For some of you, we are a week away from the fantasy football championship. The first-round bye week is over and it's win-or-go-home time. Hopefully, all of your waiver claims were successful. Now, it's all about making the final tweaks to your starting lineup for Week 15. Here are my start and sit recommendations...
Starts:
QB: Tom Brady, Patriots
This is the most popular question in Week 15: Should I start Brady against the Broncos? I have Brady ranked as the fifth-best QB option for Week 15. If you have the four above him, you might consider benching Brady. However, if your other options aren't above him, Brady should be in your starting lineup. Last year, Brady faced the Super Bowl-winning Broncos in Week 12 and threw for 280 yards and three TDs. He thrown at least two touchdown passes in three of the past four games and at least three TDs in five of his nine games this season. Start your studs.
Others to start: Kirk Cousins (Redskins), Tyrod Taylor (Bills), and Carson Palmer (Cardinals)
RB: Tevin Coleman, Falcons
We always suggest the starting running back facing San Francisco. Last week, Matt Forte was injured almost immediately during the game and backup Bilal Powell dominated. This week, I ranked Devonta Freeman at fifth among RBs and "backup" Coleman at 22nd. In last week's win over the Rams, the running game wasn't prominent. Coleman led Atlanta with 36 rushing yards on only eight carries. Freeman tallied only 6 yards on six carries. Both Freeman and Coleman are startable. I would even recommend starting both if you have that option available. Yeah, the 49ers run defense is that bad.
Others to start: Kenneth Farrow (Chargers), Bilal Powell (Jets), and Kenneth Dixon (Ravens)
WR: Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
The rookie from West Alabama is making quite the name for himself in 2016. This season, he's caught 56 passes for 547 yards and leads the Chiefs with six TD catches. He's also scored on a kickoff, punt, and run. This week, he'll face a Titans secondary that was torched by the Broncos in Week 14. Both Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders tallied 100 or more receiving yards on 10 or more catches. Hill may have to compete with Travis Kelce for Alex Smith's attention, but he has surpassed Jeremy Maclin on the depth chart when Maclin returns to action.
Others to start: Alshon Jeffery (Bears), Davante Adams (Packers), and Jarvis Landry (Dolphins)
TE: Zach Ertz, Eagles
In the past five weeks, Ertz leads all tight ends with an average of 10.4 targets per game. That is 1.2 targets above the second tight end on the list (Kelce). Ertz has earned at least 11 targets in three of the past four games and will face a Ravens defense that has allowed a TD to opposing tight ends in two of the past three games.
Others to start: Jermaine Gresham (Cardinals), Charles Clay (Bills), and Cameron Brate (Buccaneers)
Sits:
QB: Andrew Luck, Colts
Though he's recorded at least two TD passes in three straight games, the matchup isn't favorable for Mr. Luck in Week 15. The Colts QB gets the Vikings this week. Minnesota hasn't allowed more than one passing TD in a game since Week 11. Matthew Stafford, Dak Prescott, and Blake Bortles all were held to one TD and under 260 passing yards. In fact, no quarterback has thrown for more than 271 yards against the Vikings this season.
Others to bench: Matthew Stafford (Lions), Dak Prescott (Cowboys), and Joe Flacco (Ravens)
RB: Todd Gurley, Rams
It wasn't great, but we finally got some decent fantasy numbers from Gurley last week: 61 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards (three receptions), and a TD. However, he'll get the Seahawks this week...on short rest...with a new head coach. Seattle likely will send the house against the rookie QB and load the box for running plays. That doesn't bode well for Gurley's stat line. Hopefully, you were able to add a waiver wire RB to replace Gurley in your starting lineup (like Powell or Farrow).
Others to bench: Devontae Booker (Broncos), Terrance West (Ravens), and Tim Hightower (Saints)
WR: Brandon Marshall, Jets
I'm not sure what has the bigger impact on Marshall's lack of production in the past few weeks: new QB or losing season. Either way, things aren't changing for Marshall in Week 15. The last time the Jets faced Miami, Marshall caught five passes for 46 yards. That likely will be his ceiling for this week, too.
Others to bench: Allen Robinson (Jaguars), Kenny Britt (Rams), and Michael Thomas (Saints)
TE: C.J. Fiedorowicz, Texans
Fiedorowicz seemed to be the odd man out against the Jaguars when they met in Week 10. Both Ryan Griffin and Stephen Anderson scored a TD in that game. Fiedorowicz caught only three passes for 26 yards. Also, there is the concern that Fiedo suffered a concussion last week. With your fantasy playoffs on the line, I'd look for other options this week at the tight end position.
Others to bench: Coby Fleener (Saints), Dennis Pitta (Ravens), and Gary Barnidge (Browns)
