Happy Friday fantasy friends! Welcome back to my weekly Start/Sit HUB! Mike Hubbard Jr here, providing you with information that can help you win your fantasy league week in and week out. For all things fantasy football, follow me on Twitter (@FantasyHubbard) and Instagram (@fantasyhubbard). You can tweet me or message me on either social media with any questions you might have regarding the fantasy football season.
We have reached week 15 which means it’s time for some fantasy football playoffs. Hopefully you are sitting pretty with a first round BYE or fighting for another week in the playoffs. If you didn’t make the playoffs you might be in a consolation game or simply a spectator to your league’s playoffs. If you are out of the playoffs you can still use my start/sit suggestions in DFS or any other fantasy related games for week 15. I hope you’re enjoying the fantasy football experience and continue to fight hard to win. This season has been very unpredictable with injuries and now COVID is becoming an even bigger issue.Stay informed and play smart.
Week 15 began last night with a TNF game between the 9-4 Kansas City Chiefs and the 8-5 LA Chargers. The game was 14-13 heading to the 4th quarter until both teams exploded for 35 points in the 4th quarter and OT. Patrick Mahomes threw for over 400 yards and most of those yards went to Kelce and Hill. Just reassures that you need to start your studs, especially in the fantasy playoffs. The Chargers did their best to win this game, but the Chiefs showed glimpses of their 2019 offensive domination.
There are no more BYEs this season, but we do have a couple of Saturday games this week. The Raiders @ the Browns and the Patriots @ the Colts. Keep in mind who plays when in order to optimize your projected lineups. The matchups I look forward to watching the most this Sunday are the Seahawks/Rams game, the Packers/Ravens game, and the Saints/Buccaneers game.
I’m here every Friday with start and sit suggestions that can impact your team each week. My decisions as always include obvious and not so obvious picks. I would also like to clarify that my sit suggestions are based on the assumption you have or can add a player that has a better chance at success. Good luck this week and continue to check out my weekly articles.
START OF THE WEEK
Start – Chris Godwin – Godwin continues to have a great year for the defending champs. He has 5 games with over 100 receiving yards this season including his last 2 games. Godwin is 9th in the NFL in targets, 2nd in the NFL in receptions, and 4th in the NFL in receiving yards. Antonio Brown can’t play in week 15 and his status on the team is in serious question moving forward. Mike Evans has more than double Godwin’s TDs this season but that is the only stat he has over Godwin. I expect Marshon Lattimore to cover Evans this weekend which gives Godwin a little extra room for some big plays. I like Godwin to finish top 5 in PPR fantasy WRs this week.
Washington @ Eagles
Start – DeVonta Smith – Smith has been playing under expectations these past few weeks. He scored 2 TDs in week 10 and hasn’t had a total of 100 receiving yards since. 8 receptions for 98 receiving yards over his last 3 games in total to be more specific. DeVonta is coming off back-to-back games with just 2 receptions and under 25 yards in each. This week the Eagles take on the WFT in Philly. The Eagles are favored but the WFT is not to be taken lightly. The Eagles are going to try to run a lot, but Washington has struggled against WRs this season. I think that Hurts (or even Minshew) will try to get Smith and Goedert involved to keep the defense modest.
Sit – Jordan Howard – Jordan Howard is expected to be back and ready to play the WFT in week 15. That’s great news for Philly, but not great news for fantasy owners of any other Eagles RB. Miles Sanders had quite the game in week 14 and will try to continue that as long as he can stay healthy. So, do you trust Sanders or Howard? What about Boston Scott? So many RBs that all feel like they have around the same chance at scoring. Sanders and Howard could split carries evenly and out of nowhere Kenneth Gainwell will score 2 TDs. The WFT hasn’t let many RBs score this season. It’s hard to trust anyone but I like Sanders > Howard > Scott > Gainwell in that order. Don’t forget that Jalen Hurts should be playing and takes rushing yards away from them.
Panthers @ Bills
Start – Dawson Knox – Dawson Knox leads the NFL in TDs scored by a TE. He is a red zone target hog which is exactly what you want in a fantasy pass catcher. Josh Allen has a foot sprain but is on schedule to play in week 15. Allen loves Knox, as Dawson has more games played with a score than he does without a score. Carolinas defense is not the same as the defense we saw to start the regular season. The Bills should be in must win mode, so why not use the best TD catcher on the team to take advantage and escape with a win. I like Knox and Diggs a lot if Allen suits up.
Sit – Gabriel Davis – Davis is coming off back-to-back games where he scored a TD. Just another weapon the Bills have ready. Davis could score again this weekend but there are a few options I prefer. Obviously, Diggs and Knox are the best red zone targets, but also Cole Beasley could have a 1 reception game or a 10-reception game. The Panthers have been overall good against opposing WRs, so the matchup isn’t the best either. Davis feels almost TD dependent at this point since he is averaging just 2 receptions per game this season. Emmanuel Sanders is doubtful this weekend, but I feel there are a lot of better options than Davis, especially with your season on the line.
