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

It's that time, fantasy fans. With Week 15 officially upon us, most year-long fantasy leagues have also turned the page to the postseason.

Bye weeks are a thing of the past, but managers must still concern themselves with tough matchups, injuries, and the possibility of teams holding out players. While no NFL teams have officially clinched anything, several have been eliminated from postseason contention.

Here, you'll find a look at some of the best and worst matchups of Week 15, along with a few sleepers who might be available on the waiver wire. All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Start: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson started the season slowly but has still averaged 11.4 fantasy points per game this season. He's topped 11 points in each of his last five games and should have another strong outing in Week 15.

The Patriots are coming out of their bye and are set to host the rival Buffalo Bills. While Henderson saw just eight touches the last time the Patriots and the Bills faced off, his role has increased significantly since then.

Henderson has logged double-digit touches in six straight contests and should be used to exploit a suspect Bills defense. Buffalo has surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

This past week, the Bills held Cincinnati Bengals back Chase Brown to just 35 scrimmage yards, but he caught three passes and found the end zone twice.

Sit: Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

It'll be hard to sit New York Jets running back Breece Hall in a playoff matchup, but managers with other options have to at least consider it.

While Hall has averaged 13.3 fantasy points per game this season, he's been anything but matchup-proof. He's failed to reach nine fantasy points in two of his last three games and had a miserable outing against a suspect Miami Dolphins defense on Sunday.

With Tyrod Taylor (groin) out early, the Dolphins focused on limiting New York's ground game. Hall finished without a catch and tallied just 4.3 fantasy points.

With Justin Fields (knee) also ailing, there's a non-zero chance that the Jets will rely on undrafted rookie Brady Cook again this week. That doesn't bode well for Hall, who will face a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that has surrendered the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs.

Start: Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

Look, not many managers are going to sit Puka Nacua in a playoff matchup. Anyone who might be considering other receivers, though, should stop it.

Yes, Nacua has fallen short of 15 fantasy points in two of his last three games. He's also averaged 21.6 fantasy points per game and just racked up 35.7 points against the Arizona Cardinals. While Nacua might not replicate that total, he has a great shot at falling above his average this week.

The Rams are set to face the Detroit Lions, who have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Detroit allowed CeeDee Lamb to go off for 18.1 fantasy points last Thursday, and Lamb exited with a concussion in the third quarter.

The Lions will undoubtedly try to limit Nacua in this one. It's hard to envision them actually doing it.

Sit: Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Samantha Chow

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson has been one of the hottest waiver additions in fantasy during the postseason push. With Jacoby Brissett behind center and Marvin Harrison Jr. sidelined, Wilson has become a difference-making go-to target.

Despite being a bit player early in the season, Wilson has averaged 11.6 fantasy points in 2025. He's topped 21 fantasy points in three of his last four games and had 37.2 points in Week 14.

However, there's no guarantee that Harrison (hell) will miss this week, and Wilson largely disappeared when Harrison was active in Week 13. He provided just 6.6 fantasy points that week, and he has a concerning matchup this week.

The Cardinals are slated to visit the Houston Texans, who have surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.

Week 15 Sleepers

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Dolphins RB Jaylen Wright

Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami Dolphins

Dolphins star De'Von Achane suffered a rib injury in the first half against New York on Sunday, giving Jaylen Wright an opportunity to shine. He racked up 16.7 fantasy points in relief of Achane and could earn another significant workload in Week 15.

The Dolphins obviously plan to play Achane if he's at 100 percent, but Wright showed that he can help handle the load. He's available in over 95 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Jayden Higgins, WR, Houston Texans

Texans receiver Jayden Higgins didn't have a stellar outing in Week 14. He yielded just 6.4 fantasy points against a good Kansas City Chiefs defense, but he should have a chance to bounce back against the Cardinals.

Arizona just coughed up 281 passing yards to the Rams, and Higgins has topped 11 fantasy points in three of his last five games. He's also still available in over half of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Cleveland Browns

Harold Fannin Jr. has been a regular contributor in the Cleveland Browns offense all season and has averaged 11.1 fantasy points per game. However, fellow tight end David Njoku exited Week 14 with a knee injury, and Fannin finished with a season-high 25.4 points.

This week, Fanning will face a Chicago Bears defense that has surrendered the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. While he's rostered in 55 percent of ESPN leagues, Fannin is only rostered in 39 percent of Yahoo leagues.

*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.