We’re closing in on the fantasy football playoffs, which makes every week a must-win for many fantasy managers. To help navigate these crucial times, we asked some of our experts to break down some of the matchups they’re monitoring heading into Week 15 of the NFL season.
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Derrick Henry vs. Austin Ekeler
Derrick Henry finally got back on track Sunday, playing over 70% of the snaps for the first time in a month. In that same span, Tennessee has morphed itself from ranking 28th in pass attempts per game to 8th in the league. Perhaps not coincidentally, they are 1-3 in that same span of time. Now Henry gets a Charmin-soft matchup with a Chargers defense that ranks 28th in rushing yards allowed and is giving up 5.4 YPC. On the other side, Austin Ekeler faces a tough on-paper matchup with Tennessee. The Titans are the 2nd ranked run defense in football and have been one of the league’s biggest pass funnels. The Chargers will likely lean on Justin Herbert again but Ekeler can get there through the air and should have his requisite pass-game involvement. If Tennessee is going to win, Henry will be a big reason why. In your fantasy playoffs, there isn’t a better matchup of running backs in Week 15.
– Jason Kamlowsky (@JasonKamlowsky)
Christian McCaffrey vs. the Seattle Seahawks
This week’s Thursday night matchup features two NFC West teams: the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. Not only is this game critical for the NFL playoffs, but also for fantasy playoffs. Christian McCaffrey is coming off his best rushing performance of the year, averaging 8.5 yards per rushing attempt last week. On Thursday, he faces a Seattle defense that has surrendered 174 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, and 39.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the past three weeks to running backs. Maybe this is an exaggeration, but McCaffrey could score 40-plus fantasy points this week, and no one should be surprised.
– Mike Fanelli (@Mike_NFL2)
Garrett Wilson vs. Detroit Lions
No one is happier to see Mike White behind center than rookie wide receiver Garrett Wilson. The former Buckeye has flourished with White quarterbacking the Jets’ offense. They have displayed chemistry, and White has peppered Wilson with 19 targets over the last three weeks. White looks to be available to take the field in Week 15 in a tasty matchup against the Detroit Lions defense, who just surrendered 425 passing yards and two scores to Kirk Cousins last week. The White and Wilson connection takes on a top-three fantasy matchup versus a Lions secondary that will not have any answers for the rookie wideout producing WR1 numbers this week.
– Dennis Sosic (@CALL_ME_SOS)
Mike Williams vs. Tennessee Titans
Mike Williams returned last week and looked fantastic with six catches for 116 yards and a TD against the Dolphins. He quickly dashed concerns about his ankle injury with a 23-yard catch on the Chargers’ first drive and didn’t let up all evening. Now Williams gets to match up against a Titans’ defense that has been torched by opposing wideouts in recent weeks, allowing 786 yards and 7 TDs over the past four games. A big finish by Williams is precisely the kind of boost that can put a fantasy team over the top in the playoffs.
– Scott Youngson (@jscottyoungson)
Brandon Aiyuk vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Since Week 7, the Seahawks have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to perimeter WRs (6.5).
- They also rank 1st in that category this season (5.6).
- Brandon Aiyuk has played just 26% of his snaps from the slot this season.
- Additionally, Seattle is allowing the fewest targets per game to No. 1 WRs.
- Considering Aiyuk only saw three targets last week – and just one before Deebo Samuel‘s injury – he could easily flop in a matchup versus the Seahawks that calls for massive games from Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle.
Tyler Lockett vs. San Francisco 49ers
Tyler Lockett is set to SMASH as the 49ers can’t stop slot WRs. Dating back to Week 7 when Jimmie Ward took over starting slot coverage duties: 4th-most fantasy points allowed to slot WRs. Ward has allowed 38 completions for 318 yards and 3 TDs on 46 targets from the slot. Last week vs. the Buccaneers, he was targeted in coverage on 17 throws. Lockett has averaged 17.8 fantasy points per game since Week 7.
– Andrew Erickson (@AndrewErickson_)
Note: Check back on Thursday and Friday for Andrew Erickson’s “Land Mines” and “Smash City” pieces for comprehensive breakdowns of matchups you should be avoiding and targeting this week in your fantasy football matchups.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
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