Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 15 of the NFL Season

The fantasy playoffs are at hand, and while I’d usually advocate to dance with who brung ya, you may not have the luxury. In that case, we’ll guide you to pay dirt. This is the fallout going into Week 15…

 

Raiders – 16 @ Rams – 17

• The only really actionable piece of info going into Wk15 for the Raiders is that Darren Waller is slated to come off of IR. In the event that he’s been dropped in your league, go scoop him up.

 

• Baker Mayfield(22/230/1) pulled a win out of his hat, but he was lackluster for the most part, and with @GB, DEN, and @LAC on board, I’m not bullish on starting him anywhere.

 

• Cam Akers(13/43/1) was the RB du jour for LA, and he proceeded to underwhelm as usual, saving his day with a rushing TD. That being said, he’s scored 3 times in the past 2 weeks and will likely be the lead back going into Wk15 with the Packers. He’s a flex at best.

 

• Tutu Atwell(5/50) led the Rams in targets(9), though Ben Skowronek(7/89) and Van Jefferson(2/44/1) had better lines. LA is seeing what they have in their young WRs, and all of them make for dart throw flexes this week against GB.

 

Browns – 10 @ Bengals – 23

• Cleveland leaned more pass heavy on Sunday, and Donovan Peoples-Jones(8/114) led the way. With Deshaun Watson under center, DPJ gets an even bigger bump than usual, as his chances of finding the end-zone have improved. He’s still unowned in over 40% of leagues going into the playoffs.

 

• Samaje Perine(5/24/1) had a score, but with only 5 touches on the day, he’s bench fodder and insurance for Mixon only.

 

• Trenton Irwin(2/58/1) ran a route 94% of Joe Burrow‘s dropbacks on Sunday, with both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd dealing with injury. If Boyd and Higgins sit this week, Irwin makes for a reasonable flex versus Tampa.

 

Eagles – 48 @ Giants – 22

• The Eagles are running extremely efficiently, but there’s little to get excited about outside of Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith and Miles Sanders. Quez Watkins did get 5 targets on the day, but unless he scores, he’s not usable in most leagues.

 

• Richie James(7/61/1) led the Giants in receiving but is currently in concussion protocol. Isaiah Hodgins(4/38/1) has scored in each of the last 2 games and would make for a solid start this week against Washington if James can’t make it or even if he can.

 

Jaguars – 36 @ Titans – 22

• Zay Jones(8/77/1) has been on fire 3 of his last 4 games, and he was injured in the one that he wasn’t. He’ll make for an easy flex play this week against a Cowboys secondary that will focus primarily on stopping Christian Kirk.

 

• Evan Engram(11/162/2) had a career day against Tennessee. I guess Trevor Lawrence saw something in the coverage that he liked. It probably won your week if you played Engram, but I’m unsure of his usage moving forward, as he’d only seen double-digit targets one other game this whole season. He’s still worth streaming against an exposed Dallas team this week.

 

• With Treylon Burks out on concussion protocol, Nick Westbrook(3/23/1) and Robert Woods(5/49) had decent outings. Burks is likely to return this week, so you can safely return Woods and Westbrook to their receptacles.

 

• Chigoziem Okonkwo(6/45/1) has had 3 straight games with 5 or more targets. Austion Hooper(5/68) was involved in the one too, but Okonwko’s arrow is up.

 

Ravens – 16 @ Steelers – 14

• With Lamar Jackson sidelined, the Ravens RBs actually led the rushing attack, with JK Dobbins(15/120/1) exploding out of his long IR nap. Gus Edwards(13/66) had 13 touches behind him, and both look to be viable plays as long as Jackson is out, which could be the next 3 games.

 

• Mitch Trubisky filled in for a concussed Mitch Trubisky, only to throw 3 INTs in a loss. The biggest loser here is George Pickens(3/78), who had a solid game here but had only 3 targets on the day. Pickett loves Pickens, Trubisky, not so much. If Pickett can’t go, we’re relying on Pickens to make the most of whatever target share he gets.

 

Texans – 23 @ Cowboys – 27

• Chris Moore caught 10 balls for 124 yards with Nico Collins and Brandin Cooks out with injury. He’ll make for a decent PPR flex this week against KC if neither, or only one, of those players returns.

 

• Amari Rodgers(4/57/1) blipped on the fantasy radar on Sunday, as the no.2 in Houston with aforementioned WRs out for the Texans. If they’re out again this week, Rodgers makes for a DFS special. We liked Rodgers pre-draft in 2021, but he never really panned out for the Packers. Maybe he’ll make good on his new lease on football life.