Cardinals @ Lions
Start – Christian Kirk – Kirk has had an up and down year for the 10-3 Cardinals. News broke out that DeAndre Hopkins is done for the regular season, leaving Arizona’s top pass catchers as Kirk, AJ Green, Rondale Moore, and Zach Ertz. James Connor is the must start here but Kirk has a great opportunity to cash in on his situation and he is playing the Lions. In the 13 games Kirk has played in this season, he has under 50 receiving yards in just 5 of them. Kirk could be in for a nice outing in week 15 as long as he gets in on the action before a possible blowout win forces a more run heavy game plan.
Sit – Jamaal Williams – Jamaal Williams missed week 14 due to COVID. D’Andre Swift also missed week 14, giving Craig Reynolds time in the spotlight. Swift and Williams could both be back for week 15, but what should we expect? First the matchup isn’t ideal for Detroit RBs, Swift is RB1 if he plays, and Reynolds proved he deserves some more offensive attention. Swift is the safer play over Williams and now that there are 3 Lions RBs in the picture it makes it even harder to rely on any of them. I would avoid most Lions this weekend if possible.
Jets @ Dolphins
Start – Jamison Crowder – The Jets take on a red-hot Miami team on Sunday. Miami is most generous to opposing WRs compared to any other position. Both Elijah Moore and Corey Davis are on IR leaving Crowder as one of the top WRs on the team. Zach Wilson will have to put on a decent performance for Crowder to succeed. The Jets need to throw to stay competitive and Crowder is the best option in that game plan. Crowder is the only Jet I would start in the first round of the playoffs, with Michael Carter being a possible sleeper this week. Proceed with caution.
Sit – Ty Johnson – Michael Carter is sounding like he will play in week 15. He brings a dual threat presence to the Jets that is valuable in fantasy football. Johnson will most likely be behind Carter and Coleman if everyone is able to play. Johnson gets most of his appeal in the passing game which Carter could steal this week. Carter is the only Jet RB I would consider this week.
Cowboys @ Giants
Start – Ezekiel Elliot – Zeke is feeling healthy and should be a big impact player for the Cowboys on Sunday. Tony Pollard is still questionable and could easily be a game time decision. Regardless, Zeke should get double digit carries including goal line carries, and he is always a threat in the catch and run game. It’s worth mentioning that Elliot had his best game of the season in week 5 when he first faced the Giants this season. He accounted for 110 rushing yards and 2 total TDs. Feed Zeke.
Sit –Dalton Schultz – Schultz has struggled since he returned from the Cowboys week 7 BYE. He is averaging just above 3 receptions for 32 receiving yards per game with 1 score since that BYE. There are at least 5 offensive Cowboys that I would play ahead of Schultz this week which shows just how deep they can be with offensive talent. Schultz has been targeted the 4th most on the team in the last 4 weeks and keep in mind Amari Cooper missed 2 of those games. Gallup, Lamb, and Zeke all have the same or more targets and receptions. Schultz is a risky start in a must win playoff game when there are at least 10 TEs I feel a lot more confident in.
Titans @ Steelers
Start – Chase Claypool – Claypool has quietly been productive for the Steelers recently. He has over 80 receiving yards in 3 of his last 4 games and has been targeted 8+ times in 3 of his last 4. It’s hard to notice Claypool when Diontae Johnson has been stellar, Big Ben’s age is showing, and the Steelers are currently not playoff bound. Claypool has a dream matchup with the Titans secondary so hopefully he can make the best of it and cash in on some big yardage plays.
Sit – Pat Freiermuth – Freiermuth has been great this season, he is 2nd in the NFL in TE TDs and is tied for 5th in reception TDs out of all offensive positions. The Titans are decent against opposing TEs and Freiermuth is borderline TD dependent. In week 6 Pat had 7 receptions for 58 yards. If you don’t count that game, he has no games with over 5 receptions this season and also no games with 45+ receiving yards. It will be interesting to see which Steelers team shows up and how long it will take them to get competitive if they are at all.
Texans @ Jaguars
Start – Jaguars D/ST – There are not many, if any, offensive players on these 2 teams I would trust starting in a win or go home fantasy playoff game. James Robinson is the only player I might risk since he has shown he can produce and with the firing of Urban Meyer, maybe the team pounds the rock against a weak Houston team. The Jags defense should handle their own at home this weekend against the lowest scoring team in the NFL. Davis Mills gets the start at QB for the Texans who has thrown plenty of INTs this season and has yet to play in a game that the Texans won.
Sit – Marvin Jones – Marvin Jones had his best game since week 6 last weekend where he had 6 receptions for 70 receiving yards. The Jags fired Urban Meyer which makes things interesting. Will the Jags run more? Pass more? Win? My best guess is a run heavy approach. Jones is probably the most talented available WR for Jacksonville, but Trevor Lawrence has too many options to throw to including Laviska Shenault and Laquon Treadwell. We have seen that Jones is unreliable in this offense this season so I wouldn’t risk starting him now.
