We’re back FA Nation! After spending some hours in the lab and breaking down some matchups, I’m here to provide the best of the best and worst of the worst for Week 15. Fantasy championships are on the line, so it’s imperative, now more than ever, that you analyze your players’ matchups and find where you can separate yourself from the competition. Let’s get into it!
Oh yeah, follow me on Twitter (@colbyrconway) as well!
Offense | Left WR | Defense | Right CB | Analysis |
| ARI | John Brown | WAS | Quinton Dunbar | At the very best, he's on the low-end of the flex spectrum. He hasn't played in about a month and unless he scores, he doesn't rack up fantasy points. He will get his typical five or so targets per game, but it's just not enough to be trusted more than a flex option. |
| ATL | Taylor Gabriel | TB | Ryan Smith | Gabriel hasn't seen more than three targets from Matt Ryan in any of the last five games, and he's topped 20 receiving yards just one time. This Tampa Bay secondary is brutally vulnerable, but even in this matchup, you can't deploy Gabriel in any lineup. Way too volatile and from what we seen this year, he's just not worth it. |
| BAL | Mike Wallace | CLE | Jason McCourty | Cleveland is stingy to the opposition's No. 2 receiver, which Wallace is in this offense, behind Jeremy Maclin. Wallace is getting a good amount of work lately, but with primary coverage coming from McCourty, it may be best to avoid the veteran wideout. Of course, he won't be on McCourty every route he runs, but it'll likely be more than I'm comfortable going against. He's a flex option at best, but absolutely no more. |
| BUF | Zay Jones | MIA | Xavien Howard | Howard is playing some really good football and attacking him in recent weeks hasn't exactly panned out quite like we hoped. The Buffalo quarterback situation isn't ideal and with Howard on a bit of a roll, I'm fading Jones here. It may seem like a good matchup, but don't buy the hype. |
| CAR | Devin Funchess | GB | Damarious Randall | Randall was very good last week, but I'm rolling with Funchess in Week 15. He's the No. 1 receiver in the Carolina passing attack and you can lock him in for at least seven targets against a Green Bay defense that is vulnerable in the secondary, especially after injuries to Kevin King and Davon House. I like Funchess as a WR2 this week. |
| CHI | Dontrelle Inman | DET | Teez Tabor | Tabor is a young player that we can attack most weeks, and Inman is the team's top receiver, but as we all know, the Chicago passing attack isn't high-octane. He was a non-factor last week and hasn't put up a double-digit performance in a standard league since the end of November. You can fade him this week. |
| CIN | A.J. Green | MIN | Xavier Rhodes | Green is an elite receiver in the National Football League, but I don't like him in this matchup. Andy Dalton will struggle with this defense and Green has his hands full with Rhodes. He is an easy fade in DFS this week, but you may have your hands tied in season long. |
| CLE | Josh Gordon | BAL | Marlon Humphrey | Humphrey had a lot of potential coming into the league and he's lived up to it for the moment. Over the last four weeks, he's allowed just 13 receptions and picked off two passes.* DeShone Kizer will continue to target Gordon heavily, but picking on Brandon Carr figures to be the more favorable matchup. However, the Gordon hype train is rolling and Kizer will ride it all the way through the contest. Gordon is a mid-tier WR2 in Week 15. |
| DAL | Dez Bryant | OAK | Sean Smith | Bryant could have been much better last week if it weren't for all of his damn drops! However, us fantasy owners were fortunate in that Bryant scampered for a long touchdown after the cornerback in coverage slipped. Hey, we'll take it! Bryant may lack the explosiveness he once had, but he can still use his body and control to physically outman the Oakland secondary. Dez makes for a quality WR2 in Week 15. |
| DEN | Demaryius Thomas | IND | Quincy Wilson | Thomas has eight or more targets in seven straight games and he's clearly Trevor Siemian's guy. Indy ranks in the bottom of the league in terms of defending both long and short passes, so Thomas should have plenty of room to operate in this matchup. |
