QUARTERBACKS<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/USATSI_27584383_168419650_lowres-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSTART – Drake Maye (NE v. BUF):<\/strong> The sophomore signal-caller is arguably the hottest quarterback in fantasy football right now, eclipsing 270 passing yards in four straight contests. The Bills<\/a>\u00a0secondary is leaking, and Maye\u2019s rushing floor makes him a league-winner you simply cannot bench in the playoffs.<\/p>\nSTART – Jaxson Dart (NYG v. WAS):<\/strong> This rookie\u2019s rushing upside is the cheat code you need, as evidenced by his 66-yard, 2-touchdown rushing performance against Chicago<\/a> earlier this season. Washington<\/a>\u2019s defense flat-out refuses to tackle, so expect Dart to get back to that at MetLife and salvage any passing struggles with his legs.<\/p>\n
\nFor more help with your fantasy football playoff lineups, check out our Week 15 Wide Receiver Rankings<\/a>!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\nSIT – Jacoby Brissett (ARI @ HOU):<\/strong> You are really considering starting a former backup quarterback against the Texans<\/a>\u00a0pass rush in the fantasy playoffs? See Patrick Mahomes for reference. Put down the drink and bench him unless you enjoy watching 150 empty yards and three picks destroying your season.<\/p>\nSIT – Justin Herbert (LAC @ KC):<\/strong> Arrowhead in December is where passing games go to die, and Spags will have Herbert seeing ghosts all afternoon. The Chiefs<\/a> have struggled, to be sure, but this feels like a get-right game, frankly. Herbert\u2019s hand has this offense (rightfully) leaning on the run, which I expect to continue (unsuccessfully) this week.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
RUNNING BACKS<\/h3>\n
![\"Chase](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/Chase-Brown-Week-15-Start-and-Sit-1024x614.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
START – Saquon Barkley (PHI v. LVR):<\/strong> The Raiders<\/a>‘ run defense is a polite suggestion at best, and Saquon is in a prime “set it and forget it” smash spot. He looks to be back on track, and 100 yards with a score is the absolute floor in this matchup.<\/p>\nSTART – Chase Brown (CIN v. BAL):<\/strong> Baltimore<\/a>\u2019s front seven isn\u2019t horrible, but Brown is seeing bell-cow usage that you simply cannot bench in December. He might only average 3.5 yards a carry, but he\u2019s getting 20+ touches and falling into the end zone at least once in this one.<\/p>\nSIT – Omarion Hampton (LAC @ KC):<\/strong> The rookie has looked sharp, but running into the teeth of the Chiefs’ defensive line in Arrowhead is suicide. You didn\u2019t make the playoffs to lose because your RB2 got stuffed for 2.5 yards per carry all day in a negative game script.<\/p>\nSIT – Aaron Jones Sr. (MIN @ DAL):<\/strong> Jones is running on fumes, and the Cowboys<\/a>\u00a0defense at home is a completely different animal now that Overshown is back and Williams was added at the deadline. He is a sentimental favorite, but sentiment doesn\u2019t win fantasy championships – points do, and he won\u2019t score enough of them here.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
WIDE RECEIVERS<\/h3>\n![\"George](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/George-Pickens-benched-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSTART – George Pickens (DAL v. MIN):<\/strong> Dak loves forcing the ball to his alphas, and with CeeDee possibly out (concussion), I expect a massive target share where Pickens feasts on deep balls. Hell, even if Lamb plays, I don\u2019t think the Vikings<\/a> can hang with them both.<\/p>\nSTART – A.J. Brown (PHI v. LVR):<\/strong> The Raiders have absolutely nobody who can physically match up with Brown, and he\u2019ll stay on track this week with a massive statistical explosion. Hurts will look his way early and often; sit back and enjoy the 30-point bomb incoming.<\/p>\nSIT – Christian Watson (GB @ DEN):<\/strong> Patrick Surtain II is a blanket, and even with his recent surge, Watson is tough to trust against the league\u2019s premier shutdown corner. You are praying for a fluke 50-yard touchdown, but you are infinitely more likely to get two catches for 18 yards and a headache.<\/p>\nSIT – Khalil Shakir (BUF @ NE):<\/strong> The Patriots<\/a>\u00a0defense does fine work against opponents\u2019 slot option, and Khalil is just too inconsistent to trust in your playoffs. I expect another TE-heavy week for Josh Allen, leaving Shakir with a hollow 4-point performance that kills your week.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
TIGHT ENDS<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_23975296_168419650_lowres-1024x681.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Corey Perrine\/Florida Times-Union<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSTART – Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE @ CHI):<\/strong> The rookie tight end has loudly become the safety valve this offense desperately needs. Chicago\u2019s linebackers are soft in coverage, making Fannin a sneaky top-5 play at a wasteland position where volume is king. And by the way, maybe forget what I\u2019ve been saying about Shedeur.<\/p>\nSTART – Travis Kelce (KC v. LAC):<\/strong> He\u2019s old, he\u2019s slow, and he is still Mahomes\u2019 favorite target when the chips are down in crucial divisional games. The Chargers<\/a>‘ safeties won\u2019t check him in the red zone, so fire up the legend for this divisional ride.<\/p>\nSIT – Darren Waller (MIA @ PIT):<\/strong> He doesn\u2019t look to be in game shape after missing half the season, and Tua\u2019s play is so bad at this point I\u2019m not chancing it either way. Don’t get cute with this name-brand bust.<\/p>\nSIT – Oronde Gadsden II (LAC @ KC):<\/strong> After a two-week explosion earlier this season, Gadsden II has basically disappeared. Add in Herbert\u2019s injury, and a game against a premier defensive unit, and this is a hard pass unless you are in a 20-team league and desperate for a heartbeat.<\/p>\n
