Geno Smith Officially Ruled Out for Week 15
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (shoulder, back) was unable to practice all week and has officially been ruled out for the Week 15 contest this Sunday in Philadelphia against the Eagles, according to the team's website. Kenny Pickett will draw his first start with the Raiders against his old team in potentially snowy conditions, making him a desperation QB2 option for fantasy managers in superflex leagues. Smith injured his right throwing shoulder in last week's loss to the Denver Broncos, although it's not considered a serious injury, and he could make it back next week against the Houston Texans. However, if Pickett plays well this weekend, the Raiders could bench the struggling Smith for the final three games of the year. The 35-year-old Smith hasn't had much help from his offensive line, but he's been one of the worst starting QBs in the NFL this year, completing 67% of his passes for 2,648 yards, 16 touchdowns, and a league-high 14 interceptions while taking a league-high 49 sacks.
Source: Raiders.com
Source: Raiders.com
Packers D/ST a Shaky Option Against Denver
The Green Bay Packers' defense and special teams unit have their work cut out for them in Week 15 as the Packers travel to Denver to take on the Broncos. Over the past two weeks, the Packers have averaged two sacks per game against the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. They'll face the Broncos in Week 15, and Denver has the eighth-fewest giveaways in the league, while the Packers have the fourth-fewest takeaways through 13 games. The Packers have been one of the most underwhelming fantasy defenses because they rely so much on their pass rush, with 33 sacks, the 11th-highest total in the league. Green Bay is a middling D/ST this week for fantasy purposes.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brandon McManus More of a Low-End Fantasy Option In Week 15
Green Bay Packers kicker Brandon McManus hasn't missed a kick in three weeks, but hasn't been too fantasy relevant in recent weeks. He'll look to turn it around in Denver against the Broncos in Week 15. In the last three weeks, McManus has averaged 8.0 fantasy points per game and has made all four field goals and each of his 10 point-after attempts. That said, the Packers have been excellent in the last couple of weeks in converting their drives into touchdowns, so McManus has been kicking many more extra points (eight) than field goals (one) in their last two contests against the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. In Week 15, McManus heads to Denver, where he spent the majority of his NFL career. For the Packers' game against the Broncos, McManus is a low-end fantasy kicker for that matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tough to Trust Matthew Golden in Fantasy Against Broncos
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (wrist) put in a full practice on Friday after two limited sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, and Golden will be good to go when the Packers head to Denver to face the Broncos. Returning to game action in Week 14, Golden earned just a single target from quarterback Jordan Love on four pass routes. Head coach Matt LaFleur stated Golden would be limited to "pass situations only" when talking about Golden's role in Week 14, so clearly, that limited his fantasy points potential. With all of the pass-catching options for the Packers healthier heading into Week 15, Golden may have trouble getting on the field with players like Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and others ahead of him. Golden is a very risky bet for fantasy success in Week 15 against a stout Denver defense.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kenny Pickett to Start in Week 15 Against Eagles
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett will make the start on Sunday against his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Pete Carroll announced on Friday. Geno Smith (shoulder, back) injured his right throwing shoulder in last week's loss to the Denver Broncos and has not practiced all week. This will be Pickett's first start for the Raiders since they acquired him from the Cleveland Browns earlier this season. In relief of Smith last Sunday, Pickett went 8-for-11 passing for 97 yards and a touchdown against Denver. Pickett played in five regular-season games (one start) and two playoff games as part of the Eagles' Super Bowl run last year. The Raiders think Smith has a good chance to return in Week 16 against the Texans, but if Pickett plays well this weekend, the team might stick with him. In a bad matchup on the road in potentially snowy weather, Pickett shouldn't be considered as anything more than a low-end, low-upside QB2 streamer in superflex leagues this weekend.
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
Christian Watson More of a WR3 Option Against Denver
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson has been the most productive pass-catcher for the Packers in the past few weeks, and he looks to carry over that momentum when the Packers head to Denver to face the Broncos in Week 15. Watson followed up a 4-80-1 effort against the Detroit Lions in Week 13 with a 4-89 and two scores last week in the Packers' pivotal division showdown with the Chicago Bears. Watson runs into a stiff test in Week 15, as he'll likely draw the shadow coverage of Patrick Surtain II, one of the best cornerbacks in football and the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Despite that, Watson is on a heater right now for fantasy, and if anybody can break a long reception for a score, it's Watson. Surtain's presence should temper fantasy managers' expectations for Watson this week. That said, Watson is a volatile WR3 fantasy option against the Broncos.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Romeo Doubs is a Desperation Flex Play Against Broncos
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs has seen a recent backslide in production, but he looks to get going again as the Packers travel to Denver to take on the Broncos in Week 15. Doubs' recent downturn coincides with Christian Watson's ascension to Green Bay's top target in the offense. While Doubs continues to run routes at a fairly solid clip, with over 72% routes per dropback in the last four games, he has just 10 receptions and 101 yards in his last four games combined. In Week 14 against the Bears, Doubs turned in his worst full-game outing of the season, with just two targets and zero receptions. Doubs had some trust from fantasy managers in the middle of the season when tight end Tucker Kraft went down with his season-ending injury, but since Watson's return, Doubs has been largely irrelevant for fantasy football. In a tough Week 15 matchup in Denver against the Broncos, consider Doubs a desperation flex play at best for fantasy.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Risky Streaming Territory for Jordan Love in Week 15
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has been QB11 or better in three of his last four games, but draws a tough assignment as the Packers head to Denver to take on the Broncos. Love has back-to-back 20+ fantasy point outings against the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, with three or more touchdowns in both games. Making that three straight games, with a road game in Denver, will be a tall order. The Broncos allow the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks and the ninth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers as well, making it a tough matchup across the board for the Packers' pass-catchers and Love. For fantasy purposes, Love is a low-end streaming quarterback in single quarterback leagues, but a mid-range QB2 in two-quarterback formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josh Jacobs Officially Questionable to Face the Broncos
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (knee) is officially questionable to play against the Denver Broncos on Sunday in Week 15. Jacobs suffered a knee injury in Week 11 against the New York Giants and was held out in Week 12 as a precaution. The 27-year-old only missed one game, though, and handled his normal workhorse role the last two weeks, with 37 rushing attempts for 169 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Jacobs' knee stiffened up on him on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, though, prompting him to undergo an MRI exam. Tests have thankfully turned up negative for any structural damage, but his status for Week 15 is in question. It creates a difficult decision for fantasy managers this weekend, especially since the Packers and Broncos square off in the late window on Sunday. Jacobs has been a must-start RB1 in fantasy in 2025 with 12 touchdowns in 12 games, but he could be at less than full strength against a Broncos defense that allows the second-fewest rushing yards per game (89). Emanuel Wilson is worth a speculative waiver-wire pickup in case Jacobs is ruled out entirely on Sunday.
