It’s crunch time in the NFL with just three weeks left of the regular season. The playoffs are right around the corner, and that means that some players are going to have to put their team’s fate on their backs. That could mean goods news for you fantasy players still in the playoffs or in large tournament plays. We already saw some of that last week as there was a ton of fantasy production across the NFL. More of the same can be expected in Week 15 so making the right decision becomes even more crucial at this stage. Here’s a look at my suggestions of players who could have huge games this week, and are strong candidates for GPP plays on DraftKings.
The Gamefly DraftKings GPP Plays for Week 15
Quarterbacks
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) vs. NE $6,700Â
It’s no secret how well Big Ben plays at home compared to how he does on the road. It’s a mystery as this has been the case for years, but the goods news for Ben and the Steelers is that this week’s prime matchup with the Patriots is at home. In the last three home games, Big Ben has averaged over 32 fantasy points per contest, and just last week incredibly threw for over 500 yards against the Ravens.
That’s something you expect to see from a college quarterback in the Big 12, but not at the professional level. The Steelers have played more uptempo and shotgun formations over the last few weeks, which has really spiked Ben’s fantasy production in the right direction. The Patriots defense has struggled all season. In fact, it looked like Jay Cutler and Tom Brady switched teams this past Monday, and didn’t tell anyone, because Cutler was fantastic in the Dolphins upset win. It’s a safe bet that the Patriots will struggle against this high-powered offense just as much.
Cam Newton (CAR) vs. GB $6,400
Newton has not thrown for over 200 yards since a Week 10 win over the Dolphins, but he’s in a great spot for solid production this week when the Packers come to town. Green Bay’s defense has struggled all season, and now rank 31st against quarterbacks on DraftKings. Browns QB Deshone Kizer easily had his best game in his short career against these Packers last week. The Panthers are battling for playoff positioning, and it’s about that time for Cam to put his team on his back.
Other Notables: Jimmy Garoppolo (SF) vs. TEN $6,300, Blake Bortles (JAX) vs. HOU $5,700
Running Backs
Kenyan Drake (MIA) @ BUF $5,800
Drake has given Dolphins fans a reason to forget Jay Ajayi in recent weeks. Monday night against the Pats, Drake accounted for 193 total yards. With the Dolphins heading to Buffalo to take on the Bills weak rushing defense, and the cold, he should be in line for another big game. Drake has averaged 28 touches in the last two games, and if weather conditions are even remotely close to what they were like in Buffalo last week, you can expect Miami to lean heavily on their run game, and their young workhorse back from Alabama.
Jay Ajayi (PHI) @ NYG $5,000
While Kenyan Drake is doing his job of getting Dolphins fans to forget Jay Ajayi, Ajayi is doing quite well for himself in Philadelphia. Splitting time with LeGarrette Blount and Corey Clement has limited his touches in Philadelphia to this point, but he is averaging almost a full seven yards per carry since joining the Eagles. With Carson Wentz now out for the season with a torn ACL, the Eagles could be forced to rely more heavily on their run game. Ajayi should see an uptick in touches when the Eagles visit the Giants, who have struggled in all phases of the game this entire season.
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Other Notables: Jordan Howard (CHI) @ DET $6,900, Devonta Freeman (ATL) @ TB $6,200
Wide Receivers
Keenan Allen (LAC) @ KC $8,400
This is definitely the week you’ll want to try and stack the deck with receivers as the top three priced receivers are all involved in matchups with the three worst pass defenses according to DraftKings. Of the three, my preferred choice is Keenan Allen who has been red hot over the last four weeks. He’s surpassed over 100 yards in each of those games, with four touchdowns through that span as well. The Chiefs have had no answers in the passing game this season, and I’d be surprised if they found any for Allen come Saturday night.
Jordy Nelson (GB) @ CAR $6,300
Yeah, remember this guy? With the return of Aaron Rodgers this week, we should also see the return of Jordy Nelson‘s fantasy production. By the $1,800 price increase from the week prior, it’s assumed that DraftKings believes Nelson will return high production as well now that Rodgers is back in the lineup. Nelson has always been Rodgers’ preferred target, and if he can pick up where he left off that should be great news for Nelson throughout the rest of the season.
Dede Westbrook (JAX) vs. HOU $5,100
The rookie from Oklahoma has improved his production every week since stepping on the scene in Week 11. While Marqise Lee still remains Blake Bortles top target, Westbrook has seen his fair share of targets in the absence of Allen Hurns. Westbrook caught the first touchdown pass of his career last week against Seattle, and should have an easier time against the injury-plagued defense of the Texans.
Other Notables: Cooper Kupp (LAR) @ SEA $6,200, Demaryius Thomas (DEN) @ IND $5,600
Tight Ends
Jack Doyle (IND) vs. DEN $5,200
Doyle saved his day last week with a late 4th quarter touchdown that sent their game with Buffalo into overtime. With the weather conditions as bad as they were, it clearly wasn’t at the fault of Doyle’s, seeing that the Colts threw just a handful of passes in the blizzard-like conditions. Still, it was the third game out of the last four in which Doyle was held to 16 yards or less. He’s fallen out of rhythm of sorts with Jacoby Brissett, but the two should be able to get back on track together at home against the Broncos. Denver was able to hold Austin Seferian-Jenkins in check in their lopsided win over the Jets, but they still rank in the bottom five against tight ends for the season.
Other Notables: Hunter Henry (LAC) @ KC $4,800, Jared Cook (OAK) vs. DAL $4,400
Defense
New Orleans vs. NYJ $3,900
With Josh McCown lost for the season, it could get really ugly for the Jets down the stretch. Bryce Petty entered the game for the Jets late in their contest against the Broncos, and it wasn’t pretty for Petty. This Saints defense has been one of their best in recent years, and with the home crowd behind them, they should have no trouble rattling the Jets defense all game.
Other Notables: Philadelphia @ NYG $3,600, Minnesota vs. CIN $3,500
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