December 13, 2025
The Carolina Panthers' defense is a deeper streaming option to consider against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. The unit has held opposing teams to 20 or fewer points in three of their last five games. In Week 15, Carolina will face New Orleans'
Tyler Shough for the second time. In Week 10, the Panthers held the Saints to 17 points, although Shough passed for 282 yards and two TDs. Fantasy players looking for a streaming option should still consider starting the Panthers against their NFC South rival. The Panthers' D/ST unit ranks ninth this week on RotoBaller.com. Shough has not thrown a TD pass in two of his last three games, and the Saints have scored just 41 points during that span. The Saints QB has been sacked three or more times in each of the last three games. Carolina defensive end Derrick Brown had a sack and a forced fumble in Week 13. Cornerback Mike Jackson returned an interception for a TD, and CB Jaycee Horn is the only player in the NFL with two games of two-plus interceptions. The Panthers' secondary may be opportunistic against Shough.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 13, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Chase Brown has played better in the final stretch of the 2025 campaign. He was much improved as a runner leading up to the Week 14 loss to the Bills, amassing at least 5.2 yards per carry in five of his previous six appearances. Although the 25-year-old struggled on the ground in snowy Buffalo, he made up for it by finding the end zone twice. Brown has been back in the must-start conversation for weeks, which will continue to apply to Sunday's meeting with the Baltimore Ravens. With
Tee Higgins (concussion) out, Brown could see even more attention on the receiving end, increasing his fantasy ceiling. He caught all seven of his targets for 35 yards when these clubs met in Week 13, a game in which Higgins also wasn't available.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
December 13, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver
Darius Cooper logged his second-most snaps in a single game last week, as he was on the field for 21 offensive plays-29.6% of total opportunities. The increased action allowed for Cooper to haul in his third career catch-a 19-yard gain in the fourth quarter. After failing to record any statistics through the first 10 weeks of the season, the undrafted wideout has now found himself in the box score twice in the past three weeks. While it's encouraging for him to step up a bit recently, he's still too far down the depth chart in an offense that's already not very WR-dependent. Cooper shouldn't be in fantasy lineups for his upcoming game against the Raiders, but hopefully some more chances are in store for him on the horizon.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 13, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
DeVonta Smith is coming off of back-to-back weeks where his production didn't quite meet expectations. It's not due to a lack of looks-Smith is averaging nine targets per game since Week 12-the issue is more because of his yardage. Over the same three-game span, he's averaging just 6.4 yards per target. For comparison, his counterpart
A.J. Brown has averaged 9.8 during that time. However, Smith does have a favorable matchup this Sunday against the Raiders. Las Vegas gives up the third-most fantasy points to wideouts this season, and the Eagles should have little trouble putting this team away in what feels like a must-win game. Smith isn't the most comfortable option for fantasy playoffs, but he's done enough to be slotted as a decent WR3/FLEX in Week 15.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 13, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Jeremy McNichols recorded only one reception for two yards in last week's blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings. It marked the third game this season where he's had fewer than two touches in a game. The 29-year-old had compiled 20 total touches for 88 yards in the three games leading up to Week 14, and even in a negative game script, McNichols didn't see much work. The veteran has held down the pass-down duties in Washington's backfield for most of the season since
Austin Ekeler (Achilles) went down in Week 2. McNichols should see similar usage on Sunday against the New York Giants with the possibility for more touches if
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin), who is listed as questionable, is unable to play. He profiles as a deep league flex option at best in Week 15.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 13, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
A.J. Brown had his third straight game recording 100+ receiving yards last week against the Chargers as his hottest stretch of the season continues. It was also the fourth contest in a row that Brown was targeted at least 10 times. The stud wideout is perfectly set up to keep it rolling as the Raiders visit Philly on Sunday, as Las Vegas allows the third-most fantasy points to WRs this year. The one piece of concern is that in their last three outings, the Raiders have not allowed a receiver to finish with more than 62 yards. However, with Brown in the form he's been in over the last four weeks, managers can't turn away from him now. Although his 2025 has been a rocky road, he's a solid WR2 as fantasy playoffs kick off this week.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 13, 2025
Ja'Tavion Sanders did not see a single target in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Rams. In that game, Sanders was mainly utilized as a blocker and played on 48% of the snaps. In 10 games played this year, Sanders has averaged 4.3 PPR Points Per Game. New Orleans ranks 12th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the TE position. Notably, Sanders had his second-best performance of the season against the Saints in Week 10, when he totaled 8.2 PPR points with five receptions on 32 receiving yards. Still, Sanders does not see enough consistent volume to warrant being rostered during the fantasy playoffs. Sanders has been targeted 5+ times in a game only twice this season, and he has no receiving touchdowns.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 13, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Adam Thielen earned just one target in Week 14 but could be in line for additional opportunities against the Miami Dolphins in Week 15. Thielen surprisingly logged the second-most snaps of any Steelers receiver in his debut with the team last week, trailing only
DK Metcalf. With
Calvin Austin III (calf) popping up on the injury report late in the week, Thielen could emerge as the unquestioned WR2 in Pittsburgh on Monday night. Still, this isn't a particularly easy matchup, as the Dolphins are surrendering the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts this season. He can't be trusted to provide consistent fantasy value down the stretch, but Thielen's role and developing chemistry with quarterback
