Fantasy Football Week 15: Matt Camp's Week 15 Big Board

Matt CampDec 14, 2016

Did you ever think your fantasy football playoffs would be better off in the hands of Kirk Cousins instead of Drew Brees?

That’s a reality in Week 15 of the NFL season, and it’s one many of you have already accepted and embraced. I applaud those who aren’t fooled by name value, especially this late in the season, because it can cloud your judgment when decisions matter the most.

One of the tiebreakers I use for tough decisions in the fantasy playoffs is playoff contention. I tend to shy away from teams that have been officially eliminated or those that don’t have a realistic shot of making it, like the New Orleans Saints or Philadelphia Eagles, especially if their recent play is trending in the wrong direction.

Luckily, only the Dallas Cowboys have a playoff spot clinched, so concerns about resting players won’t be a factor for the contending teams this week, although that could change in Week 16. Before we get to the fantasy championship and playing-time issues, you have to take care of business this week.

Here’s my first look at the points-per-reception (PPR) rankings for Week 15. These will change throughout the week and up to Sunday’s action as we get more information about injuries and limitations, so make sure to bookmark this page.

Top 100

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Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The aggressive nature of the Ravens offense should help it take advantage of the Eagles defense.

I present my top 100 players (minus quarterbacks) for the week as a way to help determine your flex spots. You may favor a certain position or player over another based on his role and/or your scoring rules.

As an additional tiebreaker, here are the teams I like as a whole this week based on their matchups:

Baltimore Ravens (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)
Green Bay Packers (at Chicago Bears)
Seattle Seahawks (vs. Los Angeles Rams)
Atlanta Falcons (vs. San Francisco 49ers)

