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Dave's fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for Week 15 of 2025. His fantasy football outlooks for Marcus Mariota, Jacoby Brissett, Woody Marks, Blake Corum, Justin Jefferson, DJ Moore, Isaiah Likely, and Hunter Henry, more.
Who Should I Start? Who Should I Sit? Some common Week 15 fantasy football lineup decisions are regarding players like Marcus Mariota, Jacoby Brissett, Woody Marks, Blake Corum, Justin Jefferson, DJ Moore, Isaiah Likely, and Hunter Henry. But not to worry, we are here to help make these decisions and build winning lineups in Week 15. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups for Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season. Our free Who Should I Start? tool will help make your fantasy football lineup decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to start ... all free! Get your winning lineups set, and make the right decisions.
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Sunday Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions
The fantasy playoffs have arrived. Only one man or woman will emerge victorious and be crowned as your league’s champion. The stakes are higher than ever, and there is a lot on the line.
That means every start/sit decision you face comes with increased scrutiny. If you’re having trouble navigating these waters, we’ve got you covered here and will present several starts/sits for each position. Now, let’s not waste any more time chit-chatting and get down to business.
Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and download the RotoBaller app for all your fantasy football needs. Let's get into our start ‘em and sit ‘em picks for Week 15.
QB Starts - Week 15 Fantasy Football
Marcus Mariota - QB, Washington Commanders at New York Giants
Jayden Daniels is missing this weekend's game after aggravating his elbow injury in a Week 14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. That means Mariota will get the nod here.
It comes at a good time as he draws a great matchup this week. The Giants have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks per Fantasy Football Today. New York has also allowed the fifth-most rushing touchdowns to the position.
This is a great spot for Mariota to deliver a strong performance. Consider him one of the top streaming options for this week.
Brock Purdy - QB, San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans
Purdy has struggled in his last two outings, but this is a game where he should have a strong fantasy performance. The Titans have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year and rank 22nd in PFF’s pass coverage grade.
Purdy is live to throw multiple touchdown passes here and should have one of his best games of the year. Consider him a backend QB1.
C.J. Stroud - QB, Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stroud and the Texans are fresh off a big road win over the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday night. Now, Houston takes on an Arizona Cardinals team that was just tormented by Matthew Stafford for 281 passing yards and three touchdowns.
This should be a game where Stroud and the Texans' offense move the ball at will against the Cardinals' defense. Gamers should view Stroud as one of the better streaming options available this weekend.
QB Sits - Week 15 Fantasy Football
Caleb Williams - QB, Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns
Williams has not played as well as his season stats would suggest. Even though he currently sits as the QB7 on the year and has thrown 19 touchdowns against six interceptions, Williams is only completing 57.8% of his passes and has struggled with accuracy all year.
CALEB WILLIAMS PICKED OFF BY KEISEAN NIXON! pic.twitter.com/KlOz0gv1rT
— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025
Now he faces a Cleveland Browns defense that ranks seventh in defensive passing DVOA and has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this year. This looks like a game where Williams could struggle, and gamers would be wise to leave him on their bench.
Jacoby Brissett - QB, Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans
The Texans' defense is the best in the NFL and made both Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes look mortal. It’s hard to see Brissett fairing better than either of them here. Leave him on the bench in all formats.
Tyler Shough - QB, New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers
Shough continued his strong play with a QB6 finish against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. He did so on the heels of 55 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Tyler Shough called his own number for the game-winning TD 🙌 @visa pic.twitter.com/3a749oxzLU
— NFL (@NFL) December 11, 2025
However, the Saints' rookie could find things tougher this week. The Panthers have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks and have allowed the fewest rushing yards to the position as well.
This is a tough matchup, and Shough should not be considered a viable streaming candidate in traditional single-quarterback leagues.
RB Starts - Week 15 Fantasy Football
Travis Etienne Jr. - RB, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets
Etienne is coming off a two-touchdown performance against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 14. Now, he squares off against a Jets team that's allowed the third-most PPR points to running backs.
Jacksonville is listed as an 11.5-point favorite in this game, and that should mean plenty of rushing opportunities for Etienne. Start him as a backend RB1.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. - RB, Washington Commanders at New York Giants
Rodriguez put up a dud last week against the Minnesota Vikings. However, he should bounce back this week. The Giants allow the second-most rushing yards per game, and this is a spot where the Commanders should be more competitive.
That would make Rodriguez a viable flex play, and he will be live to crack triple digits on the ground.