| DET | Kenny Golladay | CHI | Prince Amukamara | Matthew Stafford threw for a boatload of yards last week, and Golladay only reeled in three passes for a measly 17 yards. Eric Ebron had an unusually substantial role in the outing, so that likely took away from his production. In what's likely to be a quick game, as Chicago will milk the clock, Golladay's opportunities to produce are going to be limited. He's a fade for me in Week 15. |
| GB | Davante Adams | CAR | Daryl Worley | The return of Aaron Rodgers certainly won't derail Adams' fantasy value. Sure, Jordy Nelson may get a few extra targets, but Adams was still productive earlier in the year with Rodgers at the helm. He may not get the same volume with Rodgers, but he'll be more efficient. Adams remains a WR2. |
| HOU | DeAndre Hopkins | JAX | A.J. Bouye | The two former teammates will see a good bit of one another. Hopkins will see plenty of Ramsey, too, and likely spend every snap of the game with one of them opposing them. Hopkins is a monster and will still get plenty of volume, but expecting WR1 numbers in this matchup is a tall task, even for Hopkins. He's a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 this week. You can't sit him in season long, but you can wisely fade in DFS. |
| IND | Kamar Aiken | DEN | Bradley Roby | Roby has allowed just six receptions on 19 targets over the last four weeks and the Indy passing attack doesn't inspire much confidence to roster any of the pass catchers. I'm a full fade of the Colts this week. |
| JAX | Dede Westbrook | HOU | Kevin Johnson | Johnson has struggled plenty in coverage this season and Westbrook is emerging as a viable threat in this offense. He's caught at least five passes in three straight games and he scored his first touchdown last week. I love Westbrook in all formats this week. |
| KC | Demarcus Robinson | LAC | Trevor Williams | Over the last five weeks, teams have struggled throwing against this Los Angeles defense. Robinson won't be dealing with Casey Hayward, which helps, but he doesn't get enough volume to warrant a start, especially in a matchup that is below-average. Robinson isn't startable this week. |
| LAC | Travis Benjamin | KC | Darrelle Revis | Per Next Gen Stats, Benjamin creates plenty of separation on his routes, but he's given plenty of cushion off the line as the opposition respects his speed. He has big play ability and Revis isn't the player he used to be. Benjamin is a flex option in standard formats and GPP lineups. |
| LAR | Sammy Watkins | SEA | Shaquill Griffin | The likely return of Robert Woods lessens Watkins' fantasy value, because he now becomes the No. 3 option in the passing attack, behind Woods and slot man Cooper Kupp. However, Seattle has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to receivers over the last four weeks and Watkins has scored in five of his last six games. He's an excellent GPP play in what's likely to be a high-scoring matchup. |
| MIA | DeVante Parker | BUF | E.J. Gaines | Parker caught four balls for 40 yards against the Patriots on Monday Night Football, but the stats could have been padded a touch more if he wouldn't have dropped a pass or two. His drop rate is higher than one would like, but the fact remains that he hasn't lived up to the hype we all thought he would in 2017. Gaines has allowed 117 receptions over the last four weeks, so while there's hope for Parker, it's hard to get excited after multiple dud weeks. |
| MIN | Adam Thielen | CIN | William Jackson | Over the last four weeks, Jackson ranks 10th among qualified corners in lowest QB rating when targeted.* In a defense decimated by injuries, Jackson has been a bright spot and will likely see some Stefon Diggs in this matchup as well. However, Thielen remains, at worst, a high-end WR2 in any matchup. |
| NE | Brandin Cooks | PIT | Artie Burns | Burns is a good cornerback and Cooks is coming off two straight duds. He caught just one pass on seven targets against the Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 14. However, the Steelers have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers over the last four weeks, and this game is going to see plenty of points on the scoreboard. Cooks is going to straighten things out and post a big performance for us in Week 15. |
