If your fantasy football playoffs didn't start last week, they probably start this week. With key players getting injured and team fighting for playoff spots, surprising things can happen. The goal is to put together a lineup with the best chance to win you a playoff matchup. The rest is out of your control.
 |
| If you don't need to see where you're throwing to complete a pass, you're probably pretty good. |
Week 15 Picks to Click
QB
Top 3
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. LAC) - The best quarterback in football this season gets an enticing Thursday night matchup against Phillip Rivers and the Chargers. Mahomes should continue rolling towards a possible MVP this week.
Drew Brees, Saints (@ CAR) - Brees and the New Orleans has slowed down considerably the last few weeks, but should bounce back against a struggling Carolina squad that has lost five straight and couldn't stop Jameis Winston and Baker Mayfield the last two weeks.
Jared Goff, Rams (vs. PHI) - Goff struggled against the best defense in the league in cold Chicago last week, but he should bounce back against a Philly secondary ravaged by injuries. The Eagles allowed 455 yards and three touchdowns to Dak Prescott last week.
Sleepers
Baker Mayfield, Browns (@ DEN) - At this point, if you don't think Baker is blossoming into a star, you haven't been paying attention. Since Freddie Kitchens took over as offensive coordinator, Baker has thrown 11 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Josh Allen, Bills (vs. DET) - Each of the last three weeks, Josh Allen has run for at least 99 yards. The passing is still a work in progress, but he has upside thanks to his surprising success on the ground, and he's worth a look against a Lions team mired in a lost season.
Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. TB) - We have three rookies here this week, two of whom have been here multiple times before. Like Allen, Jackson's a work in progress, but brings upside with his legs. Tampa Bay does not have an elite defense.
RB
Top 3
Todd Gurley, Rams (vs. PHI) - Like the rest of the Rams offense, Gurley was relatively quiet in Chicago. He should go return to his prior production this week against the struggling Eagles, who gave up 113 yards on 28 carries to Ezekiel Elliott last week.
Christian McCaffrey, Panthers (vs. NO) - The Panthers have been mired in a five-game skid, but CMC has still been extremely productive. Against a New Orleans that has been tough against the run but extremely weak against the pass, McCaffrey should continue to produce.
Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. TEN) - You can't stop him, you can only hope to contain him. Actually, you can't really even hope that. Saquon has 637 total yards and six total touchdowns the last five games, and he should continue to roll.
Sleepers
Justin Jackson, Chargers (@ KC) - Austin Ekeler is out tonight, and Melvin Gordon is questionable. Enter Jackson, who is averaging six yards per carry in limited time. If Gordon sits, Jackson could feast on a bad Kansas City defense.
Damien Williams, Chiefs (vs. LAC) - On the other side tonight, Damien Williams will be starting with Spencer Ware out. Just by virtue of playing significant snaps in the Kansas City offense, Williams becomes an intriguing fantasy option this week.
Josh Adams, Eagles (@ LAR) - He didn't do much last week, but Adams is still Philadelphia's top back, and with Carson Wentz out, the Eagles may run more. The Bears had success running on L.A. last week.
WR
Top 3
Michael Thomas, Saints (@ CAR) - Jarvis Landry couldn't be stopped by Carolina last week, and Mike, who just passed Landry (and OBJ) for most catches by a receiver in his first three seasons, is already hard to stop.
Keenan Allen, Chargers (@ KC) - The heavily-involved Allen has a touchdown in each of his last five games, and the Kansas City defense, which ranks last in the NFL against the pass (282.1 yards allowed per game), will have a hard time stopping him from making it six straight with a score.
DeAndre Hopkins, Texans (@ NYJ) - Hopkins only caught four of his 10 targets for 36 yards last week in Indy, but he still had a touchdown. The Jets, who gave up 104 yards receiving to Robert Foster last week, might struggle a little bit with Nuke Hopkins.
Sleepers
Jarvis Landry, Browns (@ DEN) - Landry has re-emerged in Freddie Kitchens' creative offense, eclipsing 50 yards receiving and 50 yards rushing last week. Saturday, he faces the Broncos, who (according to ESPN's Matthew Berry) have allowed the fourth-most yards in the slot this season.
Curtis Samuel, Panthers (vs. NO) - The past two weeks, Samuel has totaled 19 targets, 10 catches and 168 yards. This week, he faces a New Orleans defense that is 28th in the league against the pass (271.2 yards allowed per game).
Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. CLE) - After Emmanuel Sanders went down last week, it was assumed the talented rookie would step. He didn't last week, but he might Saturday night against a Denzel Ward-less Cleveland defense.
TE
Top 3
Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. LAC) - Kelce continues to be unstoppable (he had 77 yards and a touchdown last week), and tonight, he should produce in what looks like it could be a high-scoring affair.
Zach Ertz, Eagles (@ LAR) - The loss of Carson Wentz should not deter you from Ertz, who has been targeted a total of 26 times the past three weeks. In a game where Philly might fall behind early, Ertz will be needed.
Eric Ebron, Colts (vs. DAL) - I thought about George Kittle, who had 210 yards in the first half last week (and zero in the second half), but I'm going with Ebron, who has 36 targets and five touchdown in the last four games in which he's played.
Sleepers
Jared Cook, Raiders (@ CIN) - Cook borders on not being a sleeper (you should start him if you have him), but he did go a bit quiet for a few weeks, only to come back with a bang. He has eclipsed 100 yards each of the past two weeks, and has scored in three of his last four games.
Ian Thomas, Panthers (vs. NO) - Thomas took over when Greg Olsen went down with a season-ending injury, and he's been as productive as Olsen, if not more so. He has 14 catches and 123 yards the past two weeks.
