Need help with filling out your fantasy football lineups for Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season? In many league formats, this signals the start of the fantasy playoffs, making every decision crucial. Vinnie Iyer is here to guide you through this pivotal week with another edition of the Decider, a unique blend of positional rankings and start ‘em, sit ‘em advice. Let’s dive into the best and worst plays based on matchups, usage, and other factors, plus some great price values to target in DFS.
Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Regular starts
- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (at DET)
- Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. PIT)
- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (at NYG)
- Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (at NO)
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (at TEN)
- Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (vs. BUF)
- Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (at HOU)
- Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (vs. CHI)
Stronger starts
9. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TB): Herbert should be healthy enough to deliver in a very favorable matchup, with plenty of potential volume against the Bucs’ passing game.
10. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (at LAR): After a strong performance against the Bears, Purdy stays at home to face the Rams, where he can shine.
11. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (vs. IND): Nix is primed to exploit the Colts’ defense at home, as they tend to struggle against downfield passing.
12. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (at CLE): Expect Mahomes to connect on multiple touchdowns this week, including at least one deep shot.
13. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (at LV): Despite recent struggles, Cousins faces a Raiders’ pass defense that is very generous.
14. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at LAC): Mayfield’s stock has dipped due to the Chargers’ tricky pass rush and coverage, which could lead to turnover issues.
Start ‘Em: Running Backs
Regular starts
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (vs. BUF)
- Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (at NYG)
- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. PIT)
- Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (at SEA)
- Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (at TEN)
- Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (at LV)
- De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (at HOU)
- Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (at CAR)
- David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (vs. BUF)
- Joe Mixon, Houston Texans (vs. MIA)
- Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (vs. CIN)
- Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (vs. DAL)
- Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (at SF)
- Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (vs. WAS)
- Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks (vs. GB)
- Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (at DEN)
- James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (vs. NE)
- Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (vs. TEN)
- Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (if he plays, at LAC)
- Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (vs. BAL)
- James Cook, Buffalo Bills (at DET)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (at ARI)
DFS Picks
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (at CAR, $6,100 on DraftKings, $7,100 on FanDuel): Dowdle has emerged as a reliable option, showcasing explosive running that has led to significant production. With the Panthers’ league-worst run defense, he’s a must-start.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (vs. IND, $5,200 on DraftKings, $5,900 on FanDuel): Williams is a wild card in a favorable rushing matchup. This could be the week he channels his best performances.
Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
16. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (at SF): The 49ers have been vulnerable against the pass, but Stafford’s limited yardage could hinder his fantasy output.
17. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at SEA): Love relies heavily on the running game, and the Seahawks’ defense is improving.
18. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (at PHI): With George Pickens potentially sidelined, Wilson’s production may falter against a tough defense.
19. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (vs. NE): Despite a promising matchup, Murray’s recent inconsistency raises concerns.
20. Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (vs. CIN): Levis has struggled under pressure, making him a risky play against Burrow.
21. Anthony Richardson, Colts (at DEN): While he can run effectively, the Broncos’ defense should limit his passing opportunities.
22. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (vs. MIA): The Dolphins’ pressure and coverage could pose significant challenges for Stroud.
23. Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns (vs. KC): The Chiefs’ defense is formidable, making Winston a risky option.
Start ‘Em: Wide Receivers
Regular starts
- Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (at TEN)
- Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (at HOU)
- Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (at SF)
- CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (at CAR)
- Nico Collins, Houston Texans (vs. MIA)
- Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (at NO)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (vs. BUF)
- A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. PIT)
- Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at LAC)
- Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (vs. IND)
- Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (at SF)
- Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (at JAX)
- Davante Adams, New York Jets (at JAX)
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (vs. GB)
- Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals (at TEN)
- Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (at NYG)
- Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (at LAR)
- Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (at LV)
- Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (vs. CIN)
- Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (vs. KC)
- Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (if he plays, vs. TB)
- DJ Moore, Chicago Bears (at MIN)
- DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (vs. GB)
- DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. PIT)
- Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. NYJ)
- Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (at SEA)
DFS Picks
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (at NO, $7,200 on DraftKings, $8,200 on FanDuel): McLaurin is set to shine after a bye week, facing a secondary that has struggled.
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (at JAX, $6,500 on DraftKings, $7,400 on FanDuel): Wilson and Adams are on fire, and the Jaguars have no answers for them.
Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (at CLE, $5,100 on DraftKings, $6,000 on FanDuel): Worthy is primed for a big-play touchdown, making him a steal at this price.
Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
Weaker starts
30. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at LAC): White faces a tough matchup, making him a risky start.
31. Travis Etienne Jr. and 32. Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. NYJ): This backfield is hard to read, and the Jets have improved against the run.
33. Isiah Pacheco and 34. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (at CLE): Their split carries and declining effectiveness make them hard to trust.
35. Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TB): Despite scoring last week, this game is likely to be pass-heavy.
36. Sincere McCormick, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. ATL): Let’s hope you’re not this desperate in the playoffs.
37. Nick Chubb and 38. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (vs. KC): Avoid both in this matchup.
Start ‘Em: Tight Ends
Must starts
- Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (at CLE)
- David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (vs. KC)
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (vs. LAR)
- Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. ATL)
- Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (vs. NE)
- Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (at HOU)
- T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (at NYG)
Stronger starts
9. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (at SEA): The Seahawks can be tough on wide receivers but are more vulnerable down the seam.
10. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (at CAR): Ferguson looked solid in his return and should see regular work.
11. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (vs. BUF): Despite a tough matchup, LaPorta has been heavily involved lately.
12. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (at LV): If there’s any time for him to shine, it’s against the Raiders.
13. Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers (if he plays, vs. TB): Let’s hope they utilize him effectively this week.
14. Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (at NO): He’s been a key part of their offense lately.
Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends
Weaker starts
16. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (at PHI): The Eagles have been tough on tight ends, making Freiermuth a risky play.
17. Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at LAC): The Chargers’ defense poses challenges for tight ends.
18. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. NYJ): Expect minimal production against the Jets.
19. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (at ARI): The Cardinals are tougher against tight ends than in previous seasons.
20. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (at MIN): Kmet can easily get lost in the Bears’ offense.
21. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (if he plays, at DET): The Lions are tough on tight ends, making him a risky option.
Start ‘Em: Defense/Special Teams
Stronger starts
- Minnesota Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Kansas City Chiefs (at CLE)
- Baltimore Ravens (at NYG)
- Denver Broncos (vs. IND)
- New York Jets (at JAX)
- Washington Commanders (at NO)
- Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TB)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (at PHI)
9. Miami Dolphins (at HOU): Expect the Dolphins to ramp up their pass rush and snag a few takeaways.
10. Arizona Cardinals (vs. NE): This unit should rebound against rookie QB Drake Maye.
11. Seattle Seahawks (vs. GB): They are poised to make big plays in prime time.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (at TEN): The Bengals may struggle, but the Titans are generous to defenses.
DFS Pick
Miami Dolphins (at HOU, $2,500 on DraftKings, $3,800 on FanDuel): They’re set up for a few sacks and potential turnovers, making them a great budget option.
Sit ‘Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
13. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. PIT): The Eagles have shown vulnerabilities, making them less reliable.
14. San Francisco 49ers (vs. LAR): The Rams’ offense is too explosive to expect a strong performance from the 49ers.
15. Green Bay Packers (at SEA): They can’t be trusted on the road against a hot opponent.
16. Dallas Cowboys (at CAR): While appealing, the Panthers’ offense is improving.
Get ready for an exciting week of fantasy football! Make sure to set your lineups wisely, and let’s dominate those matchups!
