, Miller continues to be a valuable asset in the passing game and is being used more and more over these last couple of weeks. Especially since tight ends come at a premium, Miller is a valuable option this week against a bad Falcons’ defense.
Other TEs To Start:
Jordan Reed (at NYG): Reed struggled last week, but has a good matchup against the G-Men.
Coby Fleener (vs. HOU): Fleener proved last week he could still shine with Dwayne Allen healthy.
Tight Ends Sit ‘Em: Kyle Rudolph at Detroit
Projected Fantasy Points: 2
Rudolph just isn’t producing the way people thought he would this season, as he failed to reach even 1 fantasy point last week. Rudolph comes in having not reached over 7 fantasy points this season, and that was all the way back in Week 1. Also, Detroit has the number 1 ranked defense this season, and has been stellar at home. I would not start Rudolph this week.
Other TEs To Sit:
Jared Cook (vs. ARI): He is too inconsistent to trust.
Jason Witten (at PHI): Witten hasn’t scored in two weeks, and has a tough matchup against the Eagles.
Defense/Special Teams Start ‘Em: New York Giants vs. Washington
Projected Fantasy Points: 13
The Giants’ defense stepped up big against the Titans last week, putting up a whopping 30 fantasy points. I don’t think they’ll have 30 this week, but they should do well against the really struggling Redskins’ offense, which got shut out by the Rams last week.
Other DSTs To Start:
New York Jets (at TEN): The Jets’ defense has played decent the last two weeks.
Cleveland Browns (vs. CIN): The Browns’ D have been great at home this year.
Defense/Special Teams Sit ‘Em: Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta
Projected Fantasy Points: 5
What looks like a good matchup on paper really isn’t, as the Falcons have put up a lot of points lately, including 37 last week against the Packers. Plus, the Steelers’ D really hasn’t been that good, as they’ve been letting up points at will. I wouldn’t trust the Steelers’ defense on the road at all, especially in this matchup.
Other DSTs To Sit:
Buffalo Bills (vs. GB): They play the high-scoring Packers this week.
Philadelphia Eagles (vs. DAL): I expect Tony Romo and co. to have a to be very productive on offense this week.
I hope everybody enjoyed this Week 15 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em, and I’ll be back next week! Follow me on Twitter: @Nadelman99 for Fantasy talk, advice, or any questions you may have. Feedback on my articles is always appreciated.
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