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The biggest week of the fantasy season is upon us, and it's a must-win game for every manager. You win, and you advance to the second round of the playoffs. You lose, and you go home with no championship win this year. Luckily, if you have a first-round bye, you can sit back and relax in Week 15.
However, most fantasy managers will be competing to stay alive in fantasy this week. It's a stressful week, and those start-and-sit decisions are more important than ever.
In this article, I will detail which quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends have the best and worst matchups in the first round of the fantasy playoffs. The matchups don't necessarily mean we should automatically start or sit these players in Week 15. But if you are deciding between two or three players, it is something to consider.
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Week 15: Quarterback Matchups We Love
Geno Smith - Seattle Seahawks
Opponent: PHI
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 32nd
It has not been the best of seasons for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. Smith is currently the QB18 this year following a 2022 season that saw him finish as a top-five fantasy quarterback. The 33-year-old veteran did not play in Week 14 with a groin issue, and head coach Pete Carroll said earlier in the week that he did not know if Smith would be able to play this upcoming week. But if the quarterback suits up in Week 15, he is a great start against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles are giving up the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season and continue to struggle in the secondary. Philadelphia's secondary has allowed at least 270 pass yards in five of the past six games while allowing at least two passing touchdowns in six straight contests. If active, Smith has a nice matchup on Monday night.
Jordan Love - Green Bay Packers
Opponent: TB
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 28th
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is coming off one of his worst games of the season. He threw for just 218 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the team's loss on Monday night. However, before Week 14, Love finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in three straight games from Week 11 to Week 13.
Now, he'll get a Buccaneers secondary that has struggled against the pass this year. Just last week, Tampa allowed Desmond Ridder to throw for a career-high 347 yards and one touchdown. They also gave up 470 yards and five touchdowns to C.J. Stroud earlier in the year. It's hard to run against this unit. So, Love should get more passing chances on Sunday, which could result in more fantasy points.
Week 15: Quarterback Matchups to Avoid
Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: SF
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 5th
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has been solid in fantasy this year following his ACL injury in 2022. In two of the four contests he has played this year, he has finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback while averaging 18.3 fantasy points per game in four games. But he'll face his toughest matchup yet against a 49ers team that has one of the best defenses in the entire NFL.
The 49ers actually haven't faced Murray since Week 5 of the 2021 season, as the Cardinals quarterback has missed the past four contests against this San Francisco defense. The last time he played them, though, he winded up with just 13.7 fantasy points and one rush yard. Obviously, that defense looks much different now. However, this 2023 49ers defense is no joke. They are allowing just 14.3 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Murray isn't a must-sit, but maybe temper expectations.
Week 15: Running Back Matchups We Love
David Montgomery / Jahmyr Gibbs - Detroit Lions
Opponent: DEN
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 32nd
Both Detroit Lions running backs, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, are great plays in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos. Denver is giving up the most fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Despite the Broncos defense being better in recent weeks, their weakness remains on the ground. They have allowed over 5.2 yards per carry to running backs over the past five games, including a rush touchdown in three of those contests. The Lions' offense should be better this weekend at home with both Montgomery and Gibbs having solid days.
Rachaad White - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent: @GB
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 24th
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White continues to impress in fantasy this season, and he has a great opportunity to extend that in Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers. White has finished as a top-15 running back in seven of the past eight games, which included four top-10 fantasy finishes during that span.
Now, he'll face a Packers run defense that has been brutal in recent weeks. Green Bay has allowed six rushing touchdowns to running backs over the past five games and has given up 100-plus rush yards in four of those five contests. Opposing running backs are also averaging over five yards per carry during that span against that run defense. White should feast on Sunday in this great matchup.
Week 15: Running Back Matchups to Avoid
James Conner - Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: SF
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 3rd
I don't like picking on the same team for multiple positions. But putting Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner on this list made a lot of sense. For starters, the 49ers are giving up the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. They have also not allowed more than 65 rush yards combined over the past five games. That does not bode well for Conner in Week 15.
