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

Another week down, and the fantasy landscape looks like someone kicked the table mid-game: pieces everywhere, roles shifting, and managers scrambling to make sense of the mess. Let’s sweep up the debris and break down what actually matters heading into the fantasy playoffs…

Cowboys 30 @ Lions 44

CeeDee Lamb is working through concussion protocol, after being knocked out of Thursday’s loss to Detroit in the first half of the game. If Lamb can’t make it back this week, Ryan Flournoy(9-115-1) is a solid start in most formats. Flournoy picked up right where Lamb left off on Thursday, leading the team in targets(13) on the day. 

Isaac Teslaa(2-20-1) scored for the 2nd week in a row, but he’s averaging only 2.5 targets per game over that stretch. With the Lions trying to feed both Jahmyr Gibbs(12-43-3; 7-77), Jameson Williams(7-96; 1-7) and Amon-Ra St. Brown(6-92), targets are going to be hard to come by for Teslaa, even with no Sam LaPorta around. 

Dolphins 34 @ Jets 10

De’Von Achane(7-92-1; 1-13) exited the game with a rib injury but allegedly could have reentered if necessary, which is odd because when asked if Achane would be available this week, HC McDaniel said “I promise you, he’ll be in there if he’s ready.” It makes sense to add Jaylen Wright(24-107-1) in all formats this week. He’ll be a high-end RB2 if Achane sits. 

The Jets are in dire straits at QB, as Tyrod Taylor(groin) exited the game after two series, leaving rookie Brady Cook(14-163-0-2) to flail in his absence. There’s a chance Justin Fields(knee) will be available if Taylor can’t go this week, but if Cook has to start, all bets are off for each and every Jets skill player. It’s the playoffs anyway, you don’t want to hitch your wagon to any Jet unless absolutely necessary. 

Steelers 27 @ Ravens 22

DK Metcalf(7-148) absorbed a hit on Sunday that resulted in stomach pains requiring hospitalization. He’s been released, but Metcalf will be questionable this week. If he can’t go, expect even more doses of Kenneth Gainwell(4-15-1; 6-27), who was 2nd in targets(7) for Pittsburgh. The Steelers play Miami this week, so expect them to lean heavily on the run game, as the Dolphins are a top 5 secondary. 

Mark Andrews(1-9) just got paid, but Isaiah Likely(4-25-1) is the Ravens TE to own in fantasy right now, as he’s more dynamic with his touches. Facing Cincy’s bottom ranked TE defense this week, both are stream-worthy, though Likely is likely the better play. 

Saints 24 @ Buccaneers 20

Devin Neal(19-70-1; 1-14) found room to run on Sunday, bringing a sigh of relief to those that sold the farm to pick him up. With a cushy schedule ahead and the Saints out of contention, Neal is in a perfect spot to see a plethora of touches during the fantasy playoffs, regardless if Alvin Kamara becomes available or not. 

It didn’t amount to much, but Devaughn Vele(3-40) did lead the Saints in receiving, tying Chris Olave(3-30) for the lead in targets(5). He has tough matchups the next 2 weeks, but Vele could be worth flexing in deeper formats. 

Mike Evans could return to action this week, making things difficult for owners of Chris Godwin(5-55) and Emeka Egbuka(2-15), who were already struggling to squeeze every bit of usage out of those players. If there’s a silver lining here it’s that Evans presence would lighten coverage for either receiver, making their targets higher yield, potentially.

Sean Tucker(7-29-1) saw more than a handful of touches and was the only Buccaneer RB to find the endzone on Sunday. It’s not enough to move the needle for the first week of the playoffs though. 

Colts 19 @ Jaguars 36

Daniel Jones(Achilles) is out for the season, along with the Colts’ chances of making the playoffs. Riley Leonard(18-145-0-1; 2-5-1) will be the starter as long as Anthony Richardson(eye) is out. Alec Pierce(5-80) led the team in receiving, slightly besting Michael Pittman(9-79), and both players seem safe from a targets perspective, though I don’t have faith in either of them against Seattle this week. 

Jakobi Meyers(4-39-1) is the Jags’ de facto no.1 WR, despite Brian Thomas Jr.(3-87) being a better “talent”. Targets don’t lie folks and Meyers has had more than BTJ in both games BTJ has played in since his return in WK13. Tim Patrick(5-78-1) had a better game than both of them from a fantasy standpoint, but that was likely an artifact of Parker Washington sitting. Patrick might be worth an add if Washington can’t go this week, as he’ll garner the least attention of the Jags WRs against the Jets and then Broncos’ stout secondaries. 

Titans 31  @ Browns – 29

Where the hell has this Tony Pollard(25-169-2) been all season? In any case, his effort resulted in a win, so perhaps they’ll feed him again this week. Maybe he’ll actually pay off for those who’ve held on this long. 

Chimere Dike(5-24-1) led the way for Titans pass-catchers once again, adding a little boom to his WK13 bust. He’s inconsistent at best, but Dike offers the best shot at fantasy relevance for any Titan pass-catcher in these playoffs. 

Shedeur Sanders(23-364-2-1; 3-29-1) scored more fantasy points than every other QB other than Josh Allen in WK14, albeit in a loss to the Titans. Sanders has a brutal matchup against Buffalo in WK16, but this week and WK17 are softer landing spots with Chicago and Pittsburgh. He’s worth streaming if you’re a Daniel Jones owner. 

