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Key Starters and Tough Calls - Lineup Spotlights for Week 15

Scott Engel breaks down his Week 15 fantasy football lineup rankings, spotlighting key NFL players to start and tougher lineup start/sit decisions to make.

Welcome to Week 15, RotoBallers! Below you will find some of my spotlight plays and tough lineup decisions for the upcoming week of the fantasy football playoffs.

These player selections are based on my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller's NFL Premium Pass. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a 10% discount and get access to all of my ranks in all formats, plus a full roster of tools and analysis for the rest of the 2019 season and in DFS. The Premium Pass is already at a slashed price for your fantasy playoffs!

Note that all skill position picks and analyses here are based on my PPR ranks.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Spotlight RB Starters for Week 15

Kareem Hunt vs. ARI: He is playing at a RB2 level recently and making the most of his touches. Hunt is catching passes and also getting goal-line looks. The Cardinals have allowed the fifth-most Fantasy Points Per Game in the NFC to running backs over the past month.

Devin Singletary vs. PIT: This appears to be a challenging matchup, but it’s also an important game for the Bills and Singletary has clearly taken over as the lead RB. His versatility should mean he posts at least respectable overall totals.

Patrick Laird vs. NYG: He is worth plugging in as a flex in this matchup. Last week Laird had 19 touches for 86 yards from scrimmage. Dual purpose RBs can certainly give the Giants some problems.

 

Spotlight WR Starters for Week 15

Emmanuel Sanders vs. ATL: He showed that he was healthy again last week in the thrilling victory over the Saints. Sanders should be a locked-in WR1 in fantasy football this week in a great matchup.

Golden Tate vs. MIA: He has been the Giants’ best WR for most of the season, and Eli Manning will get him more involved this week in his home finale. The Dolphins will be very concerned about trying to contain Darius Slayton after seeing the film of how he torched the Eagles last week. So Manning will get the ball to Tate often as his other playmaker in a very good matchup.

Curtis Samuel vs. SEA: The Seahawks will be mainly focused on trying to contain Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore. They will also likely be without their best cornerback, Shaquille Griffin. Expect some big gainers and a TD from Samuel.

 

Spotlight TE Starters for Week 15

Ian Thomas vs. SEA: He has capably stepped in for Greg Olsen and shown he can be an instant contributor in the Carolina passing game. The Seahawks have been the most generous team to TEs in terms of FFPG allowed to the position over the past month.

David Njoku vs. ARI: If you do not have another top option at the position, Njoku is certainly worth starting consideration. He falls just outside the Top 12 for those looking to stream a starter. This will now be Njoku’s second game since returning from a long injury layoff and he gets the obvious great draw against the team that is notoriously friendly to opposing TEs.

 

Spotlight QB Starters for Week 15

Jameis Winston vs. DET: Published reports indicated that he was throwing effectively in practices late in the week. Winston has lost Mike Evans, but he has already displayed a new affinity for Breshad Perriman and will take advantage of an obviously good matchup.

Russell Wilson vs. CAR: You may see the Seahawks-Panthers game turn into a shootout. Wilson has not thrown more than one TD pass in a game over the past month. But the Seahawks must start rediscovering the big plays downfield, and Wilson should display his better fantasy form.

 

Tough Lineup Decisions for Week 15

Joe Mixon over Kenyan Drake: The Cincinnati RB obviously has the more challenging matchup against the Patriots, but Drake’s numbers have been steadily declining every week since he came over from Miami and he simply looks like a riskier fantasy option at a very important time of year.

Patrick Laird over Josh Jacobs: This is a safety-first decision. Jon Gruden has yet to fully confirm if and how much Jacobs will play. If I have to use a guy like Laird in an earlier game and not have to worry about Jacobs’ availability or workload, I will opt for the healthier alternative.

DK Metcalf over Breshad Perriman: The Tampa Bay passing game certainly looks more potent than Seattle’s recently. But as previously indicated, the Seahawks should get back on track in the air this week and Metcalf will be a significant part of the attack.

John Brown over Tyler Boyd: Both wideouts have very tough matchups (Steelers and Patriots, respectively). Give me the guy on the team with more to play for. Brown’s QB must get him the ball in a game of higher importance.

Ian Thomas over Tyler Higbee: It’s hard to be sold on Higbee just yet. He is coming off two of the best matchups for a TE to take advantage of, and doesn’t have any previous record of fantasy success prior to those games. That makes him a risky and scary play, and no guarantee to sustain his newfound momentum.

Ryan Tannehill over Jameis Winston: The Titans’ surging QB gets the nod here because you can expect less turnovers and he also gives you the better shot of a rushing TD. Plus, he is playing in a much more meaningful game.

More Weekly Lineup Prep




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return

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