 

• CeeDee Lamb, Noah Brown and Michael Gallup all had 6 targets on Sunday. Lamb will usually lead the pack, but it’s a crapshoot behind him, as James Washington is working his way back into the offense. Aaaand, some breaking news that Ty Hilton is now a Cowboy. All bets are off behind Lamb in Dallas.

 

Jets – 12 @ Bills – 20

• Mike White suffered a rib injury and is day-to-day. Let’s all hope he can make Wk15, as White is the only thing making Jets pass-catchers remotely fantasy relevant right now. If he goes, Elijah Moore(6/60) might be worth picking up, coming off a 10 target day.

 

• This might be your last chance to get Zonovan Knight(19/77/1) off waivers. The undrafted rookie is the Jets best runner and out-touched Michael Carter(8/20) 19-8. He has Detroit up next so get him in your lineups.

 

• Isaiah McKenzie had as many targets as Stefon Diggs in this one. Though Diggs and Gabe Davis are still better options, McKenzie makes for a deep league flex against Miami this week, a team he had 76 yards and a score against in Week 3.

 

Vikings – 23 @ Lions – 34

• Kj Osborn(6/37/1) had his 2nd best game of the season against Detroit, but almost every player involved in the game, at least pass-catching wise, put up decent fantasy points. Osborn could be in line for another good spot this week against Indy, a team with a shutdown corner who will attend to Justin Jefferson.

 

• DJ Chark, Josh Reynolds and Jameson Williams all scored in this one, but Chark had the 2nd best target share(7) after Amon-Ra St. Brown(9). Chark has now scored in 2 of his last 3 games, going over 95 yards in 2 of them. He is worth adding in most formats, as the Lions push for the playoffs.

 

Chiefs – 34 @ Broncos – 28

• Jerick McKinnon(13/134/2) has been on a tear as of late. Isiah Pacheco is still the lead back in KC, but McKinnon, just like last season, is a pass-catching asset late in the season. He should have some teeth against a Texans team that is playing for pride right now.

 

• Russell Wilson was knocked out of the game late with a supposed concussion. Brett Rypien came in and threw a pick, and he’ll probably be under center this week versus Arizona. So queue up the Cardinals defense if need be.

 

• Marlon Mack(5/77/1) looked like the most dynamic of the Denver backs in this one. He could see a lot of run in the ground and passing attack this week, especially if Wilson can’t go. He’s worth a speculative add.

 

Buccaneers – 7 @ 49ers – 35

• The Bucs are a checkdown offense right now, meaning that both Rachaad White(18/77) and Lenny Fournette(10/46) make for decent flexes against Cincy this week. They’re getting almost an even split of snaps.

 

• Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Julio Jones all had 8+ snaps on Sunday, but Tom Brady‘s arm just isn’t taking them very far. Evans did have a long TD called back, but these guys are most relevant in PPR formats for the time being. They’ll all have to pitch in to stay up with Cincy this week.

 

• Brock Purdy(16/185/2) looks like the truth, although it’s been one real start for the rookie. He’s a high upside play this week against Seattle, though we have no clue what his floor is.

 

• Deebo Samuel looks to have avoided a season ending injury, but he’ll likely miss a few games. Brandon Aiyuk is a must start in his absence, while Jauan Jennings is also a fair play in deeper formats.

 

Panthers – 30 @ Seahawks – 24

• The Panthers went run heavy, running the ball 39 times against Seattle, and they won because of it. D’Onta Foreman(23/75) is still the main cog, but Chuba Hubbard(17/99/1) and Raheem Blackshear(5/49/1) are both getting involved. Hubbard has 33 touches since Darnold became QB, and he warrants being added in most formats, as the Panthers make a valiant, though improbable push for the playoffs.

 

• Travis Homer(11/34) was the lead back for Seattle over Tony Jones(2/2), though neither did much for fantasy. Let’s hope that Ken Walker or DJ Dallas can make the field this week.

 

• Marquise Goodwin(5/95/1) had his 2nd best game of the season, as the Seahawks were in catchup mode most of the game. Goodwin seems to boom once every few games, but he’s only usable in DFS formats.

 

Dolphins – 17 @ Chargers – 23

• Jeff Wilson injured his hip Sunday night, putting Raheem Mostert(12/44) back in the driver’s seat. He did little with his touches, but Mostert can break a game open with one play. He has a low upside but level floor matchup with the Bills this week, if Wilson can’t suit up.

 

• Tyreek Hill(4/81/1) suffered an ankle injury, but he should be able to play through it, according to his coach. If he can’t go for some reason against Buffalo, Jaylen Waddle and Trent Sherfield are fair plays, at least in PPR formats.

 

• Josh Palmer‘s(4/53) fantasy prospects seem to diminish more and more as Keenan Allen(12/92) gets back to speed, but he’s still got some juice this week against Tennessee’s pass funnel defense.