#	Player (team)	Matchup	Pos	ECR™	vs. ECR
1	Antonio Brown (PIT)	at CIN	WR1	1	0
2	Odell Beckham Jr. (NYG)	vs. DET	WR2	2	0
3	David Johnson (ARI)	vs. NO	RB1	3	0
4	Jordy Nelson (GB)	at CHI	WR3	6	+2
5	Le'Veon Bell (PIT)	at CIN	RB2	5	0
6	Mike Evans (TB)	at DAL	WR4	4	-2
7	Dez Bryant (DAL)	vs. TB	WR5	9	+2
8	LeSean McCoy (BUF)	vs. CLE	RB3	7	-1
9	Davante Adams (GB)	at CHI	WR6	13	+4
10	Ezekiel Elliott (DAL)	vs. TB	RB4	10	0
11	T.Y. Hilton (IND)	at MIN	WR7	12	+1
12	Doug Baldwin (SEA)	vs. LA	WR8	15	+3
13	DeMarco Murray (TEN)	at KC	RB5	14	+1
14	Larry Fitzgerald (ARI)	vs. NO	WR9	21	+7
15	Devonta Freeman (ATL)	vs. SF	RB6	8	-7
16	Amari Cooper (OAK)	at SD	WR10	11	-5
17	Carlos Hyde (SF)	at ATL	RB7	18	+1
18	Demaryius Thomas (DEN)	vs. NE	WR11	16	-2
19	Thomas Rawls (SEA)	vs. LA	RB8	29	+10
20	Tyrell Williams (SD)	vs. OAK	WR12	27	+7
21	Jordan Howard (CHI)	vs. GB	RB9	25	+4
22	Emmanuel Sanders (DEN)	vs. NE	WR13	20	-2
23	Michael Crabtree (OAK)	at SD	WR14	19	-4
24	Sammy Watkins (BUF)	vs. CLE	WR15	23	-1
25	Travis Kelce (KC)	vs. TEN	TE1	22	-3
26	Tyreek Hill (KC)	vs. TEN	WR16	24	-2
27	Latavius Murray (OAK)	at SD	RB10	17	-10
28	Stefon Diggs (MIN)	vs. IND	WR17	39	+11
29	Jamison Crowder (WAS)	vs. CAR	WR18	26	-3
30	LeGarrette Blount (NE)	at DEN	RB11	45	+15
31	Tyler Eifert (CIN)	vs. PIT	TE2	33	+2
32	Brandin Cooks (NO)	at ARI	WR19	31	-1
33	Golden Tate (DET)	at NYG	WR20	32	-1
34	Steve Smith (BAL)	vs. PHI	WR21	43	+9
35	Julian Edelman (NE)	at DEN	WR22	38	+3
36	Dontrelle Inman (SD)	vs. OAK	WR23	42	+6
37	Lamar Miller (HOU)	vs. JAC	RB12	30	-7
38	Jay Ajayi (MIA)	at NYJ	RB13	28	-10
39	Jarvis Landry (MIA)	at NYJ	WR24	35	-4
40	Jimmy Graham (SEA)	vs. LA	TE3	36	-4
41	Pierre Garcon (WAS)	vs. CAR	WR25	82	+41
42	DeSean Jackson (WAS)	vs. CAR	WR26	37	-5
43	Robert Kelley (WAS)	vs. CAR	RB14	48	+5
44	Taylor Gabriel (ATL)	vs. SF	WR27	52	+8
45	A.J. Green (CIN)	vs. PIT	WR28	77	+32
46	Tevin Coleman (ATL)	vs. SF	RB15	46	0
47	Bilal Powell (NYJ)	vs. MIA	RB16	34	-13
48	Greg Olsen (CAR)	at WAS	TE4	50	+2
49	Alshon Jeffery (CHI)	vs. GB	WR29	40	-9
50	Rishard Matthews (TEN)	at KC	WR30	49	-1
51	Frank Gore (IND)	at MIN	RB17	60	+9
52	Terrelle Pryor (CLE)	at BUF	WR31	54	+2
53	Spencer Ware (KC)	vs. TEN	RB18	41	-12
54	Jordan Matthews (PHI)	at BAL	WR32	47	-7
55	Kenneth Dixon (BAL)	vs. PHI	RB19	61	+6
56	Cameron Brate (TB)	at DAL	TE5	67	+11
57	Jeremy Hill (CIN)	vs. PIT	RB20	53	-4
58	Adam Thielen (MIN)	vs. IND	WR33	71	+13
59	Doug Martin (TB)	at DAL	RB21	56	-3
60	Ty Montgomery (GB)	at CHI	WR34	70	+10
61	Willie Snead (NO)	at ARI	WR35	62	+1
62	Malcolm Mitchell (NE)	at DEN	WR36	75	+13
63	Jonathan Stewart (CAR)	at WAS	RB22	55	-8
64	Kenneth Farrow (SD)	vs. OAK	RB23	57	-7
65	Kyle Rudolph (MIN)	vs. IND	TE6	69	+4
66	Mike Wallace (BAL)	vs. PHI	WR37	73	+7
67	Todd Gurley (LA)	at SEA	RB24	83	+16
68	Brandon Marshall (NYJ)	vs. MIA	WR38	66	-2
69	Jordan Reed (WAS)	vs. CAR	TE7	58	-11
70	Rashad Jennings (NYG)	vs. DET	RB25	88	+18
71	DeAndre Hopkins (HOU)	vs. JAC	WR39	51	-20
72	Mark Ingram (NO)	at ARI	RB26	68	-4
73	Kelvin Benjamin (CAR)	at WAS	WR40	81	+8
74	Terrance West (BAL)	vs. PHI	RB27	100	+26
75	James White (NE)	at DEN	RB28	108	+33
76	Delanie Walker (TEN)	at KC	TE8	63	-13
77	DeVante Parker (MIA)	at NYJ	WR41	85	+8
78	Dion Lewis (NE)	at DEN	RB29	74	-4
79	Randall Cobb (GB)	at CHI	WR42	76	-3
80	Allen Robinson (JAC)	at HOU	WR43	80	0
81	Ladarius Green (PIT)	at CIN	TE9	86	+5
82	Robby Anderson (NYJ)	vs. MIA	WR44	79	-3
83	Zach Ertz (PHI)	at BAL	TE10	84	+1
84	Donte Moncrief (IND)	at MIN	WR45	94	+10
85	Kenny Britt (LA)	at SEA	WR46	93	+8
86	Isaiah Crowell (CLE)	at BUF	RB30	78	-8
87	Mike Gillislee (BUF)	vs. CLE	RB31	102	+15
88	Marqise Lee (JAC)	at HOU	WR47	89	+1
89	Jerick McKinnon (MIN)	vs. IND	RB32	65	-24
90	Antonio Gates (SD)	vs. OAK	TE11	90	0
91	Theo Riddick (DET)	at NYG	RB33	64	-27
92	Sterling Shepard (NYG)	vs. DET	WR48	96	+4
93	Ted Ginn (CAR)	at WAS	WR49	99	+6
94	Cameron Meredith (CHI)	vs. GB	WR50	72	-22
95	Martellus Bennett (NE)	at DEN	TE12	95	0
96	T.J. Yeldon (JAC)	at HOU	RB34	91	-5
97	Tyler Boyd (CIN)	vs. PIT	WR51	106	+9
98	Matt Asiata (MIN)	vs. IND	RB35	87	-11
99	C.J. Fiedorowicz (HOU)	vs. JAC	TE13	98	-1
100	Marvin Jones (DET)	at NYG	WR52	103	+3

2016 fantasy football rankings powered by FantasyPros

ECR—Expert Consensus Rankings.

Quarterbacks

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Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Matt Ryan should make you feel safe and sound this week.

Better Than Usual

None of note.

Concerns

Tom Brady, NE (at DEN)

I always say tough matchups go both ways, so while Brady will have his hands full with the Denver Broncos, they should be just as concerned facing Brady this weekend. Of course, they’ve been able to hold quarterbacks like Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, Jameis Winston, Philip Rivers, Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota under 200 passing yards this season. When they’ve been tested, they have succeeded.

One of the better performances against the Broncos came back in Week 5, when Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons managed to put up 267 yards and a touchdown through the air by featuring Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman as the primary weapons. The Patriots could do the same with James White and Dion Lewis, although it would likely limit Brady’s chances of putting up big numbers.

Week 15 projection: 265 to 270 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception

Drew Brees, NO (at ARI)

Unlike Brady, Brees comes into his tough matchup playing poorly, which makes it tougher to believe in his chances against the Arizona Cardinals. In the last two weeks, Brees completed 56 of 85 passes for 583 yards with no touchdowns and six interceptions in losses to the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Cardinals may not pose the same threat as the Broncos, but it’s still a defense to be concerned about, especially the way Brees played the last two weeks. Arizona hasn’t given up 275 passing yards to any quarterback this season and allowed multiple passing touchdowns just three times, although that’s happened twice in the last three weeks. How Brees looks coming into this game is more troublesome than the matchup.

