The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 15

Bye-bye to bye weeks, and hello, fantasy playoffs! If you are one of the people who made your playoffs, congratulations! To those of you who did not make the cut for whatever reason, do not quit paying attention or trying; so much information is gathered over the next few weeks that will influence the way drafts work next year, so stay locked in and finish the season well.

For those in the playoffs, the margin between the end of your season and the fantasy championship can be razor-thin, and that is where the wisdom of The Fantasy Footballers will help you. Andy, Mike, and Jason dropped their Starts of the Week for Week 15 on Thursday. To catch the entire episode on YouTube, click below:

I know you might have even more questions about who to play or what to do, and that is why The Ballers created the mobile app. If you are a member of the Footclan, make sure you have the app downloaded because it is invaluable right now to help you make your lineup decisions.

Finally, let’s dive into The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 15.

Andy’s Starts of the Week

QB – Justin Herbert vs. TB

The Buccaneers have been a target all year for QBs, and this week should be no different with Herbert. The game has a solid 46.5-point total with the Chargers at home. Herbert has been a top-12 QB in the last four starts at home, where he has averaged 18 fantasy points and 30 rushing yards per game. Tampa Bay is 31st in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs and 30th in passing yards per game allowed. Get Herbert in your lineup to help you into the semifinals of your playoffs.

RB – Rachaad White vs. LAC

Andy likes this matchup this week. White has been so consistent recently. Since Week 7, he has been the RB10, averaging 15.7 fantasy points per game on only 14 opportunities per game. White should see even more work if Bucky Irving doesn’t suit up or is limited. The Chargers are a good rushing defense, but that isn’t where White makes his most significant impact. He is an elite pass catcher, and the Chargers have allowed the eighth most RB receptions in the NFL. Consistency should continue; sometimes, that is what you need in the playoffs.

WR – Darnell Mooney vs. LV

Andy has recommended Mooney this year four times as a Start of the Week. The truth about Mooney is that he remains in the WR3/flex tier, where you sort through so many different people in your mind. You might think you must fade Mooney due to Cousins’ struggles, but Mooney has been consistent even in the bad Kirk games. Just last week he went six for 142 yards. Over the previous month, the Raiders defense has seen the second most pass plays called in the NFL, and they rank 26th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs in that span. Keep shooting for Mooney, and trust that he can deliver for you.

TE – TJ Hockenson vs. CHI

It wasn’t very pleasant last week with Hockenson when Darnold threw five touchdowns. The good news is that his QB can throw five touchdowns, and if he gets even one of them, you get a solid week. Mix in that Hockenson is averaging 4.5 receptions and 50 yards per game, which gives you a solid baseline. He is one of six TEs to hit those marks over that span, and he’s been absent of touchdowns. If he gets those, he will be a great option! Especially against the Bears’ defense that ranks 27th in receiving yards allowed and 24th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to TEs.

Jason’s Starts of the Week

QB – Tua Tagovailoa @ HOU

Since Tua returned in Week 8, the Dolphins rank seventh in points per game, third in plays per game inside the 10-yard line, and first in the NFL in EPA per pass attempt. He is the QB1 in total fantasy points scored over the last month, including four straight top-10 finishes. You can’t run effectively on the Texans, so we should expect a ton of passing volume in a dome for the Dolphins. Add that the game has the third-highest total of the week, and you could get another monster game from Tua.

RB – Tony Pollard vs. CIN

The Titans are heading for a top-five pick in the NFL draft, yet Pollard remains a consistent contributor to fantasy football. He is only one of three RBs to average 20+ opportunities a game and three or more receptions. Pollard will face a Cincinnati defense that was destroyed by Rico Dowdle last week, and the Bengals rank dead last in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs over the previous month and 30th in EPA per rush on the season. It is a matchup where the Titans will need to try and shorten the game, and Pollard will be pivotal in that goal. 

WR – Jordan Addison vs. CHI

The Ballers talked about Addison on the Ready to Roll segment on Monday. Three weeks into the season, Addison looked like a bust of a pick in fantasy and for the NFL. Since Week 4, he has been a WR1 in fantasy, averaging 13.8 fantasy points per game. Chicago was a feared defense as the season started, but lately, they have been letting up tons of big plays and now rank last in explosive pass rate allowed. In the Week 12 matchup with the Bears, Addison went off with nine targets, eight catches for 162 yards, and a touchdown. You must stay in the flames with Addison; he has finally lived up to the 2023 My Guy status. 

TE – Zach Ertz @ NO

If you are scrambling on the waivers due to injury and need someone you know will not goose you, the best option is Zach Ertz. The Commanders are huge favorites in the game and are coming off a bye week so the offense should be ready to go. Ertz has been a significant part of that offense all year. Before the bye, Ertz had a TD in three straight games, and his target share has increased over the last month, up to 23%. He is a very safe player who may not explode, but he won’t flop for you.

Mike’s Starts of the Week

QB – Kyler Murray vs. NE

Mike went straight to the underpants with this call, and even though that might seem weird, that is a good word for Kyler this year: weird. Kyler has been up and down all year, but with New England coming to town, it is a good week to ensure you keep Kyler in your lineup. At home, Kyler averages 18 fantasy points per game, a 71% completion percentage, and a 5% TD rate. Six points favor the Cardinals, the first time they have been that big of a favorite since Week 15 of 2021. It is also a plus matchup against a Patriots defense ranked 25th in yards per pass attempt allowed and 29th in expected points added per pass attempt. Keep Kyler in your lineup and try for him to show up for you this week. 

RB – Rico Dowdle vs. CAR

It is time to admit that Rico is good! Since Week 9, he has been a top-12 RB in fantasy, averaging 12.4 fantasy points per game. The question has been, would Rico ever be given the workload needed to be a fantasy-relevant player? He is averaging 19+ opportunities per game and almost 100 yards per game. This week, he faces one of the premier matchups for RBs. The Panthers rank dead last in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. This game could be a running fest, so let’s go, Rico! 

WR – Jauan Jennings vs. LAR

Mike has started to call Jennings by a new name, “Jauan Justin Jefferson Jennings,” just so that people will have some respect for his name. Mike putting his Start of the Week on a Thursday night game, with everyone watching, is more challenging, but Jennings is being targeted on 27% of his routes run. The only WRs with better yards per route run are Puka Nacua, Nico Collins, and AJ Brown. That is elite company for Jennings. Jennings also has some sweet incentives he is chasing; with three more receptions, he gets $666,667. Over the last six weeks, the Rams are 30th vs. fantasy WRs. The Rams were the team Jennings had his breakout game against early in the year, with 11 receptions for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Keep Jennings in your lineup, and I hope he can deliver for you this week. 

TE – Pat Freiermuth @ PHI

He is starting to get luth! Last week, he had three receptions for 48 yards and one touchdown, right after a week of six receptions for 68 yards and one touchdown. Since Week 9, Muth is averaging four receptions and 40 yards per game. He may not be explosive, but he is another TE who isn’t going to goose you this week, especially against a Philly defense that, over the last month, has ranked 29th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to TEs. The Eagles have allowed four receiving touchdowns to TEs in the previous four weeks. Freiermuth is an excellent choice in your lineup if you need someone to keep you safe with scoring. 

from Fantasy Footballers Podcast https://ift.tt/NZ8s6ah