Start 'em, Sit 'em Week 15: Geno Smith and Other QB/TE/DST Fantasy Advice
Welcome to the fantasy playoffs. For fantasy managers that have earned a bye this week, enjoy. Rest your players and we’ll see you on the other side. However, for those that are playing in win-now situations, this is a tough week. There are a lot of tough matchups for good players. In addition, the injuries are piling up and teams are looking at the rest of the season when they are deciding whether to bring a player back or not. Keeping all of that in mind, try to make the best start/sit decisions possible for your team.
Week 15 Positional Rankings: QB I RB I WR I TE I DST I K I Flex
START This QB
Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia Eagles
While it seems like it should be a start 'em and forget 'em play, Fields has been banged up and faces a tough matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears had a bye in Week 14, but Fields emerged with an illness that has had him limited in practice this week. Typically illnesses don't force players to miss games, and Fields should be no exception. What will be tough is getting the ball to his pass catchers. Chase Claypool is out and Darnell Mooney is already on injured reserve. Fields has scored a touchdown with his legs in the past six games he's played; Week 15 should be no exception.
Related: Week 15 Start/Sit Fantasy Advice for RB/WR
SIT This QB
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers (TNF)
Smith has done well this season for the Seahawks, but he faces a stiff test in Week 15 against the 49ers. Seattle needs a win, and San Francisco allows the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. The last time Smith faced the 49ers was in Week 2, where he only managed 197 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. It was actually only one of two games where Smith didn’t throw at least two touchdowns. He’s a QB2 this week in a tough matchup.
START This TE
Gerald Everett, TE, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Tennessee Titans
Everett and the Chargers face the Titans in Week 15, who have been bleeding points to opposing tight ends. Evan Engram just put up 162 yards and two touchdowns on 11 receptions in Week 14. Travis Kelce also went over 100 yards on this defense. Tennessee has surrendered five touchdowns to tight ends this season. While Everett is certainly not a guarantee to find the end zone, this is a great matchup for him.
SIT This TE
Evan Engram, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Dallas Cowboys
In the past two weeks, Engram has scored three touchdowns. However, those touchdowns were against the Titans, who allow the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, and the Lions, who are right behind in fifth. What that has shown is that Engram can exploit good matchups. In Week 15, he faces the Cowboys, who allow the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends. This is a tough test and Engram's run of recent fantasy success may be coming to an end.
START This Defense/Special Teams (DST)
Denver Broncos vs. Arizona Cardinals
With no Kyler Murray, no Rondale Moore and the season essentially over, the Cardinals don’t have a lot to play for. While the same might be said for the Broncos, they at least have a solid DST. This game may not be pretty, but fantasy points aren’t based on beauty. The reality is that the Broncos are going to get to Colt McCoy (who was sacked six times in Week 14) and that results in fantasy points.
SIT This Defense/Special Teams (DST)
Dallas Cowboys at Jacksonville Jaguars
What happened to the Cowboys DST in Week 14? Dallas almost lost to the lowly Texans. The Cowboys allowed Houston to score 23 points and couldn’t get a single sack. Their fantasy points came from one interception and one fumble recovery. In Week 15, the Cowboys face the Jaguars, who have been playing well. Trevor Lawrence is a much better quarterback and that offense can score points. It’s hard to trust the Cowboys DST in Week 15.
— Written by Sarah Lewis, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network and lives, eats, and breathes fantasy football. Have a fantasy football question? Send it to her on Twitter @Sarah_Lewis32.
