Welcome back to our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series for 2020, we are about to enter Week 15! This week we have what feels like games every day. It’s great for fans, but a little bit of a headache each day for fantasy. But fear not, we are here to help you navigate your way to some championships.
If you have a particular start/ sit question then you can always check out our weekly rankings page, or reach out to us on any of our social media channels. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. I answered all of you that reached out last week, I will always try to get to every single one of you.
Slam dunk starts (the likes of Patrick Mahomes) and sits (pretty much anyone in New York) aren’t going to be included. You should always be starting or avoiding those guys. These are players that I have seen on social media being considered with some mixed answers.
Start ‘Em
Philip Rivers v HOU
Rivers seems to have found his groove at this point of the season and as a result, the Colts offense is rolling nicely. This week the team matchup against Houston, a team that Rivers was effective against when they played just two weeks ago. Let’s be totally honest though, this Houston defense is just not good, and that was before they lost their best cornerback.
Tom Brady @ATL
This one kind of feels like a trap. Brady has been able to attack defenses that aren’t very good very effectively. At this point of the season, we know that Atlanta’s defense definitely fits that bracket. The Chargers should have done a lot more when they faced Atlanta last week but struggled to manage the clock. Brady is a fine start in this matchup.
Jared Goff v NYJ
Goff always feels to me like a risky start, because just when I think it’s ok to have confidence in him he disappoints. However, I feel like I have to mention him because it is the Jets that he is facing up against. A team that has struggled all season against slot receivers, and the Rams have two great players that fill that area of the field.
Ryan Tannehill v DET
Tannehill feels like the riskiest of all of the picks in this column. For the simple reason that we could, in all honesty, barely see Tannehill throw the ball. Derrick Henry should have his way with the Detroit defense all game. That could lead to some efficient figures for the receivers, but I’m not sure that there is enough volume to make him hugely fantasy relevant.
Jonathan Taylor v HOU
Taylor has (finally) started to put together a string of impressive performances. This week, as I mentioned with Rivers, the Colts face Houston. A unit who are the second-worst in the league against the position. Put him in your lineup now! If you are worried about Naheim Hines, then don’t be overly worried. In recent weeks, Hines has been firmly out-touched by the rookie.
Jeff Wilson Jr @DAL
This is one to monitor, because it relies on Wilson being the lead back. Raheem Mostert has injury concerns coming into this week, and has a chance of missing the game. The Cowboys have become more and more of a target for fantasy RBs too.
J.K. Dobbins v JAX
Dobbins has really made a claim for the Ravens backfield, as Mark Ingram has struggled this season. Gus Edwards might’ve finished with more fantasy points against the Browns, but it’s Dobbins who has led the team in touches. As we saw last week with Derrick Henry, you can run on this offense.
T.Y. Hilton v HOU
I’m staying in the Colts offense for another start. Hilton has really sprung into life at the end of the season, and now matches up against Houston who have given up 25.6 points on average to the position. When you consider that Hilton has historically performed incredibly well against them, I’m feeling really confident for him this week.
Brandon Aiyuk @DAL
Aiyuk will definitely be the lead receiver for the 49ers, after Deebo Samuel was ruled out for the rest of the season. However, he was really making a stake to be the lead receiver anyway. Dallas have struggled all season to defend the position, meaking Aiyuk a fantastic option.
Mike Evans @ATL
If you like Brady this week, then you have to like Evans. Each week we’ve targetted them for fantasy, and there is no reason to change that. Last week we saw Herbert try and take the team apart close to the line of scrimmage, but with the big-bodied Evans there is no reason to not have some downfield shots.
Cole Beasley @DEN
I start every season thinking I don’t want to roster Beasley, and then wish I’d picked him up by the end. Buffalo has involved him on offense, and faces up against a Denver unit that has struggled at times to defend the middle of the field.
Tyler Higbee v NYJ
Higbee hasn’t had the season that many hoped, but he has looked good in flashes this season. The New York Jets are the worst unit in the league at defending the position. Now I’ve recommended you play Higbee, of course, Gerald Everett will be the one to have the better fantasy performance. But I’m fine starting Everett in deep leagues too.
Rob Gronkowski @ATL
Gronk had a great game last week, with off of his receptions being TDs. Ok, he only caught one pass and two targets in total, but he should be fine in this game against the Falcons.
Evan Engram v CLE
It feels like every week I’m saying this is the game that Engram will blow up. This might finally be it, as the team matchup against Cleveland is a great one.