Sanders’ favorite target by far was Harold Fannin Jr.(8-114-1). Available in 60% of leagues, Fannin could be a league winner this season. 

Commanders 0 @ VIkings 31

This was a forgettable performance all around for the entire Commanders team. Jayden Daniels left in the 3rd quarter after reinjuring his left elbow, and it was a coaches decision to keep him out from that point. We’ll see if they field Daniels again this week, knowing they are out of contention, but in either case, the Commanders will have much easier sledding against the Giants. If there’s a week to start your Viking skill players, it’s this one. 

Of course Josh Oliver(2-24-2) scored 2 of the Vikings’ 4 TDs on Sunday. Up is down and down is up in Minnesota right now, with Justin Jefferson having only 15 yards of receiving over the last 2 games. If there’s a cure that ails though, it’s the Dallas Cowboys and their nonexistent secondary, which the Vikings will face this week. 

Seahawks 37 @ Falcons 9

We finally got a decent game out of Rashid Shaheed(4-67), but he needed return yards(100-1)to do it. As much as I like his matchup with Indy this week, Shaheed has been too unreliable to rely on in any format. 

Zach Charbonnet(7-46; 2-20) led the ‘Hawks in ground yards, but most of his action came in garbage time. He’s a TD dependent RB3 this week against the Colts, in what could be a blowout. 

The Falcons’ offense was mostly anemic behind its two power backs. Kyle Pitts(6-90) is the only Atlanta pass-catcher worth starting in the playoffs. 

Bengals 34 @ Bills 39

Mike Gesicki(6-86-1) surprisingly had his best outing with Tee Higgins(6-92-2) back on the field. He’ll look to stay involved against the same Baltimore team he only managed 19 yards against just a week prior. 

Chase Brown(12-23-1; 3-12-1) had the scores, but Samaje Perine(6-31; 1-7) actually out gained him on the ground. Perine is getting touches but not the ones that count. 

Josh Allen has eschewed his WRs almost entirely in this snowy terrain, finding solace in his TEs. Dawson Knox(6-93) and Dalton Kincaid(4-41-1) proved to be of value in the inclement weather, and they could have similar roles this week when the Bills go to New England. Kincaid is of course the better play. 

Broncos 24 @ Raiders 17

The Broncos are winning games with defense and a strong ground game, leaving Troy Franklin(3-11) to wither as the playoffs arrive. Cortland Sutton(6-62) seems to be the favored pass-catcher these days on a team that really only allows for one of note. 

Rookie Jack Bech(6-50) led the Raiders in receiving with Kenny Pickett under center, a situation that derived from Geno Smith’s shoulder locking up in the 3rd quarter. Smith is likely to start this week if he’s healthy, against a tough but not impervious Eagles defense. Bech got extra snaps due to Dont’e Thornton(concussion) being out, but Thornton could return this week, rendering Bech useless. 

Bears 21 @ Packers 28

Luther Burden(4-67) led the passing attack with Rome Odunze(foot) sidelined, while DJ Moore(1- -4) was nowhere to be seen. Burden is in line to have a major role again this week if Odunze can’t practice and should be owned in most formats. The same can be said for Colston Loveland(4-29-1). Moore can’t be relied on this week.

He only had 4 targets on the day, but Christian Watson(4-89-2) made the most of them, leading the Packers in receiving. As Green Bay’s field stretcher, Watson doesn’t need more than a handful of looks to make his fantasy day. 

Jayden Reed(4-31) returned to action on Sunday, catching all 4 of his targets. In a 3-way tie for the target share lead, Reed’s arrow is pointing up as we enter the playoffs. His role in the short-passing game could be critical in what will be a difficult matchup with Denver this week. 

Rams 45 @ Cardinals 17

Blake Corum(12-128-2; 1-3) ran wild in this blowout of the Cardinals, allowing Kyren Williams(13-84-1; 2-13) to stay fresh. It seems unlikely that Corum will retain this kind of value against Detroit’s top-rated run defense this week, but stranger things have happened. He’s worth a flex in deeper formats. 

Colby Parkinson(3-32-1) stayed hot, scoring his 4th TD in 5 games. With Detroit being such a stalwart run-defense, it makes sense for the Rams to continue leaning on their passing game. Parkinson is a TD dependent streaming option once again this week. 

Michael Wilson(11-142-2) went bonkers once again, with no Marvin Harrison Jr around to get in the way. It doesn’t make sense to rush your marquee WR back into action in a losing season, especially with Houston next on the docket. Wilson should get beaucoup targets this week, though yards will be harder to come by. 

Texans 20 @ Chiefs 10

Jayden Higgins(3-34) didn’t provide much in the way of the box score, but he made important catches when it mattered on Sunday night, against a KC team that desperately needed the win. He’ll have an easier go of it this week against Arizona, enough to keep him as a flex consideration. 

Isaiah Pacheco(9-30) had only 3 fewer carries than Kareem Hunt(12-30-1), but Hunt managed the only TD for KC. The entire Chiefs offense seemed to be on the wrong page Sunday night, and things won’t be a hell of a lot easier against the Chargers this week. Hunt is the better play, but I understand those who might take a chance on Pacheco in their flexes.