Week 15 projection: 260 to 270 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions

Andrew Luck, IND (at MIN)

After dismantling the New York Jets in Week 13 with 278 yards and four touchdowns, Luck failed to follow up with a strong performance in a loss to the Houston Texans last week. He completed just 24 of 45 pass attempts for two touchdowns and two interceptions, but he was able to add 32 yards on the ground. Volume can save Luck’s fantasy numbers, so his downside is usually limited.

This week, the Indianapolis Colts head to Minnesota, where the Vikings are clinging to life in the NFC playoff picture. Over the last four weeks, they’ve been a top-12 fantasy defense against quarterbacks. They allowed 826 yards and five touchdowns in those last four games. While Luck took just one sack last week, his protection has to be better. Also, the status of Donte Moncrief’s hamstring injury is something to monitor heading into this matchup.

Week 15 projection: 260 to 265 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions; 15 rushing yards

Avoid

Matthew Stafford, DET (at NYG)

In Week 14, Stafford played through torn ligaments in the middle finger of his throwing hand, but didn’t look very good in his attempts to throw the ball. His accuracy was erratic and he threw a pair of interceptions, one in the end zone and one that was returned for a touchdown. Even though Stafford saved the day with a late rushing touchdown to defeat the Chicago Bears, concerns remain about the finger.

According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Stafford went on The Mitch Albom Show and said he doesn’t think this injury is “going to be as bad” as the broken index finger he played with in 2011. Stafford said wearing a glove “still may be the best option. It also might not be. We’re going to try tinkering and finding what’s the best option.”

The injury is not the only concern for Stafford in Week 15. He has to travel to MetLife Stadium to face a New York Giants defense that dominated the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14. It sacked Dak Prescott three times, had two interceptions, recovered a fumble and allowed just seven points. Over the last four weeks, the Giants are second in fantasy points scored by a defense.

With so much working against Stafford, you should look elsewhere for a quarterback in Week 15.

Week 15 projection: 225 to 235 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions

Sleepers

Joe Flacco, BAL (vs. PHI)

The increased aggression from the Baltimore Ravens offense over the last two weeks has been a great boost to Flacco’s fantasy value. In a win over the Miami Dolphins and loss to the New England Patriots, Flacco has 705 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions on 73-of-99 passing.

Hopefully the aggression keeps up in Week 15 with a favorable matchup against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. After losing their last four games, the Eagles have the second-worst defense against fantasy quarterbacks during that span thanks to 1,151 yards and seven touchdowns to just one interception. It’s a good week for Flacco to shine.

Week 15 projection: 260 to 265 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception

#	Player (team)	Matchup	ECR™	vs. ECR
1	Aaron Rodgers (GB)	at CHI	1	0
2	Matt Ryan (ATL)	vs. SF	2	0
3	Kirk Cousins (WAS)	vs. CAR	3	0
4	Russell Wilson (SEA)	vs. LA	5	+1
5	Derek Carr (OAK)	at SD	6	+1
6	Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)	at CIN	12	+6
7	Tom Brady (NE)	at DEN	7	0
8	Drew Brees (NO)	at ARI	4	-4
9	Andrew Luck (IND)	at MIN	8	-1
10	Joe Flacco (BAL)	vs. PHI	19	+9
11	Cam Newton (CAR)	at WAS	9	-2
12	Tyrod Taylor (BUF)	vs. CLE	10	-2
13	Philip Rivers (SD)	vs. OAK	11	-2
14	Marcus Mariota (TEN)	at KC	13	-1
15	Jameis Winston (TB)	at DAL	14	-1
16	Dak Prescott (DAL)	vs. TB	15	-1
17	Carson Palmer (ARI)	vs. NO	16	-1
18	Colin Kaepernick (SF)	at ATL	17	-1
19	Eli Manning (NYG)	vs. DET	18	-1
20	Matthew Stafford (DET)	at NYG	20	0
21	Andy Dalton (CIN)	vs. PIT	21	0
22	Alex Smith (KC)	vs. TEN	22	0
23	Sam Bradford (MIN)	vs. IND	27	+4
24	Trevor Siemian (DEN)	vs. NE	23	-1
25	Matt Barkley (CHI)	vs. GB	24	-1
26	Blake Bortles (JAC)	at HOU	25	-1
27	Bryce Petty (NYJ)	vs. MIA	29	+2
28	Matt Moore (MIA)	at NYJ	28	0
29	Carson Wentz (PHI)	at BAL	30	+1
30	Brock Osweiler (HOU)	vs. JAC	31	+1
31	Jared Goff (LA)	at SEA	26	-5
32	Robert Griffin III (CLE)	at BUF	32	0

Running Backs

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Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Thomas Rawls and the Seahawks should bounce back on Thursday night when the Rams visit Seattle.