Woody Marks - RB, Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals
Marks saw a season-high 28 touches against the Kansas City Chiefs last week. He continues to see heavy usage, but it hasn’t translated to big-time fantasy results.
That could change this week as the Cardinals were just gashed by the Los Angeles Rams for 249 rushing yards. Arizona has also allowed the fourth-most PPR points to running backs.
This looks like a spot where Marks’ volume should finally translate to meaningful production. Start him as an RB2.
RB Sits - Week 15 Fantasy Football
Blake Corum - RB, Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions
Corum had a career game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14. He ran for a career-high 128 rushing yards and also scored two touchdowns.
Blake Corum rumbles 48 yards for the TD!
LARvsAZ on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/aroS7jo0iI
— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2025
It was fun to watch Corum break out, but things will be much tougher this weekend. The Lions allow the 10th-fewest rushing yards per game and rank third in PFF’s rushing defense grade. Leave Corum on your bench and wait for a better matchup to start him.
Breece Hall - RB, New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars
Hall goes up against a Jacksonville defense that held Jonathan Taylor to 74 rushing yards last week and ranks seventh in defensive rushing DVOA. It looks like rookie Brady Cook is set to start at quarterback for New York, and that doesn’t seem like good news for Hall in a tough matchup.
If you have other options, give strong consideration to leaving Hall on your bench.
Kimani Vidal - RB, Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
Vidal accumulated 104 scrimmage yards on 15 touches last week and played 69% of offensive snaps. However, it was clear that Omarion Hampton was the more effective back. If it had not been for a fluke 60-yard reception, Vidal would have been a massive bust.
Now, Los Angeles takes on a Chiefs defense that's allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points to running backs this year.
Don’t be fooled by one splash play. Vidal will eventually take a backseat to Hampton as the latter gets further removed from his injury. Gamers should leave Vidal out of their lineups this week.
WR Starts - Week 15 Fantasy Football
Justin Jefferson - WR, Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys
Jefferson is in the middle of the worst season of his career. He has not posted a WR1 finish in PPR leagues since Week 4, and has only scored two touchdowns.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy is largely to blame for that, but he did show some signs of life by throwing three touchdown passes against the Washington Commanders last week. If McCarthy plays well again, this is a game where Jefferson could finally deliver a good performance, as the Cowboys have allowed the most PPR points to receivers this year.
It’s understandable if you prefer to shy away from Jefferson this week, as this has been a terrible year for him. However, this is a spot where he could finally explode for a big game. That makes him a viable WR3 play.
Jaylen Waddle - WR, Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers
Waddle is fresh off his first WR1 finish since Week 8. This game should give him a good opportunity to post his second straight WR1 finish, as the Steelers have allowed the third-most PPR points to wide receivers this season. Pittsburgh also ranks 20th in DVOA against WR1s and has allowed 74.6 receiving yards per game to the position.
There is some risk here considering quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is playing in an outdoor game with cold weather elements, but the matchup here is too good to ignore. Waddle also draws a plus matchup in RotoBaller’s Week 15 WR/CB matchup chart.
Start him in all formats.
Darius Slayton - WR, New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders
The Commanders' defense continues to struggle, and the team ranks 29th in defensive passing DVOA. Washington has also allowed the eighth-most PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers.
Slayton caught a touchdown pass in his most recent game back in Week 13, and this is a spot where he could do so again. Start him as a WR3 or flex play.
WR Sits - Week 15 Fantasy Football
Xavier Worthy - WR, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Worthy has been one of 2025’s biggest disappointments. Gamers who were banking on a second-year breakout (myself included) have been left thoroughly underwhelmed with the results. Now he faces a Chargers defense that’s been very good against opposing wide receivers and ranks eighth in PFF’s pass coverage grade.
The Chiefs' offense has really struggled this year, and it could have trouble again this week. That makes it hard to trust Worthy in this spot.
There are more reliable options out there, and managers should leave Worthy on the bench.
DJ Moore - WR, Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns
Moore has been a casualty of Williams’ poor play and the Bears' shift toward a run-heavy offense. He only has two WR1 finishes this year and has not had more than 73 receiving yards in any game this season.
The Browns' defense is very good, and they have allowed the fourth-fewest PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers. This looks like a spot where the Bears' passing game could struggle, and that would make Moore a casualty.
That means it's better to consider options this week.
D.K. Metcalf - WR, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins
Metcalf is coming off one of his best games of the year in Week 14. He caught a season-high seven receptions for 148 receiving yards and finished the week as the PPR WR7.
