What You Need to Know From Week 15

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LAC @ LV

1. Marcus Mariota looked ready to force a quarterback controversy and maybe a fantasy lineup controversy with one of the best games of his career in relief of Derek Carr. It’s unclear who will start in Week 16.
2. No matter what Keenan Allen says don’t play him if the plan is for him to have a snap count due to a hamstring injury
3. Justin Herbert doesn’t need his top two receivers to be a good fantasy play, at least against the Raiders.
4. Darren Waller is quarterback proof and a lot of fantasy teams in the finals can thank Waller for punching their ticket.

DEN @ BUF

1. Josh Allen month continues with his most dominant performance yet. A Monday night game against Bill Belichick is up next.
2. Drew Lock is still bad against decent to good defenses
3. The Bills took away Tim Patrick so Lock finally had to rely on Noah Fant
4. Melvin Gordon has been playing his best football of the year in the last month and should be a solid RB2 start.
5. Stefon Diggs caught everything thrown his way, but also hurt his foot. It doesn’t sound serious, but watch the practice reports.

CAR @ GB

1. D.J. Moore asserted himself as the top dog in the wide receiver group and he’s the only one who should be trusted against Washington.
2. Teddy Bridgewater shouldn’t try goal line sneaks over the pile. He lost a touchdown when he was overwhelmed by the tidal wave of defenders.
3. Green Bay opened up a big lead and the pass offense didn’t need to do very much. They should be fine with a great matchup against Tennessee this week.
4. Carolina’s run defense is still one we want to pick on. Let’s see if Antonio Gibson can return for this week’s game.

HOU @ IND

1. With Duke Johnson Jr, Will Fuller, Randall Cobb, and Kenny Stills out, the Texans finally figured out that David Johnson is a really good passcatcher! Just in time for the fantasy finals!
2. Zach Pascal scored twice to show how deep this pass offense is and complicate lineup decisions with T.Y. Hilton against Pittsburgh.

DET @ TEN

1. Matthew Stafford put up a gutsy performance that saved the value of the Lions offense and boosted the offense of the Titans because the Lions made it a game into the second half and forced the Titans to keep scoring to put the game out of reach. Remember this when considering Bucs in your lineup this week.
2. D’Andre Swift needs to practice better ball security at the goal line. He had two scores, but should have had three.
3. Marvin Jones can still be a fantasy factor as long as Matthew Stafford is on the field, but more importantly, the Titans defense is one you want to pick on when setting lineups.
4. Ryan Tannehill is still ultra-efficient and productive against poor defenses. Break ties in favor of him in Week 16.
5. Derrick Henry could have easily had 3-4 touchdowns in this game and could still be your golden ticket to a title in Week 16.
6. Corey Davis scored from 75 yards out early, and was open for a second score late, but Tannehill airmailed the pass.
7. Jonnu Smith looked healthy for the first time in a while and should be a fine option at tight end in Week 16 if you don’t have a more trustworthy option.

CHI @ MIN

1. David Montgomery has been nothing short of a league winner over the last month. He’ll get as much work as he can handle against the Jaguars this week.
2. Adam Thielen reminded us that he has a low floor this year, something to consider in close calls between him (against New Orleans on Christmas) and another receiver in Week 16.

SEA @ WAS

1. Russell Wilson was one of the worst fantasy quarterbacks of Week 15 and it’s reasonable to bench him at home against the Rams for a less than elite option.
2. Tyler Lockett has had one big game in the last two months, and DK Metcalf gets Jalen Ramsey next week so they are not sure starts. Break ties against Lockett and in favor of Metcalf.
3. J.D. McKissic is for real and he should be in lineups in Week 16 if Antonio Gibson isn’t ready to play.
4. Logan Thomas had another big game and he is firmly in the quarterback-proof trustworthy tight end tier heading into Week 16.
5. Terry McLaurin had a solid game to regain some trust heading into a better matchup for Week 16.

NE @ MIA

1. Salvon Ahmed was back in the lineup and he was a force for the Dolphins. If Myles Gaskin doesn’t return this week, Ahmed will be a strong RB2 against the Raiders.
2. Tua Tagovailoa was better against Bill Belichick than Justin Herbert and he had a lot less to work with. Miami fans should be happy with their rookie quarterback.
3. Jakobi Meyers had his second 100-yard game of the year and he’ll be a WR3/Flex consideration against Buffalo, especially if Jarrett Stidham starts.
4. Sony Michel looked good but the Patriots offense is too limited to give him enough opportunities to be startable in Week 16 against Buffalo if Damien Harris is out.

