Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 15
SSSQ is a weekly look at underappreciated fantasy players to consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.
For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 15 rankings, or you can also listen to the Week 15 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
StartDak Prescott, Cowboysat Jaguars
Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrescott has been a solid fantasy starter since returning from injury in Week 7, but he hasn't had many ceiling games during that time.
Fortunately, he has an excellent chance for a monster performance in the first week of the fantasy playoffs against a Jaguars defense that's giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Jacksonville has allowed a top-12 fantasy QB in seven of its last eight outings, with the lone exception being Russell Wilson.
The Jags are also fresh off a 36-point explosion against the divisional rival Titans. Doug Pederson's crew has enough firepower to make this a high-scoring contest, and the matchup has a very respectable projected point total of 48.5.
Boone's projection: 312 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 14 rushing yards
Other QBs to start
- Kirk Cousins vs. Colts
- Daniel Jones at Commanders
at Texans
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIf you've been listening to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast this season, you know we've been waiting for Pacheco to reach the fantasy playoffs where he can take advantage of an excellent schedule over the next couple of weeks.
The seventh-round rookie has been a steady force in the Chiefs' backfield over the last five weeks, with over 80 yards from scrimmage in each contest.
Pacheco is the RB21 in fantasy points per game during that stretch, and now he gets his two easiest opponents in consecutive weeks. The Texans and Seahawks rank first and second in fantasy points allowed to RBs, respectively.
Kansas City is 14-point favorites over Houston, which will result in a positive game script that paves the way for Pacheco to rack up yards and visit the end zone.
Boone's projection: 114 rushing yards, TD, 9 receiving yards, 1 reception
Other RBs to start
- Alvin Kamara vs. Falcons
- Brian Robinson vs. Giants
- D'Onta Foreman vs. Steelers
vs. Rams
Patrick McDermott / Getty Images Sport / GettySadly, Watson's insane scoring efficiency - eight touchdowns over the last four games - is due for some regression toward the mean.
While that adds risk to his upcoming fantasy outlook, there's still plenty to like about the Packers' emerging star. Watson has seen 27 targets over the last month and posted at least 48 receiving yards in each contest, including two 100-yard efforts.
The Rams are also the 10th-easiest matchup for fantasy wideouts, with 13 different receivers reaching the 70-yard mark against them in 13 games.
Green Bay has been desperate for a game-breaker in its passing attack this season, and the rookie has arrived to save the day. Aaron Rodgers will continue to feed him, especially around the goal line, so continue to start Watson as a WR2 in fantasy.
Boone's projection: 92 receiving yards, 4 receptions, TD, 12 rushing yards
Other WRs to start
- DeVonta Smith at Bears
- Jerry Jeudy vs. Cardinals
- Chris Moore vs. Chiefs
vs. Cardinals
Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / GettyAfter a hot start that saw Dulcich post double-digit fantasy points in his first three career games, the rookie went through a quiet trio of contests before stepping up the last two weeks with 6-85-0 and 3-42-0.
Next up is an Arizona defense that's the softest possible matchup in the first round of the fantasy playoffs. In addition to allowing the most fantasy points to the position, the Cardinals have given up stat lines of 5-96-0 (Noah Fant), 8-73-0 (Tyler Higbee), 4-84-2 (George Kittle), and 3-70-0 (Hunter Henry) in their last five games.
Even if Russell Wilson can't clear concussion protocol, Dulcich will be fine. His biggest target total of the season (9) came in Brett Rypien's lone start.
Boone's projection: 83 receiving yards, 6 receptions, TD
Other TEs to start
- Cole Kmet vs. Eagles
- Chiggy Okonkwo at Chargers (if Treylon Burks is out)
at Jets
Nic Antaya / Getty Images Sport / GettyGoff's home-road splits have been a topic of conversation all year, but it's hard to deny the massive drop-off when he's away from Ford Field.
