Congratulations. We advanced to the fantasy playoffs. Every decision is even more important now. The stress and pain surrounding lineup decisions is very real.
Before we get into Week 15’s Smash Start, let’s take a look at our Week 14 selections to see how we got here.
We were excited about the selection of running backs Rico Doodle, who ran for 131 yards, and Isaac Gellend, who finished as RB2. Gelend rushed for 78 yards and two scores before ending the fourth quarter with a foot injury.
Jordan Addison leads the wide receiver trio and is off to a great start. Addison had eight catches on 12 targets for 133 yards and three touchdowns. Jacobi Meyers and Calvin Ridley were heavily targeted (10 targets each), but failed to offer fantasy managers better than WR3 numbers.
The rest of the lineup wasn’t much better, with Jake Ferguson challenged by the dominant Cooper Rush. Will Levis was absolutely miserable against the worst defense in the league. The Arizona Cardinals didn’t play any defense against the Seahawks.
May all of your fantasy starters enjoy their career games this week. Here are eight Week 15 fantasy football smash starts you need for a winning lineup.
Fantasy Football Smash begins Week 15
quarterback
Justin Herbert (QB – LAC) vs. Tampa Bay
Fantasy managers may be hesitant to use Justin Herbert due to uncertainty over the availability of rookie wideout Ladd McConkie this week. However, Herbert is favored against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who rank in the bottom 10 in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.
Herbert still has a surprising tight end in Josh Palmer, a resurgent Quentin Johnston, and Stone Smart, who throws the ball in what should be a back-and-forth battle with Baker Mayfield and the Bucs’ offense. With so many offensive pyrotechnics, you’ll want skin in this game.
running back
Aaron Jones (RB – MIN) vs. Chicago
Aaron Jones has been an inconsistent fantasy producer this season. He has been plagued by numerous injuries that have hindered his playing time. Additionally, he committed five fumbles on the season, which means Jones is on the bench more often than you’d like for a RB2.
Jones began to fuel fantasy managers by scoring in three consecutive games, including a top-10 win against the Chicago Bears in Week 15. Jones rushed 22 times for 106 yards and a touchdown in Week 12 against the Bears, and had three receptions on four targets for 23 yards.
The 11-2 Vikings are on a six-game winning streak and are trailing the 12-1 Lions. The Bears seem to be getting back into shape on offense, but the defense is another story. The Bears’ run defense has surrendered yards all season, allowing 134.8 rushing yards per game.
Fortunately for fantasy managers who added Jones to their roster, the Bears’ run defense has become even more inconsistent over the last three games, with a dismal 149.7 yards per game and one rushing touchdown. It’s staying. Jones should at least match his Week 12 production. If the Bears’ offense can maintain some degree of closeness, Jones will be a multi-scorer and will lead the Phantom Coaches to the next round of the playoffs.
Cynthia McCormick (RB – LV) vs. Atlanta
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce announced earlier this week that undrafted free agent Cynthia McCormick will be the Raiders’ starting running back for the remainder of this season. Most fantasy managers are asking who the heck is Cynthia McCormick.
Click the link above to read the backstory on the featured running back. Opportunities presented themselves when running backs Alexander Mattison and Zamir White went down with injuries, but McCormick kicked the door wide open. McCormick is averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per carry over the past three weeks. In Week 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had a career-high 78 yards and 15 attempts, the most by a Raiders running back since Week 7.
McCormick hasn’t scored yet, but he looks promising against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15. The Falcons rank 17th in opponent rushing yards per game, allowing 120.8 yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry. He will immediately pay dividends this week for the Raiders and fantasy managers who took the plunge with McCormick on waivers.
Isaiah Pacheco (RB – KC) Cleveland
It’s fun to watch Isaiah Pacheco play soccer. He brings a stern demeanor and excitement that most players don’t have. Well, that’s enough for the sermon. Pacheco is still trying to get back into shape after missing most of the season with a serious foot injury. He hasn’t hit or scored double-digit fantasy points since his return, but that all changes this week against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15.
The Browns are giving up 127.9 rushing yards and 1.4 rushing touchdowns per game. The Chiefs are focused on staying healthy and maintaining the AFC’s top seed, but they also need Pacheco to be the focal point of the offense, as he was last season. Look for a game plan that runs the ball a lot and moves Pacheco the right way, leading to over 100 rushing yards and a score or two. This smash play will be the key for fantasy managers to win playoff matchups.
wide receiver
Jerry Jeudy (WR – CLE) vs. Kansas City
Jerry Jeudy’s fantasy stock has continued to rise, especially since Jameis Winston took over behind center. Jeudy currently leads the league with 17 yards per reception and is fourth with 944 receiving yards. An additional 56 receiving yards would give the former first-round pick the first 1,000-yard season of his career.
Jeudy has scored in three of the past four weeks and will have plenty of chances to score this week in a high-scoring game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are the toughest team in the league, so opposing offenses will turn to the passing game to catch up. Winston will likely throw a few interceptions, but he will light up the scoreboard for the Browns. Judy will be his main target.
Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA) Houston
Since Tua Tagovailoa’s return, the Dolphins have focused on increasing their passing volume. Over the past three weeks, the Dolphins had the highest completion rate on pass plays (71.07%). The main weapon in the passing game has flourished for fantasy managers. Tyreek Hill’s resurgence, Jonnu Smith’s rise as a TE1, and Jalen Waddle’s volume gains have made fantasy managers who started Waddle as a WR3 smile.
Waddle has 21 receptions on 25 targets for 296 yards and one touchdown over the past three weeks. The volume is debatable and should continue this week against the Houston Texans. The Dolphins are in the playoff bubble, but have won four of their past five games. You need to earn points to continue your winning streak. All their weapons come into play here. Opposing defenses are focused on Hill and Smith, but they shouldn’t sleep on Waddle and shouldn’t sit back when fancy managers start making fancy decisions.
tight end
Tucker Kraft (TE – GB) Seattle
Even though the Packers have focused their game plan on giving Josh Jacobs the rock, Tucker Craft has stepped up lately. He has seven touchdown receptions this season, including two in the last three games.
The Packers are competing for a playoff spot. They travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. It will be interesting to see if Jordan Love targets the tight end with a play-action play as the Seahawks try to slow down Kraft, who is aiming for extra points and a TE finish.
defense
Atlanta Falcons D/ST vs Las Vegas Raiders
The Falcons’ defense has struggled this season, but it will be an interesting matchup for any defense. They need to utilize former third-round pick Desmond Ridder, who will be the Raiders’ third QB this season.
A negative game scenario could result in a ton of throws for Ridder, and the Falcons’ offense will finally come alive against a vulnerable Raiders defense. A resurgent Kirk Cousins and a healthy dose of Bijan Robinson will stake the Falcons to a comfortable lead. With this lead, the Falcons defense has amassed nine sacks over the past two weeks and should give fantasy coaches a great start this week.
Dennis Sosic is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more information about Dennis, check out his article. archive Follow @CALL_ME_SOS.