JAX @ BAL

1. James Robinson left with an ankle injury and might not be available for Week 16. Dare Ogunbowale replaced him but he’s only a desperation play against Chicago if he gets the start.
2. Lamar Jackson is still making it look easy and should be in lineups against the Giants.
3. Marquise brown has been a solid WR2 over the last month and should be in lineups for Week 16.

TB @ ATL

1. Tom Brady was one of the worst quarterbacks in action in the first half and one of the best in the second half. He should be in lineups against the Lions.
2. Leonard Fournette got the work over LeSean McCoy and should be the starter in Week 16 with Ronald Jones II almost certainly out.
3. Matt Ryan rebounded with a strong game despite Julio Jones absence. He did well enough to merit consideration for Week 16 at Kansas City.
4. Ito Smith is the new lead back for the Falcons, but he’s only a flex play against the Chiefs.

SF @ DAL

1. Tony Pollard wasn’t a strong runner, but he was a strong fantasy play with big contributions in the passing game and a long run to help ice the game. If Ezekiel Elliott can’t play in Week 16 against the Eagles, Pollard will be a solid RB2.
2. Nick Mullens went down with an elbow injury and CJ Beathard will start in Week 16.
3. Raheem Mostert is out for the year with an aggravation of his ankle injury and Jeff Wilson got dinged but re-entered the game. The 49ers backfield is a moving target heading into Week 16.
4. Kendrick Bourne’s big play came on a meaningless hail mary at the end of the game so don’t read too much into his stat line.
5. Amari Cooper let a lot of fantasy teams down in Week 15, but Michael Gallup left with a hip injury, so Cooper (and CeeDee Lamb) could be part of a narrower target tree in Week 16.

PHI @ ARI

1. Jalen Hurts stepped up his game to a newfound level and matched Kyler Murray in this epic tilt. Hurts will rightfully be in a lot of Week 16 lineups.
2. Kyler Murray has put his shoulder injury behind him and he’s back to league winner form.
3. DeAndre Hopkins took over the game with a couple of spectacular plays. He’s in top form heading into Week 16.
4. Chase Edmonds outplayed Kenyan Drake, but it appears Drake might be healthier heading into Week 16. Monitor this situation closely.

NYJ @ LAR

1. Cam Akers suffered a high ankle sprain and won’t be available for Week 16. Darrell Henderson will start and be a leap of faith play against the Seahawks.
2. Sam Darnold and the Jets offense is playing better, but still not well enough to give us any reliable plays for Week 16.
3. Cooper Kupp was contained by the Jets defense and he is cold heading into Week 16 with the Rams probably favoring their two tight end run-heavy sets against the Seahawks.
4. Tyler Higbee is still good enough to be a fantasy TE1 when he gets the opportunity next year after Gerald Everett presumably leaves in free agency.

KC @ NO

1. Clyde Edwards-Helaire left with a leg injury and Le’Veon Bell will get the start against the Falcons. He’ll be a low-end RB2 for Week 16.
2. The Saints defense played Patrick Mahomes II as tough as any defense this year.
3. Drew Brees was slow to get warmed up in his return, but eventually started hooking up with his receivers in the second half. He should be better against the Vikings on Thanksgiving.
4. Tre’Quan Smith went down with an ankle injury, so Alvin Kamara, Emmanuel Sanders, and Jared Cook should be the main targets on Christmas.

CLE @ NYG

1. Now that Russell Wilson isn’t cooking any more, the Browns have decided to let Baker bake. He was hyperaccurate and efficient and should be considered a high floor QB1 against the Jets this week.
2. The Giants offense has almost no fantasy football potential in Week 16 against Baltimore no matter who starts at quarterback.

PIT @ CIN

1. Ben Roethlisberger is fading fast and he might not be able to support the value of any receiver other than Diontae Johnson in Week 16.
2. Eric Ebron left with a back injury and his status is uncertain for Week 16.
3. Benny Snell had more energy than the rest of the Steelers offense combined and could be a big part of the Week 16 game plan if James Conner can’t go.
4. Chase Claypool looks dominant physically, but Roethlisberger is having trouble throwing downfield with accuracy, so he’ll be a boom bust play in Week 16.
5. Giovani Bernard had an inspired performance the week after he was benched for his first fumble in over 800 touches. He’ll be a viable RB2 against Houston this week.