Fantasy Football: Who to start and sit in NFL Week 15

The fantasy playoffs are in full swing, and this is probably the week to see whether you get into the championship game or not. You may catch yourself doubting your choices, but that’s why we are here to help guide you.

Also an important heads up that the Bears vs Lions and Chargers vs Chiefs are both Saturday games, so do not forget to set your lineup by then if you have player involved in those matchups.

Must starts

Julio Jones (Falcons WR): If you don’t own Jones in fantasy you may be thinking this is obvious, but Jones hasn’t been that dominant fantasy receiver most people thought he would be coming into the season. Still, against the Bucs he has to be in your lineup. Why? Here are his stats from their game only three weeks ago. He had 12 catches for 253 yards while hauling in two touchdowns. He is in your lineup.

Kenyan Drake (Dolphins RB): Drake was fantastic against the Patriots on Monday night last week, and now he has a much easier matchup against the Bills who are allowing the most points to fantasy running backs this season (22.5), according to Fantasy Pros. This should be a great game for Drake, who gets involved heavily in the running and passing game.

Favorable matchups

Brandin Cooks (Patriots WR): Cooks has had a rough couple of games the past few weeks, but he is going to be going up against the Steelers this week. That is the same Steelers team that hasn’t been able to stop big plays lately by opposing offenses. This seems like the perfect chance for Cooks to get back on track.

Jay Ajayi (Eagles RB): The Eagle will be without Carson Wentz for the rest of the season, and that means this team will probably rely more on their running backs. He will also be going against the Giants defense that allows over 20 points to opposing running backs per game.

Good but not great

Demaryius Thomas (Broncos WR): This is more a testament to Thomas. He has clearly shown as long as the quarterback targets him that he can have a good fantasy day. He is matched up with the Colts this week, which should lead to quite a few catches and hopefully a touchdown.

Mike Davis (Seahawks RB): Davis is dealing with a rib injury that you should monitor, but he is matched up against the Rams this week, which should be smoother sailing than his past two matchups in the Jaguars and Eagles who have some of the tougher rushing defenses in the league. Davis is a very good flex option this week.

Nick Foles (Eagles QB): Really this is for the people who lost Wentz as their quarterback. Between Jimmy Garoppolo and Foles I’d side with Foles this week. The Eagles just have way more talent around their quarterback, and just an overall better matchup.

Unfavorable matchups

A.J. Green (Bengals WR): Green is the last beacon of hope for the Bengals this year, and if they win any game it will probably involve Green carrying the team on his back. Still the Vikings have been tough on receivers, and Mike Zimmer knows Green fairly well from their time together. Still Green is always one play away from being worth the start.

Todd Gurley (Rams RB): Gurley has probably helped carried your team to this point, so it makes it hard to sit him, but the Rams will be playing the Seahawks this week. The last time these two team met Gurley only had 43 yards rushing on 14 carries. It is clear this isn’t the ideal situation, and you may want to consider looking else where this week.

Just sit them

T.Y. Hilton (Colts WR): Hilton has been held under 60 yards for four straight weeks. You shouldn’t expect that to change with the Broncos in town. It has been a rough season without Andrew Luck for Hilton.

Giovani Bernard (Bengals RB): Joe Mixon is still recovering from his concussion, which means Bernard is the next man up. Fantasy owners who picked up Bernard may be tempted to ride that train this week, but even with all the touches he;d get with Mixon being out, this Vikings defense is far too stingy to even think about throwing Bernard in your lineup.