START ‘EM SIT ‘EM – WEEK 15

What’s good, Rush Nation? We’re back and it is playoff time! Congratulations to those who ensured a first round bye. For those in and amongst the week 15 chaos, I’m on hand to help you steam through to the semi-finals. Stacey, as always, gave you those waiver wire gems earlier in the week. It’s the 5 Yard Rush: Start ’em sit ’em. Let’s get after it! 

QUARTERBACK STARTS

Dak Prescott, Cowboys @ Jaguars
Dak has been up and down since returning from injury. Week 14 was no different against the stout Houston defense against Quarterbacks. His 98 yard game winning drive, finished off by Zeke, was fantastic. This week the Cowboys take on a Jaguars unit allowing the eighth most points to Quarterbacks. Lock Dak in and rejoice after.

Mac Jones, Patriots @ Raiders
It’s rare you can back Mac Jones in a 1QB league but now is as good a time as any. A topsy turvy season for the second year signal caller, as expected. Our playoff run starts with this potential waiver add leading us to victory in the peachiest match-up. The Patriots are without Rhamondre Stevenson so could lean into the passing game even more. The Raiders are allowing over 20 Fantasy PPG. Allowing the ninth most pass attempts, 4th most passing yards and 5th most passing Touchdowns. Mac Attack is the way forward for week 15.

QUARTERBACK SITS

Jared Goff, Lions @ Jets
Goff is coming in hot after the last two weeks and I can understand people making a case to start him. On the road against a Jets defense that are no slouch, allowing the eighth lowest PPG to the position. In a game that means so much for both sides NFL playoff hopes. Jared Goff’s lack of consistency scares me in this one and you’ll likely have safer options. We want to see week 16, after all.

Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars vs. Cowboys
Trev was the overall QB1 in week 14 in the Jaguars match against the Titans. You have to throw to beat Tennessee, it’s a clear weakness. He done just that, attempting 42 passes. Dallas are a lockdown defense. They allow the fourth least PPG to Quarterbacks. Similar to Goff, Lawrence can be inconsistent aswell and this looks like a down week for the former first overall pick. 

RUNNING BACK STARTS

J.K. Dobbins, Ravens @ Browns
With dual-threat stud signal caller, Lamar Jackson out, J.K. Dobbins returned to bolster the Ravens ground game in week 14. He went for 120 yards and a score in his return from the IR. Week 15 sees a softer match-up too. The Browns are allowing 25.1(3rd most) PPG to Running Backs and have allowed 14 rushing Touchdowns on the year(2nd most). Fire up Dobbins as an RB2 this week and he could easily repay us, with an RB1 finish. 

Raheem Mostert, Dolphins @ Bills
If Jeff Wilson doesn’t go this week, due to injury, Raheem the dream is firmly in play. Wilson went down early last week but the Dolphins struggled to get much of anything going on offense. The weather in Buffalo this weekend isn’t looking to great. 3-6 inches of snow is currently predicted for this game which is another positive for the run game on both teams. Volume alone sees Mostert as a worthy flex play, at a minimum this week. 

RUNNING BACK SITS

Zonovan Knight, Jets vs. Lions
All last week I was beating this Rookies drum. Zonovan “Bam” Knight has been outstanding the past two weeks. Detroit are putting up points for fun on offense but the last six weeks the run defense has also been outstanding. They kept Vikings Running Backs in check for just 22 yards on 17 carries last week and in the five weeks previous was allowing just 66 rushing yards per game. Knight is a stash for future playoff weeks but a definite sit against Detroit this week.

Travis Etienne, Jaguars vs. Cowboys
A young man who looked fantastic before the teams bye. Etienne has fell off a cliff since picking up an injury in week 12. He’s played a good amount of snaps against the previously mentioned Lions, in week 13 and last week against Tennessee. These Match-ups are not kind for Running Backs and it doesn’t get easier in the first week of the playoffs. Dallas allow the fourth least points to the position and judging by his last two outings, Etienne can remain on your bench for this one. 

WIDE RECEIVER STARTS

Garrett Wilson, Jets vs. Lions
The Rookie is on a hot streak of late, no matter who’s under center. The Lions are allowing the third most Fantasy points to Wide Receivers on the year. Wilson has averaged ten targets per game the last three weeks and had a boom week against Minnesota’s weak pass defense, with 162 yards in week 13. WR1 potential is definitely there this week. He’s already had four top 12 finishes in PPR this season including two of the last three weeks. 

Jerry Jeudy, Broncos vs. Cardinals
With Courtland Sutton missing week 14, Jeudy stepped up as the WR1 for Russell Wilson. He led the team with nine targets, catching eight of them. Russell Wilson is expected to play this weekend despite going down with a concussion last week. He only has 11 passing Touchdowns on the year but six of them have gone to Jerry Jeudy. Three last week. Arizona allow 26.9 PPG to wideouts and Jeudy could see most of them himself. 

WIDE RECEIVER SITS

DJ Chark, Lions @ Jets
Chark has boomed into action since returning from IR. Especially the last two weeks with just under 100 yards in both games. These young Jets Cornerbacks are no joke though. With Sauce Gardner, Michael Carter and DJ Reed all being in the top 21 at the position in PFF’s Cornerback grades. With Sauce leading the whole league. Chark’s big chunk play of 40+ yards the last couple weeks might be hard to come by in this match-up. 

Mike Evans, Buccaneers vs. Bengals
In his last five outings, Mike Evans has only returned us double figure Fantasy points once in PPR leagues. The snaps have been there and so have the targets for the most part but he’s only made four catches per game over those five weeks. He also hasn’t had over 60 receiving yards in this same time frame. The Bengals allow the fourth fewest PPG to the position. So, feel comfortable sitting Mike Evans if you have a better option this week. 

TIGHT END STARTS

Greg Dulcich, Broncos vs. Cardinals
I know, another Broncos pass catcher. This match-up is just too peachy though. Dulcich commanded eight targets last week but could only reel in three of those for 42 yards against Kansas City. The Cards allow the most points to Tight Ends and have been right up there with the Seahawks all season. The volume is there and that’s good enough for a top 12 finish. Especially, against Arizona. 

David Njoku, Browns vs. Ravens
Njoku enters week 15 without an injury designation for the first time since week eight. He missed week 13 but in the two games either side he had a TE1 finish. His first game with Deshaun Watson last week was also positive. Looking Njoku’s way 9 times and throwing his first Touchdown pass since his return, to the Tight End. Ravens are middle of the road against Tight Ends. And, with Amari Cooper banged up, Njoku will give us a TE1 finish this week.

TIGHT END SITS

Chigoziem Okonkwo and Austin Hooper, Titans @ Chargers.
With the Tight End position being so volatile and at any given time someone popping up in the end zone could be enough to make them startable. Both of these guys have solid volume the last three weeks. Combining for 30 targets, 24 catches, 268 receiving yards and 1 score. If you’re needing a difference maker at the position, steer clear of both of these guy’s. We just don’t know who, if either, is going to blow at any given time. As it seems Ryan Tannehill favours having both around. 

That’s a rap for week 15 gang. If you need any start ’em sit ’em advice for your teams, don’t hesitate to hit me up on Twitter(@LVenes1). Good luck this week and I hope you make your leagues semi-final match, come week 16. See you then!