Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 15.
Notes:
• If you made it to the fantasy football playoffs, congratulations! If you did not, hopefully your league still has something to play for. If you finished in last place, take the punishment without any issues.
• The injury bug was back in Week 15, and it could not have come at a worse time for fantasy owners. Daniel Jones is currently QB10 but is now out for the season with an Achilles injury. Jayden Daniels was a surprise return to the lineup for the Commanders but was forced out in the second half in Minnesota. CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins and De’Von Achane were all knocked out of action. Zach Ertz likely saw the end of his terrific career with a knee injury. As always, check my player rankings for the best available players.
• The biggest unknown this time of the year is whether fantasy stars will get benched to rest for the playoffs. The Bills-Patriots matchup this weekend could have implications that could lead to this very scenario. This is something to keep a track of the next couple of weeks. It is plausible that Drake Maye is not an option for fantasy owners in Week 17.
• Remember to check the weather heading into Sunday for your kicker selection. Target kickers playing in domes and fair weather conditions. Every point matters this time of the year.
Thursday Night Game: Falcons vs. Buccaneers
Sunday Night Game: Vikings vs. Cowboys
Monday Night Game: Dolphins vs. Steelers
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Marcus Mariota
Running Back: Devin Singletary
Wide Receiver: Jauan Jennings
Tight End: Harold Fannin Jr.
Defense: Panthers
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Tua Tagovailoa
Running Back: Tony Pollard
Wide Receiver: Troy Franklin
Tight End: Mark Andrews
Defense: Rams
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Tyler Shough
Running Back: Dylan Sampson
Wide Receiver: Andre Iosivas
Tight End: Gunnar Helm
Defense: Cowboys
NFL Picks for Week 15
All odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook at time of writing
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 137-69-1)
Buccaneers (vs. Falcons)
Texans (vs. Cardinals)
Eagles (vs. Raiders)
Jaguars (vs. Jets)
Bears (vs. Browns)
Patriots (vs. Bills)
Ravens (at Bengals)
Chiefs (vs. Chargers)
Giants (vs. Commanders)
Seahawks (vs. Colts)
Broncos (vs. Packers)
Panthers (at Saints)
Rams (vs. Lions)
49ers (vs. Titans)
Cowboys (vs. Vikings)
Steelers (vs. Dolphins)
Five Picks Against the Spread (Season Record: 34-33-3)
Pats +1.5 vs. Bills
Ravens -2.5 at Bengals
Broncos +2.5 vs. Packers
49ers -12.5 vs. Titans
Cowboys -6 vs. Vikings
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 36-34)
Falcons-Buccaneers Under 44.5
Chargers-Chiefs Over 41.5
Commanders-Giants Under 47.5
Panties-Saints Under 40.5
Dolphins-Steelers Under 42.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Trevor Lawrence finishes as a top-10 QB against the Panthers (miss)
Week 2: Zay Flowers remains the overall WR1 after torching the Browns (miss)
Week 3: Daniel Jones makes it three straight weeks finishing as a top-five fantasy quarterback (miss)
Week 4: Josh Allen accounts for five total touchdowns against the Saints (miss)
Week 5: A tight end leads all FLEX-worthy players in scoring (miss)
Week 6: Matthew Stafford finishes as a QB1 against the Ravens (miss)
Week 7: Quinshon Judkins is a top-10 RB against the Dolphins (finally got one!)
Week 8: Joe Flacco throws for more than 300 yards against the Jets (miss)
Week 9: Marvin Harrison Jr. records more than 150 receiving yards against the Cowboys (miss)
Week 10: Jalen Hurts throws for more than 300 yards against the Packers on “Monday Night Football” (miss)
Week 11: C.J. Stroud finishes as a QB1 against the Titans (miss)
Week 13: Jaxon Smith-Njigba is held under 100 receiving yards (winner winner!)
Week 14: Lamar Jackson gets back on track and finishes as a top-three fantasy quarterback against the Steelers (miss)
Week 15: Nico Collins posts more than 150 receiving yards against the Cardinals
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox