Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going into Week 15

Hopefully you survived the playoffs unscathed my friends – Chances are you have if you’re reading this. This is the fallout going into Week 15….

 

Cowboys – 24 @ Bears – 31

 

• Amari Cooper didn’t look like himself on Thursday, though he ended up with some garbage time action. His knee might still be bothering him, so this long week is certainly welcome. Unfortunately, he gets Jalen Ramsey this week, so his road won’t get any easier.

 

• Blake Jarwin had season highs in targets(7) receptions(6) and yards(50) on Thursday, but he’s still not worth starting with Jason Witten taking up space.

 

• Mitch Trubisky has been on a tear as of late, throwing 3 TDs in 3 of his last 5 games. He gets the Packers in Green Bay this week, a team he lost to 10 to 3 in Week 1. If the low score is any indication, he’s more of a low ceiling QB2 this week.

 

• TE J.P. Holtz led the Bears in receiving yards(3/56), but there were 4 Bears with more targets on the day, so I’m not chasing it. 

 

Panthers – 20 @ Falcons – 40

 

• TE Ian Thomas(5/57/1) filled in for Greg Olsen on Sunday and got the bulk of the action at the TE position, despite interim coach Perry Fewell saying that it would be a committee approach. Thomas had 10 targets on the day and may actually be more athletic than Olsen at this point in their careers. He’s worth streaming if Olsen misses more time. 

 

• Curtis Samuel(2/25) is a deep ball specialist on a team that can’t throw the ball deep with any consistency. Leave him on your benches during the playoffs.

 

• WR Olamide Zacchaeus got loose for a 93 yard score on Sunday – his one reception on the day. Zacchaeus, an UDFA, was a Junior Olympics track star, so he has wheels – He just doesn’t see the field very often. I imagine his impressive score may change that moving forward, especially if Calvin Ridley(abdomen) sits this week. He’s someone to take a look at in dynasty and deep leagues.  

 

• TE Austin Hooper returned to game action with a whimper after missing 3 games, but he was 2nd on the team in targets(6). Fire him up this week. 

 

Ravens – 24 @ Bills – 17

 

• Not much action for the Ravens, outside of the Lamar Jackson, who threw 3 TDs to 3 different players. TE Hayden Hurst(3/73/1) led the team in receiving on only 3 targets and may get more run this week if Mark Andrews(knee) can’t go on a short week – But then, so will Nick Boyle. 

 

• Cole Beasley has put up double-digit fantasy scores in 3 straight weeks, mainly because he’s scored in each game. He’s actually scored in 6 of his last 8 games. The Bills’ opponent this week is Pittsburgh, so it won’t be easy, but Beasley has a reliable floor and some decent upside these days. 

 

Bengals – 19 @ Browns – 27

 

• It was mostly Joe Mixon(26/164/1) for the Bengals, though Tyler Boyd did put up 75 yards. Alex Erickson did lead the team in targets(7), but Mixon is the only player to put in your lineups this week as the Bengals play the Patriots.

 

• Odell Beckham(2/39) has reportedly been playing with a sports hernia for much of the season, which could partially explain his down season. He gets the Cardinals this week, but he’s a risky play. Don’t get blinded by the name. If you have better options this week, go with them.

 

• David Njoku(1/ 4) didn’t do much in his first action since Week 2, but he gets the Cardinals this week so he’s worth a long look for those of you with needs at the TE position. 

 

Redskins – 15 @ Packers – 20

 

• Welp, that was short. Derrius Guice is injured again(MCL), and he’ll likely get shut down for the rest of the season – At 3-10, why wouldn’t he be? Adrian Peterson will go back to being the workhorse, though he’ll get an unenviable matchup with the Eagles’ run defense this week. 

 

• Terry McLaurin(4/57/1) finds a way, even with Dwayne Haskins under center. McLaurin has at least 57 yards in 3 of his last 4 games and gets the Eagles’ burnable secondary this week. He’s flex-worthy.

 

• No Packer, other than Aaron Jones(22/192/1), had over 49 yards on Sunday in an ugly game for Green Bay. Jamaal Williams(7/24) has been a decent flex option in recent weeks, but his floor is too low to take a chance on him in the fantasy playoffs. He’s going up against a possible knee injury and the Bears this week, so I’d stay away. 