Bengals @ Broncos
Start – Tee Higgins – Higgins is on fire with 3 consecutive games with 114+ receiving yards. He also has scored 2 TDs in his last 3 games. Higgins leads the Bengals in targets, receptions, and receiving yards over the last 4 weeks and Burrow should feed the hot hand. Ja’Marr Chase has been great this season and has former chemistry with Joe Burrow, but Higgins is currently in the spotlight and is making the most of it. I’m expecting a hefty dose of Joe Mixon, Chase, and Higgins.
Sit – Courtland Sutton – Sutton is 1 game away from being featured on a milk carton for going missing. He continues to be on my sit list week in and week out due to his poor fantasy performances. He hasn’t caught more than 2 passes since week 7 and is averaging just 20 yards per game in his last 6 games. Jeudy, Fant, and Javonte Williams all are getting more volume in the pass game. I prefer Broncos RBs this week over WRs and TEs.
Falcons @ 49ers
Start – Cordarrelle Patterson – If you own Patterson and he has gotten you this far, you shouldn’t be hesitant to start him this week. He is the best fantasy player on the Falcons this season and gets the 49ers whose defense is not bad but not great. No matter the game flow, I see Cordarrelle being involved rushing and receiving. Patterson might not only be a big reason you made the playoffs but might be the reason you make it the championship since he has the 49ers followed by the Lions. Patterson should finish in the top 10 for fantasy RBs/WRs this week. Fire him up with some confidence.
Sit – Jeff Wilson – As long as Eli Mitchell plays Sunday, Wilson can be benched this week. Mitchell is a workhorse when healthy and the 49ers have won 5 of 7 games when Mitchell gets double digit carries. Wilson has had decent opportunities due to health and circumstance, but he hasn’t made an impact big enough to make him a starter. If Eli Mitchell were to suddenly become inactive, then you can start Wilson but until that happens there is a bench seat with his name on it.
Seahawks @ Rams
Start – Van Jefferson – Jefferson is streaking lately scoring a TD in his last 3 games for the Rams. The Rams lost Woods for the season and gained OBJ, which seems to have lifted Jefferson’s role a little. Kupp, OBJ, and Jefferson have all excelled in their last 3 games. Kupp is a no brainer, but OBJ is on the Covid list so his status for week 15 is up in the air right now. If OBJ can’t play, Jefferson becomes even more appealing against an average Seahawks defense.
Sit – Sony Michel – Sony Michel has played well in the absence of Darrell Henderson. Henderson should be cleared to play in week 15 which is huge for his fantasy owners. If Henderson plays, I would be very cautious with Michel. He could get some more opportunities if the Rams jump to a big lead, but this game could be closer than most think. Michel is Henderson’s handcuff so monitor Darrell’s status prior to Sunday in order to make the best decision.
Packers @ Ravens
Start – Mark Andrews – Mark Andrews might be an obvious start here but it’s for good reason. The beast TE has produced consistently and even without Lamar. No matter who is throwing to him, Mark is a target hog who is a top reliable target. Marquise Brown has been targeted a lot recently but hasn’t done too much with those. Bateman is coming off a big game, but it’s kind of his only big game since he started playing in week 6. Mark Andrews is the only player to catch multiple TDs in the last 4 weeks for the Ravens. Sammy Watkins was the only other player to record a receiving TD in that timeframe. Andrews doesn’t have the best matchup with the Packers, but Andrews is a must start regardless of the defense he is playing. Don’t overthink it.
Sit – Devonta Freeman – Freeman is in the sit category this week due to the matchup. The Packers will most likely score a lot of points and the Ravens will need to do the same to have a shot at winning. Freeman does have a good number of touches lately, but I think Lamar Jackson will have to put on a running and throwing display to win or stay competitive. That is if Jackson plays. I have 20 RBs before Freeman this week so you may have to start him depending on your RB depth.
Saints @ Buccaneers
Start – Chris Godwin – Godwin continues to have a great year for the defending champs. He has 5 games with over 100 receiving yards this season including his last 2 games. Godwin is 9th in the NFL in targets, 2nd in the NFL in receptions, and 4th in the NFL in receiving yards. Antonio Brown can’t play in week 15 and his status on the team is in serious question moving forward. Mike Evans has more than double Godwin’s TDs this season but that is the only stat he has over Godwin. I expect Marshon Lattimore to cover Evans this weekend which gives Godwin a little extra room for some big plays. I like Godwin to finish top 5 in PPR fantasy WRs this week.
Sit – Marquez Callaway – Callaway has yet to record a 5-reception game this season and hasn’t had more than 3 receptions in a game since week 5. The Saints have the Buccaneers this week who specialize in run defense. The Saints best weapons are Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill who both rush a lot. Despite those observations, I expect the Saints to stick to their guns and try to run wild and make short passes that could turn into big plays. If I had to start a Saints WR this week it would be Tre’Quan Smith and that’s already an uncomfortable play. Kamara and Hill are the only Saints I would feel comfortable playing with the season on the line.