The Biggest Start/Sit Decisions for Week 15 (Fantasy Football)
Welcome to the playoffs edition of the Start/Sit series, where we’ll discuss your most commonly asked “Who should I start?” questions for the week.
The projections between any two players on your roster may appear similar, but this “simple” choice could be the difference between your team’s victory or defeat. Luckily, the Fantasy Footballers have created an amazing Start/Sit tool to easily compare any two (or more) players with insight from the Ballers themselves, and trust me — it’s a precious asset that will help you make these crucial lineup decisions that could ultimately lead you to your #FootClanTitle.
In this article, you’ll find your most popular Start/Sit questions of the week, along with the Ballers’ projections and my personal opinions on the matter. Please note that the Footballers’ rankings are constantly being updated as news breaks, so make sure you check out the tool for yourself to catch any last-second changes.
So, without further ado, let’s kick things off with the biggest Start/Sit questions for Week 15:
QB:
Justin Fields (CHI) or Kyler Murray (ARI)?
Two mobile QBs that are somewhat matchup-dependent and have horrible matchups, yet share perceived “safe” floors thanks to their propensity to take off when coverage is tight. Since returning from injury (thumb), Fields has averaged 73.7 rushing yards per game and found the end zone last week. Murray’s numbers aren’t as high (26.5 rushing yards per game), though he’s also scored with his legs in every game except his last one.
The Browns’ elite defense hasn’t been as intimidating lately, ranking as the ninth BEST schedule-adjusted matchup for opposing QBs in the last three weeks, a far cry from their #1 ranking as the most difficult matchup in the weeks prior. This downward trend began when they let Russell Wilson score his first rushing TD of the season during Thanksgiving weekend. So it’s not out of the realm of possibilities for Fields to capitalize and do the same.
.@justnfields magic 🪄
📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX pic.twitter.com/TJHlgXLRsT
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 10, 2023
Unfortunately, it’s not quite the same case for Murray against the 49ers in what is projected to be a gruesome divisional slaughter. His top receiver is a sophomore TE (albeit a great one) because his main wideout has moved from Hollywood to Scottsdale, which explains why he hasn’t been able to throw for more than a single passing TD in any game this year. It won’t get any easier against a ferocious San Francisco defense, and while he’ll have to scramble for his life and may luck out with a long run, it’ll be tough sledding as the only QB to score a rushing TD against the 49ers this season has been Jalen Hurts, who also leads the league in this criteria.
The Verdict
Justin Fields
Jake Browning (CIN) or Joe Flacco (CLE)?
I love Joe Flacco‘s comeback story, but I have to side with the Ballers and pick Jake Browning. He’s got the arsenal, he’s making the passes (averaging 79% completion rate and 111.5 passer rating in games started), and he isn’t afraid to run it in himself in the red zone (four RZ carries and two rushing TDs), all of which made him fantasy’s QB2 since Week 13. Sure, he has a tougher matchup than Flacco, but the Elite Dragon will have to make do with his ravaged O-line that already lost LT Jedrick Wills (knee), RT Jack Conklin (knee), and now RT Dawand Jones (knee), not to mention DNPs from G Joel Bitonio (knee) and C Ethan Pocic (stinger). Let’s not forget that Amari Cooper is hobbled (ribs) and while David Njoku has become a resurging weapon, so has the Bears’ newly acquired DE Montez Sweat.
The Verdict
Jake Browning
RB:
Ezekiel Elliott (NE) or James Cook (BUF)?
When we look back at this season, we’ll fondly remember James Cook as an important, underrated piece of many top-contending lineups. Since the Joe Brady era, Cook has averaged over 114 scrimmage yards and nearly a TD per game, which is good for 17.8 FPPG. He’s been especially valuable in PPR leagues as almost half of his yardage came through the air. Unfortunately, he faces a formidable Cowboys defense that has given up the second FEWEST points to opposing RBs (12.4 points in the last five weeks).
Meanwhile, Zeke gets to resume feasting on a bountiful bell cow workload, seeing 91% snaps, 30.8% target share, and ALL of his team’s RB carries with Rhamondre Stevenson inactive (ankle). His matchup is middling, but it doesn’t matter who he faces so long as he continues seeing such elite volume.