 

Broncos – 38 @ Texans – 24

• Drew Lock(309/3/1) looks like one right now. He’s 2-0 as a starter, and he’s looked good getting there. He’ll have his toughest test yet against KC this week though, so I’d avoid him in these playoffs unless absolutely necessary.

 

• Courtland Sutton led the team in targets(7), but it was TE Noah Fant(4/113/1) who stole the show before going down to a foot injury in the 4th quarter. Even if Fant can go this week, Jeff Heuermann is getting in the way. Fant had only 4 targets on the day. 

 

• It wasn’t Kenny Stills(2/8) who got the bump with Will Fuller sitting, it was our boy Keke Coutee(5/68). If Fuller sits again this week, Coutee makes for a high upside flex against Tennessee. Stills hasn’t been special in any game Fuller has missed this season. 

 

Lions – 7 @ Vikings – 20

 

• QB David Blough(205/1/2) plummeted back to earth after a hot start to his role as an NFL starter on Thanksgiving. He gets Tampa this week, but you can’t take a chance on him outside of DFS tourneys. 

 

• Kerryon Johnson is eligible to return from IR this week. He’s worth adding just in case. Bo Scarbough(20/70) won’t be an advised play against Tampa’s stout run defense either way. 

 

• Alexander Mattison(16/64) is putting in work, but he’s scored only once this season(Week 3). He’s not a viable flex against the Chargers this week. 

 

49ers – 48 @ Saints – 46

 

• Even with Matt Breida(7/58) and Tevin Coleman(3/6) in the mix, Raheem Mostert(12/109/2) led the 49ers backfield against the Saints. Mostert is still unowned in half of leagues, so make sure he’s on your roster come waivers. He’s a must-start against Atlanta this week. 

 

• Emmanuel Sanders(7/157/1) broke his 4 game slump in a major way on Sunday, throwing a 35 yard TD in addition to his stellar receiving line. He’s hard to trust, but his upside can’t be ignored in the playoffs. If you need a flex, Sanders is your guy. 

 

• Latavius Murray(9/94) outplayed Alvin Kamara(17/43) despite being out-touched 17 to 9. Kamara hasn’t looked right for some time now, but he’s implemented so often in the passing game that he can’t be sat. Murray remains a desperation flex in the playoffs.

 

• Jared Cook was concussed on his 2nd TD of the day, forcing him to exit and Josh and Taysom Hill to pick up the slack. Taysom’s QB designation in fantasy makes him impossible to play, but Hill will be an upside play against the Colts this week if Cook can’t get out of protocol. 

 

Dolphins – 21 @ Jets – 22

 

• With Devante Parker and Albert Wilson going down to concussions, 3rd year WR Isaiah Ford(6/92) and Allen Hurns(5/68) received ample opportunities on the outside. If neither Parker or Wilson can go this week, Ford and Hurns make for high upside but dismally low floor plays against the Giants. 

 

• RB Patrick Laird was moderately effective, picking up 86 yards on 19 touches. He’s nothing exciting to watch, but Laird could provide RB2 value in PPR formats this week. 

 

• Bilal Powell(21/88) played ahead Ty Montgomery(12/61) on Sunday, just as we discovered would probably be the case from Jets beat writer Brian Costello on the radio show Saturday night. It was an illness that left Le’Veon Bell out of the game, so chances are that he’s back this week, and the plights of Powell and Montgomery become afterthoughts once again. In the case Bell isn’t good to go for some reason, Montgomery might actually be the better play, as Powell had his left foot x-rayed after the game. 

 

Colts – 35 @ Buccaneers – 38

 

• Zach Pascal had a very solid 5/74/1 line on Sunday, but it was Marcus Johnson(3/105/1) who led the Colts in receiving. This whole situation is probably one to avoid in the playoffs, as these lines came against the Bucs and Parris Campbell should be more involved going forward – T.Y. Hilton(calf) may return soon as well.

 

• Ronald Jones may be the “starter”, but Peyon Barber is firmly entrenched as the “stayer”. Both players were used equally, and neither one did anything useful in the Bucs’ offense, especially with Dare Ogunbowale taking the passing downs. Even against Detroit this week, neither Jones nor Barber is trustworthy.