Better Than Usual

Tevin Coleman, ATL (vs. SF)

With Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu both out for the Atlanta Falcons last week, Coleman looked primed for a more important role than he’d played in two previous games since returning from injury. He wound up with two receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown on three targets and eight carries for 36 yards and an additional touchdown on the ground.

Concerns about Jones and Sanu remain for Week 15, so Coleman could be busy again, although he should be featured anyway because of the great matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Only the Buffalo Bills allowed more fantasy points to running backs over the last four weeks, so it should be a productive afternoon for both Coleman and Devonta Freeman.

Week 15 projection: 10 carries, 48 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown; 3 receptions, 30 receiving yards

Concerns

Mark Ingram, NO (at ARI)

In the last two games, Ingram has just 14 carries for 51 yards playing through both toe and knee injuries. And because of those injuries, he’s played less than 40 percent of the snaps in losses to the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so you have to worry about his getting enough chances this week in what’s already a tough matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals held opposing running backs from the Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings to just 292 rushing yards in the last four weeks. With his limited role, Ingram doesn’t have a big margin for error and can’t be considered anything more than an RB3/flex for this week.

Week 15 projection: 10 carries, 38 rushing yards; 3 receptions, 20 receiving yards

Avoid

Ryan Mathews, PHI (at BAL)

The Philadelphia Eagles placed Wendell Smallwood (knee) on injured reserve this week and could be without Darren Sproles (concussion) for Sunday’s matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. That could put Mathews in line for a busy day without much competition for touches, but it doesn’t mean he’ll produce considering the challenge of facing a strong Ravens run defense.

In his Week 14 return, following a two-week absence due to a knee injury, Mathews carried 15 times for 60 yards and didn’t catch his only target. The Ravens possess a top-12 defense against fantasy running backs over the last four weeks, holding their opponents to just 304 rushing yards by backs during that time.

Very little is going right for the Eagles, and production has taken a hit as a result. Don’t get fooled by Mathews’ potential volume in a tough matchup.

Week 15 projection: 14 carries, 55 yards

Sleepers

Bilal Powell, NYJ (vs. MIA)

Powell outplayed my expectations for him as a sleeper last week thanks to Matt Forte’s knee injury that forced him from the game after only three carries. With a great matchup against a poor San Francisco 49ers defense, Powell rushed for 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 29 carries and caught all five of his targets for 34 yards.

After the Week 14 win over the 49ers, Forte told Rich Cimini of ESPN.com that his knee was hyperextended and that he felt “cracking and popping.” Brian Costello of the New York Post reported that head coach Todd Bowles said Forte is “day to day” but wouldn’t reveal Forte’s actual injury.

Forte’s injury, combined with a Saturday game against the Miami Dolphins and the team’s elimination from the playoffs, could mean another busy week for Powell against a bottom-10 defense versus fantasy running backs in the last four weeks.

Week 15 projection: 18 carries, 93 rushing yards; 4 receptions, 20 receiving yards