| NO | Michael Thomas | NYJ | Morris Claiborne | Despite facing the top corner for the Jets, Thomas is a reliable option in all formats, as his floor is so high this season. Until last week's performance, he wasn't lighting up the fantasy scoreboard, but he was a consistent, reliable source of fantasy points, which is valuable in fantasy formats. He dominates the share of air yards, per Next Gen Stats, in the New Orleans passing attack, but game flow could be a detriment to him in this one. He's a back-end WR1 for me this week. |
| NYG | Tavarres King | PHI | Ronald Darby | Since his return from an ugly ankle injury, Darby has played extremely good football for the Eagles. He hasn't allowed a receiving touchdown in his coverage over the last four weeks, and his opponent's catch rate is just 60 percent.* I'd rather have Roger Lewis than Tavarres King this week. |
| NYJ | Jermaine Kearse | NO | Ken Crawley | I would be hesitant attacking this matchup if Josh McCown is under center, but with Bryce Petty at the helm, I'm fading the Jets receiving crew entirely. Crawley hasn't been as good over the last five weeks as he was earlier this season, but he's a talented corner and quite frankly, Petty isn't that good. I don't trust Petty and it wears off onto Kearse. |
| OAK | Michael Crabtree | DAL | Jourdan Lewis | I really thought Crabtree would do more last week, but damn, Derek Carr, you really screwed us. Crabtree did get 13 targets, hauling in seven for 60 yards, but we were all expecting more against a generous Kansas City defense. It's another favorable matchup for Crab, as Dallas has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts this season. He's a WR2 for me, and could creep into a low-end WR1 if Amari Cooper sits with that ankle issue. |
| PHI | Alshon Jeffery | NYG | Ross Cockrell | Cockrell has allowed a QB rating when targeted of 92.9 over the last weeks, including 11 receptions on 19 targets and one touchdown.* There is a bit of an unknown with what Jeffery can be with Nick Foles, but Ross Cockrell and a hapless Giants defense is a perfect opportunity to see the potential. Jeffery is a low-end WR2 this week, but there is potential, because Foles is one of the more capable backups in the NFL. |
| PIT | Antonio Brown | NE | Malcolm Butler | In seasonal leagues, you're never sitting Brown. In DFS, you can make a case each week to rostering Brown. He's at home, one of the game's most dynamic playmakers and Pittsburgh is going to need to score to win this game. New England can't neutralize him completely and he's seen double-digit targets in all but two games this year. Play him anywhere you can. You won't regret it. |
| SEA | Paul Richardson | LAR | Trumaine Johnson | The Rams defense is battling injuries and Richardson is coming off a productive afternoon against a stout Jacksonville defense. He does tend to rely on the big play and the Rams have covered that aspect of the game well. However, that was prior to the rash of injuries. Like Tyler Lockett, Richardson has appeal in tournaments in DFS, but is just a flex option in seasonal leagues. |
| SF | Marquise Goodwin | TEN | LeShaun Sims | In Jimmy Garoppolo's two starts, both wins by the way, Goodwin has caught 14 of 20 targets for 205 yards. He's yet to find the end zone with his new quarterback, but the production and volume is there for Goodwin, and that will continue. He's the guy that can get down field in this offense, but given Tennessee's woes with short passes, Goodwin could take a screen or shallow crosser to the house. He's an excellent flex option this week. |
| TB | Mike Evans | ATL | Robert Alford | Believe it or not, Evans wasn't even shadowed by Darius Slay last week.* Slay ran with DeSean Jackson, signifying that teams few the veteran burner as more of a threat than Evans. With Alford in coverage, Evans is no more than a WR2 and starting him isn't going to give you a jolly feeling deep in your stomach. |
| TEN | Corey Davis | SF | Dontae Johnson | Johnson has been abused recently, most notably by DeAndre Hopkins. In fact, Johnson was even benched during the contest. He's allowed a QB rating of 155.9 over the last four weeks and a whopping 2.27 yards per coverage snap.* Davis has GPP appeal in this matchup, and this could be the time he breaks out, so long as Marcus Mariota plays at the level of which he's capable. |
