Even in the most favorable of fantasy football matchups, some players are not locks as starting options. Below are the players with the best matchups in Week 15, based on fantasy points allowed per game by the opposing defense, and whether or not you should feel good about starting them.
For more matchup info, see our stats for all positions against all 32 teams and our matchup analysis charts.
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Quarterback
Nick Foles (PHI at Giants, 19.5 F.P.P.G.) — Foles might actually be worth a look if you’re a desperate owner, like one who may have lost Carson Wentz. In 2013 the Chip Kelly-led Eagles ran an offense similar to the 2017 version, relying heavily on run/pass options. The Eagles lead the league, by far, in RPOs this season (155).
Verdict: Start if you’re desperate as a QB1, but more of a QB2 and a value play in DFS tournaments.
Marcus Mariota (TEN at 49ers, 19.1 F.P.P.G.) — He can’t be trusted at this point, even if a lot of his bad numbers come down to bad luck. He’s choked in several favorable matchups this season, falling under 10 fantasy points in games against the Cardinals, Colts and Browns. He’s also dealing with a knee injury and a nagging hamstring issue.
Verdict: Sit in most formats.
Drew Brees (NO vs. Jets, 18.8 F.P.P.G.) — His days as an elite fantasy quarterback seem to be over. He’s scored 17 fantasy points or fewer over his last three games and has done so a total of seven times this season. The offense is still explosive, but the emergence of the run game has cut into Brees’s fantasy production. Still, in this matchup he’s a QB1, just not one that I’m super excited about.
Verdict: Start in all formats.
Running Back
Kenyan Drake (MIA at Bills, 22.5 F.P.P.G.) — He’s scored at least 15 fantasy points in three of his past five games. He is fantasy’s ninth best back overall in that same span. This is a game both teams need to win to keep their N.F.L. playoff hopes alive, so Drake should be busy throughout against the Bills.
Verdict: Start in all formats.
Mike Davis (SEA vs. Rams, 21.6 F.P.P.G.) — He’s averaged 4.19 YCP on 31 carries over the past two weeks against good run defenses. He was a full participant in practice on Thursday, so you can feel good about that. He’s yet to score a touchdown, but that could change for sure against this unit.
Verdict: Start in all formats
Jay Ajayi (PHI at Giants, 20.6 F.P.P.G.) — He got up to 43 snaps in his last game, but he’s still losing lots of touches to Blount, so you can’t fully trust him as much more than a flex with upside.
Verdict: Start as a low-end RB2 or flex in most formats.
Wide Receiver
Julio Jones (ATL at Buccaneers, 26.7 F.P.P.G.) — The last time these two teams played, Jones had 12-of-15 targets for 253 yards and two scores. It is worth noting that cornerback Vernon Hargreaves was back at practice in a limited way this week. He wasn’t on the field for the last meeting, and is a much better player than Ryan Smith. You’re obviously starting Jones regardless, but expect bigger numbers if Hargreaves is out or limited.
Verdict: Start in all formats.
Keenan Allen (LAC at Chiefs, 25.1 F.P.P.G.) — Yep, lots to like here.
Verdict: Start in all formats.
Devin Funchess (CAR at Packers, 23.9 F.P.P.G.) — Since Week 10, he has had at least one touchdown or 100 yards receiving, and his 12.9 F.P.P.G. is the eighth most among all receivers (with at least five games played). His individual matchup with cornerback Damarious Randall is pretty darn good too, as he’s rated as just the 80th best cornerback by ProFootballFocus.com.
Verdict: Start in all formats.
Tight End
Zach Ertz (PHI at Giants, 11.6 F.P.P.G.) — He’s ready to return after clearing concussion protocol. If you think that the Eagles will be fine with Foles at quarterback , then you shouldn’t worry too much about Ertz. They have enough of a history to click this weekend.
Verdict: Start in all formats.
Ricky Seals-Jones (ARI at Redskins, 10.2 F.P.P.G.) — Tough to trust after just three catches over the last two weeks, but also hard to forget that he had three touchdowns in the previous two games combined. Overall he’s not a guy you can trust in a playoff week, but in deeper leagues he’s worth a look.
Verdict: Sit in most formats.
Kicker
Dan Bailey (DAL at Raiders, 10.5 F.P.P.G.) — Start.
Robbie Gould (SF vs. Titans, 10.5 F.P.P.G.) — Start.
Defense/Special Teams
IND vs. Broncos (12.3 F.P.P.G.) — Sit.
BAL at Browns (12.3 F.P.P.G.) — Start.
