CONGRATULATIONS!
The Fantasy Football playoffs are here. I don’t care if you made it to the playoffs in one league or 75 leagues. Every playoff berth should be celebrated. It is a long season that feels like it rushes by, but if you’ve been in the trenches for 14 weeks. Grinding waivers, pivoting after injuries, and exploiting every matchup possible, you deserve a bow. A round of applause. Give yourself a pat on the back and start thinking about where you’re going to put that championship trophy.
We aren’t done yet. This week gets you one step closer to glory. Welcome to the Week 15 Primer. Enjoy.
ATL vs. TB | ARI vs. HOU | CLE vs. CHI | BAL vs. CIN | LAC vs. KC | BUF vs. NE | NYJ vs. JAC | LV vs. PHI | WAS vs. NYG | GB vs. DEN | DET vs. LAR | IND vs. SEA | TEN vs. SF | CAR vs. NO | MIN vs. DAL | MIA vs. PIT
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Fantasy Football Primer
Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- TB -4.5, O/U 44.5
- Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Player Prop Bets via BettingPros
Falcons Players & Weekly Rankings
| Kirk Cousins | QB | QB2 |
| Bijan Robinson | RB | RB1 |
| Tyler Allgeier | RB | RB3/4 |
| Darnell Mooney | WR | WR3/4 |
| David Sills | WR | WR5 |
| Drake London | WR | Out |
| Kyle Pitts | TE | TE1 |
Buccaneers Players & Weekly Rankings
| Baker Mayfield | QB | QB1/2 |
| Bucky Irving | RB | RB1 |
| Rachaad White | RB | RB3 |
| Sean Tucker | RB | RB4 |
| Mike Evans | WR | WR2 |
| Emeka Egbuka | WR | WR2/3 |
| Chris Godwin | WR | WR2/3 |
| Jalen McMillan | WR | WR5 |
| Cade Otton | TE | Doubtful |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Baker Mayfield has been STRUGGLING as the QB31 in fantasy points per game since Week 7. Since Week 7, among 43 qualifying quarterbacks, Mayfield has ranked 42nd in yards per attempt, 34th in passing yards per game, 27th in highly accurate throw rate, and 32nd in catchable target rate. The Falcons and the return of Mike Evans could be the “get right” elixir that Mayfield desperately needs. Since Week 10, Atlanta has allowed the third-most passing yards per game, the eighth-highest yards per attempt, the sixth-highest CPOE, and the sixth-highest success rate per dropback.
Mike Evans will be back this week. I expect him to maybe be on a snap count, but to compensate for that with a high route share, as the Bucs will just limit his workload on rushing plays if they ease him in. We have no idea what to expect in terms of usage for Evans, Chris Godwin, and Emeka Egbuka as they haven’t played a game all together in 2025. In Weeks 1-3, Evans was the clear leader of the passing attack with a 27.3% target share and 35.4% first-read share, churning out 46.7 receiving yards per game with 1.56 yards per route run. In those three games, Evans had five red zone targets and six deep targets. I expect him to see plenty of high cholesterol usage this week, even in a somewhat limited role. Since Week 10, Atlanta has allowed the second-most PPR points per target and the third-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers. Evans is at minimum a strong flex with WR2 upside.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
In his four starts this season, Cousins has finished higher than QB22 in weekly scoring only once. He has zero games with more than 240 passing yards and only one outing with multiple passing touchdowns. Among 44 qualifying passers, he ranks 37th in yards per attempt, 40th in passer rating, 27th in hero throw rate, and 43rd in fantasy points per dropback. Cousins could surprise this week and return strong QB2 numbers. The Bucs’ pass defense has been a bottom-of-the-barrel operation. Since Week 10, they have allowed the second-most yards per attempt, the seventh-most passing yards per game, the 12th-highest CPOE, and the third-highest success rate per dropback.
Well, so much for the bounce back that I forecasted last week. Emeka Egbuka had nine targets that he turned into two receptions for 15 receiving yards. Since Week 7, he has had only two outings that landed him inside the top-36 for wide receiver weekly scoring (WR5, WR32). Since Week 7, he has had a 28.7% target share and a 36.4% first-read share that he has turned into only 48.1 receiving yards per game and 1.42 yards per route run. In those seven games, he has had eight red zone targets and six deep targets. Not all of Egbuka’s struggles can be laid at his feet, as during this stretch, only 50% of his targets have been catchable. Much of this has been related to Baker Mayfield‘s struggles. Hopefully, with the Bucs at full strength in the wide receiver room this week, Egbuka can have a bounce-back game with Mayfield playing better. With the improved target competition, I do expect his market share in the offense to fall. Egbuka falls into the WR2/3 or flex territory this week. Since Week 10, Atlanta has allowed the second-most PPR points per target and the third-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.
