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Danny Boily looks at fantasy football landmines, busts, and avoids for Week 15 of 2024. Given these Week 15 fantasy situations, consider benching these players.
The fantasy playoffs are here, and congratulations -- you made it! With no byes left and managers facing a full roster, it’s all about optimizing matchups. The pressure is on, the stakes are sky-high, and the margin for error is low.
Managers may have relied on certain players to get them here, but the cold truth is that some big names could underperform in Week 15. Most managers who made the playoffs have the luxury of depth but consider benching these potential landmines to give yourself the best chance of advancing.
Let’s dig into five players across key positions who might disappoint relative to their rankings this week.
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Jordan Love, QB, vs. Seattle Seahawks
Jordan Love has been a revelation for fantasy managers this season, finishing as the QB13 through Week 14. His 21 passing touchdowns and 8.3 yards per attempt are signs of his growth as Green Bay’s QB1 since taking over for Aaron Rodgers. However, Week 15 brings a date with a surging Seattle Seahawks defense, and that’s a problem.
Seattle’s defense has clamped down on quarterbacks over the past four weeks, allowing just 15.16 fantasy points per game to the position (sixth-best in the NFL). Not coincidentally, it has won four straight games over that span.
The Seahawks have allowed only 19 passing touchdowns all season, and their secondary, led by lockdown cornerback Devon Witherspoon, is peaking at the right time. In his last outing, Love struggled to make a significant impact against a middling Detroit defense, managing just 206 yards and one touchdown. Expect his floor to drop even further on the road against a surging Seattle unit.
Love’s lack of rushing upside (just 71 rushing yards all season) further limits his ability to save fantasy managers from a subpar day. This week, he’s better left on the bench in favor of quarterbacks with softer matchups.
One area you’d like to see Jordan Love improve in—aside from obviously limiting turnovers—is stepping up confidently into the pocket instead of always retreating. The Packers got what they wanted with Jayden Reed and Love had an alley to climb the pocket. Instead, interception. pic.twitter.com/epdGmXIoFb
— Zachary Jacobson (@zacobson) November 4, 2024
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, vs. Baltimore Ravens
Tyrone Tracy Jr. has been a solid RB2 since taking over the backfield in Week 5, averaging 13.72 fantasy points per game during that span. But if you’re counting on Tracy to deliver in Week 15, you may want to think again. The Ravens are the NFL’s top rushing defense, and they’ll make life miserable for Tracy.
Baltimore allows just 82.7 rushing yards per game, the fewest in the league, and has surrendered only 11 rushing touchdowns in 13 games. Tracy’s recent performances don’t inspire confidence, either. Over the past three weeks, he hasn’t cracked 50 rushing yards in a single game and has fumbled twice.
Even with a 77.2% snap share in Week 14, Tracy managed just 45 rushing yards and a touchdown -- salvaging his day more with volume than efficiency.
Baltimore’s ability to clog running lanes and force negative game scripts is a recipe for Tracy to disappoint. His lack of explosiveness against elite defenses makes him a risky play, and it’s time to pivot to safer RB options.
400 IQ: #Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. just intentionally FUMBLED the ball on the first play of OT to CLINCH the 1st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
What a heads up play by the Rookie. 🙌pic.twitter.com/D6jYeEWUKL
— Ryan Evans (@RyanEvansESPN) November 10, 2024
DeVonta Smith, WR, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
DeVonta Smith has been a frustrating enigma for fantasy managers this season. While undeniably talented, his WR34 ranking reflects a campaign marred by inconsistency and an offense that prioritizes other playmakers.
With just 553 yards and five touchdowns on the year, Smith has failed to reach the 100-yard mark in any game. Now, he faces a Steelers defense that has been suffocating opposing wideouts.
Pittsburgh ranks eighth against WRs in fantasy points allowed over the past four weeks and has only surrendered 14 passing touchdowns all season. Its ferocious pass rush, led by T.J. Watt, forces quarterbacks into hurried decisions, limiting downfield opportunities for wideouts like Smith.
To make matters worse, Jalen Hurts has averaged just 200.2 passing yards per game, leaning heavily on the defense and the Eagles’ dominant rushing attack (hello Saquon Barkley) to win games.
With Smith posting no more than 37 receiving yards in each of his last three games, the likelihood of him suddenly breaking out against an elite Steelers defense is slim. He’s a tough sell in the playoffs.
Hunter Henry, TE, vs. Arizona Cardinals
It’s been an up-and-down season for Hunter Henry, despite his 18% target share in New England’s passing game. The veteran tight end has just one touchdown on the year (back in Week 6) and hasn’t posted double-digit targets since Week 2. If you’re holding out hope for a turnaround in Week 15, the Cardinals defense is here to dash your dreams.
Arizona has been particularly stingy against tight ends, ranking seventh in fantasy points allowed to the position. With New England’s offensive struggles well-documented, it’s hard to envision Henry suddenly becoming a reliable red-zone threat.
In a week where every roster spot counts, Henry’s low ceiling makes him a liability. Look elsewhere for your TE production in the fantasy playoffs.
Keenan Allen, Flex, vs. Minnesota Vikings
Keenan Allen has shown flashes of brilliance this season, including back-to-back monster outings in Weeks 12 and 13 where he averaged 20.2 fantasy points. But don’t let recent success blind you to the challenges he faces in Week 15 against the Vikings.
Minnesota’s defense is no joke. It ranks sixth in points allowed per game (18.5) and has surrendered just 26 total touchdowns in 13 games -- an average of only two per contest. Allen has been efficient but lacks the game-breaking ability we’ve come to expect from him in years past.
He’s averaging just 3.9 receptions per game, the lowest mark of his career, and hasn’t eclipsed 100 yards in any contest this season. In Week 14, Allen was bottled up for 4.5 fantasy points, reminding managers of his low floor. Against Minnesota’s complex defensive scheme, Allen could struggle to produce the numbers you need in a high-stakes playoff matchup.
Keenan Allen Weeks 1-9
-42 tgts, 21 rec
-197 yards, 2 TDWeeks 10-12
-29 tgt, 18 rec
-171 yards, 1 TDBears need to use Allen moving forward.
pic.twitter.com/RtMJyh5S1u— Just Another Year Chicago: Bears (@JAYChi_Bears) November 26, 2024
Final Thoughts
In the fantasy playoffs, there’s no room for blind loyalty. While these players have been productive at times this season, their Week 15 matchups are full of red flags. Whether it’s a suffocating defense, a sputtering offense, or a lack of recent production, these landmines carry significant risks.
With your playoff hopes on the line, it’s better to play the odds and pivot to players with safer floors and higher ceilings. As always, fantasy football is a game of matchups and margins. Avoiding these landmines could be the difference between advancing to the next round or packing it in until the next season. Play smart, and good luck in Week 15!
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