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It feels like we were drafting just a month or so ago, but here we are in week one of the fantasy playoffs. There is no more time for patience and, unless you earned a first-round bye, no reason to look beyond week fifteen… yet. Let's see what we can do to survive the late-season chaos and live to fight another day.

A couple of quick comments about how to approach this round of games. First, matchups can be vital and should be fully analyzed but don't over-think situations and outsmart yourself. When in doubt, go with the players that got you to the dance. Second, analyze your situation and understand where you stand with the matchup. Are you a heavy favorite? If so, don't gamble as much. Are you an underdog? If this is the case, swing for the fence and pack your lineup with upside. If the matchup is pretty even, play the guys you know to be dependable and swing for the fence anywhere your lineup has a potential hole.

Arizona Cardinals

The 49ers are not a plus matchup for any position. Nor are they such a poor matchup that you should consider sitting anyone against them. The only exception to the latter is for corners. Corners rarely put up good tackle totals against San Francisco, and Brock Purdy has not thrown an interception to a corner since week six.

Atlanta Falcons

As bad as their record is, the Panthers have been a rather solid matchup for most positions, especially pass rushers. Since week seven, they have allowed an average of 3.4 sacks per game to defensive linemen and edge defenders. The problem is that Atlanta lacks players good enough to take advantage. Calais Campbell might be worthy for those in gamble mode.

The only Falcon that is a matchup-proof must-start is Jesse Bates III. Kaden Elliss is a high-floor option, but his upside is fairly limited. For anyone in a dire situation, Nate Landman was out last week with a sore knee, so Andre Smith got the start as the second linebacker. Smith posted a solid 5-3 with a forced fumble against the Saints, but be aware that the Falcons' second linebacker, no matter who it is, is playing no more than about 75% of the snaps in recent weeks as the Falcons are getting safety DeMarcco Hellams more involved in sub-packages.

Baltimore Ravens

Kyle Hamilton missed time in week fourteen with a knee injury. He tried to return but was unable to finish the game and is considered week to week with an MCL sprain. Hamilton insists he will be ready by Sunday, but there is a good chance Geno Stone will get the start versus Jacksonville. Stone reached double-digit points in seven of the first nine games, working mostly as a replacement for Marcus Williams, so if he goes, the numbers could be pretty good.

Buffalo Bills

A.J. Epenesa left in the first quarter of the week 15 game with a rib injury. His absence from the rotation gave Leonard Floyd and Gregory Rosseau a bump in playing time over their normal 50-55%. They should see a little more action this week as well if Epenesa is out, but the Cowboys are not a good matchup for edge defenders. Since week seven, Dallas has allowed an average of 4-2-1 to the edge position as a whole. That is not many points to spread among three or four players.

Micah Hyde left Sunday's game with a stinger, so his status for week 15 is in question as of late Tuesday. Taylor Rapp stepped in and will get the call this week if Hyde is out. Dallas doesn't give up big plays to safeties or corners, but the Cowboys are a solid matchup for both positions in terms of tackle production. Slot corner Taron Johnson led the team in tackles last week at 6-3, adding a forced fumble and a pass breakup. He should have another solid outing this week.

Carolina Panthers

The Falcons are middle of the pack in terms of sacks allowed, but defensive linemen put up a lot of tackles against them. That bodes well for Derrick Brown, who makes a lot of tackles for an interior lineman. Brown is an excellent player, but the key to his IDP success is playing time. He's seen at least 85% of the snaps in every game since the team's week seven bye. Against the Saints last week, he went 5-5 with an interception on 50 of a possible 52 snaps.

Chicago Bears

Jaquan Brisker put up great numbers for us as a rookie last year. For most of this season, he has been far less productive on the stat sheet. His first game with double-digit points came in week six. Since then, Brisker has double digits in five of six games, culminating with his career-best of 13-4 with 2 passes defended and a forced fumble last week. Normally I would warn against chasing the points after a monster game like that. This time, I'll make an exception because the Browns have allowed the second most points to safeties since week seven.

Cincinnati Bengals

Logan Wilson and Jermaine Pratt are every-week starters for most managers that have them. For those managers stacked enough at the position that it is a decision, play them this week versus Minnesota. Since the injury to Kirk Cousins, the Vikings have allowed the third most points to linebackers.

Early in the year, Minnesota was a stellar matchup for corners. They have fallen to number eight over the last couple of months but are still a solid opponent. If you are one of the many managers streaming at the corner position, look at Chidobe Awuzie, who has double-digit points in both games since Cam Taylor-Britt was injured.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns have injury issues at several positions. None bigger than at safety, where Grant Delpit landed on IR this week with a sore groin, and Juan Thornhill has a strained calf. With Rodney McLeod already on IR, Cleveland finished last week's game with Ronnie Hickman at free safety and D'Anthony Bell at strong. With Delpit out, Bell could be an option, but you might want to see if there is a better one. Chicago ranks 22nd in points allowed to safeties over the last eight weeks.

Cleveland's linebacker position was void of IDP value for much of the season, but Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has emerged recently. He has double-digit points in four of the last five games, including a big outing versus Denver in week twelve and eight solo stops versus Jacksonville last week. Pair that with a Bears offense that is second only to the Commanders (by a fraction of a point) in points allowed to linebackers over the last two months, and Owusu-Koramoah is as close to a must-start as it gets for a Browns' linebacker this year.

Myles Garrett continues to see his normal workload each week, but it is clear that the injuries, and especially the sore shoulder, have taken their toll. He had one solo stop in week fourteen, making Garrett 3-2-0 over the last three games combined. It's good to dance with the date that brought you, but when that player can't dance, it's okay to go elsewhere.

Dallas Cowboys

Stephon Gilmore posted what I believe is a career-high nine solo tackles against the Eagles. This was a result of him shadowing A.J. Brown all night. Gilmore could travel with Stefon Diggs this week, which could mean another productive game for the veteran corner.

Managers almost have to start Micah Parsons every week, but if you have other strong options, consider them. Buffalo has allowed less than a sack and a half per game and the sixth-fewest points to the edge position since week seven.

Denver Broncos

P.J. Locke continues to impress both on the field and in box scores. In three starts for the suspended Kareem Jackson, Locke has 13 solo stops and 9 assists. Those are good numbers on their own, but it's his splash play production that is particularly impressive. In those columns, Locke has 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and a pair of pass breakups. He has one more opportunity before Jackson returns to convince the coaching staff to keep him in the starting lineup. The matchup with Detroit will put Locke's playmaking ability to the test, though. Opposing safeties tend to produce good tackle totals, but the Lions have not allowed a sack to a blitzing safety this year. Locke showed up on the practice report as he did not participate on Tuesday, so his status needs to be monitored.