Over the last two games, Godwin has had a 70.6% route share with a 20.7% target share, 66.5 receiving yards per game, 2.77 yards per route run, and a 22.2% first-read share. In those two games, he has had two red zone targets and one deep target. Godwin was the WR33 and WR27 in weekly scoring. Godwin is a strong WR3/flex. Since Week 10, Atlanta has allowed the 14th-most PPR points per target and the eighth-highest passer rating when targeted to slot receivers.
Since Week 12, without Drake London, Darnell Mooney has only once finished higher than WR69 in weekly scoring. In those three games, Mooney has had a 14% target share with 35 receiving yards per game, 1.40 yards per route run, and a 19.6% first-read share. Since Week 12, he has had three red zone targets and two deep targets. It’s been surprising how much he has struggled to command a high market share in the Atlanta passing offense with only Kyle Pitts to deal with weekly. He’s a decent flex play this week with a good matchup. Since Week 10, Tampa Bay has allowed the 12th-most receiving yards per game and the 13th-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
N/A
ATL vs. TB | ARI vs. HOU | CLE vs. CHI | BAL vs. CIN | LAC vs. KC | BUF vs. NE | NYJ vs. JAC | LV vs. PHI | WAS vs. NYG | GB vs. DEN | DET vs. LAR | IND vs. SEA | TEN vs. SF | CAR vs. NO | MIN vs. DAL | MIA vs. PIT
Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans
- HOU -9.5, O/U 42.5
- Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans Player Prop Bets via BettingPros
Cardinals Players & Weekly Rankings
| Jacoby Brissett | QB | QB1/2 |
| Michael Carter | RB | TBD |
| Zonovan Knight | RB | TBD |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | WR | TBD |
| Michael Wilson | WR | WR1/2* |
| Xavier Weaver | WR | WR5 |
| Trey McBride | TE | TE1 |
Texans Players & Weekly Rankings
| C.J. Stroud | QB | QB1/2 |
| Woody Marks | RB | RB2 |
| Nick Chubb | RB | TBD |
| Nico Collins | WR | WR1 |
| Jayden Higgins | WR | WR3 |
| Christian Kirk | WR | WR4/5 |
| Xavier Hutchinson | WR | WR6 |
| Jaylin Noel | WR | WR6 |
| Dalton Schultz | TE | TE1 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
*Right now, I’m approaching this week’s game like Marvin Harrison Jr. will be out (heel). He missed last week’s game with a heel injury, and he opened this week with a DNP. I’ll update this situation further on Friday.*
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Last week, C.J. Stroud started strong against the Chiefs before they turned up the blitz heat, and the Texans decided to take the air out of the ball and sit on a lead. As the QB29 in fantasy points per game with only two QB1 outings this season, I know that Stroud feels like a player that should never be in a fantasy lineup, but he could revisit QB1 land this week. Among 44 qualifying passers, Stroud ranks 20th in yards per attempt, 19th in passing yards per game, 32nd in highly accurate throw rate, 36th in catchable target rate, and 22nd in hero throw rate. The Arizona pass defense has been abysmal. Stroud isn’t playing great football, but he could cook this secondary this week. Since Week 10, Arizona has allowed the most yards per attempt, the most passing touchdowns, the highest success rate per dropback, and had the fourth-lowest pressure rate.
Woody Marks has been an RB3 receiving workhorse RB2 usage. Since Week 10, he has had a 71.1% snap share with 20 touches per game and 69 total yards per game as the RB35 in fantasy points per game. The big issue that has been holding down Marks’ fantasy production outside of efficiency and the offensive ecosystem has been touchdowns (or lack thereof). In his last five games, he has only two scores. Add another touchdown or two on top of his volume over the last five weeks, and he’s a strong mid-tier RB2 in fantasy points per game. Marks could have a monster Week 15 performance. The Arizona run defense has been competing with the pass defense for which unit can falter the most over the last few weeks. Since Week 10, Arizona has allowed the fifth-highest explosive run rate, the fourth-most rushing yards per game, the highest missed tackle rate, and the ninth-most yards after contact per attempt.