| WAS | Josh Doctson | ARI | Patrick Peterson | Doctson has his hands full in this matchup. Peterson is arguably the most feared corner in all of football and when Doctson is in Peterson's coverage, I expect Cousins to look to another of his guys, hence my love for Ryan Grant this week. If you have better options, go ahead and bench Doctson this week. |
Offense | Right WR | Defense | Left CB | Analysis |
| ARI | Jaron Brown | WAS | Josh Norman | I'm not high on Brown this week, but it's worth noting that Norman has allowed the eighth-highest QB rating when targeted over the last four weeks and a catch rate of 73.6 percent.* Brown's usage is hit-or-miss in the offense and unless he scores, he's not going to be relevant in fantasy formats. You can leave him out of your starting lineup. |
| ATL | Julio Jones | TB | Brent Grimes | Jones went bonkers against this Tampa Bay defense last time they played, and while I don't think he quite matches those numbers, a 100-yard outing with a touchdown is reasonable against one of the most generous defenses in the National Football League. Jones is a top-5 play at this position this week. |
| BAL | Chris Moore | CLE | Jamar Taylor | Taylor isn't a cornerback we typically avoid here in the matchup report, but Moore just isn't a guy I feel comfortable playing, let alone recommending to FA Nation. Sure, he scored last week, but if it weren't for that, it was just another average performance. Go elsewhere, and don't put unnecessary stress in your life. |
| BUF | Deonte Thompson | MIA | Cordrea Tankersley | Thompson had just one catch last week, but it was the biggest catch of that game. This week, in what will feature much more favorable playing conditions last week, I'm still not big on Thompson. Even if Kelvin Benjamin sits, Buffalo will still sport a run-heavy attack and the chance remains that Nathan Peterman could be under center, assuming he's healthy. This is just an ugly situation. |
| CAR | Kaelin Clay | GB | Josh Hawkins | The Green Bay secondary ranks 20th against the pass and is absolutely decimated by injuries. However, Clay has seen more than one target in just one game over the past five weeks, and that's not a guy I want in any of my lineups, or yours! |
| CHI | Josh Bellamy | DET | Darius Slay | Slay is a shutdown corner and for those of you who religiously read this article understand that I'm not a fan of attacking Slay, especially in DFS, where you have the luxury of the entire NFL in the palm of your hands. He's caught just five passes over the last five weeks, and if it weren't for a touchdown a couple weeks ago, he'd have a goose egg in that column. Bellamy is an easy fade this week. |
| CIN | Josh Malone | MIN | Trae Waynes | The receiver away from Xavier Rhodes typically catches my eye, but that isn't the case with Malone. Brandon LaFell has some appeal this week, in that he'll likely receive a few extra targets. Malone, however, no thanks. |
| CLE | Corey Coleman | BAL | Brandon Carr | The loss of Jimmy Smith is showing in this Baltimore defense. The Ravens have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game over the last two weeks to opposing wide receivers and here comes Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman. Everyone is salivating over Gordon, but Coleman is actually the one with the easier matchup, not to mention that Coleman is coming off a respectable five catch effort with a touchdown last week. Don't sleep on Coleman this week. |
| DAL | Terrance Williams | OAK | David Amerson | Oakland is the worst in the league against the pass and Dallas is going to put some points on the board, especially after the offense came back to life last week. Since Williams' outburst against the Chiefs a few weeks ago, he's totaled just 144 yards in his last five games! If you want contrarian exposure to this game on the Dallas side of the football, go ahead and toss Williams in a multi-entry GPP, but it's volatile. In seasonal formats, he's a low-end flex option at best. |
| DEN | Emmanuel Sanders | IND | Kenny Moore | Sanders is a distant number two, as Demaryius Thomas is clearly Trevor Siemian's go-to target in the passing attack. Sanders is still averaging six targets per game over the last three weeks, but he's hasn't topped 20 yards in either of those contests. Sanders is a flex option at best, even in a favorable Thursday Night matchup. |
