Fantasy Football 2024 Week 15: Start ’em, Sit ’em
Welcome back to Fantasy Football Start ‘em, Sit ‘em – where each week we explore some of my best picks for who should be starting in fantasy managers’ lineups, and who should be sitting the week out.
Week 14 was slight in terms of injuries – Bucky Irving left with a back injury and did not return, Isaac Guerendo is questionable with a foot injury, and Derek Carr is feared to have fractured his hand and could be done for the season.
Luckily, we are done with byes! So as the first rounds of your fantasy playoffs start you’ll have your whole fantasy roster/waivers to work with.
Per usual, let’s take a look at the best of what we have left to work with this week.
Ian’s Record: 67-40
Start ’em
Justin Herbert (QB, Chargers) vs Buccaneers
Although Herbert got beat up a bit against Kansas City, he should remain healthy enough to deliver on what’s shaping up to be a very favorable matchup against Tampa Bay.
As the year’s drawn on, the Bucs have seen themselves slip to dead last in fantasy points surrendered to opposing QBs. Tack on Antoine Winfield Jr. being set to miss a couple weeks with a knee sprain, and it should be touchdowns galore for Jim Harbaugh’s aggressive offense.
Aaron Jones (RB, Vikings) vs Bears
Jones has been flashy here and there just about all season behind Sam Darnold’s incredible resurgence, but I like the matchup here to get him back into a groove against a deflated Chicago squad.
In the past four weeks, the Bears have surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing RBs – with five touchdowns, 500 yards, as well as 206 receiving yards (11.4 RecAvg). Take Jones to rack up some PPR points as the Vikings breeze past the Bears.
Darnell Mooney (WR, Falcons) at Raiders
While Atlanta is losing the NFC South before their very eyes, Mooney has been a pleasant surprise in a receiving group that was expected to be dominated by Drake London and Kyle Pitts.
It’s obvious to this point that Mooney is a receiver Kirk Cousins likes to target with his quickness and chunk-play-making ability, and the Raiders have given up the eighth most fantasy points per game to opposing WRs in the past five weeks.
Jonnu Smith (TE, Dolphins) at Texans
In a do-or-die situation for Miami, Smith should demand the ball in what will need to be a gritty offensive performance from Tua with Tyreek Hill set up for a date with Derek Stingley Jr.
Don’t let the zero targets in regulation last week fool you. I like Jonnu to deliver here yet again.
Sit ’em
Russell Wilson (QB, Steelers) at Eagles
While Russ has found a resurgence of his own during his success in Pittsburgh, the unknown availability of George Pickens makes this a shaky play against an Eagles secondary that has been on another level.
Pittsburgh is hot, but Philadelphia is RED hot right now. I see efficient ground work being a key to the Steelers’ victory that’ll impede too much on Wilson’s ability to put up big numbers. Pass.
Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford (RBs, Browns) vs Chiefs
Chubb – maybe a surprise to some, but based on the injury was probably expected – has not been himself since returning, and the community dynamic has been too 50/50 to trust either in a tough matchup.
The Chiefs have been stout against the run all season, and the offense is very pass-happy with Jameis Winston starting at QB, anyway.
Michael Pittman Jr. (WR, Colts) at Broncos
MPJ hasn’t had the season I’m sure a lot of fantasy managers were hoping he’d have with Anthony Richardson returning from injury to start the year. Unfortunately, he’s lined up to be more of the same in a nightmare matchup.
The Broncos have only surrendered seven receiving touchdowns in 13 games played this year. Not to mention it’s highly likely MPJ will have Pat Surtain in his face all afternoon. Pass.
Dalton Kincaid (TE, Bills) at Lions (if he plays)
Even if Kincaid is deemed ready to get back out there, he’s entering a terrible matchup in an offense that doesn’t throw him the ball nearly enough anyway.
Detroit has been nasty on tight ends all season, being one of four teams to only give up two touchdowns to tight ends in 14 weeks. Pass.
BYES: NONE