The last time the Cardinals played the 49ers this season, Conner winded up with just 6.6 PPR fantasy points. If Arizona falls behind on Sunday (like we all imagine will happen), the veteran will likely see fewer snaps on the field. San Francisco hasn't allowed a rush touchdown in three games, and opposing running backs are averaging just 3.83 yards per carry this season against this stout run defense.
Week 15: Wide Receiver Matchups We Love
Puka Nacua - Los Angeles Rams
Opponent: WSH
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 31st
I was going to put Matthew Stafford in the quarterback matchups we love section, but I didn't want too many Rams players on this list. Stafford is a great start in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders, and so is Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. The Commanders have struggled big-time in the secondary this season, and Los Angeles should expose that on Sunday. Washington is allowing 35.8 half-PPR fantasy points per game to wideouts this season.
That is great news for Nacua and his teammate Cooper Kupp. The Commanders have allowed at least 225 receiving yards combined to wide receivers in three of the last four games. During that four-game span, they have also given up a combined seven receiving touchdowns to this position group. In total, Washington has allowed 20 touchdowns to wide receivers in 2023 to go with 2,580 yards. They won't have the corners to cover the Rams' playmakers in this one.
Texans Wide Receivers
Opponent: @TEN
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 25th
There's a lot of question marks with this Texans offense right now. That's why I'm labeling this section as Texans wide receivers. Nico Collins hasn't practiced on Wednesday and Thursday, and if he doesn't play, Noah Brown would immediately be a solid start against this Tennessee Titans secondary. Robert Woods would also get a slight bump as well. Even with quarterback C.J. Stroud in the concussion protocol and not trending in the right direction, Davis Mills should be able to get the ball to Brown.
The Titans have improved against fantasy wideouts compared to the beginning of the year. But WR1s continue to feast on this secondary. Excluding last week's game against the Dolphins (since Tyreek Hill was injured), Tennessee has allowed 27.5 PPR points to Michael Pittman Jr., 31.1 PPR fantasy points to Calvin Ridley, and 26.3 PPR fantasy points to Mike Evans all in the last five games. Whoever the top wide receiver is for Houston this week should have a great game.
Week 15: Wide Receiver Matchups to Avoid
Jaylen Waddle - Miami Dolphins
Opponent: NYJ
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 32nd
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has the toughest matchup in Week 15 against the New York Jets. New York is allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to wideouts this season at just 17 half-PPR fantasy points per game. I know Waddle had one of his best games of the year facing this Jets secondary in Week 12, catching eight passes for 114 yards. But it's hard to trust him to repeat that success this weekend.
If Tyreek Hill (ankle) doesn't go, Waddle gets a major boost in the passing game. However, also pay attention to the weather report as the game gets closer. As of now, rain and heavy winds are expected throughout the game on Sunday.
Week 15: Tight End Matchups We Love
Pat Freiermuth - Pittsburgh Steelers
Opponent: @IND
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 24th
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has been quiet since his monster nine-catch, 120-yard performance in Week 12. Over the past two games, Freiermuth has caught a combined six passes for 47 yards. But a better game could be in store for the 25-year-old. The Colts are giving up the ninth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season and have also allowed at least five catches to this position group in four of the past five contests. The Steelers' playmaker should have a safe floor against this Indianapolis unit.
Week 15: Tight End Matchups to Avoid
Dalton Schultz - Houston Texans
Opponent: @TEN
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 1st
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (hamstring) should be on track to play in Week 15 against the Tennessee Titans. After missing the past two contests with a hamstring issue, Schultz has practiced in full on Wednesday and Thursday. He should be on track to play this weekend. But the matchup is not a great one for the 27-year-old tight end. The Titans have not allowed a receiving touchdown to tight ends this year and have allowed three catches or fewer in four of the last six games.
Schultz could see more chances if Nico Collins is out. But the Titans have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends in 2023.
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