Fantasy Football Playoffs: Start 'Em-Sit 'Em Week 15
- Sportz Nation Staff
- 4 minutes ago
- 6 min read
by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen
12/11/2025
Sportz Nation
Start 'Em
(Matt Hylen)
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson at CIN
I did not think I would have to include a player of Lamar Jackson's caliber here, as he is a must-start usually every week, but here we are. Jackson has, to say the least, been terrible the past few weeks in fantasy. Though he bounced back last week, the previous three weeks have been brutal. I expect Jackson to keep the momentum going against the Bengals, who allow the 2nd most fantasy points to QBs.
Matthew Stafford vs DET
Matthew Stafford may be an MVP-candidate this year, but he has been a little inconsistent as of late. Nevertheless, Stafford should feast against a banged-up Lions secondary that allows the 5th most fantasy points to QBs.
Baker Mayfield vs ATL
Baker Mayfield has also been in a fantasy slump, which I believe changes this week. He had one of the best games of his season last time he played Atlanta, causing me to believe he will shine again at home. Plus, he is likely getting Mike Evans back this week, meaning all three starting receivers will be healthy at the same time for Mayfield.
Running Backs
Tre'Veyon Henderson vs BUF
Tre'Veyon Henderson's production has gone down with the return of Rhamondre Stevenson; however, this week's matchup is too good not to start him. Buffalo allows the 6th most fantasy points to RBs and is especially prone to allowing big runs. Henderson should get more than enough opportunities to prove he is a must-start in the first playoff week of the season.
Ashton Jeanty at PHI
Ashton Jeanty has been a massive victim of a horrible team. Due to the Raiders playing from behind in most games, Jeanty has not gotten a fair chance to get anything going on the ground. With that said, I think he could have a big day against a struggling Eagles team that allows the 8th most fantasy points to RBs.
Devin Neal vs CAR
Devin Neal has been very solid in the absence of Alvin Kamara. With the volume he is getting on the ground as well as being a threat in the passing game, Neal should have another strong performance against the Panthers, who allow the 9th most fantasy points to RBs.
Wide Receivers
Devonte Adams vs DET
Davante Adams cooled off last week, only catching 4 of his 6 targets for 29 yards. Adams has been touchdown dependent all year long, but should have no problem doing so against the Lions, whose opponents have a 60% efficiency rate in the red zone.
Jerry Jeudy at CHI
Jerry Jeudy has finally emerged with the presence of Shedeur Sanders, with last week being the best of the bunch. With his targets trending upward and the big-play ability always a threat, look for Jeudy to produce starter-worthy numbers against a Bears team that allows the 3rd most fantasy points to WRs.
Stefon Diggs vs BUF
In what could be one of the best games of the year, I expect Stefon Diggs to come up big once again against his former team. He is due for a big week, causing me to believe he can repeat his stat line from last time out against Buffalo. Start him this week with confidence.
Tight Ends
Harold Fannin Jr. at CHI
Harold Fannin Jr. has been fantastic the past couple of weeks. He has provided Shedeur Sanders with an elite safety blanket, causing a major uptick in targets all over the field. As the TE6 on the year, Fannin Jr. could produce elite TE numbers again against a Bears defense that ranks in the middle of the pack against TEs.
Mason Taylor at JAX
Mason Taylor has been quiet in terms of production lately, which I think could change this week. Taking risks is all a part of fantasy football, especially at the TE position. Taylor could be exactly the high-risk/high-reward type of player you need in order to propel your team over the top this week. He has a great matchup, which should make him a great target for the Jets' offense this week.
Darren Waller at PIT
Darren Waller is another high-risk player, but should benefit from the great matchup he has this week. With the Steelers ranking 6th in most fantasy points allowed to TEs, look for Waller to get a good share of targets.
Sit 'Em
(Zak Drapeau)
Quarterbacks
Justin Herbert at KC
Herbert earned most of his fantasy points last week on the ground in the Chargers' win over the Eagles. Going up against a desperate Chiefs team and their defense may mean the exact same scenario for him.
Patrick Mahomes vs LAC
Mahomes is facing a very good defense this week with a lot on the line, and I have to believe he will be trying to do too much. Add that to the fact that Travis Kelce has been a non-factor for weeks now, and I believe another low-scoring Chiefs game spells the end for any Mahomes fantasy owner's season.
Caleb Williams vs CLE
While the Bears are still a great team, Williams hasn't had the fantasy output lately that we saw from him in the middle of the season. Going up against a Browns defense that does much worse against the run than the pass could mean that Williams has an efficient but low-scoring day.
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor at SEA
If you don't believe the Seahawks' defense will be game planning for J.T. all week, then you don't know what you're talking about. They will make Philip Rivers throw the ball, and I can see Taylor having his worst game of the year against arguably the best defense in the league.
James Cook at NE
In the biggest game of the week, the Patriots' run defense at home should take over. This game will come down to what kind of magic Josh Allen can make, and that will probably leave Cook in the background besides some goal-line touchdown upside.
Kenneth Walker vs IND
Walker has been a non-factor in the past few weeks with Charbonnet getting a big share of carries, and against the Colts' defense, he should continue this trend. However, if the Seahawks get a big lead early, they could lean on him too.
Wide Receivers
George Pickens vs MIN
Pickens has shown a clear regression since Lamb came back 3 weeks ago, and while he's still a good FLEX choice, he shouldn't be starting on your Fantasy teams against the Vikings' defense unless your receivers are shallow enough.
Justin Jefferson at DAL
I feel so bad for Jettas. Even last week when the Vikings won 31-0, he still wasn't getting the ball. Jefferson has all the talent in the world, but with an inferior QB and double teams regularly, he doesn't have much upside at all.
Marvin Harrison Jr at HOU
Harrison is on a wasted offense and is up against the Texans. His season has been disappointing, and this week against Stingley could be the cherry on top... or more like a rotted tomato.
Tight Ends
Hunter Henry vs BUF
While Henry was Drake Maye's #1 option for the first half of the year, he has been more of a middle-of-the-field safety net for a team going more vertical. Henry has some serious touchdown upside considering his last performance against the Bills, but with this game being a massive one for the Bills' defense, I can see Henry being double-teamed often.
Travis Kelce vs LAC
Kelce had two huge drops last week against Houston, which won't do him any favors as the team gets ready for their hugely important game this week. When facing the Chargers, their entire season will be on the line, and if Kelce's lack of production over the past few weeks is a sign of the future, it's likely they plan to target other areas of the field.
Mark Andrews at CIN
Andrews' 4 catches against the Bengals two weeks ago were the most he's hauled in since Week 4, and I can see Cincy game-planning for him more. Pair that with Lamar Jackson's clearly shaky form as of late, and it'd be better to just leave him on the bench this week.