Since Week 10, Jayden Higgins has been the WR27 in fantasy points per game with an 18.1% target share, 46.8 receiving yards per game, 2.11 yards per route run, and a 21.6% first-read share. In those five games, he has had four red zone targets and six deep targets. This week, he faces an Arizona pass defense that has featured the fifth-highest rate of two high (57.1%). Since Week 10, against two high, Higgins has had an 18.4% target share with 2.14 yards per route run and a 22.1% first-read share. It’s nice to see that his usage and efficiency have remained stable and in line with his overall numbers. Higgins is a strong WR3/flex again this week. Since Week 10, Arizona has allowed the most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.
Since Week 3, Dalton Schultz has been the TE13 in fantasy points per game with an 18.2% target share, 47 receiving yards per game, 1.53 yards per route run, and a 19.2% first-read share. In those 11 games, he has had seven red zone targets, five deep targets, and only one touchdown. Schultz is a strong TE1 this week. The Cardinals have allowed the tenth-most receiving yards per game, the eighth-highest yards per target, and the eighth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
N/A
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
The streak REMAINS ALIVE! Jacoby Brissett has been a QB1 in every start in 2025. The fact that he keeps doing this is insane. Yes, the volume and trailing game scripts have helped, but let’s just bask in this for fantasy purposes. Since Week 6, among 37 qualifying passers, Brissett ranks first in dropbacks and passing yards per game, fourth in passing touchdowns, 18th in highly accurate throw rate, and 22nd in catchable target rate as the QB3 in fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and this could be the week where Brissett falls outside of the top 12 in weekly scoring. Houston’s pass defense has been demonic. Since Week 10, they have allowed the ninth-lowest success rate per dropback, the tenth-fewest passing yards per game, the ninth-lowest yards per attempt, and the third-lowest passer rating. During the same stretch, they have also ranked second in pressure rate. Good luck, Mr. Brissett.
I’ll update the Arizona backfield on Friday. Trey Benson is out for the rest of the season, but Emari Demercado had a limited practice on Wednesday and could return this week. If he’s back, the outlook for everyone in this backfield gets muddier.
I’ll update the Arizona backfield on Friday. Trey Benson is out for the rest of the season, but Emari Demercado had a limited practice on Wednesday and could return this week. If he’s back, the outlook for everyone in this backfield gets muddier.
Marvin Harrison Jr. missed last week’s game with a heel issue. He opened this week with a DNP. I’ll update his outlook on Friday, but I’m assuming he’ll be out again this week.
ATL vs. TB | ARI vs. HOU | CLE vs. CHI | BAL vs. CIN | LAC vs. KC | BUF vs. NE | NYJ vs. JAC | LV vs. PHI | WAS vs. NYG | GB vs. DEN | DET vs. LAR | IND vs. SEA | TEN vs. SF | CAR vs. NO | MIN vs. DAL | MIA vs. PIT
Cleveland Browns vs. Chicago Bears
- CHI -7.5, O/U 39
- Cleveland Browns vs. Chicago Bears Player Prop Bets via BettingPros
Browns Players & Weekly Rankings
| Shedeur Sanders | QB | QB1/2 |
| Quinshon Judkins | RB | RB2 |
| Dylan Sampson | RB | TBD |
| Jerry Jeudy | WR | WR3/4 |
| Cedric Tillman | WR | TBD |
| Jamari Thrash | WR | WR5 |
| Harold Fannin Jr. | TE | TE1 |
| David Njoku | TE | TBD |
Bears Players & Weekly Rankings
| Caleb Williams | QB | QB2 |
| D’Andre Swift | RB | RB2/3 |
| Kyle Monangai | RB | RB2/3 |
| Rome Odunze | WR | TBD |
| DJ Moore | WR | TBD |
| Luther Burden | WR | TBD |
| Colston Loveland | TE | TE2 |
| Cole Kmet | TE | TE2/3 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
N/A
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Last week, Shedeur Sanders flashed the type of potential that I’ve known that he has. He was the QB2 for the week behind only Josh Allen as he finished with 364 passing yards, three passing scores, 8.7 yards per attempt, 29 rushing yards, and a rushing score. Last week, among 29 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranked sixth in yards per attempt, tenth in highly accurate throw rate, and eighth in hero throw rate. It was amazing to watch. This week, he has a chance to stack another nice game and prove he should be the Browns’ answer at quarterback for 2026. Since Week 10, Chicago has had the seventh-lowest pressure rate while giving up the tenth-most passing touchdowns (tied), the 13th-highest CPOE, and ranking 19th in passing yards per game. Sanders is a QB2 that could easily be a QB1 again this week.