| DET | Marvin Jones | CHI | Kyle Fuller | This is going to be a really fun matchup to watch this weekend. Jones is playing good football and is option 1A in the Detroit passing attack. However, over the last four weeks, few corners are playing as well as Fuller. He's allowing a catch of well-below 50 percent (on 31 targets) and a measly 38.6 QB rating when targeted.* Jones remains a WR2, but he's closer to the backend of that echelon. |
| GB | Jordy Nelson | CAR | James Bradberry | There is nobody on this planet Earth that is happier for Aaron Rodgers' return than Jordy Nelson. He was fighting for WR1 numbers before Rodgers went down, and then, he was barely a WR7! Nelson is a must-start in all formats with his boy back at the gun, so you should have no reservations slotting him in. Through the first six weeks of the season, only 14 receivers had a higher QB rating when targeted than Nelson.* |
| HOU | Will Fuller | JAX | Jalen Ramsey | Without Deshaun Watson under center, Fuller has been nonexistent in the Houston offense. He saw five targets last week, but managed just three receptions for 26 yards. This matchup is absolutely brutal, as Ramsey is one of the game's best. Furthermore, when he doesn't see Ramsey, he has to face off against his former teammate, A.J. Bouye, who has been just as good as Ramsey in 2017. Fuller is an easy fade in all formats this week. |
| IND | T.Y. Hilton | DEN | Aqib Talib | Hilton has big play ability and he's the team top receiver, but he's been so inconsistent this year and it's terrifying for fantasy owners. He can explode for a monster game, but then he'll come back with a performance of under 32 receiving yards. This isn't a favorable matchup, so I expect Hilton to record less than 50 receiving yards against Talib and the Broncos. |
| JAX | Marqise Lee | HOU | Johnathan Joseph | Over the last five weeks, only 13 receivers have a higher rating when targeted than Lee.* In fact, the quarterback's QB rating when targeting Lee is higher than the likes of DeAndre Hopkins, Julio Jones, Brandin Cooks, Dez Bryant, etc. Joseph has struggled in coverage this season and the Texans are gifting fantasy points to opposing receivers. I love Lee this week, even against my Texans. |
| KC | Tyreek Hill | LAC | Casey Hayward | Hayward has allowed a QB rating of 9.7 when targeted over the last five weeks.* Hill may not factor in this game much as a receiver, but he gets the occasional hand-off and he can house a punt return. He is a WR3 this week, but there is major volatility here. |
| LAC | Tyrell Williams | KC | Marcus Peters | Williams has big play ability but it's scary trusting a guy a week after the majority of his fantasy points came on a single play. Peters is a tough matchup for sure, but the Kansas City defense is so weak in the secondary that Williams could move away from Peters and burn Darrelle Revis or Terrance Mitchell. He's a flex option at best and a GPP play in DFS. |
| LAR | Robert Woods | SEA | Byron Maxwell | Opposing receivers have had a field day against Maxwell in recent weeks! In fact, over the last five weeks, Maxwell has allowed 19 receptions on 24 targets for 304 yards and three touchdowns.* It's Woods' first game back from injury, but we all know just how productive he was before he went down. The Rams are going to score some points and Jared Goff will love to have his top dog back. Slot Woods in as a WR2 this week. |
| MIA | Kenny Stills | BUF | Tre'Davious White | Over the last four weeks, only three corners have allowed a lower QB rating when targeted than White.* White is balling out of late, and recorded two interceptions to just six receptions allowed in coverage.* Miami is coming off a big win, but Stills was very quiet in that outing. I'm not high on the 25-year-old receiver this week, largely due to this tough matchup. |
| MIN | Stefon Diggs | CIN | Darqueze Dennard | Kirkpatrick missed last week with a concussion, but he has a good chance to return to action this week. Even if he does, I still like this matchup for Diggs and expect him to produce mid-tier WR2 numbers. When targeting Diggs this season, the quarterback has a 113.6 QB rating and a 5:1 TD/INT ratio.* Yeah, that'll work for me in Week 15! |
| NE | Kenny Britt | PIT | Joe Haden | From a backup for the Cleveland Browns to a starter in Week 15 for the Patriots. Britt is only worth a look in deeper formats, and the return of Joe Haden makes this matchup less favorable for the recently-acquired Patriots. |
