Week 15 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em, Play or Bench Advice on Top Fantasy Football NFL Stars

Week 15 will begin with Thursday's NFC South showdown between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tampa is barely clinging to a divisional lead and desperately needs a victory over Atlanta to keep its playoff hopes alive. Many fantasy managers will face similarly critical matchups this week, as the fantasy playoffs have begun in most leagues.

Naturally, every lineup decision will be important from here on out.

Here, you'll find a look at some of the best and worst matchups of Week 15, along with start/sit advice for point-per-reception (PPR) play.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Lamar Jackson

Start: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson appears to be at less than 100 percent. He also had a disappointing fantasy showing against the Cincinnati Bengals two weeks ago, finishing with just 7.5 points.

However, Jackson rebounded a bit last week, tallying 22.1 fantasy points in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He should continue putting up numbers in a must-win rematch against Cincinnati.

While the Bengals flustered Jackson in this year's first meeting, they've surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing QBs over the course of the season.

Sit: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

Though he has averaged a solid 18.8 fantasy points this season, Caleb Williams has struggled with consistency. Over the past six weeks, for example, he has topped 21 fantasy points three times and fallen short of 11 points twice.

The Chicago Bears' second-year star is a risky option this week against the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns' defense is dealing with multiple injuries along its front and is much more vulnerable to the run than the pass right now. Expect Chicago to lean away from Williams against a unit that has surrendered the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing QBs anyway.

Running Back

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Woody Marks

Start: Woody Marks, Houston Texans

Houston Texans rookie Woody Marks suffered an ankle injury in Week 14 and missed practice on Wednesday, so he does carry some injury concern. However, he quickly returned to Sunday night's game—a game he played after missing last Wednesday's practice with a foot ailment.

As long as Marks is a go this week, he should carry a high floor into a matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. He tallied 15.6 fantasy points against a stout Kansas City Chiefs defense last week, and Arizona's defense is a couple of tiers below it.

The Cardinals have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

Sit: David Montgomery, Detroit Lions

David Montgomery has fallen firmly behind Jahmyr Gibbs in the Detroit Lions' game plan this season, and he's rarely used in the passing game. While he's seen a little over 10 touches per game, he hasn't recorded more than three catches since Week 1.

Montgomery has become a touchdown-dependent fantasy option, which isn't what managers can trust in this week's playoff-caliber battle with the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams have surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. They've also given up a league-low four rushing touchdowns through 13 games.

Wide Receiver

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Jaylen Waddle

Start: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins continue to push their way back into the wild-card picture, even though it may be too late to actually sneak in. After winning four straight, Miami has a chance to get to .500 against the Steelers.

Jaylen Waddle has been a big part of Miami's offense during its recent surge and has topped 14 fantasy points in four of his last six games. He has a good chance to hit that mark again in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers have surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season. Last week, they allowed Baltimore's top option, Zay Flowers, to top 20 fantasy points.

Sit: Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts

Managers can pretty much avoid all Indianapolis Colts receivers this week, including Michael Pittman Jr., who has been inconsistent in 2025 anyway.

The Colts recently placed Daniel Jones on injured reserve with a torn Achilles, and now Riley Leonard is dealing with a knee ailment. There's a non-zero chance that Indy may turn to Brett Rypien or even the 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who signed to the practice squad this week.

Rivers last played in 2020.

None of the Colts' quarterback options are enticing, and a matchup with a top-tier Seattle Seahawks defense makes should have receivers like Pittman on the bench.

Tight End

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Isaiah Likely

Start: Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens

Managers should actually feel comfortable starting either one of Baltimore's top tight ends: Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. However, Likely has been the hotter hand, delivering 12.5 fantasy points in back-to-back weeks.

Andrews had just 10.6 fantasy points combined over the past two weeks.

The Bengals, though, have the most TE-friendly defense in the league. Cincinnati has surrendered more fantasy points to the position than any other team and has given up an average of seven points more than anyone else.

Andrews should be a solid play, and Likely should feast.

Sit: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

Managers should be wary of Hunter Henry this week, even if he's been a strong starter recently. The New England Patriots were on bye last week, but Henry topped 11 fantasy points in each of his past two games.

Before that, though, the 31-year-old went seven straight games with fewer than 10 fantasy points. This week, he has a brutal matchup against the rival Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo has surrendered fewer fantasy points to opposing tight ends than any other team this season.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.