Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 15

The 2023 fantasy football playoffs have finally arrived! Congratulations to the fantasy team owners who made it! There was plenty to talk about in week 14 including the Cowboys taking lead of the NFC East, the Bills defeating the Chiefs, and once again injuries. Fantasy relevant injuries that occurred in week 14 include Justin Herbert (finger), C.J. Stroud (concussion), Alexander Mattison (ankle), Justin Jefferson (chest), Nico Collins (calf), and Tyreek Hill (ankle, returned in the third quarter). The most important strategy I learned while playing in the fantasy football playoffs is starting players who have excellent matchups and players who have the “hot hand.” Good luck to everyone who is participating in the first round of the playoffs this weekend!

Lamar Jackson

Ravens @ Jaguars | 8:20 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 77.9%

Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens are red hot after defeating the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime on a walk-off punt return touchdown. Jackson scored a week 14 high 31.64 fantasy points for team owners. In week 15, he has an excellent matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars defense that on average allows 23.0 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks (3^rd highest allowed). Jackson should undoubtedly be considered a QB1 in fantasy football in week 15.

Joe Flacco

Browns @ Bears | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 2.3%

The former Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl winning quarterback returned in fashion as he and the Cleveland Browns took down the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-27 on Sunday. In that game, Flacco scored 20.32 fantasy points for team owners. I am in favor of starting him again against the Chicago Bears defense that on average allows 19.6 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. I’m confident that Flacco will provide good value for teams that need a quarterback in the fantasy football playoffs. He should be considered a mid to high-end QB2 in fantasy football in week 15.

Jahmyr Gibbs

Broncos @ Lions | 8:15 pm EST Saturday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 82.3%

Gibbs once again had a stellar game in the Detroit Lions shocking loss to the Chicago Bears 28-13, scoring 17.2 fantasy points in PPR leagues. The Broncos defense on average allows a league-high 21.6 fantasy points to opposing running backs, signaling a fantastic matchup for the rookie. Gibbs is in line to produce RB1 numbers in fantasy football in week 15.

Najee Harris

Steelers @ Colts | 4:30 pm EST Saturday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 53.1%

I understand Harris is coming off a fantasy dud performance scoring 7.8 fantasy points against the New England Patriots’ defense. However, the Patriots defense is excellent against the run and Harris is not known as a pass-catching back. I expect things to turn around for the third-year running back in week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts defense. The Colts defense has notoriously given up double-digit numbers to running backs and touchdowns almost every week. In fact, they allow on average 20.4 fantasy points to opposing running backs which is an attractive matchup for Harris. Harris should be considered a high-end RB2 to low-end RB1 in fantasy football in week 15.

Cooper Kupp

Commanders @ Rams | 4:05 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 65.2%

Whenever Cooper Kupp is playing, he is an attractive fantasy player to start due to the volume that he produces weekly. I often label him “Stafford’s boy” for this very reason. In week 14, the Los Angeles Rams suffered a major defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens 37-31, but Kupp scored 25.5 fantasy points in PPR leagues (4^th highest amongst receivers). Kupp should be considered a high-end WR1 against the Washington Commanders defense that on average allows 27.8 fantasy points to wide receivers (2^nd highest). I’m confident he will come through for fantasy team owners this weekend!

D.K. Metcalf

Eagles @ Seahawks | 8:15 pm EST Monday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 87.6%

Metcalf has been playing excellently this season averaging 15 fantasy points in PPR leagues. He even scored 13.2 fantasy points (PPR) before being ejected against the San Francisco 49ers who defeated the Seattle Seahawks 28-16 on Sunday. In week 15, Metcalf faces the Philadelphia Eagles defense that on average allows 30.2 fantasy points to wide receivers (the highest in the league). Thus, he should be considered a high-end WR1 in fantasy football in week 15.

Cade Otton

Buccaneers @ Packers | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 11.6%

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated NFC South rival the Atlanta Falcons 29-25 in a close game to continue their division lead. In that game, Otton scored 9.6 fantasy points in PPR leagues. Otton faces the Green Bay Packers defense that on average allows 6.5 fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Otton could very well see the end zone on Sunday and should be considered a mid-end TE2 in fantasy football in week 15.

Kyler Murray

49ers @ Cardinals | 4:05 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 67.8%

The Arizona Cardinals are fresh off a bye week, but it does not look good for them as they are facing division rival the San Francisco 49ers. I honestly do not expect much from this offense, especially against one of the best defenses in the league. The San Francisco 49ers defense on average allows 14.3 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. My recommendation is to sit Murray in fantasy football in week 15.

James Cook

Cowboys @ Bills | 4:25 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 56.5%

Cook has been non-existent for fantasy owners throughout most of the NFL season. I don’t expect that to change now. Cook is facing the Dallas Cowboys defense that is excellent against the run and on average only allows 11.3 fantasy points to opposing running backs. My recommendation is to sit Cook in fantasy football in week 15.

D.J. Moore

Bears @ Browns | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 70.5%

Moore put on a tremendous performance in week 14 against the Detroit Lions scoring 26.8 fantasy points in PPR leagues. However, this week doesn’t look so promising for the veteran as he is facing one of the best passing defenses in the league. The Cleveland Browns defense on average allows 16.5 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. My recommendation is to sit Moore in fantasy football in week 15.

Hunter Henry

Chiefs @ Patriots | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 6.0%

Henry lit up the Pittsburgh Steelers last Thursday night, scoring 19.0 fantasy points in PPR leagues for fantasy team owners. However, Henry is facing the Kansas City Chiefs defense that on average only allows 4.3 fantasy points to opposing tight ends. My recommendation is to sit Henry in fantasy football in week 15.