The Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 15 Of The NFL Season

 

It’s Week 2 of the NFL Playoffs, and I hope you’re still alive in all your leagues! You should be if you’ve been paying attention! Here’s the fallout!

Patriots – 3 @ Rams – 24

 

• Cam Newton‘s arm looks done, and I don’t expect him to do much against an improved Miami defense this Week. Damien Harris is the only other Patriot you can rely on during the playoffs.

 

• Cam Akers is still unowned in 25% percent of leagues, which is insane after his last 2 outings. Make sure you own him and start him moving forward. 

 

Texans – 7 @ Bears – 36

 

• David Johnson should be back from the Covid-19 list  this week, so no need to consider Duke Johnson or Buddy Howell for the playoffs. To be honest, I wouldn’t recommend David Johnson in most instances. 

 

• Brandin Cooks may be out for the remainder of the season, so make sure Chad Hansen and Keke Coutee are owned. I actually think Hansen might offer more value as a red-zone target than Coutee. He also led the Texans in targets(7) on Sunday. 

 

• It was all Allen Robinson and David Montgomery for Chicago on Sunday, but Cole Kmet did come in 2nd in targets(6) behind Robinson. With MIN and JAC up next, he could be worth streaming. 

 

Cardinals – 26 @ Giants – 7

 

• Christian Kirk‘s fantasy production has fallen off a cliff the last half of the season. He’s only topped 50 yards once in his last 7 games and hasn’t scored in 6. He can be benche for the playoffs.

 

• Daniel Jones was back under center this week, but not much changed for his pass-catchers. Darius Slayton did lead with 8 targets but only came away with 31 yards. With CLE and BAL up next, you can leave all Giants except for maybe Wayne Gallman out of your lineups. 

 

Broncos – 32 @ Panthers – 27

 

• Drew Lock had his best game of the season Sunday, throwing 4 TDs, but it’s too little too late. He’s not an option against the Bills this week. 

 

• Phillip Lindsay got double-digit touches(13) for the 2nd week in a row, but again he was unable to capitalize on them. I don’t think he’s healthy. In any case, he lacks enough upside to start him in the playoffs. 

 

• Tim Patrick has scored thrice in 2 games, but he’s averaging 3 targets a game in that span. He’s too TD dependent to be anything more than a deep league flex. The same can be said for KJ Hamler, who scored twice on Sunday.

 

• The staff in Carolina alleges that Christian McCaffrey will be back at some point, but with the Panthers out of playoff contention, that seems unlikely. If you’ve made it this far without him, you are probably better off without the weekly headache. 

 

• DJ Moore was on the Covid-19 list on Sunday, but he should be back in time for his regular role this week. 

 

Cowboys – 30 @ Bengals – 7

 

• Tony Pollard had 13 touches to Ezekiel Elliott‘s 14 and scored a receiving TD. In what is close to a lost season, the Cowboys are giving run to a hungrier Pollard. He’s not a strong play against SF this week though. 

 

• Michael Gallup led the Cowboys in targets for a 2nd week in a row, but Amari Cooper is still the better play, as Andy Dalton looks for him in the end-zone. Cooper is the only Dallas WR you can take with you into this week’s lineup. 

 

• The Bengals seem to be interested in finding out what they have in Trayveon Williams, as he led the Bengals backfield on Sunday with 15 touches for 63 yards. I’m not bullish on any member of the Bengals offense in the playoffs, but he could provide some RB help if you’re up against it this week. 

 

• All 3 starting Bengals WRs had at least 5 receptions on Sunday, but it was against Dallas’ horrendous secondary, so don’t get used to it. IMO, Tee Higgins is still the only Bengal WR worth relying on, and that’s just in PPR formats. 

 

Titans – 31 @ Jaguars – 10

 

• Jeremy McNichols got 11 carries, but that’s because the Titans were leading big all day. He’s not one to consider. 

 

• Corey Davis only got 3 targets on the day, but he caught all of them. Detroit should put up a better fight this week, so he should be back in your lineups. Jonnu Smith should not. 

 

• Mike Glennon was frustratingly bad on Sunday, and Gardner Minshew came in too late to save DJ Chark‘s day, though he did at least target him considerably more. If Glennon starts this week, Chark can’t be in your lineups. 

 

Chiefs – 33 @ Dolphins – 27

 

• Sammy Watkins was the darling of last year’s playoffs, but his upside has been capped thus far. He might not be usable until Week 16 against Atlanta. 

 

• Myles Gaskin‘s late addition to the Covid-19 List dashed many a fantasy hope on the rocks Sunday, but he should be available this week. DeAndre Washington can go back to the bench. 

 

• Mack Hollins and Lynn Bowden both received 9 targets and 66 and 82 yards for Miami on Sunday, with Jakeem Grant and DeVante Parker both suffering leg injuries. Either Bowden or Hollins would be worth a PPR flex if Grant nor Parker can go this week. 

 

• Mike Gesicki was having a stellar 2 TD game before going down with an arm injury late in the game. If he can’t go, Adam Shaheen makes for an intriguing streaming option.

 

Vikings – 14 @ Buccaneers – 26

 

• With Kirk Cousins constantly under pressure, Only the Vikings TEs had decent fantasy outings against the Bucs. Irv Smith should be in lineups this week if Kyle Rudolph can’t return. Things should be easier against the Bears this week, as Adam Thielen scored twice and Justin Jefferson went over 135 yards in their first meeting this season. 