Kyle Rudolph, Vikings (vs. MIA) - It's only a matter of time before Minnesota's top red zone target finds the endzone, right. The good news is, Miami has given up 18 touchdowns to tight ends this season (according to ESPN).
D/ST
Top 3
Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. WAS) - The duo of Josh Johnson and Mark Sanchez don't inspire confidence, and a week after getting trounced by the Giants, they have to face a tougher defense in Jacksonville.
Houston Texans (@ NYJ) - The vaunted Houston defense gets the (whatever the opposite of vaunted is) New York offense this weekend. Sam Darnold will have some trouble against Watt, Clowney and co.
Buffalo Bills (vs. DET) - It's usually a low-scoring game when Buffalo is involved, and the Lions have scored a total of 39 points in their last three contests.
Sleepers
Seattle Seahawks (@ SF) - The Seahawks are rolling (the defense had a touchdown and a blocked field goal Monday night), and, although they have one of the best tight ends in the league, the 49ers still have Nick Mullens at quarterback.
Los Angeles Rams (vs. PHI) - The Rams have been involved in multiple high-scoring games, taking away fantasy value from their defense, but they do have the best player in the league (Aaron Donald) and are playing a backup quarterback (albeit one that won Super Bowl MVP last season).
Atlanta Falcons (vs. ARI) - The Falcons are by no means a good defensive team, but they host the worst offensive team in the league this weekend.
Kicker
Top 3
Greg Zuerlein, Rams (vs. PHI)
Justin Tucker, Ravens (vs. TB)
Harrison Butker, Chiefs (vs. LAC)
Week 15 Game Picks
Record
Last Week: 10-6 vs. Spread: 9-7 Over/Under: 3-13
Season: 127-81 vs. Spread: 101-90-6 Over/Under: 90-113-3
(All Times Eastern)
Thursday
Chargers @ Chiefs (8:20 PM, FOX/NFL Network)
In a battle of elite quarterbacks, I'll go with Patty Mahomes and the host Chiefs.
Spread: KC -3.5 Over/Under: 54.5
Prediction: Chiefs 32, Chargers 28
Saturday
Texans @ Jets (4:30 PM, NFL Network)
It's that time of year when we get Saturday games, but the first one of 2018 isn't that compelling.
Spread: HOU -6.5 Over/Under: 41.5
Prediction: Texans 30, Jets 14
Browns @ Broncos (8:20 PM, NFL Network)
This matchup is more compelling, and I'll take Baker and the surging Browns in it.
Spread: DEN -2.5 Over/Under: 45.5
Prediction: Browns 28, Broncos 24
Sunday
Cardinals @ Falcons (1:00 PM, FOX)
In this battle of beaten birds, the smart money is on Matt Ryan and the host Falcons.
Spread: ATL -9.5 Over/Under: 44
Prediction: Falcons 28, Cardinals 17
Lions @ Bills (1:00 PM, FOX)
Josh Allen and the Bills, despite losing last week, have looked better, and I think they'll beat Detroit.
Spread: BUF -2 Over/Under: 39.5
Prediction: Bills 24, Lions 21
Packers @ Bears (1:00 PM, FOX)
Don't look now, but Aaron Rodgers and co. still have a shot at making the playoffs! I believe!!
Spread: CHI -6 Over/Under: 45
Prediction: Packers 27, Bears 24
Raiders @ Bengals (1:00 PM, CBS)
This... will probably not be a showcase of the best the NFL has to offer. I'll side with the hosts.
Spread: CIN -3 Over/Under: 46
Prediction: Bengals 26, Raiders 21
Cowboys @ Colts (1:00 PM, FOX)
This, on the other hand, will be a compelling game. Once again, I'll side with the hosts.
Spread: IND -3 Over/Under: 47
Prediction: Colts 24, Cowboys 17
Dolphins @ Vikings (1:00 PM, CBS)
This is a must win for Minnesota, and I think the Vikings will get it done at home against Miami.
Spread: MIN -7.5 Over/Under: 44.5
Prediction: Vikings 21, Dolphins 13
Titans @ Giants (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Giants have looked better of late, but I'll take the Titans here in a crucial game for them.
Spread: NYG -2 Over/Under: 43.5
Prediction: Titans 23, Giants 20
Redskins @ Jaguars (1:00 PM, CBS)
This will be an ugly game, which is the kind of games the Jaguars win.
Spread: JAC -7.5 Over/Under: 36
Prediction: Jaguars 29, Redskins 6
Buccaneers @ Ravens (1:00 PM, FOX)
The Ravens, who almost beat the Chiefs with a rookie QB last week, are rolling right now.
Spread: BAL -7.5 Over/Under: 46.5
Prediction: Ravens 27, Buccaneers 17
Seahawks @ 49ers (4:05 PM, FOX)
Seattle is also rolling, but the Niners should be able to keep it close with them.
Spread: SEA -3.5 Over/Under: 44
Prediction: Seahawks 22, 49ers 17
Patriots @ Steelers (4:25 PM, CBS)
New England will not make the mistake of putting Rob Gronkowski on defense again.
Spread: NE -2.5 Over/Under: 52
Prediction: Patriots 31, Steelers 24
Eagles @ Rams (8:20 PM, NBC)
The Rams should bounce back from last week's loss at home in sunny California against the Eagles.
Spread: LAR -11.5 Over/Under: 52.5
Prediction: Rams 34, Eagles 17
Monday
Saints @ Panthers (8:15 PM, ESPN)
The Panthers are on a plane destined to crash into the ocean, and there is nothing they can do.
Spread: NO -6.5 Over/Under: 51.5
Prediction: Saints 38, Panthers 21
Stats and info via ESPN.com and FantasyPros.com
Lines via OddsShark.com
Lines as of Thursday afternoon
No comments:
Post a Comment