 

• Mike Evans injured his hamstring against the Colts and is doubtful for the rest of the season. Breshad Perriman(3/70/1) and Justin Watson(5/59/1) took his targets and made the most of them. Watson had 8 targets on the day to Perriman’s 5, but he’s had only 2 catches previous to Sunday’s game. I feel safer taking a chance on Perriman, as Scotty Miller may return, taking some of Watson’s shine. 

 

• O.J. Howard also benefitted from the loss of Evans, posting his highest yardage total of the season(73 yards). Cameron Brate got the TD, but Howard looks stream-worthy for week 15.

 

Chargers – 45 @ Jaguars – 10

 

• Everybody got in on the action for the Chargers on Sunday in a blowout of the reeling Jaguars. Everyone seems to have their role now, with the most tenuous positions going to Hunter Henry and Mike Williams, who rely on TDs or chunk plays for their bread and butter. Things won’t come as easy against the Vikings this week, but all Chargers skill players are still worth flexing at worst.

 

• Chris Conley(1/7) seems to have fallen out of favor in the Jaguars offense for reasons I’m not sure of – Perhaps Minshew is gun shy and avoiding turnovers. Fortunately for Conley, D.J. Chark(foot) may get shut down for the season, leaving Conley, Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole to fill in the gaps. With Oakland up next, they’re all outside shots to score, with Wesbrook being the only serious fantasy consideration. 

 

Steelers – 23 @ Cardinals -17

 

• What should have been a smorgasbord for all Steelers offensive players turned into a sampler platter, with no one except for Diontae Johnson(6/60/1) doing anything of note. It had been all James Washington(4/33) in the passing game for the past few weeks, but he couldn’t get anything going, mostly drawing penalties on the day. The Steelers face the Bills this week, so I’m wary of any of their WRs. 

 

• Kyler Murray‘s dismal performance(192/2/3) on Sunday was the death knell of many a fantasy season. The Steelers made a concerted effort to stymie his scrambling, and that slowed everything else down. If you’re still alive, he should have a better outing against Cleveland this week. 

 

• David Johnson(5/53/1) showed signs of life on Sunday, as he was utilized effectively, though sparingly, in the passing game. What’s encouraging is the fact that both he and Kenyan Drake(13/67) were on the field at the same time for many of the Cardinals’ offensive plays. He’s a deep league PPR flex. 

 

Chiefs – 23 @ Patriots – 16

 

• The Chiefs won the game, but the fantasy pickings were slim on Sunday. Mecole Hardman had the best day in standard leagues with 48 yards and a TD, but it all came on one play – He’s not an option. 

 

• Sammy Watkins(4/50) did have 8 targets on the day, so that’s a good sign, but with Denver up next there are better options out there.

 

• The Pats stunk up the place, besides Julian Edelman, with no over player catching or running more than 35 yards. James White salvaged a decent PPR line as he ran for 33 yards and caught 27 more. Fortunately, the Pats can right all wrongs against the Bengals this week, so rest easy. 

 

Titans – 42 @ Raiders – 21

 

• A.J. Brown(5/153/2) has lived a boom or bust existence for much of this season, but he’s starting to boom a little more than bust since Ryan Tannehill was made QB. He’ll face the Texans in a must-win game for either side this week, so look for him to get involved early and often. He’s a strong flex play. 

 

• Josh Jacobs ended up sitting with a shoulder fracture, and now the rest of his season is in question. DeAndre Washington(20/96/1) played ahead of Jalen Richard(9/46), and he wasn’t half bad. Washington is definitely the add here, and he has a juicy matchup against the forlorn Jaguars this week. 

 

• Tyrell Williams(3/35) has only topped 50 yards once in his last 6 games. He’s not a playoff option. 

 

Seahawks – 12 @ Rams – 28

 

• Rashaad Penny(ACL) is down for the count. Chris Carson(18/91) is a must start this week against Carolina. 

 

• Tyler Lockett has been terrible the last 4 weeks, averaging 27 yards a game over that span. He’s a flex at best this week and a low floor one at that. 

 

• Tyler Higbee(7/116) has been on fire the last 2 weeks with Gerald Everett sidelined. Even if Everett returns this week, Higbee has streaming value.