#	Player (team)	Matchup	ECR™	vs. ECR
1	David Johnson (ARI)	vs. NO	1	0
2	Le'Veon Bell (PIT)	at CIN	2	0
3	LeSean McCoy (BUF)	vs. CLE	3	0
4	Ezekiel Elliott (DAL)	vs. TB	5	+1
5	DeMarco Murray (TEN)	at KC	6	+1
6	Devonta Freeman (ATL)	vs. SF	4	-2
7	Carlos Hyde (SF)	at ATL	8	+1
8	Thomas Rawls (SEA)	vs. LA	10	+2
9	Jordan Howard (CHI)	vs. GB	9	0
10	Latavius Murray (OAK)	at SD	7	-3
11	LeGarrette Blount (NE)	at DEN	15	+4
12	Lamar Miller (HOU)	vs. JAC	12	0
13	Jay Ajayi (MIA)	at NYJ	11	-2
14	Robert Kelley (WAS)	vs. CAR	17	+3
15	Tevin Coleman (ATL)	vs. SF	16	+1
16	Bilal Powell (NYJ)	vs. MIA	13	-3
17	Frank Gore (IND)	at MIN	22	+5
18	Spencer Ware (KC)	vs. TEN	14	-4
19	Kenneth Dixon (BAL)	vs. PHI	25	+6
20	Jeremy Hill (CIN)	vs. PIT	18	-2
21	Doug Martin (TB)	at DAL	21	0
22	Jonathan Stewart (CAR)	at WAS	19	-3
23	Kenneth Farrow (SD)	vs. OAK	24	+1
24	Todd Gurley (LA)	at SEA	28	+4
25	Rashad Jennings (NYG)	vs. DET	31	+6
26	Mark Ingram (NO)	at ARI	26	0
27	Terrance West (BAL)	vs. PHI	36	+9
28	James White (NE)	at DEN	39	+11
29	Dion Lewis (NE)	at DEN	27	-2
30	Isaiah Crowell (CLE)	at BUF	29	-1
31	Mike Gillislee (BUF)	vs. CLE	38	+7
32	Jerick McKinnon (MIN)	vs. IND	23	-9
33	Theo Riddick (DET)	at NYG	20	-13
34	T.J. Yeldon (JAC)	at HOU	32	-2
35	Matt Asiata (MIN)	vs. IND	30	-5
36	Ryan Mathews (PHI)	at BAL	33	-3
37	Tim Hightower (NO)	at ARI	41	+4
38	Dwayne Washington (DET)	at NYG	46	+8
39	Charles Sims (TB)	at DAL	40	+1
40	Derrick Henry (TEN)	at KC	48	+8
41	Paul Perkins (NYG)	vs. DET	50	+9
42	Rex Burkhead (CIN)	vs. PIT	35	-7
43	Justin Forsett (DEN)	vs. NE	42	-1
44	Devontae Booker (DEN)	vs. NE	44	0
45	Duke Johnson (CLE)	at BUF	37	-8
46	Jalen Richard (OAK)	at SD	51	+5
47	Christine Michael (GB)	at CHI	52	+5
48	Chris Thompson (WAS)	vs. CAR	43	-5
49	Damien Williams (MIA)	at NYJ	47	-2
50	Ronnie Hillman (SD)	vs. OAK	53	+3
51	Shane Vereen (NYG)	vs. DET	65	+14
52	Jacquizz Rodgers (TB)	at DAL	54	+2
53	Zach Zenner (DET)	at NYG	70	+17
54	Shaun Draughn (SF)	at ATL	56	+2
55	Travaris Cadet (NO)	at ARI	57	+2
56	Alfred Blue (HOU)	vs. JAC	64	+8
57	Charcandrick West (KC)	vs. TEN	60	+3
58	Robert Turbin (IND)	at MIN	62	+4
59	Alfred Morris (DAL)	vs. TB	73	+14
60	Jonathan Grimes (HOU)	vs. JAC	66	+6
61	Alex Collins (SEA)	vs. LA	63	+2
62	Jeremy Langford (CHI)	vs. GB	68	+6
63	Andre Ellington (ARI)	vs. NO	61	-2
64	Kenjon Barner (PHI)	at BAL	71	+7
65	Kyle Juszczyk (BAL)	vs. PHI	59	-6
66	Fozzy Whittaker (CAR)	at WAS	67	+1
67	Jamize Olawale (OAK)	at SD	72	+5
68	James Starks (GB)	at CHI	58	-10
69	Ka'Deem Carey (CHI)	vs. GB	77	+8
70	Aaron Ripkowski (GB)	at CHI	69	-1
71	John Kuhn (NO)	at ARI	85	+14
72	Chris Ivory (JAC)	at HOU	55	-17
73	Darren Sproles (PHI)	at BAL	34	-39
74	Matt Forte (NYJ)	vs. MIA	45	-29

TOP NEWS

Bleacher Report6h

Bleacher Report18h

Wide Receivers

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Dylan Buell/Getty Images

The Bears will have their hands full with Jordy Nelson.

Better Than Usual

Sammy Watkins, BUF (vs. CLE)

Watkins’ return to fantasy relevance got a big boost in Week 14 when he played a season-high 94 percent of the snaps and totaled four receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown on six targets in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The production was solid, but such a high snap share in bad weather may have been the most encouraging takeaway from his third week back after missing eight games with a foot injury.

You can now go into Week 15 believing Watkins has a chance at a big game with a great matchup against the floundering Cleveland Browns. By the numbers, the Browns have been an average defense against fantasy wide receivers in the last four weeks, so that only means it’s not a matchup Watkins has to worry about this week.

Week 15 projection: 6 receptions, 80 yards, 1 touchdown

Concerns

Malcolm Mitchell, NE (at DEN)

If you picked up Mitchell over the last month, he’s likely a big reason you’re still alive in your fantasy playoffs. With 21 receptions for 263 yards and four touchdowns on 27 targets, he’s been a reliable target for Tom Brady and a huge boost to fantasy lineups. However, the fantasy gods may giveth or taketh away. In the case of Mitchell, it could be both in the span of five weeks.

The hot streak that got Mitchell this far has a strong chance of ending Sunday in Denver against the Broncos. No team has been better against fantasy wide receivers than the Denver Broncos over the last four weeks. This would be a tough matchup for any wide receiver, but especially a rookie who’s been touchdown-reliant for the last month.

Week 15 projection: 4 receptions, 55 yards

Avoid

Allen Robinson, JAC (at HOU)

If you haven’t learned your lesson with Robinson by now, let me remind you of his statistics in the last four games. He has just nine receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown on 24 targets. Over that same span both Marqise Lee (16) and T.J. Yeldon (13) have more receptions.

Trusting Blake Bortles to get Robinson back involved with your season on the line is way too risky to even consider. At this point, you don’t need to keep Robinson on your roster.

Week 15 Projection: 3 receptions, 40 yards

Sleepers

Adam Thielen, MIN (vs. IND)

Would you believe it if I told you Thielen, not Stefon Diggs, was the best wide receiver in Minnesota over the last month? With 24 receptions for 305 yards and one touchdown on 30 targets, Thielen has outproduced Diggs’ 17 receptions for 151 yards on 20 targets.

In three previous games, Diggs had 42 targets to Thielen’s 15, but that shift has been a dramatic one that’s turned Thielen into a reliable WR3 thanks to at least 11 fantasy points in PPR formats in each of the last three games. Diggs continues to draw the tougher matchups and should see more of Vontae Davis than Thielen when the Indianapolis Colts visit on Sunday.

