Rex Burkhead’s return has meant James White is back to a role player.
Burkhead’s return meant someone was going to lose snaps in the New England backfield. We have never seen a three-headed backfield have three relevant fantasy backs. Well like I said a few weeks ago it seems like Burkhead is hurting everyone more than helping himself because he also isn’t getting enough work. Sony Michel would be the safest play on the team if fullback James Develin would stop vulturing his goal-line carries. In a high scoring game White only played 40% of the snaps leading to four carries and two receptions. That just isn’t enough volume to be reliable unless he breaks a big play. The Steelers should force the Patriots to throw this week, but we saw a similar game script this past week. Don’t count on White as more than an RB3.
The lowest over/under of the week goes to the Jaguars and Redskins.
The most important position on the field is the quarterback. The Redskins and Jaguars both don’t have one and it is crushing their team’s offenses. Adrian Peterson did nothing with Mark Sanchez/Josh Johnson at QB. Leonard Fournette did little with Cody Kessler. You can’t trust either back in your fantasy playoffs. The Redskins have been susceptible to running backs lately making Fournette an RB2, but Peterson is an RB3 at best. There likely won’t be many points in this game with a 36 point over/under. The defenses could even put up more points than the offenses.
Kenneth Dixon is making his return for the fantasy playoffs.
I don’t know if Dixon will ever be worth starting in your lineup before the season ends. But I do not that he making Gus Edwards irrelevant. Just when we thought we would finally see what having a running quarterback in Lamar Jackson could do for the Ravens’ backfield it has been taken away. Edwards still had 16 carries, but Dixon got the goal line and late-game work. Edwards doesn’t offer anything in the passing game. Dixon has the talent to do it all, but he just has never stayed healthy. The Buccaneers have been crushed by running backs all season. Dixon’s pass-catching alone makes him more of a threat to the Bucs than Edwards though. For now, we have a straight up timeshare.
Jaylen Samuels was the tight end we all thought he would be.
Samuels did not do much as a runner in Week 14. He only had eleven carries for 28 yards. Steven Ridley even got the goal line touchdown. Samuels did, however, get seven receptions. He was a pass-catching H-back in college and it looks like that’s what the Steelers intended for him to be. Ridley didn’t get much work on the ground either though and the Steelers offense as a whole struggled against the Raiders. Back at home against the Patriots the Steelers should put up more point giving Samuels more touchdown chances.
Ezekiel Elliott only has five fewer targets, 89 fewer yards, and one less touchdown in receiving production than Alvin Kamara.
The Cowboys should have been using Zeke in the passing game more from the moment they drafted him. There is no questioning that he is their best offensive weapon and they seem to finally see that as well. While he isn’t as good a receiving talent as Kamara or Christian McCaffrey he can hold his on. Volume is king in fantasy football and as long as he is getting targets that is all that matters. The passing work gives Elliott a whole new ceiling and in Week 15 that goes up against the Colts who have given up the most receptions to running backs all year.
Damien Williams could have the best matchup for the Chiefs on Thursday night football.
The Chiefs have caught an injury bug. Sammy Watkins may be done for the year, Tyreek Hill is banged up, and Spencer Ware hurt his shoulder even though he returned in last weeks game. My guess is Hill plays banged up and Ware suits up. But if Ware misses Williams becomes a solid RB2 play. The Chargers are a top ten defense against every position besides running back over the last six weeks. The Chiefs will put up points because the Chargers should score on the Chiefs handily. Charcandrick West just joined the team and wasn’t even active last week meaning he might not be ready for a large workload. Williams has shown his pass catching skills even if he isn’t as good a runner as Ware. With all the injuries you could do worse than starting a running back for the Chiefs that will see 15 touches in a high scoring game.
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Drew Brees and Michael Thomas owners should stay the course and start them confidentially in Week 15
Thomas has gone three straight games without scoring a touchdown. Brees highest yardage total over the past three weeks is 201 yards. That is not how fantasy owners of these two Saints players expected their playoff run to begin. If you are still in the playoffs don’t fret. The Saints play the Panthers this week who are the second worst team against quarterbacks and the worst team against wide receivers the past six weeks. The Saints are going to throw on the Panthers because they can and the Panthers are actually decent at stopping the run. They are fifth against running backs in fantasy over that same time span. Kamara should be a fine play because of his passing work, but I would worry about Ingram somewhat in a tough matchup. QB/WR1 combos of Baker Mayfield/Jarvis Landry, Jameis Winston/Chris Godwin, Russell Wilson/Tyler Lockett have all had top 12 days against the Panthers the past three weeks.
Tevin Coleman was out-snapped by Ito Smith in Week 14.
I don’t know if any that was playing Coleman regularly made it into the playoffs, but if you did congratulations. Coleman owners were thrilled when he was going to be the Falcons RB1 for the rest of the season. In reality, he has been fool’s gold ever since. He ranks as the RB21 currently on the year and is the definition of an RB2. He rarely booms and gives you about 10 points a game. In Week 15 you may be looking at the Arizona Cardinals matchup and think this may be one of those rare booms. Well, I think the Falcons know he is leaving in free agency after the year and would rather get a look at their rookie Smith. At least that is what I would do since their season is over. You can start Coleman again and you will probably get another low tier RB2/3 week. I would rather play Justin Jackson, Jaylen Samuels, or Damien Williams (if Ware is out) over him.
Week 15 very likely will be the first time the Falcons D/ST has double-digit points.
Early in the season you likely knew to stay away from the Falcons defense. In the NFC South, they had to play the Buccaneers, Saints, and Panthers all twice giving them few good matchups throughout the year. Well, they finally get a playable matchup in Week 15. The Falcons take on the Cardinals at home. Those playoffs teams that thought they planned out their defensive matchups with the Broncos against a hot Browns offense now can pivot to another team. The Cardinals are one of the worst offensive teams in NFL history. There is a realistic chance the Cardinals defense scores more points than the offense every week. If you are in need don’t hesitate to play the Falcons as a top 10 defense this week.
No quarterback has more fantasy points than Josh Allen over the past three weeks.
Josh Allen is what we all thought Lamar Jackson would be. Jackson hasn’t been bad by any means, but Allen is the best running quarterback in the NFL right now. He has scored a rushing touchdown in two of three games and only missed 100 yards rushing in one game where he had 99. Jackson, on the other hand, hasn’t crossed 75 yards in the last three games. The Lions are a middle of the road defense against quarterbacks on the year. Rushing quarterbacks like Russell Wilson, Mitchell Trubisky, and Cam Newton all have had success against the Lions this year through the air and somewhat on the ground. Allen can do enough if you need a top 12 quarterback in place of Jameis Winston against the Ravens or maybe even Tom Brady against the Steelers. Rushing quarterbacks are a massive advantage in fantasy football and don’t be afraid to exploit it.
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