It was good to see him finally pop for a big game, but managers may want to temper their expectations this week. Pittsburgh takes on a Miami Dolphins team whose defense has come to life in recent weeks and has allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points to wide receivers this year. Miami also allows just 53.5 receiving yards per game to opposing WR1s.
This is a tougher matchup than it seems, and we shouldn't be surprised if Metcalf and quarterback Aaron Rodgers come back down to earth. That means managers should do their best to avoid Metcalf this week.
TE Starts - Week 15 Fantasy Football
Isaiah Likely - TE, Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
If you’ve been following this column all year, then you’ve probably picked up on a common theme here. Start tight ends against the Bengals.
That's all there really is to this call. Cincinnati is the worst team in the league against tight ends.
Likely would have scored a long touchdown against the Bengals two weeks ago had he not fumbled at the goal line. Look for him to rectify that mistake and find the end zone here.
Gamers who’ve been streaming tight ends should view Likely as a strong option.
Darren Waller - TE, Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have allowed the fifth-most PPR points to tight ends, and this could be a spot where Waller scores his fifth touchdown of the year. Start him as a touchdown-dependent, boom/bust tight end.
A.J. Barner - TE, Seattle Seahawks vs. Indianapolis Colts
Barner has been a huge disappointment since his 10 catch, 70-yard effort back in Week 11. However, this could be a spot where he has a decent outing.
The Colts are reeling and are in the middle of a three-game losing streak. Indianapolis also ranks 25th in DVOA against tight ends and allows an average of 69.3 receiving yards per game to the position.
Consider Barner one of the better tight end streaming options for Week 15.
TE Sits - Week 15 Fantasy Football
Hunter Henry - TE, New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills
Henry is currently the PPR TE7 for the year, but this looks like a game where he will struggle. The Bills have been very good against opposing tight ends and allow the fewest PPR points per game to the position.
It’s more likely we see the Patriots attack the Buffalo defense through its running back duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson and attempt to take advantage of a poor Buffalo run defense.
Combine that with a tough matchup, and Henry becomes a sit.
Dallas Goedert - TE, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Goedert had a nice performance against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football last week. However, gamers should not expect a repeat performance against the Raiders.
One of the few things Las Vegas has done well this year is defend opposing tight ends. The Raiders rank 11th in DVOA against tight ends and allow just 36.6 receiving yards per game to the position.
This doesn't look like a great time to start the Eagles TE1. Leave Goedert on your bench in favor of other players with better matchups.
Ben Sinnott - TE, Washington Commanders at New York Giants
After the unfortunate season-ending injury to Zach Ertz, Sinnott is set to take over as the team’s starter. However, fantasy gamers may not want to get too excited. Sinnott has shown little upside during his first two seasons and was not able to beat out a 35-year-old Ertz for playing time. That seems like a major red flag on Sinnott.
This also isn’t a great spot to deploy him, as the Giants have allowed the ninth-fewest PPR points to tight ends this year. Sinnott is not a realistic streaming option this week, and gamers should look elsewhere for a tight end.
Who Should I Start Tool
Not sure who to start? Check out the Who Should I Start tool:
Week 15 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players -- Marcus Mariota, Jacoby Brissett, Woody Marks, Blake Corum, Justin Jefferson, D.J.Moore, Isaiah Likely, and Hunter Henry. These are some of the most common searches for fantasy football lineups in Week 15.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool, but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Start? button to see who the recommended starts are based on weekly fantasy football matchups.
Improvements For Who Should I Start? You may have noticed our Who Should I Start? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win your fantasy football matchups each week. You'll see NFL player tiles with headshots and bye weeks, enhanced search results with data to compare, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Each week, our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy football rankings and projections based on their research. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked. If someone is out for the week, they will not appear in the search results.
Scoring Formats. Fantasy football managers play in various types of leagues, and this tool allows you to choose whether it's PPR scoring, Half-PPR scoring, or Standard (Non-PPR) scoring. The second thing you want to do is to select the scoring format. There are three small radio buttons (small circles), so click on the scoring format you prefer. The results may vary based on the scoring format you select.
Popular Week 15 Searches. Curious to see some tough lineup decisions for Week 15 (2025)? Below you will find a list of some popular Who Should I Start? searches that RotoBaller readers are looking at this week. Click any of the links to see the result and recommendation.
Popular Week 15 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 15 searches and comparisons from our 'Who To Start' tool for Marcus Mariota, Jacoby Brissett, Woody Marks, Blake Corum, Justin Jefferson, D.J.Moore, Isaiah Likely, and Hunter Henry compared to others:
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