Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 15: Smartest Matchups to Exploit, Sleeper Plays and More

If you're a fantasy football manager who is still heavily weighing lineup decisions, then there's a good chance you've made the playoffs in your league. And congratulations if that's the case, because it's no easy feat.

After 14 weeks of NFL action, the fantasy playoffs are set to begin in the majority of leagues in Week 15. Some managers will get to enjoy first-round byes, while others will put their season on the line in first-round postseason matchups.

With the stakes raised, it's crucial to construct the best possible lineups moving forward. Here's some early start/sit advice to help with a few difficult decisions for Week 15.

Start 'Em: Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 10: Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after rushing for a touchdown during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

At this point, fantasy managers need to continue riding the hot hand with Rachaad White. The Buccaneers running back wasn't much of a factor early in the season, but the 24-year-old has been much more impressive in recent weeks.

White has rushed for at least 84 yards in each of Tampa Bay's past three games, and that included reaching the century mark twice. He has also scored two touchdowns in that span. In Week 14, the Arizona State product finished with 135 total yards and a receiving score in the Bucs' win over the Atlanta Falcons.

In Week 15, Tampa Bay is set to take on the Green Bay Packers, who are giving up 141.8 rushing yards per game (second most in the NFL). It's a great matchup for White, who should continue to put up big numbers with another strong showing.

Sit 'Em: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 10: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball during the first half in the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

After missing two games due to an oblique injury, Kenneth Walker III returned to action in Week 14, rejoining the Seattle Seahawks' backfield. However, he finished with only eight carries for 21 yards and four catches for 33 yards in a difficult matchup vs. the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers.

Things may not get much easier for Walker in Week 15, when Seattle takes on the Philadelphia Eagles, who rank sixth in the league in run defense (94 rushing yards allowed per game). The Seahawks may have trouble moving the ball on the ground at all.

Not only did Walker struggle in his return, but he received fewer carries than Zach Charbonnet, who had 44 yards on nine attempts. It's possible Seattle could continue to split carries moving forward, which is another reason why fantasy managers should try to avoid starting Walker in Week 15, if possible.

Start 'Em: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Baltimore Ravens

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 10: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Baltimore Ravens completes a pass during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Odell Beckham Jr. has started to look like a past version of himself in recent weeks. The 31-year-old has scored his first three touchdowns of the season over the Baltimore Ravens' past five games, and he reached 100 yards for the first time when he racked up 116 in Week 11 vs. the Cincinnati Bengals.

In Week 14, Beckham kept his recent momentum going by recording four catches for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams. The LSU product also received a season-high 10 targets from Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has been throwing to Beckham much more often of late.

The Ravens have another solid matchup for their aerial attack in Week 15, when they'll face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are allowing 265.2 passing yards per game (second most in the NFL). It should lead to another good game from Beckham, who could still be available on the waiver wire in quite a few fantasy leagues.

Sit 'Em: Gabe Davis, WR, Buffalo Bills

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 26: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis (13) kneels during the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles on November 26, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field.(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

There's been little middle ground with Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis this season. The 24-year-old typically either puts up big numbers or isn't a factor in the team's offense at all. The latter was the case in Week 14.

Davis had no catches and two targets in the Bills' victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. That quiet performance came only two weeks after the Central Florida product had six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown on a season-high-tying 12 targets vs. the Eagles.

Buffalo plays the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15 in what could be a high-scoring shootout. However, Davis is too risky to rely on during the fantasy playoffs, so managers should find safer options for the WR slots in their lineup.