Week 15 projection: 6 receptions, 76 yards

#	Player (team)	Matchup	ECR™	vs. ECR
1	Antonio Brown (PIT)	at CIN	1	0
2	Odell Beckham Jr. (NYG)	vs. DET	2	0
3	Jordy Nelson (GB)	at CHI	4	+1
4	Mike Evans (TB)	at DAL	3	-1
5	Dez Bryant (DAL)	vs. TB	5	0
6	Davante Adams (GB)	at CHI	8	+2
7	T.Y. Hilton (IND)	at MIN	7	0
8	Doug Baldwin (SEA)	vs. LA	9	+1
9	Larry Fitzgerald (ARI)	vs. NO	13	+4
10	Amari Cooper (OAK)	at SD	6	-4
11	Demaryius Thomas (DEN)	vs. NE	10	-1
12	Tyrell Williams (SD)	vs. OAK	18	+6
13	Emmanuel Sanders (DEN)	vs. NE	12	-1
14	Michael Crabtree (OAK)	at SD	11	-3
15	Sammy Watkins (BUF)	vs. CLE	14	-1
16	Tyreek Hill (KC)	vs. TEN	16	0
17	Stefon Diggs (MIN)	vs. IND	23	+6
18	Jamison Crowder (WAS)	vs. CAR	15	-3
19	Brandin Cooks (NO)	at ARI	20	+1
20	Golden Tate (DET)	at NYG	19	-1
21	Steve Smith (BAL)	vs. PHI	27	+6
22	Julian Edelman (NE)	at DEN	21	-1
23	Dontrelle Inman (SD)	vs. OAK	26	+3
24	Jarvis Landry (MIA)	at NYJ	22	-2
25	Pierre Garcon (WAS)	vs. CAR	47	+22
26	DeSean Jackson (WAS)	vs. CAR	24	-2
27	Taylor Gabriel (ATL)	vs. SF	33	+6
28	A.J. Green (CIN)	vs. PIT	40	+12
29	Alshon Jeffery (CHI)	vs. GB	25	-4
30	Rishard Matthews (TEN)	at KC	30	0
31	Terrelle Pryor (CLE)	at BUF	32	+1
32	Jordan Matthews (PHI)	at BAL	28	-4
33	Adam Thielen (MIN)	vs. IND	37	+4
34	Ty Montgomery (GB)	at CHI	39	+5
35	Willie Snead (NO)	at ARI	34	-1
36	Malcolm Mitchell (NE)	at DEN	38	+2
37	Mike Wallace (BAL)	vs. PHI	41	+4
38	Brandon Marshall (NYJ)	vs. MIA	35	-3
39	DeAndre Hopkins (HOU)	vs. JAC	29	-10
40	Kelvin Benjamin (CAR)	at WAS	46	+6
41	DeVante Parker (MIA)	at NYJ	45	+4
42	Randall Cobb (GB)	at CHI	42	0
43	Allen Robinson (JAC)	at HOU	43	0
44	Robby Anderson (NYJ)	vs. MIA	44	0
45	Donte Moncrief (IND)	at MIN	48	+3
46	Kenny Britt (LA)	at SEA	49	+3
47	Marqise Lee (JAC)	at HOU	50	+3
48	Sterling Shepard (NYG)	vs. DET	51	+3
49	Ted Ginn Jr. (CAR)	at WAS	54	+5
50	Cameron Meredith (CHI)	vs. GB	36	-14
51	Tyler Boyd (CIN)	vs. PIT	52	+1
52	Marvin Jones (DET)	at NYG	53	+1
53	Tyler Lockett (SEA)	vs. LA	57	+4
54	Corey Coleman (CLE)	at BUF	55	+1
55	Brandon LaFell (CIN)	vs. PIT	58	+3
56	Anquan Boldin (DET)	at NYG	61	+5
57	Cole Beasley (DAL)	vs. TB	56	-1
58	Chris Hogan (NE)	at DEN	65	+7
59	Jeremy Maclin (KC)	vs. TEN	59	0
60	Kenny Stills (MIA)	at NYJ	60	0
61	J.J. Nelson (ARI)	vs. NO	62	+1
62	Quincy Enunwa (NYJ)	vs. MIA	73	+11
63	Breshad Perriman (BAL)	vs. PHI	68	+5
64	Tavon Austin (LA)	at SEA	66	+2
65	Tajae Sharpe (TEN)	at KC	63	-2
66	Robert Woods (BUF)	vs. CLE	71	+5
67	Eli Rogers (PIT)	at CIN	78	+11
68	Travis Benjamin (SD)	vs. OAK	80	+12
69	Marquise Goodwin (BUF)	vs. CLE	75	+6
70	John Brown (ARI)	vs. NO	72	+2
71	Seth Roberts (OAK)	at SD	89	+18
72	Jeremy Kerley (SF)	at ATL	64	-8
73	Josh Bellamy (CHI)	vs. GB	82	+9
74	Russell Shepard (TB)	at DAL	93	+19
75	Will Fuller V (HOU)	vs. JAC	70	-5
76	Phillip Dorsett (IND)	at MIN	74	-2
77	Mohamed Sanu (ATL)	vs. SF	76	-1
78	Brandon Coleman (NO)	at ARI	95	+17
79	Jermaine Kearse (SEA)	vs. LA	83	+4
80	Cordarrelle Patterson (MIN)	vs. IND	84	+4
81	Devin Funchess (CAR)	at WAS	69	-12
82	Brian Quick (LA)	at SEA	77	-5
83	Aldrick Robinson (ATL)	vs. SF	81	-2
84	Quinton Patton (SF)	at ATL	79	-5
85	Nelson Agholor (PHI)	at BAL	86	+1
86	Terrance Williams (DAL)	vs. TB	96	+10
87	Kamar Aiken (BAL)	vs. PHI	92	+5
88	Victor Cruz (NYG)	vs. DET	98	+10
89	Justin Hardy (ATL)	vs. SF	100	+11
90	Michael Thomas (NO)	at ARI	31	-59
91	Julio Jones (ATL)	vs. SF	17	-74
92	Torrey Smith (SF)	at ATL	99	+7
93	Marquess Wilson (CHI)	vs. GB	87	-6
94	Michael Floyd (ARI)	vs. NO	67	-27
95	Dorial Green-Beckham (PHI)	at BAL	85	-10