Quinshon Judkins is the RB22 in fantasy points per game, averaging 19.7 touches and 77.5 total yards. Among 57 qualifying backs, he ranks 37th in explosive run rate, 28th in missed tackle rate, and 25th in yards after contact per attempt. Judkins should post RB2 numbers again this week against a soft Chicago run defense. Since Week 10, Chicago has allowed the ninth-most rushing yards per game, the third-highest explosive run rate, the most yards before contact per attempt, and logged the second-lowest stuff rate.
After last week’s monster performance, Fannin Jr. is the TE11 in fantasy points per game for the season. Since Week 12, with Shedeur Sanders under center, he has had a 23.9% target share with 65.7 receiving yards per game, 2.43 yards per route run, and a 25% first-read share. In those three games, he has one red zone target and two deep targets. Fannin draws another favorable matchup this week. Chicago has allowed the 12th-most receiving yards per game and the 13th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. He’s a locked-in TE1.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
N/A
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Caleb Williams is a rollercoaster that isn’t worth riding when he’s facing a tough pass defense. He has six QB1 weekly outings this season and seven games as the QB16 or lower in weekly scoring despite being the QB7 in fantasy points per game. Among 47 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 27th in yards per attempt, 17th in passing yards per game, 37th in highly accurate throw rate, and 41st in catchable target rate. Cleveland is a nightmare fuel matchup for Williams. Since Week 10, Cleveland has allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game, the fifth-fewest yards per attempt, and the lowest success rate per dropback. During this same span, they have had the best pressure rate in the NFL. I expect Chicago to be run heavy again this week to hide Williams.
Since Week 10, Swift has been the RB30 in fantasy points per game, averaging 16.6 touches and 97.4 total yards. He has split the red zone work, with Kyle Monangai with each player seeing five red zone rushing attempts. Overall, among 57 qualifying backs, Swift ranks tenth in explosive run rate and 19th in missed tackle rate. This week, he has another tough matchup. Yes, I know Tony Pollard ran all over Cleveland last week, but this run defense still scares me. Since Week 10, they have allowed the 14th-lowest explosive run rate, the lowest rushing success rate, and had the second-highest stuff rate. Swift is a volume-based RB2/3.
Since Week 10, Kyle Monangai has been the RB28 in fantasy points per game, averaging 13.8 touches and 60 total yards. He has added little receiving value during this stretch, with only two receptions and 14 receiving yards total. Monangai has been a steamroller on early downs, though. Among 57 qualifying backs, he ranks 19th in explosive run rate and 20th in yards after contact per attempt. Monangai has split the red zone usage with D’Andre Swift, with each back seeing five red zone rushing attempts. This week, he has another tough matchup. Yes, I know Tony Pollard ran all over Cleveland last week, but this run defense still scares me. Since Week 10, they have allowed the 14th-lowest explosive run rate, the lowest rushing success rate, and had the second-highest stuff rate. Monangai is a volume-based RB2/3.
Rome Odunze missed last week’s game with a foot injury. He surprisingly opened this week with a limited practice session. I’ll update the Bears’ wide receiver room on Friday once we have a clearer outlook on Odunze for Week 15 because his return could swing the outlook wildly for all involved.
Rome Odunze missed last week’s game with a foot injury. He surprisingly opened this week with a limited practice session. I’ll update the Bears wide receiver room on Friday once we have a clearer outlook on Odunze for Week 15 because his return could swing the outlook wildly for all involved.
Rome Odunze missed last week’s game with a foot injury. He surprisingly opened this week with a limited practice session. I’ll update the Bears’ wide receiver room on Friday once we have a clearer outlook on Odunze for Week 15 because his return could swing the outlook wildly for all involved.
Jerry Jeudy had his second-best game of the season last week with 76 receiving yards (one touchdown) and a WR15 finish for the week. Since Week 12, he has had a 13.6% target share with a 29.6% air-yard share, 47 receiving yards per game, 1.70 yards per route run, and an 18.2% first-read share. In those three games, Jeudy has zero red zone targets and three deep targets. Jeudy is back to low-end flex territory this week. Since Week 10, Chicago has allowed the tenth-fewest receiving yards per game and the ninth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.
Since Week 10, Colston Loveland has been the TE15 in fantasy points per game with two TE1 weekly scoring outings. In those five games, he has had a 54.6% route share, a 13.8% target share, 40.2 receiving yards per game, 1.90 yards per route run, and a 14.1% first-read share. In that span, he has three red zone targets and zero deep targets. Loveland is best left on the bench this week. Cleveland has allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game and the 12th-fewest yards per target to tight ends this season.
