Welcome back to my trust or bust series, brought back for 2022, here we look at the Week 15 matchups.
Playoffs, you’re talking about playoffs? We all remember that infamous rant by Jim Mora. Well, yes coach Mora I am talking about the playoffs. Did any of your teams make the playoffs? If so, congratulations! If not, it sucks but it happens to all of us.
For those of us that did, it’s a great time of the year but also somewhat depressing. As much as I love the fantasy playoffs, it’s a subtle reminder that the NFL season is getting closer and closer to its end.
Hopefully, you have a backup plan for Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson. Were you savvy enough to take a chance on Brock Purdy? Getting to the playoffs is only part of the goal. The ultimate goal is to win the championship and now lineup decisions and waiver wire moves are more critical than ever.
Again, congratulations to everyone who made the playoffs. I hope my advice has helped even just one of you guys and if it has don’t be shy, shoot me a DM. Not to say thank you, but because I love connecting with people and meeting new people.
Accountability Report
QB Patrick Mahomes (KC)
Week 14 Ranking 2nd
Prediction- Bust
Week 14 Finish 6th
Even after throwing 3 interceptions last week, that still wasn’t enough to stop Mahomes from having another QB1 week. In fact, there’s only been one week where Mahomes hasn’t been a QB1, and that week he was the QB13. Mahomes might just be the best fantasy quarterback period.
RB Dalvin Cook (MIN)
Week 14 Ranking 7th
Prediction- Bust
Week 14 Finish 27th
It’s been a rough month for Cook. With only one double-digit scoring output and two RB1 performances in his last six games, Cook has been somewhat frustrating to roster. To make matters worse Cook fumbled in the end zone and lost what could’ve been a touchdown that turned an RB3 week into a top-15 week.
WR Stefon Diggs (BUF)
Week 14 Ranking 4th
Prediction- Bust
Week 14 Finish 59th
The Jets’ defense continues to shut down top-tier wide receivers. Two of Diggs’ worst performances this season have come against the Jets. Diggs and Buffalo got the last laugh with a victory but I don’t think any team would be excited about facing the Jets in the playoffs.
TE Pat Freiermuth (PIT)
Week 14 Ranking 4th
Prediction- Bust
Week 14 Finish 6th
After 10 straight weeks of not scoring a touchdown, it’s just my luck that Freiermuth would not only end that streak but that Mitch Trubisky would be the one to end it.
Week 9 Results- 2 for 4 100%
Correct
23
Wrong
11
Week 10 Inside/ Outside Picks
QB Geno Smith (SEA)
v SF
Current Ranking 6th
AVG Points per Game 19.5
Week 15 ranking 11th
Fighting for one of the few playoff spots left, Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks have their work cut out for them this week versus a 49ers defense that has been downright dominant. Causing 11 turnovers in their last 4 games, the 49ers’ defense will be the toughest challenge Smith and the Seahawks have faced this season.
Who I like More
QB Brock Purdy
@SEA
Week 15 ranking 18th
Brian Hoyer, CJ Bethard, Nick Mullens, and Brock Purdy; this is a list of quarterbacks who have had QB1 weeks in the Kyle Shanahan system. Purdy now gets his chance to do it again against a beatable Seattle defense that’s eighth in touchdowns allowed to quarterbacks.
RB Josh Jacobs (LV)
v NE
Current Ranking 15th
AVG Points per Game 21.8
Week 15 ranking 4th
With the up-and-down season the Raiders are having, Josh McDaniels would love nothing more than to end the Patriots’ chances of making it to the playoffs. That’s where things get tough. It’s been the Josh Jacobs show in Las Vegas this year. One can imagine how much worse the Raiders’ offense would be without him. What the Patriots lack in offense they more than make up with defense. Holding opposing running backs to four touchdowns all season makes things tough to rely on Jacobs who has just one RB1 finish this season without scoring a touchdown.
Who I like More
RB J.K. Dobbins (BAL)
@CLE
Week 15 ranking 24th
On paper, J.K. looked great coming back from his six-game absence. If you watched the clip of his 44-yard run you saw that he has yet to fully recover from his knee injury. Nonetheless, it was nice to see Dobbins come back and be productive just in time for the fantasy playoffs. Heading into Week 15 facing a Browns’ defense that allows almost thirty points per game to running backs, fantasy managers can trust Dobbins to carry them into the 2nd round of the playoffs.
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET)
@NYJ
Current Ranking 6th
AVG Points per Game 18.1
Week 15 ranking 6th
The Jets secondary, Nuff said.
Who I like More
WR Christian Watson (GB)
v LAR
Week 15 Ranking 22nd
My ‘Monday Night Miracle’ pick this week is Christian Watson. As the WR11 from Weeks 8-11, Christian Watson has clearly earned the trust of not just Aaron Rodgers but fantasy manager as well. Allowing wide receivers to have no more than 70 receiving yards in a game this year, Rams cornerback Darnay Holmes is no slouch. With 4 straight WR1 weeks and averaging 23 points per game in that span, Watson is a plug-and-play player this week.
TE Evan Engram (JAX)
v DAL
Current Ranking 4th
AVG Points per Game 10.3
Week 15 ranking 9th
After an explosive Week 14 performance and an upcoming matchup with a high-octane offense such as the Cowboys, one would be crazy to bench Engram. Remember, this is not a start/sit article. Just keep in mind in the last 4 weeks the Dallas defense has allowed less than 200 receiving yards to tight ends and for the season they’ve allowed less than 500 yards and only one touchdown.
Who I like More
TE Dawson Knox (BUF)
v MIA
Week 15 ranking 14th
After the expectations weren’t met from last year, fantasy managers probably gave up on Knox earlier in the season. Yet, over his last 7 games, Knox has been the TE1 we all hoped he would be. With his twenty-yard touchdown catch last week, we were reminded of the play-making ability Knox possesses. Knox and the Bills will look to lock up the division versus a Dolphins team giving up a healthy 14 points per game to tight ends.
That’s gonna do it for this week’s piece. I hope you found the info useful and actionable.
Thank you for reading. Just a reminder, my fantasy podcast: The ATB Fantasy Show records a new episode every Thursday. You can find the podcast on most major platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. Here’s a link to the most recent episode.
If you use the hashtag #AskATB or send us a DM, we’ll be sure to answer any and all of your fantasy questions.
There you have it! Any questions, or want some more specific help for your league on who to drop, just reach out. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. And checkout out rankings for each Week.
Image Credit: Evan Habeeb – USA TODAY Sports