START – Drake Maye (NE v. BUF):<\/strong> The sophomore signal-caller is arguably the hottest quarterback in fantasy football right now, eclipsing 270 passing yards in four straight contests. The Bills<\/a>\u00a0secondary is leaking, and Maye\u2019s rushing floor makes him a league-winner you simply cannot bench in the playoffs.<\/p>\n START – Jaxson Dart (NYG v. WAS):<\/strong> This rookie\u2019s rushing upside is the cheat code you need, as evidenced by his 66-yard, 2-touchdown rushing performance against Chicago<\/a> earlier this season. Washington<\/a>\u2019s defense flat-out refuses to tackle, so expect Dart to get back to that at MetLife and salvage any passing struggles with his legs.<\/p>\n For more help with your fantasy football playoff lineups, check out our Week 15 Wide Receiver Rankings<\/a>!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n SIT – Jacoby Brissett (ARI @ HOU):<\/strong> You are really considering starting a former backup quarterback against the Texans<\/a>\u00a0pass rush in the fantasy playoffs? See Patrick Mahomes for reference. Put down the drink and bench him unless you enjoy watching 150 empty yards and three picks destroying your season.<\/p>\n SIT – Justin Herbert (LAC @ KC):<\/strong> Arrowhead in December is where passing games go to die, and Spags will have Herbert seeing ghosts all afternoon. The Chiefs<\/a> have struggled, to be sure, but this feels like a get-right game, frankly. Herbert\u2019s hand has this offense (rightfully) leaning on the run, which I expect to continue (unsuccessfully) this week.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n START – Saquon Barkley (PHI v. LVR):<\/strong> The Raiders<\/a>‘ run defense is a polite suggestion at best, and Saquon is in a prime “set it and forget it” smash spot. He looks to be back on track, and 100 yards with a score is the absolute floor in this matchup.<\/p>\n START – Chase Brown (CIN v. BAL):<\/strong> Baltimore<\/a>\u2019s front seven isn\u2019t horrible, but Brown is seeing bell-cow usage that you simply cannot bench in December. He might only average 3.5 yards a carry, but he\u2019s getting 20+ touches and falling into the end zone at least once in this one.<\/p>\n SIT – Omarion Hampton (LAC @ KC):<\/strong> The rookie has looked sharp, but running into the teeth of the Chiefs’ defensive line in Arrowhead is suicide. You didn\u2019t make the playoffs to lose because your RB2 got stuffed for 2.5 yards per carry all day in a negative game script.<\/p>\n SIT – Aaron Jones Sr. (MIN @ DAL):<\/strong> Jones is running on fumes, and the Cowboys<\/a>\u00a0defense at home is a completely different animal now that Overshown is back and Williams was added at the deadline. He is a sentimental favorite, but sentiment doesn\u2019t win fantasy championships – points do, and he won\u2019t score enough of them here.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n START – George Pickens (DAL v. MIN):<\/strong> Dak loves forcing the ball to his alphas, and with CeeDee possibly out (concussion), I expect a massive target share where Pickens feasts on deep balls. Hell, even if Lamb plays, I don\u2019t think the Vikings<\/a> can hang with them both.<\/p>\n START – A.J. Brown (PHI v. LVR):<\/strong> The Raiders have absolutely nobody who can physically match up with Brown, and he\u2019ll stay on track this week with a massive statistical explosion. Hurts will look his way early and often; sit back and enjoy the 30-point bomb incoming.<\/p>\n SIT – Christian Watson (GB @ DEN):<\/strong> Patrick Surtain II is a blanket, and even with his recent surge, Watson is tough to trust against the league\u2019s premier shutdown corner. You are praying for a fluke 50-yard touchdown, but you are infinitely more likely to get two catches for 18 yards and a headache.<\/p>\n SIT – Khalil Shakir (BUF @ NE):<\/strong> The Patriots<\/a>\u00a0defense does fine work against opponents\u2019 slot option, and Khalil is just too inconsistent to trust in your playoffs. I expect another TE-heavy week for Josh Allen, leaving Shakir with a hollow 4-point performance that kills your week.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n START – Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE @ CHI):<\/strong> The rookie tight end has loudly become the safety valve this offense desperately needs. Chicago\u2019s linebackers are soft in coverage, making Fannin a sneaky top-5 play at a wasteland position where volume is king. And by the way, maybe forget what I\u2019ve been saying about Shedeur.<\/p>\n START – Travis Kelce (KC v. LAC):<\/strong> He\u2019s old, he\u2019s slow, and he is still Mahomes\u2019 favorite target when the chips are down in crucial divisional games. The Chargers<\/a>‘ safeties won\u2019t check him in the red zone, so fire up the legend for this divisional ride.<\/p>\n SIT – Darren Waller (MIA @ PIT):<\/strong> He doesn\u2019t look to be in game shape after missing half the season, and Tua\u2019s play is so bad at this point I\u2019m not chancing it either way. Don’t get cute with this name-brand bust.<\/p>\n SIT – Oronde Gadsden II (LAC @ KC):<\/strong> After a two-week explosion earlier this season, Gadsden II has basically disappeared. Add in Herbert\u2019s injury, and a game against a premier defensive unit, and this is a hard pass unless you are in a 20-team league and desperate for a heartbeat.<\/p>\n
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\nRUNNING BACKS<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nWIDE RECEIVERS<\/h3>\n
TIGHT ENDS<\/h3>\n