Always lots of noise with home/road splits. But Jared Goff's are STARK:
- Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) December 15, 2022
Home - 277 pass yards and 2.5 TDs per game
Road - 227 pass yards and .4 TDs per game
To make matters worse, Goff will head on the road to face the Jets' surging defense.
Robert Saleh's crew has only allowed one passer to throw for more than 250 yards against the team this season, and New York has held each of its last three opponents under 180 passing yards. The Jets have also given up just five passing touchdowns since Week 3.
Boone's projection: 214 passing yards, TD, INT
Other QBs to sit
- Derek Carr vs. Patriots
- Deshaun Watson vs. Ravens
at Bengals
Mike Carlson / Getty Images Sport / GettyInjuries have impacted Fournette's playing time recently, but it seems like the Buccaneers are shifting their backfield in favor of Rachaad White regardless of the veteran's health.
The rookie has outtouched Fournette 33-26 over the last two weeks and outgained him with 146 yards scrimmage yards and a touchdown to 127 scoreless yards.
This also might not be the best week to use either of the Buccaneers' ball carriers. D.J. Reader's return has stiffened the Bengals' run defense, and with a 60-40 backfield split likely, Fournette has a more difficult road to delivering in fantasy.
Boone's projection: 24 rushing yards, 29 receiving yards, 5 receptions
Other RBs to sit
- Jamaal Williams vs. Jets
- Devin Singletary vs. Dolphins
- Kareem Hunt vs. Ravens
at Panthers
Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / GettyPickens has immense talent, but his current production is limited by Pittsburgh's offensive system and subpar quarterback play.
The rookie has been held to three or fewer catches in five of his past six appearances, and he recorded just four receptions in the other contest. His targets have also dried up, resulting in five total passes thrown his way over the last two weeks.
If Kenny Pickett can't clear concussion protocol, the Steelers will likely turn back to Mitch Trubisky. However, Pickens failed to top 40 yards in any of Trubisky's three starts earlier this year. And despite some of the recent chatter, third-stringer Mason Rudolph isn't the key to unlocking this passing attack.
When you also factor in the potential matchup with Panthers corner Jaycee Horn, this isn't the week to put your faith in Pickens.
Boone's projection: 39 receiving yards, 3 receptions
Other WRs to sit
- Marquise Brown at Broncos
- Gabe Davis vs. Dolphins
- Josh Palmer vs. Titans
vs. Dolphins
Timothy T Ludwig / Getty Images Sport / GettyOn paper, the Dolphins give up the third-most fantasy points to tight ends. However, that ranking is influenced heavily by a small number of big games from premier players at the position.
Knox himself was limited to just four grabs for 25 yards when these two teams met earlier this season. In fact, the 26-year-old hasn't topped 36 yards in any of his six career encounters with Miami.
Like most weeks, Knox will be a touchdown-or-bust fantasy option.
Boone's projection: 27 receiving yards, 4 receptions
Other TEs to sit
- Cade Otton at Bengals
- Mike Gesicki at Bills
Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / GettyWith the fantasy playoffs here, it's more important than ever to load your bench up with high-upside backup running backs.
Here's a list of ball carriers rostered in 15% of leagues or less who are one injury away from having a significant fantasy impact down the stretch:
- Joshua Kelley (4% rostered)
- Jaylen Warren (13% rostered)
- Pierre Strong Jr. (13% rostered)
- Rex Burkhead (10% rostered)
- Kenneth Gainwell (15% rostered)
- JaMycal Hasty (7% rostered)
- Marlon Mack (5% rostered)
- Zamir White (3% rostered)
- Keaontay Ingram (1% rostered)
- Boston Scott (1% rostered)
Michael Owens / Getty Images Sport / GettyQuarterbacks (1QB): Deshaun Watson, Derek Carr
Running backs: Dameon Pierce, Kenyan Drake
Wide receivers: Deebo Samuel, Cooper Kupp
Tight ends: Tyler Higbee, Hayden Hurst
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