ATL vs. TB | ARI vs. HOU | CLE vs. CHI | BAL vs. CIN | LAC vs. KC | BUF vs. NE | NYJ vs. JAC | LV vs. PHI | WAS vs. NYG | GB vs. DEN | DET vs. LAR | IND vs. SEA | TEN vs. SF | CAR vs. NO | MIN vs. DAL | MIA vs. PIT
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals
- BAL -2.5, O/U 51.5
- Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals Player Prop Bets via BettingPros
Ravens Players & Weekly Rankings
| Lamar Jackson | QB | QB1 |
| Derrick Henry | RB | RB1 |
| Justice Hill | RB | RB4 |
| Zay Flowers | WR | WR2/3 |
| Rashod Bateman | WR | WR4/5 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | WR | WR5 |
| Mark Andrews | TE | TE1/2 |
| Isaiah Likely | TE | TE1/2 |
Bengals Players & Weekly Rankings
| Joe Burrow | QB | QB1 |
| Chase Brown | RB | RB1/2 |
| Samaje Perine | RB | RB3 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | WR | WR1 |
| Tee Higgins | WR | TBD |
| Andrei Iosivas | WR | WR4/5 |
| Mike Gesicki | TE | TE2 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
N/A
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Mark Andrews has had a wildly disappointing season as the TE20 in fantasy points per game. In his last outing against Cincy, he was the TE17 for the week, securing four of his six targets with 47 receiving yards. Sadly, that is the most receiving yards Andrews has had in a game this season. Andrews has four TE1 weekly finishes this season, but they have all been fueled by touchdowns. The last time the Ravens faced the Bengals, they utilized two high with 52.6% of their defensive snaps. Against two high, Andrews has had a 15% target share with 0.77 yards per route run and a 23.2% first-read share. Andrews could have a strong game against this porous pass defense, and it wouldn’t shock me, but he easily could flop again. The range of outcomes for Andrews is wide this week, which makes him tough to trust in the first round of the fantasy playoffs. Cincy has allowed the most receiving yards, yards per target, and fantasy points per game to tight ends.
The last time Isaiah Likely faced Cincy in Week 13, he secured five of his six targets with 95 receiving yards as the TE9 for the week. In that same game, the Bengals utilized two high with 52.6% of their defensive snaps. Against two high, Likely has had a 13.8% target share with 1.41 yards per route run and a 10.5% first-read share. Likely has been the more productive tight end this season for Baltimore against two high this season, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him outproduce Mark Andrews again. Likely is a solid streaming option at tight end this week. Cincy has allowed the most receiving yards, yards per target, and fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Zay Flowers exploded last week with his first 100-yard receiving game since Week 1. Flowers is the WR27 in fantasy points per game with a 26.7% target share, 68.5 receiving yards per game, 2.32 yards per route run, and a 33.3% first-read share. Flowers leads the team with 15 deep targets, but he has only seven red zone targets, which is tied for second on the team. The last time Flowers faced the Bengals, DJ Turner followed him on 62.9% of his routes, holding him to two targets and zero receiving yards in his coverage. Turner has shadowed six times this season, following Flowers, DK Metcalf (twice), Justin Jefferson, Romeo Doubs, and Gabe Davis on 62.9-90.3% of their routes, holding each receiver to 45 or fewer scoreless receiving yards. I’m worried about Flowers this week. Even if Turner isn’t in his back pocket for most of the game, we also need to talk about the fact that the last time Cincy played Baltimore, they utilized two high with 52.6% of their defensive snaps. Against two high, Flowers has had a 23.1% target share, 1.68 yards per route run, and a 30.5% first-read share. The market share against two high remains high, but the efficiency dip isn’t great. Flowers could still finish with a solid stat line, but I doubt it will be a boom week.
Tee Higgins has reentered the concussion protocol. Higgins had a limited practice to open the week as he worked off to the side. I’ll update his outlook on Friday.
ATL vs. TB | ARI vs. HOU | CLE vs. CHI | BAL vs. CIN | LAC vs. KC | BUF vs. NE | NYJ vs. JAC | LV vs. PHI | WAS vs. NYG | GB vs. DEN | DET vs. LAR | IND vs. SEA | TEN vs. SF | CAR vs. NO | MIN vs. DAL | MIA vs. PIT
