Congratulations if you are still in the mix after week one of the playoffs. This probably means you didn’t play against a team that had Amari Cooper, George Kittle, or JuJu Smith-Schuster, or you lucked out and played an opponent that had Derrick Henry on his or her bench. It could also mean you didn’t have guys like Kenny Golladay, Courtland Sutton, Chris Godwin, or Jared Goff stinking up your starting lineups. So if you won convincingly or just squeaked by, Week 15 is a clean slate with more future drama, surprises, elation for some, and for bitter disappointment for others.
I cannot lie. Week 14 was not a great week for streaming. However, at this stage in the season one cannot expect much. Josh Allen salvaged his day on the ground, rushing for over 100 yards. But Derek Carr, my dark horse, was the big winner. He managed to score over 20 fantasy points and beat the Steelers, thanks in large part to Chris Boswell’s literal slip up at the end, missing a game-ending field goal.
As for my tight end choices? Most did not do much. Guys with volume like C.J. Uzomah and Chris Herndon did not get much volume this week. Out of my two sleeper hunches, Adam Shaheen and Dallas Goedert, Goedert was a TE1 while Shaheen managed only one target.
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Quarterback Streamer of the Week: Josh Allen (BUF) vs. Detroit
This is my second week in a row hailing Allen as my QB streamer of the week. It seems almost sacrilegious to suggest he is a safe bet, knowing it is Allen we are talking about. Sure, he sort of resembles Charlie Sheen’s character Ricky ‘Wild Thing’ Vaughn. He’s got a rocket arm, but you never know where that ball is going to go.
However, his safety comes from his scrambling ability. It is almost predictable that Allen will get you enough yards on the ground with a high probability for a touchdown. In his last seven games, Allen has scored five touchdowns. That is the same number of touchdowns he has thrown this year.
The bad news is he has not scored in consecutive games and he did score one last week against the Jets. The good news is he has scored a rushing touchdown in his last three home games and this week he is back in Buffalo. If he can somehow throw the ball as he did in Miami in Week 13, then Allen can put up a big day and help you get you into your fantasy finals.
Marcus Mariota (TEN) vs. New York Giants
I think if you are a #NeverJoshAllen type of fantasy manager then it is best to go in a direction with a quarterback that is on a team vying for a playoff spot in real life. Mariota had a poor fantasy game this past week, but that was because Henry played out of his skin, scoring the most fantasy points by any running back, and it wasn’t even close. Some believe that he could repeat his feat because he is against a team that has been generous to running backs. That being said, Adrian Peterson could only muster 16 yards on 10 carries in Week 14 against the Giants. The Titans are in the thick of it, and although they might not be the best team on paper trying to make it to the postseason, they could be the team that somehow finds a way.
Mariota, like Allen, is a dual threat. He can run and pass for fantasy points. I don’t think Henry will dominate the same way he did last week.
Instead, the Titans will rely on a more balanced attack. Mariota might not be Patrick Mahomes, but he has scored over 20 fantasy points in four of his last six games. Although Ryan Tannehill is in a similar playoff situation with the Dolphins, I prefer Mariota’s matchup. I think he has a much better chance of delivering against the Giants compared to Tannehill who has to face the Vikings.
Dark Horse: Case Keenum (DEN) vs. Cleveland Browns
The thought of starting Keenum does not sound all that appealing. In real life football, I cannot see him in a Broncos uniform next year unless he can somehow help Denver into the postseason. After last week’s loss to the 49ers, it seems less probable, especially knowing they still have to play the Chargers in the final week of the season. He has not been good at all, which is very disappointing considering the fact that he has a pretty good offense surrounding him.
That being said, if you have to take a chance on him, this could be the best week. He is infinitely better playing at home. He has scored under 10 fantasy points four times this year — only once at home — and that came against the Kansas City Chiefs, where they almost won due to Philip Lindsey. This should be a close game with Cleveland, who wants to finish strong and, of course, the Broncos are playing for their playoff hopes.