| NO | TommyLee Lewis | NYJ | Darryl Roberts | I liked Ted Ginn a lot in this matchup, but he won't play with a rib issue. Lewis is only worth a look in deep, deep flex leagues, while Willie Snead will also get some extended run. |
| NYG | Roger Lewis | PHI | Jalen Mills | Mills has allowed three touchdowns in coverage over the last four weeks, so there is some upside to Lewis this week. When attacking the Philadelphia secondary, I prefer to stay away from Ronald Darby, as he's more talented than Mills. If for some reason you feel so compelled to play a New York receiver, I'd roll the dice with Lewis. |
| NYJ | Robby Anderson | NO | Marshon Lattimore | The injury to Josh McCown is going to send ripple effects through the whole Jets offense. There was chemistry with Anderson and Bryce Petty prior to this season, but if Anderson is only a deep threat option with Petty at the helm, he'll be hard-pressed to produce against a stout New Orleans secondary. Anderson actually falls to a WR3 for me this week. |
| OAK | Cordarrelle Patterson | DAL | Chidobe Awuzie | Dallas ranks 22nd against the pass and with Amari Cooper likely missing this game, Patterson will get some extended run. He turned three catches into just eight yards last week, but don't forget that he caught 11 passes for 214 yards in the three weeks prior. This game could turn into a shootout, as Oakland's defense is poor. Patterson should get into the action, especially if Cooper is confirmed to miss the game. |
| PHI | Torrey Smith | NYG | Eli Apple | Smith has seen a whopping 19 targets over the last two games, including a season-high 11 last week. He reached 100 yards for the first time all season, but I'm not sure how the move to Nick Foles is going to affect him. I'm not really feeling him in GPPs this week, but in deeper formats you could do much worse than Smith in your flex spot. |
| PIT | Martavis Bryant | NE | Stephon Gilmore | Gilmore is going to body Bryant up and get physical with him from the first snap, and I don't think Bryant is going to respond well. DFS'ers are going to roster Bryant because of what he "could" do, but what he WILL do is get shut down and be a relative non-factor in this likely shootout. In seasonal formats, you may be starting him as your flex due to the battle of attrition, but I'm benching him where I have the luxury. |
| SEA | Tyler Lockett | LAR | Kevin Peterson | Injuries in the Rams secondary will push Peterson into action. Peterson hasn't played much this season and his inexperience will likely show this week. He's allowed both of his targeted to go for receptions and Tyler Lockett has big play ability.* Lockett has a great chance to haul in a 50-yard touchdown, and is a worthy candidate for a spot in your GPP lineups. |
| SF | Kendrick Bourne | TEN | Adoree' Jackson | Even in a decent matchup against a vulnerable Tennessee secondary, Bourne doesn't attract any fantasy appeal. The rookie out of Eastern Washington doesn't have much volume in the passing attack and I don't expect that to change this week. |
| TB | DeSean Jackson | ATL | Desmond Trufant | It's not an overreaction to state that Jackson is the No. 1 receiver in Tampa Bay. Detroit used Darius Slay to shadow Jackson, not Mike Evans.* Jackson is averaging seven targets per game over the last three weeks and Tampa Bay is going to need to score if they want to beat the Falcons in a must-win game for the Super Bowl runner-up. It's not the greatest matchup, but Jameis Winston is going to lean on Jackson. At the least, he's a flex option this week. |
| TEN | Rishard Matthews | SF | Ahkello Witherspoon | Witherspoon has struggled in recent weeks, allowing a 70 percent catch rate and a 126.7 QB rating when targeted.* Matthews will get his normal six or seven targets per game and his rapport with Marcus Mariota is undeniable. Matthews has GPP appeal against this San Francisco defense that made Tom Savage and T.J. Yates look solid. |
| WAS | Ryan Grant | ARI | Tramon Williams | With primary coverage coming from NOT Patrick Peterson, I'm intrigued by Grant in a multi-entry GPP lineup. We'll need a touchdown for him to pay off, but in a game where Washington will put up some points, I like Grant to get in on the action. |
Now, here are my 10 favorite matchups in the slot this weekend.