Source: Green Bay Packers
Source: Green Bay Packers
Chiefs Defense Offers Little Upside In Week 15
The Kansas City Chiefs defense has not been an exciting unit to roster this season, and the past five games are evidence of that. Since Week 9, Kansas City has given up at least 20 points in every game and has only one takeaway in that span. The Chiefs' defense will now have to face a divisional opponent in a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Chiefs will take on the Los Angeles Chargers, who rank 11th in total yards per game this season. The Kansas City defensive unit is ranked 16th in our RotoBaller rankings, making them a low-end option to consider this week. This Chiefs defense has been tough to trust this season, and fantasy managers may want to try looking elsewhere for upside.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Harrison Butker Tough To Trust In Week 15
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker missed one of his two field goal attempts in last week's loss to the Houston Texans. His miss in Week 14 was his fourth missed field goal of the season and ruined his field goal streak that dated back to September 28 against the Baltimore Ravens. Butker was not a top-12 kicker over the course of the fantasy season, and he's not ranked as one this week against the Los Angeles Chargers. In a divisional matchup that is not predicted to be a high-scoring affair, Butker is ranked K18 in our RotoBaller rankings this week. Week 15 is the first week of the fantasy playoffs for most leagues, and Butker may not be the kicker to lean on if you're looking for upside this week.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Pat Bryant Ruled Out for Sunday
Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers, according to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. Head coach Sean Payton said that Bryant could play with the hamstring injury if it were a playoff game, but the team will hold him out for this game after he missed practice all week. It's unfortunate timing for the rookie third-rounder after taking over as Denver's WR2 ahead of Troy Franklin opposite Courtland Sutton in recent weeks. Bryant has totaled 12 receptions for 156 yards on 17 targets in the past three games. His absence will open up more opportunities for Franklin, Marvin Mims Jr., and Lil'Jordan Humphrey on Sunday. Franklin is back on the fantasy radar as a potential flex play with Bryant out, but he is tough to trust in lineups in a tough Week 15 matchup against the Packers.
Source: Chris Tomasson
Source: Chris Tomasson
Travis Kelce With A Difficult Matchup In Week 15
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was essentially eliminated from last week's contest against the Houston Texans. Kelce was held to one catch for eight yards in the 10-20 loss to Houston. The veteran tight end was a non-factor, finishing sixth on the team in receiving yardage. Week 14 was the first time this season that Kelce finished without multiple catches, so it can only go up from here, but he does face a difficult matchup in Week 15. Kelce will take on the Los Angeles Chargers, who have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. The Chiefs need to win the rest of their games this season if they have any chance of making the playoffs, and Kelce should be heavily involved in making that happen. Kelce is ranked TE7 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a mid-range TE1 with another difficult matchup this week.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Rashid Shaheed Could be a Player to Watch in Week 15
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed finally broke out as a member of the Seahawks in Week 14 against the Atlanta Falcons. Although his production was buoyed by a punt return for a touchdown, he could carry his six-target momentum into Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts. Shaheed is still hovering around 50% of the offensive snaps, but Seattle seemed to make a point of getting him more involved down the field in Week 14. Shaheed is a talented outside receiver. If he can receive more opportunities down the field rather than as a gadget player, he could be great for this team. The Colts are No. 27 against opposing wide receivers in fantasy. They have simply had issues containing wide receivers despite their addition of cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) at the trade deadline. Gardner is also out for this game If Seattle can continue to feed Shaheed, he could become a fantasy revelation over the final few weeks of the fantasy football playoffs. Keep an eye on Shaheed's production this week and consider throwing him on the back of your bench if you have the space.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam Darnold in the Streaming Conversation in Week 15
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is a potential streaming option in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have been middle-of-the-road against opposing quarterbacks in fantasy this season. Additionally, when Darnold is firing on all cylinders, he is virtually matchup-proof. Darnold should have no issues finding his top wide receivers in this game. If he keeps the turnovers down, Darnold has a great chance to hover around 250 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns. Darnold had faltered over the last handful of weeks before getting back on track in the second half of Week 14 against the Falcons. Perhaps he can carry that momentum into this week. Darnold is not a must-start by any means, but if you have a tough quarterback situation, you could do a lot worse than Darnold in Week 1 of the fantasy playoffs.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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