The Verdict
Ezekiel Elliott
Ty Chandler (MIN) or James Conner (ARI)?
The Ballers are mixed on this one, but I’m going with Ty Chandler over James Conner. Chandler has the easier matchup and higher projected team total, and while he’s not as proven as Conner, he’s presumed to see the lion’s share of usage in a favorable gamescript. Most importantly, he won’t be facing Nick Bosa, Chase Young, and company, though it helps that Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave aren’t expected to suit up.
The Verdict
Ty Chandler
WR:
DeAndre Hopkins (TEN) or Garrett Wilson (NYJ)?
Both guys have been absolute target hogs, making them worthwhile starts in your WR2 or flex spots. Both have also been wildly inconsistent due to their incredibly shaky (at best) QBs, although both Will Levis and Zach Wilson are showing glimpses of hope. Wilson is averaging more targets per game (10.3 vs 8.2), but Hopkins wins in TPRR (26.45% vs 24.95%). I’d rather stay in the flames with a reinvigorated Nuk — who also happens to be Jason’s WR Start of the Week — especially in a juicy rEvEnGe GaMe at home against the Texans.
DeAndre Hopkins best plays from 124-yard game @DeAndreHopkins
📺: More coverage on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/kRdPCYS2gM
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 13, 2023
The Verdict
DeAndre Hopkins
TE:
Trey McBride (ARI) or Isaiah Likely (BAL)?
I know I’ve been shying away from any player facing the 49ers’ stout defense, but we can’t worry about that when Trey McBride has been firing on all cylinders as the team’s focal weapon in a volatile position such as TE. His elite usage and production make him a recommended DFS FanDuel and DraftKings Cash pick, as well as Andy’s TE Start of the Week. Isaiah Likely is coming off the best fantasy performance of his career (5-83-1), but he has to contend for looks in a surprisingly crowded receiving room.
The Verdict
Trey McBride
D/ST:
Cleveland Browns or Atlanta Falcons?
As I mentioned before, the Cleveland Browns’ defense hasn’t been quite the fearsome opponent that they were during their blazing hot start. But with Joe Flacco spearheading the offense, the veteran should allow the offense to stay on the field longer and thus provide more relief for their defense. Myles Garrett is getting healthier and will get another opportunity to pounce on Justin Fields, who is capable of racking up the scoreboard but is also giving up nearly four sacks and a fumble per game.
#Browns Top 5 Plays of 2021‼️#1️⃣: Myles Garrett sets a Franchise-Record with 4.5 Sacks in a Week 3 Win vs the #Bears. 🦖#NFL @Flash_Garrett pic.twitter.com/HZERLJz7aX
— The Hottest Take (@Hottest_TakePod) December 13, 2021
But there is no greater opponent for defensive lines than Bryce Young, who has taken the second MOST sacks this season (48). The Panthers are on quite a cold streak, giving up the second MOST points to opposing D/STs since Week 9 (15.3 points), while the Bears are 11th in that same time span (8.2 points). The Falcons’ slow offensive pace and horrendous weather will help drag the game down and limit the scores.
The Browns are clearly the better real-life and fantasy defense as they currently rank fifth among all teams in FPPG while the Falcons rank 25th, and their upside is why the Browns are the consensus winner. But if you want to play it safe, then you might be better off rolling with the Falcons instead.
The Verdict
Cleveland Browns
Good luck Footclan! If you have any questions, hit me up on Twitter. And don’t forget to tune in to the Sunday Live broadcast where Mike will answer your last-second Start/Sit questions!
Comments
I respectfully disagree on McBride over Likely and CLE D/ST over ATL D/ST. I don’t think CAR is going to be able to do much of anything vs ATL D/ST and I think Likely is going to eat again this week vs a fairly weak JAC pass defense.
Im in the 1st round of the playoffs and im playing really good people so 1 mistake can cost me and I have a dilemma, with Jacob’s out I had to realign my roster I have Achane whom I put in then my dilemma is for my flex do I play Zack Moss or Rashee Rice? Thanks in advance and happy holidays to everyone. GO E.A.G.L.E.S 🦅💚🤍🦅