The Broncos will hopefully learn from their disappointing loss to one of the worst teams in the NFL and will start this one with all guns a-blazing. The worst case scenario is Keenum plays like he has all season and scores around 15 fantasy points. However, if Denver wants to enter Week 16 with confidence, they need to make a statement and try to demolish the Browns, who are still mathematically alive in the playoff hunt. This game should be a low-scoring affair because both teams have strong defenses, but considering the way the league has been this year, I wouldn’t be surprised if this contest ends up being a shootout.
Tight End Streamer of the Week: Ian Thomas (CAR) vs. New Orleans
Conventional wisdom would suggest that picking a rookie tight end against a defense that has allowed 17 points or less in the past five games is foolish. Here’s my counter-argument. In the past eight meetings, every game between the Saints and the Panthers has ended with a combined 43 points or more. Only one time did Carolina fail to score at least 21 points. There is a rivalry here despite the Panthers looking like a team falling apart. Cam Newton is a competitor through and through.
Thomas had a team-high 11 targets in Week 14, catching nine of them for 77 yards. Unfortunately, he did not get a touchdown. However, last week the only two touchdowns the Saints allowed were to Cameron Brate. Remember, the Saints have been very tough on tight ends all year so don’t assume that Thomas will go off.
But we are in the time of year where streaming tight ends is a nightmare. Sometimes you have to go with the hot hand on a team that still has a chance of making the playoffs, no matter how slight that is. This game has a sneaky chance to be high scoring. As good as the Saints defense has been, it is possible that they can still be exploited. The Panthers will do anything to win at this point, and hopefully, Thomas can be in on the action.
Vernon Davis (WAS) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jordan Reed left the last game after he rolled his ankle and did not return. It is too early to know if he will miss this game but he had to be helped off the field by the medical staff, so I am erring on him missing Week 15. As bad as Washington’s offense is right now, their quarterback (whoever is under center) will often be reliant on the tight end in the passing game. Short passes are much more the status quo for quarterbacks with little knowledge of the offense, as is the case of either Mark Sanchez or Josh Johnson. Many have feared the Jaguars defense in the past, but the team is in such turmoil that Henry had his way for the first time all season against them.
When Jordan Reed missed the final nine games last year, Davis averaged more than five targets a game on an offense that relied more on its wide receivers with Kirk Cousins. Now with a struggling offense, look for one of their remaining two quarterbacks to focus more on the run game and the tight end position. If Reed misses, look for Davis to hit. Remember last year, he finished the year as a TE1 and still has the speed to create astounding YAC, despite being 34 years of age.
Dark Horse: Blake Jarwin (DAL) vs. Indianapolis Colts
This should be a spirited affair between two teams doing anything to make the postseason. Dallas looks to be in the driver’s seat, but they still have to keep the momentum flowing. Indianapolis has to basically win out if they hope to make it past Week 17.
As good as the Dallas defense is, Andrew Luck has exploited most defenses this season. Two weeks ago was a blip in his team’s lack of offense. Last week, however, the Colts upset the Texans and still have a postseason pulse.
The Eagles showed that the Cowboys defense, though good, is not infallible. Dallas is also on the road which has been more problematic for them. This game could be a shootout and this means that Dak Prescott will be forced to play this game similarly to the game in which he beat the Eagles. The focus will be on Amari Cooper who has been lighting it up himself.
However, don’t forget Dallas’ tight ends. Jarwin has emerged as the tight end of consequence in Dallas now that Geoff Swaim has been out with an injury. There is a chance that Jarwin does not do much — this is the fear in streaming all tight ends this entire season. However, Jarwin had a great game in Week 14, posting up seven receptions for 56 yards. Hopefully, he can continue to produce this week against a team that just allowed a tandem of Houston tight ends to amass 11 receptions for 151 yards.
Good luck in the penultimate week. But don’t take it too seriously. Remember it is only fantasy. You still have your real life to enjoy whether you win it all or find yourself with extra time after this week.
At least that’s what I’ve been telling myself after leaving Henry on my bench in one league. Not to mention losing to a team because of Cooper, a player I originally drafted but dumped just one week before he signed with Dallas. Remember that time? When Prescott was still a streaming option? Good times!
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Marc Mathyk is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Marc, check out his archive and follow him @Masterjune70.
