DFS NFL Yahoo Week 15
Week 15 is a great time to get into Yahoo’s DFS format. For those who have been reading my previous articles, you’ll know that I attempt to point out the best player price value on Yahoo’s Sunday slate.
For roster and scoring settings, check out my Week 1 article.
Home and Dome
There are a few elements that I look at in order to find the most desired matchups. There is what I call Home and Dome, teams that are playing at home with an indoor stadium. Wind can be a factor that can negatively impact passing offenses and being indoors takes that element away. There are seven teams that play Home and Dome in the Week 15 Sunday Slate:
Arizona Cardinals vs Philadelphia Eagles
Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers
Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans
Los Angeles Rams vs New York Jets
Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears
New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson (BAL) $33 vs JAX
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Lamar Jackson is coming off two of his three best rush yard totals (94 and 126 respectively) from all season. The Ravens are 13 point favorites, which is the second largest spread of the week. Normally, with such a heavy favorite, the play is to target a running back. However, because of the Jackson’s rushing floor, he actually benefits from that game script. In addition to the ground game, the Jaguars have allowed the 4th most fantasy points on the season to opposing quarterbacks. Regardless of how the game plays out, Jackson has a strong case as any player to be the #1 scoring fantasy option in Week 15.
Jalen Hurts (PHI) $27 @ ARI
I’m going mobile with the quarterbacks. After an impressive performance in his first career start, Jalen Hurts comes in at a value this week. While he may not produce another 100-yard game on the ground, he should still be in line for a safe rushing floor week. The Cardinals have surrendered an average of 24.3 rushing yards per game to quarterbacks. That is the 6th most in the league and would certain make Hurts a favorite in cash games. With more passing volume as well, he may be able to elevate his ceiling and eventually a better tournament play. Even on the road, a Dome game still helps the passer.
More Value: Jared Goff (LAR) $29
Running Back
Alvin Kamara (NO) $31 vs KC
Two key pieces of information possibly make Alvin Kamara the most valuable running back this week. First, Drew Brees will be getting the start on Sunday. Early in the season, Kamara was on an incredible pace, and a lot of it had to do with his pass-catching work. Since Brees’ injury, Kamara’s ceiling was lowered. However, with the return of his original signal-caller, Kamara can easily attain top 5 upside at the position. Going back to that point of the season, it was also noteworthy that Michael Thomas was absent for most of those game. Well, the wide receiver will miss this Week 15 contest. Kamara is the one running back who benefits most from a Home and Dome game. Fire him up in all formats.
Nick Chubb (CLE) $30 @ NYG
One of my favorite aspects about Yahoo’s DFS format is that the Sunday Night game is included in the main slate. This week, that gives us access to a great run game in Cleveland. Nick Chubb fits right in my favorite price range for running backs this week. I am not afraid to take multiple shots on 30$ running backs in the same lineup. Like Kamara, Chubb has top 5 upside at the position, especially playing the Giants defense who have allowed the 9th most fantasy points to running backs. It will be expensive, but right around 30$ is, in my opinion, the best price point for backs.
More Value: Jonathan Taylor (IND) $29
Wide Receiver
D.K. Metcalf (SEA) $29 @ WAS
Because of how expensive those running backs are, this might be more of an either/or situation. Either you grab two elite running backs, or you pair one of them with a top tier wide receiver. Among that group, I believe DK Metcalf offers the best value. He has been fairly consistent, with double-digit fantasy points in all but two games this season. And with Tyler Lockett struggling to produce massive numbers, there has been even more of a reliance on Metcalf to carry the passing attack. Metcalf truly has WR#1 potential for this week, even in a difficult matchup in Washington. Yahoo certainly buys into that defense because Metcalf is listed as the 7th most expensive player. In other DFS formats, Metcalf is listed as high as 2nd on the main slate price rankings. Take advantage of Yahoo pricing him down.
Cooper Kupp (LAR) $23 vs NYJ
If you prefer to target multiple elite running backs, as well as top tier options at quarterback and tight end, then spending big on any wide receiver is probably not the best move. Instead pay down to this price range and grab Cooper Kupp as your WR1. The matchup against the Jets is certainly a great one. The Rams are 17 point favorites, the largest spread this week. While that would normally indicate a run-heavy approach, the Jets have surrendered the 6th most fantasy points to wide receivers, but only the 18th most fantasy points to running backs. Plus, you can never go wrong with a Home and Dome game.
T.Y. Hilton (IND) $19 vs HOU
T.Y. Hilton has been on a tear of late. Three straight games of at least 80 yards, 16 fantasy points and a TD. That includes back-to-back 20+ point fantasy performances. One of those games was against the Texans who have allowed the 9th most fantasy points to wide receivers. T.Y. Houston (as some call him) has traditionally done when facing the Texans. Why mess with tradition. If you really want to spend big at other positions, I have no problem making Hilton your highest priced receivers and going below 20$ at all three WR spots.
More Value: Sammy Watkins (KC) $13
Tight End
Mark Andrews (BAL) $22 vs JAX
I have two distinct tight end paths this week. Pay up for an elite option, or pay all the way down. Starting at the top Mark Andrews is such a great play, not only is the matchup excellent against the Jaguars, but several of Andrews’ teammates have been placed on the COVID-19 list. Specifically other pass catchers. While the Ravens could certainly apply a run-heavy approach, Andrews will likely be the first-look on most passing plays.
Dalton Schultz (DAL) $10 vs SF
And now to the other extreme of tight end pricing. If you choose to pay down at the position, I suggest going all the way to the minimum 10$ range. There, you will find Dalton Schultz. No other tight end in that range offers a consistent target share like Schultz. He has at least 3 targets in every game this season. While it is a difficult matchup against the 49ers, this is purely a punt play at the position. At the very least, this is a Home and Dome game for Schultz.
More Value: Dan Arnold (ARI) $12
Deep Dive
RB – Leonard Fournette (TB) $12 @ ATL
Like Alvin Kamara at the top of the list, this is play based on recent news. With Ronald Jones likely to miss Week 15, look for Fournette to return to the field after being a healthy scratch last game. While there are other options in the backfield, Fournette has shown to be the only one aside from Jones to get anything close to a workhorse role. I expect that will be the case for Fournette in Week 15.
WR – Lynn Bowden (MIA) $12 vs NE
Cheat code. That is the best way to describe the possibilities behind Lynn Bowden this week. With a few Dolphins receivers questionable to play in Week 15, Bowden may be in line for more targets. Also, Salvon Ahmed is among those with questionable designation. If the running back can’t play or is limited, there is also a chance he could get into the backfield for some rushing attempts.
Defense
Cleveland Browns $16 @ NYG
Speaking of questionable designations, that is exactly what Daniel Jones has this week. There is a chance that Colt McCoy is the starting quarterback. I do often attack backups with my defense plays. Honestly, that might almost be better for the Giants, the way Jones played last week. Clearly, affected by injuries in the previous contest, the quarterback situation is up in the air for the Giants. Either way, the upside for this offense is capped.
Seattle Seahawks $14 @ WAS
It is difficult to find any great value at the low end of the defense prices. So I’m going with a second middle-tier unit facing off against a team with quarterback uncertainty. Truthfully, this play probably hinges on the availability of Carlos Dunlap. If he plays, I like the Seahawks pass-rush quite a lot.
Thank you for reading. Be sure to check out all of the great DFS content available on Going for 2.
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