I’m not going to mention Koo or Blankenship. They are both players that you should be starting.
Jason Myers @WAS
Myers has been a fine kicker this season, just not always for fantasy. Frankly, the Seahawks offense was too efficient at the start of the season. However, in recent weeks, the offense allowed more FG attempts- which is what we want in fantasy. Washington’s defense is an effective unit, so should force some stops. Myers is a fine start.
Mason Crosby v CAR
Crosby is one of just a handful of kickers that is yet to miss a FG this season. In fact, he has been really accurate all season. This Packers offense has been able to keep clock points, due in part, to Crosby being able to convert his opportunities.
Los Angeles Rams v NYJ
This is an obvious start, but I just wanted to highlight how good it is. The Jets have long been a team to target, and this Rams defense is one of the best units in the league. Even before they scored a bunch of points last week, they have been one of the more reliable options for fantasy.
Miami Dolphins v NE
Miami’s defense has been great this year and has been somewhat consistent too. They might be available on your waivers too as they faced Kansas City last week. This week, they match up against a New England offense that has struggled to move the ball this season.
Sit ‘Em
Tua Tagovailoa v NE
Tagovailoa feels like he might actually be the only fit player on offense. There are a lot of his weapons that are not going to be on the field, and he needs them. New England has long been able to keep rookie QBs under pressure, just look at how Justin Herbert did recently. That’s before you factor in the ability of their defense to limit the opposition to an average of just 15.2 points on average to the position.
Jalen Hurts @ARI
This is where the fact it is the playoffs really factors into my decision. Hurts looked fine last week against the New Orleans Saints, but it’s difficult to defend a QB you don’t have tape on. That being said, the Cardinals have found a way to bring pressure onto QBs, and this offensive line is still the one that gave up sacks for fun when Carson Wentz was leading the team.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire @NO
You might be unable to bench him, but if you can you should consider it. Edwards-Helaire is set to face the best unit in the league at defending the RB position. Yes, Miles Sanders did well last week (as did Jalen Hurts) in managing to break the streak of 100-yard games, but that doesn’t mean the same for the rookie this week.
Leonard Fournette/ Tampa Backfield @ATL
I really like Tampa to dominate in this game, but as bad as the Falcons defense is in the air, they are effective on the ground. The news of Ronald Jones being added to the COVID list makes this backfield a difficult one to judge. That just forces me to avoid the whole thing.
Robby Anderson @GB
Anderson will likely get the primary defensive coverage. To me, that forces me to limit my expectations for Anderson to perform this week.
DJ Chark/ Laviska Shenault Jr @BAL
The Browns went ballistic last time out against Baltimore, but I’m not expecting lightning to strike twice. Baltimore are one of the best defenses in the league against the position, and the Jaguars QB situation is far from ideal.
Dalton Schultz @SF
This sit isn’t just about the matchup, although the 49ers give up just 4.7 points on average to the position, it’s about Schultz too. Schultz hasn’t had a good game for a few weeks now. With the other options this week, he is an easy sit.
Jonnu Smith v DET
The Detroit defense has holes all over it, but one place they have been effective is against TE. Equally, this doesn’t feel like a game that is going to need Smith’s redzone ability. They should be able to do enough damage with Henry and their wide receivers.
Joey Slye @GB
The Carolina offense has been fine this season. Not great, but not bad. However, this Packers defense has really stepped up recently and could force punts instead of field goals. I’d stay away this week, you don’t need the range of outcomes for the playoffs.
Mike Nugent v PHI
The Cardinals offense has been decent all season, which is great for everyone. However, this matchup could be the one where Jalen Hurts is found out. Even if it isn’t the Cardinals offense should be able to limit the number of drives that are stalled, leading to fewer FG attempts than you’d like.
Kansas City Chiefs @NO
The Chiefs had a good time against the Saints last week, but they aren’t great for fantasy. The Saints offense has also been able to score points and protect their mobile QB. That just doesn’t spell fantasy success.
Dallas Cowboys v SF
The Cowboys had a good performance last week against the Bengals, but I’m not expecting that to happen again in this matchup. Even in facing the 49ers who have struggled on offense at times, there are much better options out there.
So that’s it for our 2020 Week 15 edition of Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em. Remember, you can always reach out to us for help in setting your lineup. Check out our weekly rankings page, or reach out to us on any of our social media channels. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. And, as always, if you want something more specific to your league- reach out!
Image Credit: Douglas DeFelice – USA TODAY Sports