Tight Ends

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Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Tyler Eifert has been a touchdown machine for the Bengals.

Better Than Usual

Cameron Brate, TB (at DAL)

Struggling through the season at the tight end position has likely been a problem for everyone in your league at some point or another. Luckily, if you have someone like Brate in your starting lineup, he’s been a fairly reliable option as the second-best target in Tampa Bay after Mike Evans.

Brate gets a boost in his fantasy value this week with the Dallas Cowboys on the schedule. In the last four weeks, Dallas allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends thanks to 30 receptions for 278 yards and two touchdowns on 42 targets. Evans has slumped with just seven receptions for 80 yards on 14 targets in the last two weeks, so Brate needs to come through for both the Buccaneers and your fantasy team.

Week 15 projection: 6 receptions, 66 yards, 1 touchdown

Concerns

Delanie Walker, TEN (at KC)

Last week was considered a brutal matchup for the Tennessee Titans passing attack, and Marcus Mariota’s 88 passing yards were a prime example of that, yet the Titans managed to hold on for a victory over the Denver Broncos. Unfortunately, their offensive performance may have cost you a fantasy playoff matchup, especially if you had Walker and his one reception for eight yards in your lineup.

He’ll get another tough matchup in Week 15 when the Titans take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. They’ve allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in the last four weeks. Unless you feel very comfortable with an alternative option to Walker, you’ll probably have to suck it up and use him with the hope he can overcome a good Chiefs defense.

Week 15 projection: 5 receptions, 56 yards

Avoid

Coby Fleener, NO (at ARI)

Did you give up on Fleener yet? Hopefully last week’s putrid performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers allowed you to delete him from your playoff roster. Fleener picked Week 14 of the season and, more importantly, the fantasy playoffs to post his worst game of the year. He had one reception for six yards on three targets in a loss.

Fleener has four games with double-digit fantasy points in PPR formats all season and has yet to have them in back-to-back weeks. Don’t expect him to come through against the Arizona Cardinals. They’ve been the third-best defense in fantasy points allowed to tight ends in the last month.

Week 15 projection: 3 receptions, 31 yards

Sleepers

Ladarius Green, PIT (at CIN)

Green went off in Week 13 but was unable to follow that up in Week 14. Playing through the snow in Buffalo, Green had just two receptions for 25 yards on six targets, but that came in a game where Le’Veon Bell had 38 carries and Ben Roethlisberger threw three interceptions on 31 pass attempts.

The lack of volume in the passing game likely won’t happen again against a better Cincinnati Bengals team that could get A.J. Green back from a hamstring injury this week. While the Bengals didn’t face much of a test from the Cleveland Browns last week, they allowed 14 receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown to Zach Ertz and the Philadelphia Eagles tight ends in Week 13.

This could be a bounce-back game for Green, so don’t be afraid to give him another shot.

Week 15 projection: 4 receptions, 61 yards

#	Player (team)	Matchup	ECR™	vs. ECR
1	Travis Kelce (KC)	vs. TEN	1	0
2	Tyler Eifert (CIN)	vs. PIT	2	0
3	Jimmy Graham (SEA)	vs. LA	3	0
4	Greg Olsen (CAR)	at WAS	4	0
5	Cameron Brate (TB)	at DAL	7	+2
6	Kyle Rudolph (MIN)	vs. IND	8	+2
7	Jordan Reed (WAS)	vs. CAR	6	-1
8	Delanie Walker (TEN)	at KC	5	-3
9	Ladarius Green (PIT)	at CIN	10	+1
10	Zach Ertz (PHI)	at BAL	9	-1
11	Antonio Gates (SD)	vs. OAK	11	0
12	Martellus Bennett (NE)	at DEN	13	+1
13	C.J. Fiedorowicz (HOU)	vs. JAC	12	-1
14	Eric Ebron (DET)	at NYG	14	0
15	Jason Witten (DAL)	vs. TB	15	0
16	Hunter Henry (SD)	vs. OAK	17	+1
17	Charles Clay (BUF)	vs. CLE	16	-1
18	Jermaine Gresham (ARI)	vs. NO	20	+2
19	Coby Fleener (NO)	at ARI	19	0
20	Vernon Davis (WAS)	vs. CAR	21	+1
21	Dennis Pitta (BAL)	vs. PHI	24	+3
22	Gary Barnidge (CLE)	at BUF	28	+6
23	Jared Cook (GB)	at CHI	30	+7
24	Dwayne Allen (IND)	at MIN	25	+1
25	Jack Doyle (IND)	at MIN	22	-3
26	Lance Kendricks (LA)	at SEA	26	0
27	Will Tye (NYG)	vs. DET	27	0
28	Austin Hooper (ATL)	vs. SF	32	+4
29	Garrett Celek (SF)	at ATL	29	0
30	Clive Walford (OAK)	at SD	31	+1
31	Daniel Brown (CHI)	vs. GB	18	-13
32	Ryan Griffin (HOU)	vs. JAC	37	+5
33	A.J. Derby (DEN)	vs. NE	34	+1

