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Unexpected fantasy football performances and waiver wire sleepers and trade targets for Week 16 (2023). Will these NFL players sustain their Week 15 success?
As is with most starts to the fantasy football playoffs, Week 15 was a little bananas. There were fewer devastating injuries than normal, but the play was just bizarre in a lot of cases.
Players we hadn’t heard from in weeks showed out while stable roster anchors disappeared at the worst possible time. This is the most frustrating aspect of fantasy football, and it seems to happen in every league. When you’re the team that has been putting up mediocre numbers all year long, you always seem to show out once nothing matters anymore.
With so many players from tanking fantasy rosters going off, there were plenty of unexpected boom performances to go around. With this being such a weird week, there are almost too many to get through. So, that being said, we’ll only be focussing on the best of the best from a wild Week 15. Let’s get into them below.
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Surprise Fantasy Football Performances
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
After a brutal performance in Week 14, it’s understandable if you decided to move off Jared Goff with your season on the line. The Detroit Lions quarterback has looked shaky as of late, and a matchup against the rejuvenated Denver Broncos defense seemed like a recipe for disaster.
However, what occurred couldn’t have been further from the close game that many expected.
Goff put on a show as he completed 24 of 34 passes for 278 yards and five touchdowns during a beatdown of the Broncos. His terrific performance resulted in 31.12 fantasy points and a QB1 finish on the week.
The eighth-year veteran doesn’t have many eye-popping plays, but when he’s on, he’s on. He can be one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league when things are clicking, and that’s what we saw against Denver.
With only indoor games for the rest of the fantasy playoffs, Goff could be a player that pushes rosters over the hill on their way to championships.
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
From putting up a donut in Week 13 to being a leading receiver in Week 15, Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin put up polar opposite performances in back-to-back games.
After weeks of lackluster outings, some were questioning if McLaurin was still a star receiving threat in this league. But he put those questions to rest when the Commanders took on the Los Angeles Rams.
Against the Rams, Scary Terry caught six of 12 targets for 141 yards and a touchdown. His best performance of the season led to 23.1 half-PPR points and a finish as WR3 overall.
This was an interesting game for the Commanders as quarterback Sam Howell was benched in favor of backup Jacoby Brissett during the fourth quarter. With Brissett for only a portion of the fourth quarter, McLaurin had three receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown.
With Ron Rivera committing to Howell as the starter for Week 16, it looks like fantasy managers may not see McLaurin with a quarterback that consistently looks for him this season. So, while this was a great outing, you still can’t fully trust him as long as Howell is starting.
James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Although he’s been an impressive weapon out of the backfield this year, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook decided Week 15 was his week to explode.
The Bills have been an elite passing team with quarterback Josh Allen, but they’ve been missing the threat of gashing defenses in the run game. Now that Cook is coming into his own, the rest of the league may have trouble on their hands.
In a strong win over the Dallas Cowboys, Cook had 25 carries for 179 yards and a touchdown, along with two receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown. His career-best performance resulted in 35.1 half-PPR points and an RB2 overall finish.
If you’re still in the race for a title, Cook is turning it on at the perfect time. This phrase is overused, but this guy could easily be a league winner if he keeps this pace up.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Love him or hate him, nobody can deny that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has impressed this year. He’s had his ups and downs, but after looking like a lost cause last season, he’s had a great rebound to his career.
Baker has had some great outings with Tampa Bay, but none were better than his surgical performance against the Green Bay Packers in Week 15.
In a crucial win, Mayfield completed 22 of 28 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns while also losing a fumble. His career performance turned in 29.04 fantasy points, a QB2 finish, and a perfect passer rating.
With so many valuable quarterbacks going down this season, Baker could be a player who carries teams to the finish line. It’s no secret that he has a bevy of weapons at his disposal while also being part of a team with a lackluster defense.
With that combination, there is always the possibility for him to put up a big passing performance. Consider him a solid starting option if you’re struggling at quarterback and aiming for a title.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs
From the ashes, a former first-round bust arose as a valuable contributor in Week 15.
In recent years, no player has been more synonymous with disappointment than Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Billed as the next Brian Westbrook, the former first-rounder has failed to impress during his early career.
However, some playing time opened back up for CEH in the absence of the usual starter, Isiah Pacheco. That led to a rebirth of sorts for the running back when the Chiefs took on the New England Patriots in Week 15.
In a win over New England, Edwards-Helaire had 13 carries for 37 yards along with four receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown. His strong day led to 18.1 half-PPR points and an RB8 overall finish.
Now, this doesn’t mean CEH is back. This is Pacheco’s backfield, and when he returns healthy, he’ll probably assume his regular workload. However, that doesn’t mean Kansas City has to banish Clyde again.
He looks like a solid backup in this offense who could see some more work in the receiving game. Don’t expect these performances all the time, but CEH is a solid hold for rosters advancing in the fantasy playoffs.
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