Aaron Rodgers are worth monitoring in deeper leagues.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 13, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles running back
Tank Bigsby finished last week's game against the Chargers with just one carry for four yards. Bigsby played an equal amount of snaps to
Will Shipley (seven), who had no rushing attempts but did manage a single catch for three yards. The trend has continued between these backup RBs in Philly, with
A.J. Dillon taking a back seat while Shipley is more of an option in the passing game and Bigsby helps relieve
Saquon Barkley of carrying duties every now and then. With fantasy playoffs beginning and many fantasy lineups solidified, Bigsby may be beneficial to have as a handcuff now more than ever if managers are cleaning out their benches. However, he still shouldn't be starting while Barkley is in the mix in Week 15 against the Raiders.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 13, 2025
Green Bay Packers running back
Josh Jacobs (knee) is officially listed as questionable to play in his team's Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Jacobs was held out of practice on both Wednesday and Thursday due to a knee issue, but he was able to practice in a limited capacity on Friday, giving him a chance to play. The 27-year-old has been one of the NFL's most consistent running backs so far this season. Across 12 games, Jacobs has logged 206 carries for 817 yards and 12 touchdowns. If active in Week 15, Jacobs will face a difficult matchup in the Broncos' defense. Entering Sunday, Denver ranks first among NFL defenses in yards per carry allowed (3.7) and second in total rushing yards allowed (1,157). Jacobs has proven the ability to find the end zone against pretty much every unit he has matched up against so far this season. However, the Denver defense, combined with a potentially limited workload due to the knee injury, should likely lead fantasy managers to slightly downgrade expectations. If active, Jacobs profiles as a high-end fantasy RB2 in Week 15.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 13, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles running back
Saquon Barkley broke free for a 52-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of last week's game against the Chargers, finally snapping his four-game scoreless streak. This play also boosted him to his second-highest rushing yards count in a game this season with 122, his second time surpassing 100 yards on the ground. He'll try to carry this momentum into Week 15's matchup with the Raiders, who allow the ninth-most fantasy points to RBs in the league. Las Vegas is also tied for the second-most rushing touchdowns given up this year, letting up 18 scores to runners over 13 games. While he has left some to be desired in the passing game lately, Barkley is primed to find the end zone this weekend, which should make up for any lack of catches. Consider him a low-end RB1.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 13, 2025
Xavier Legette caught only one pass for a single yard in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Rams before the Week 14 bye. He finished with 1.1 PPR points, marking the seventh game this year in which he scored under five points. Legette has a rather unfavorable matchup in Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints rank 11th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to WRs this season. Legette's volume has been inconsistent, with only three games since Week 5 where he had 5+ targets. Considering his underwhelming fantasy output and varying volume, Legette should not be considered for the fantasy playoffs.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 13, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Jalen Hurts had a shambolic showing in his worst game of the season this past Monday, turning the ball over five times and barely reaching a 50% completion rate in a loss to the Chargers. It was a new low for Hurts, who will try to bounce back in an upcoming meeting with the Raiders. Las Vegas' pass defense is nothing to write home about, allowing the 16th-most passing yards per game (211.8) and being tied for the 19th-most passing touchdowns given up (19) in the league. Hurts has just been dealt a slap in the face, setting his career high for turnovers and losing his third straight game, so Sunday's contest against the 2-11 Raiders should be a layup opportunity to get Philly back on track with NFL playoffs right around the corner. There's just about nowhere to go but up from here for the reigning Super Bowl MVP, so expect him to lead his offense to a more productive day in Week 15. Put trust in Hurts as a mid-tier QB1 as fantasy playoffs get underway.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 13, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase is having a down year compared to last. However, he still ranks among the top wideouts in the National Football League, which isn't much of surprise to anyone. The former LSU Tiger is coming off a rough showing in the Week 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, catching only five passes (eight targets) for 44 yards. Instead, it was
Tee Higgins (concussion) who led the way on the receiving end, finding the end zone twice. Unfortunately, Higgins won't play in Sunday's meeting with the Ravens, just like when these clubs met in Week 13. Chase was certainly more productive in that one, ending with seven grabs for 110 yards. More importantly, he was targeted 14 times. While Chase is always a must-start, his ceiling is much higher without Higgins in the mix in Week 15.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
December 13, 2025
Washington Commanders rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt has faded into a depth role in the team's backfield in recent weeks.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) has handled the bulk of the touches for the Commanders since Week 9, with Croskey-Merritt mixing in on early downs and
Jeremy McNichols working primarily on passing downs. The rookie seventh-rounder has played just 19.6% of the snaps on offense over the last three weeks, his lowest in a three-game stretch this season, and has recorded 20 carries for 80 yards. Rodriguez is currently listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the New York Giants with a groin injury, so Croskey-Merritt may see an uptick in opportunities if he's unable to go. However, the rookie will likely be limited to a handful of touches if Rodriguez plays—Croskey-Merritt profiles as a desperation deep league option in Week 15.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
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