Offense | Slot WR | Defense | Slot CB | Analysis |
| LAC | Keenan Allen | KC | Steven Nelson | Over the last five weeks, Nelson has allowed the most receiving yards out of the slot and a whopping 2.17 yards per coverage snap.* Allen is balling out, as we all know, and of course, he remains a WR1 this week. |
| MIA | Jarvis Landry | BUF | Leonard Johnson | Johnson has allowed the fourth-most receiving yards out of the slot over the last five weeks, including two touchdowns and a whopping 140.3 QB rating when targeted.* Miami showed some creativity in getting Landry the ball in the open field, and I expect that to continue this week. The yardage may not be appealing, but he'll catch six or seven passes and is a safe bet to find the end zone. |
| SEA | Doug Baldwin | LAR | Nickell Robey-Coleman | Seattle is going to need to score if they want to win and Baldwin is the most consistent player in this Seattle passing attack. He's seen six or more targets in all but three games this season and there's no reason to believe that it will be a fourth game without at least half a dozen targets. |
| DET | Golden Tate | CHI | Bryce Callahan | The Bears rank 30th against the slot receiver and Tate is an absolute monster out of the slot. He's averaging nine targets per game over the last three weeks, including eight receptions in each of his last two outings. He's a PPR dream and he'll produce yet again in Week 15. |
| ATL | Mohamed Sanu | TB | Robert McClain | McClain is beatable out of the slot and Sanu had a nice game last time out against this Tampa Bay squad. Matt Ryan should have plenty of success against this defense, and there's no reason to believe that Sanu can't match his eight catch, 64-yard outing a few weeks back against Tampa Bay. Consider that his floor in this matchup. Plus, I think he finds the end zone this time around. |
| GB | Randall Cobb | CAR | Kevon Seymour | It hasn't been a great year for Cobb and the return to Aaron Rodgers can only benefit the seventh-year pro. He's yet to reach 100 receiving yards in a game this season, but his two biggest yardage outputs came with Rodgers under center. It's a plus-matchup for Cobb and he's a sneaky play in PPR formats this week. |
| PIT | Juju Smith-Schuster | NE | Jonathan Jones | Jones has struggled in recent weeks out of the slot and oh man, I need a piece of the cake in this high scoring affair between the Patriots and Steelers. Coming off a suspension, JuJu is going to be fired up and I expect him to post a quality low-end WR2 stat line. Eighty receiving yards with a touchdown is a reasonable expectation for the 21-year-old. |
| ARI | Larry Fitzgerald | WAS | Kendall Fuller | Fuller is pretty tough out of the slot, but all Blaine Gabbert knows is to throw his top receiver, which is, of course, Larry Fitzgerald. He's averaging nearly 10 targets per game over the last five weeks, including three performances with at least nine receptions and 90 receiving yards. Fire him up this week, despite a less than favorable matchup. |
| WAS | Jamison Crowder | ARI | K'Waun Williams | Williams has struggled at various points throughout the season in the slot and Crowder is going to see some extra targets with Arizona having Patrick Peterson on Josh Doctson out wide. With what could turn out to be 10 targets in this game, Crowder has a very high floor in PPR formats and makes for a mid-tier WR3 play this week. |
| NE | Danny Amendola | PIT | Mike Hilton | Pittsburgh ranks 23rd in slot coverage and Amendola is coming off a nice game against the Dolphins. The return of Rob Gronkowski will likely take a few targets away from Amendola, but Tom Brady knows the importance of utilizing the slot receiver, and it will be on display this weekend. In PPR formats, Amendola is a reliable play this week. |
Elite
Antonio Brown vs. Malcolm Butler
This one seems rather chalky, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that Brown was one of my favorite plays of the week! The Patriots rank 26th against the opposition’s top receiver and Brown has seen double-digit targets in all but two games this season. For his career (four games), he’s averaging 7.5 receptions for 94.3 yards and nearly a touchdown per outing. Butler has had his lapses in coverage this season and Ben Roethlisberger will exploit that in this high-scoring matchup.
Golden Tate vs. Bryce Callahan
Tate is balling out in recent weeks! He’s averaging nine targets per game over his last three games and nearly seven receptions per contest. Callahan has allowed a 100.9 QB rating when targeted and 2.15 yards per coverage snap over the last seven weeks.* Tate is a proven veteran and he gets used in a multitude of ways in the Detroit offense. With the team’s struggles in the run game, screen passes to Tate will serve as the de facto run game for the Lions. He can take a screen pass to the house and when you consider that the Bears rank 30th in slot coverage, there’s a lot to love above Tate in Week 15.
Affordable
Devin Funchess vs. Damarious Randall
The Green Bay defense is weakened by injuries, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Randall is playing some damn good football. Over the last four weeks, he’s allowed just eight receptions on 14 targets for 82 yards with a touchdown, good for a 68.2 QB rating when targeted.* That sounds good and all, but with Funchess being the only legitimate threat at wide receiver for the Panthers, he’ll receive enough volume to reward us fantasy owners. Funchess will feast on his routes away from Randall, because he’ll likely be facing backups across the board. He’s averaging eight targets over the last five weeks, and he’s found the end zone four times during that span. He’s a reliable WR2 this week.
*Information gathered from research done at Pro Football Focus.