 

• It was an underwhelming day for all of Tampa’s pass-catchers, as only Mike Evans had more than 50 yards and not by much. The Bucs play Atlanta this week, so we could get back on track. Just don’t expect any of these guys to win your week for you, as Tom Brady limits all of their upsides. 

 

Colts – 44 @ Raiders – 27

 

• This is Jonathan Taylor‘s backfield now, but Nyheim Hines maintains enough value in the passing game to stay relevant in PPR formats. He’s the third receiver behind Ty Hilton and Michael Pittman.

 

• Speaking of Hilton, he’s turned into Mr. December, going over 80 yards and scoring in each of his last 3 games. Both he and Michael Pittman are strong starts against Houston this week. 

 

• Nelson Agholor has maintained a decent floor over his last 4 games to buoy his considerable upside. He’s the only Raiders WR that you can take into the playoffs.

 

Jets – 3 @ Seahawks – 40

 

• With a 3-headed beast in the backfield and a stout Rams defense up this week, no Jet is startable. 

 

• Carlos Hyde out-carried Chris Carson 15 to 12, but Carson was the goal-line back and he was benched in the 3rd quarter, as Seattle was playing with a considerable lead. Hyde isn’t a viable option this week against Washington.

 

• The Seahawks’ new balanced attack can sustain DK Metcalf, but Tyler Lockett needs more shots to stay afloat in fantasy. He’s got a good enough floor to flex, but he’s no Lock to produce outside of PPR formats. 

 

Packers – 31 @ Lions – 24

 

• Marquez Valdes-Scantling is as boom or bust as they come, scoring negative fantasy points in Week 13, only to put up 85 yards and a TD on Sunday. If you’re left with low upside options at your flex, MVS is worth a shot, as he could win your week for you. 

 

• Marvin Jones was stifled by Jaire Alexander in this one, but he should have a much easier go of it against the Titans this week if Kenny Golladay continues to sit out, which is likely. 

 

• Danny Amendola has topped 60 yards his last 2 games, and is viable in PPR leagues as long as Golladay is out. Just don’t expect him to score. 

 

Saints – 21 @ Eagles – 24

 

• We may have seen the last start from Taysom Hill under center for the Saints, after going down to the lowly Eagles on Sunday. This is good news for all Saints skill players not named Hill, as Drew Brees will open up the passing game to all involved.

 

• Jalen Hurts is much like Hill, in that he makes for a solid high-floor start at QB, but he diminishes the fantasy values of his pass-catchers. Only Miles Sanders and Hurts are worth starting as far as Eagles players go this week. 

 

Falcons – 17 @ Chargers – 20

 

• Ito Smith led the backfield against the Chargers, getting 12 touches for 45 yards. Todd Gurley started the game, but he’s still not right, and Brian Hill was worked in on passing downs. This is a backfield to avoid during the fantasy playoffs.

 

• With Julio Jones out with a hamstring injury, Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage led the passing attack, gaining 124 and 82 yards a piece. Hayden Hurst only got 3 targets on the day and doesn’t seem to be a part of the Falcons’ game plan. 

 

• Justin Jackson came off IR and was worked in behind Kalen Ballage and Austin Ekeler to little effect. Ekeler is the only Charger back worth starting in the playoffs, as Ballage and Jackson will negate each other’s value. 

 

• Mike Williams left the game with a back injury and Tyron Johnson replaced him on the field, catching 6 of 7 targets for 55 yards and a TD. If Williams can’t go this week, Johnson would be a reasonable flex against Las Vegas. 

 

Washington – 23 @ 49ers – 15

 

• Alex Smith left the game in the 2nd quarter with a calf injury, leaving Dwayne Haskins to come under center for the first time since Week 4. Logan Thomas led the team in targets(7). He and Terry McLaurin would be the only pass-catchers you could take into Week 15 if Smith can’t go this week, which might actually be a boon for McLaurin. 

 

• Peyton Barber split touches almost evenly with Jd Mckissic, though McKissic put up 86 yards to Barber’s 38. If Smith misses this week, McKissic would see a down-tick in action most likely, as he’s Smith’s safety blanket. Neither are advised plays against Seattle this week. 

 

• Jeff Wilson continues to split carries almost evenly with Raheem Mostert and scored the only rushing TD for SF on Sunday, though that was while Mostert was being evaluated for a concussion. Wilson has little upside while Mostert is around, but his floor is pretty concrete. 

 

• Deebo Samuel injured his hamstring on Sunday and Shanahan said the next time he’ll be available is if SF makes the real NFL playoffs, meaning his fantasy season is over for 2020 . Fire up Brandon Aiyuk and even Kendrick Bourne this week, as the 49ers should have an easy day moving the ball through the air against Dallas. 

 

Steelers – 15 @ Bills – 26

 

• James Conner was back for the first time in 3 weeks, but the Steelers abandoned the run early in this one as they trailed most of the game. They face the Bengals this week, so maybe Conner has one good game left in him this season, as things will be considerably tougher against Indy in Week 16. 

 

• Chase Claypool is showing just how TD dependent he can be, as he hasn’t scored in 3 weeks and has little to show for his time on the field otherwise. This week against Cicny is a get right opportunity, but his floor is low. 

 

• Zack Moss had 13 carries on Sunday night for 43 yards, but unless he scores, he’s pretty unusable in fantasy. 

 

• Gabriel Davis pulled through with another TD on Sunday, making it 4 in his last 5 games. He also had 8 targets on the night. Playing on almost every down, Davis is a suitable flex in most formats.