Now that fantasy playoffs have started in most leagues, team owners who need a win to move on in the playoffs need to ensure they’re starting the best available options on their teams every week. Sometimes this means benching regular starters depending on their matchup. The following are some start/sit suggestions for week 15.
This article cites rankings via the ESPN Fantasy App.
Must Sit:
Running Back (Position Rank: 17th) James Cook: James Cook has had a decent year rushing the football, averaging 12 carries and 3 receptions per game. Despite this, James Cook plays against one of the best-run defenses in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys in week 15. Starting running backs against the Dallas Cowboys defense average 9.9 points, which is one of the lowest in the league. This game will also likely be a blowout win for the Cowboys, so it is unlikely that Buffalo will be running the ball much in the later half of the game. Keep James Cook on the bench for the first week of your fantasy football playoffs.
Wide Receiver (Position Rank: 10th) D.J. Moore: Although Moore has had an impressive season, he faces the Cleveland Browns who have a strong pass defense (ranked 2nd against the pass). Justin Fields has been inconsistent this season and may have a hard time reading the Browns’ defensive pressures and schemes. Fields will likely be running more than passing in this game. D.J. Moore has been able to pick up points against other strong defenses this season, but I believe Fields will not be able to handle Brown’s defense, which means it will be a challenge for Moore to rack up double-digit points this week.
Must Start:
Running Back (Position Rank 18th) David Montgomery: Montgomery has put up double-digit points every week that he has played, except for his Week 6 4.3-point game when he injured his ribs during the contest. Now he plays the 32nd-ranked defense against the run, the Denver Broncos. Although Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs has been taking carries away from Montgomery, the veteran is still seeing 10+ carries a game and getting most of the goal-line running back work for the explosive Lions offense. Montgomery has scored a touchdown in every game that he has played in, excluding his injury game in week 6. Expect Montgomery to have a monster game and continue to find the end zone, ranking as a clear RB1 in week 15.
Wide Receiver (Position Rank 16th) Chris Olave: At the beginning of the season, Olave was playing at a mediocre level, averaging 12 points per game as a WR1 for the Saints. After week 8, however, Olave has been averaging 18 points per game, finally living up to his pre-fantasy draft hype and looking like a top NFL receiver. Olave plays against the Giants in week 15 who are the 29th defense against the pass. Expect Olave to have one of his best games of the season, likely producing 16+ points in week 15.The