Defenses

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Billie Weiss/Getty Images

Look for the Seahawks defense to tee off on Jared Goff and the Rams.

Best Options Based on Matchups

Seattle Seahawks (vs. LA)

Over the last four weeks, only the Cleveland Browns allowed more fantasy points to defenses than the Los Angeles Rams, not that you need a big push to use the Seahawks defense. In Week 14, the Rams took three sacks, threw two interceptions, lost three fumbles and gave up two touchdowns.

Of course, the Rams fired Jeff Fisher on Monday and have to travel to Seattle on a short week with a rookie quarterback in Jared Goff, who looks completely lost, so it's exactly what you want for the Seahawks defense.

Week 15 projection: 4 sacks, 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, 1 touchdown, 13 to 16 points allowed

Buffalo Bills (vs. CLE)

The quarterback change to Robert Griffin III hasn’t helped the Browns at all. They’ve allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses over the last four weeks thanks to 18 sacks, two interceptions, four fumble recoveries, two touchdowns and just 32 points scored. A trip to New Era Field will only make things more difficult for the Browns, so play the Bills defense with confidence.

Week 15 projection: 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, 14 to 17 points allowed

#	Player (team)	Matchup	ECR™	vs. ECR
1	Seattle Seahawks (SEA)	vs. LA	1	0
2	Buffalo Bills (BUF)	vs. CLE	2	0
3	Houston Texans (HOU)	vs. JAC	3	0
4	Minnesota Vikings (MIN)	vs. IND	5	+1
5	New York Giants (NYG)	vs. DET	12	+7
6	Kansas City Chiefs (KC)	vs. TEN	4	-2
7	Baltimore Ravens (BAL)	vs. PHI	6	-1
8	Denver Broncos (DEN)	vs. NE	7	-1
9	Oakland Raiders (OAK)	at SD	19	+10
10	Miami Dolphins (MIA)	at NYJ	8	-2
11	Atlanta Falcons (ATL)	vs. SF	9	-2
12	Arizona Cardinals (ARI)	vs. NO	10	-2
13	Green Bay Packers (GB)	at CHI	13	0
14	New England Patriots (NE)	at DEN	11	-3
15	Detroit Lions (DET)	at NYG	15	0
16	Jacksonville Jaguars (JAC)	at HOU	18	+2
17	Pittsburgh Steelers (PIT)	at CIN	14	-3
18	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB)	at DAL	26	+8
19	Cincinnati Bengals (CIN)	vs. PIT	16	-3
20	Carolina Panthers (CAR)	at WAS	20	0

Kickers

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Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Don't underestimate the advantage of kicking indoors for Matt Bryant this weekend.

Best Options Widely Available on the Waiver Wire

Kai Forbath, MIN

Forbath hasn’t missed on any of his 10 field-goal attempts since replacing Blair Walsh as Minnesota’s kicker. Last week, he made four field goals and an extra point in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Expect Forbath to have another busy game when the Vikings meet the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

#	Player (team)	Matchup	ECR™	vs. ECR
1	Justin Tucker (BAL)	vs. PHI	1	0
2	Matt Bryant (ATL)	vs. SF	2	0
3	Stephen Hauschka (SEA)	vs. LA	3	0
4	Dan Bailey (DAL)	vs. TB	4	0
5	Cairo Santos (KC)	vs. TEN	5	0
6	Kai Forbath (MIN)	vs. IND	22	+16
7	Stephen Gostkowski (NE)	at DEN	6	-1
8	Sebastian Janikowski (OAK)	at SD	7	-1
9	Dustin Hopkins (WAS)	vs. CAR	8	-1
10	Mason Crosby (GB)	at CHI	11	+1
11	Adam Vinatieri (IND)	at MIN	9	-2
12	Brandon McManus (DEN)	vs. NE	12	0
13	Josh Lambo (SD)	vs. OAK	13	0
14	Dan Carpenter (BUF)	vs. CLE	15	+1
15	Matt Prater (DET)	at NYG	10	-5
16	Wil Lutz (NO)	at ARI	14	-2
17	Chandler Catanzaro (ARI)	vs. NO	16	-1
18	Nick Novak (HOU)	vs. JAC	17	-1
19	Roberto Aguayo (TB)	at DAL	19	0
20	Graham Gano (CAR)	at WAS	18	-2