Start ’em, Sit ’em Fantasy Football Week 15 – All Positions

It’s Week 15 but more importantly it’s fantasy football playoff time!

Congrats if you made the playoffs in your respective league (s), but now, every start/sit really matters. No more mulligans. Plus, to spice things up we’re done with bye weeks for the rest of the season. Meaning you’ll have your entire roster at your disposal, which of course, could be a good or bad thing. Personally, it means more tough decisions for my lineups.

Everything I write about here will be through the prism of winning your playoff matchup, and that could mean some players are a safe play while others are a complete gamble. Check out this week’s list below…

***Disclaimer*** I give this statement every week but it’s important to remember there are players you’re basically starting or sitting each week. I tend to try and pick some of the more 50/50 players and write about them. You’ll see that trend as you go.

Quarterbacks

Start ’em – Brock Purdy

Brock Purdy – I’m guessing Purdy’s performance two weeks ago in the snow in Buffalo scared some people off. If so, they missed out as Purdy threw for 325 yards and 2 TD (22.1 points) in bouncing back last week. And this week things get sweeter with a matchup hosting the Rams, who just got gashed for 42 points and 445 yards. My only worry is that the Niners play on Thursday night football, but still, Purdy should be a top 7-8 QB this week.

Sit ’em – Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson – Admittingly, I’ve been on the Russ train a few times this year, but he’s a scary play this week if you’ve been streaming QBs. There are several factors…for one, monitor George Pickens’ injury because without him last week Russ threw for just 158 yards. And secondly, the matchup with the Eagles is sketchy at best. In the second half of the season Philly is top 5 against the pass. I expect an ultra-physical game on Sunday.

Running Backs

Start’ em – Rico Dowdle

Rico Dowdle – You simply can’t ignore the number of touches Dowdle has been seeing over the last 3 weeks…66 to be exact. I expect that to continue this week against the lowly Panthers. Dowdle is perfect for your Flex. I think his floor is 13-14 points and with a TD could easily go over 20.

Sit ’em – Zach Charbonnet

Zach Charbonnet – Last week was waiver wire heaven as Charbonnet and the Niners’ Isaac Guerendo bust on the scene and provided big days. And for Charbonnett (38 points) if Kenneth Walker is out again this week, he’s a must start. Combine this with a favorable matchup with Green Bay as the Packers are bottom five in the league against the run in the second half of the season.

Wide Receiver 

Start ’em – Khalil Shakir

Khalil Shakir – If you throw out the snow game two weeks ago Shakir has scored double digits every game since week 7! And last week was his crowning achievement catching 5 balls for 106 yards and a TD. So why not load it up again this week against Detroit in a game that sets up to be a shootout?!

Sit ’em – Michael Pittman Jr.

Michael Pittman Jr. – I’m guessing if you made the playoffs that you rarely used MPJ. Unfortunately, I’d continue that trend and sit him this week as the Colts play in Denver. Sure, Pittman has hit double digits just once since week 7 and hasn’t been in the endzone since week 6, but this game is all about matchups. I expect MPJ to be shadowed most of the afternoon by all pro CB Patrick Surtain.

Tight End

Start ’em – Tucker Kraft

Tucker Kraft – Trying to predict Kraft’s weekly output had been quite the chore but the last three weeks he’s settled into a nice little groove…averaging 12.5 over that timeframe. Plus, the matchup with Seattle shouldn’t be too bad. The Seahawks are in the bottom half of the league against TEs. Let’s cross our fingers and hope Kraft can find the endzone and give us more than 15 points.

Sit ’em – Dalton Schultz

Dalton Schultz – Schultz has been a fantasy bust this season and is rostered in only 40% of ESPN leagues. But last week he restored some optimism by posting his best game yet…5 catches, 61 yards and a TD. But still, I’m not buying in. If you’ve been streaming TE this season, I don’t see how you could start him with everything on the line.

Defense

Start ’em – Baltimore Ravens

Ravens – It’s true that the Ravens defense has been off the fantasy radar for most of the season. In fact, they’ve scored double digits just once and that was back in week 4 against Buffalo. But this week is all about their matchup against the Giants. The G-Men have given up 42 sacks, turned the ball over 18 times, and have been the worst offense in the league the last two months. I’d be stunned if Baltimore doesn’t create at least two turnovers and sack Tommy DeVito 4-5 times.

Sit ’em – Buffalo Bills

Bills – For the first ten weeks of the season the Bills were one of the better defensive fantasy options, but not anymore. After being shredded for 44 points last week it’s hard for me to believe they’ll wake up against the Lions, especially in a game that’s set up to be a shootout.