There were monster performances in the first week of the playoffs. This is how fantasy stories of legends begin. I hope you were able to enjoy the legendary tales. Let’s review my Week 15 takeaways as we look forward to Week 15 and onward to the playoffs.
Be sure to check out Razzball Football’s updated rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF & our latest tools on Razzball.com: RB Zone Vs Gap Rushing | DEF Zone vs. Gap Rushing | Slot vs. Wide PPG Allowed | WR Slot vs. Wide| DEF Targets Allowed | Home vs. Away | Wins vs. Losses | TD Tool
Want more data-driven stats and tools to help you win your fantasy league? Check out the Razzball Fantasy Football premium subscriptions for $0.00 upfront with our 3-day free trial!
Quarterbacks
- Player: Trevor Lawrence
- Game: vs. Jets
- Stats: 20-32, 330 passing yards, 5 TDs, with 5 carries for 51 rushing yards and 1 rushing TD
The “prince that was promised” in Duval County delivered a remarkable performance that will go on in legend among the Maesters. He became the first QB in NFL history with a stat line of 300+ passing yards, five passing TDs, 50+ rushing yards, and one rushing TD. Incredible. Lawrence has tossed multiple TDs in four consecutive games, finishing as a QB1 in all four. A road matchup in Denver is less than ideal, but they are allowing the ninth-most points to QBs over the last month. I’m riding the hot hand in Week 16.
Notables:
Bo Nix threw four TDs against the Packers, who allow the 11th-fewest points to QBs this season. Nix threw four TDs earlier this season in Week 8 against Dallas. Since that game, he has combined to throw a total of four TDs in five games from Week 9 to Week 14. Nix will be a low-end QB1 against the Jaguars, who are allowing the sixth-fewest points over the last month.
Fresh off a Week 14 bye week, Brock Purdy tossed three TDs and nearly 300 passing yards against the Titans, who are one of six teams allowing over 1000 yards over their last four games. Purdy will be in the QB1 conversation for the duration of the playoffs against Indianapolis and Chicago. The Titans will face the Chiefs sans Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes tore his ACL as the Chiefs were knocked out of the NFL playoffs. This will be a huge hit to all Chiefs’ skill players, as their season is over.
In his first start in five seasons, Philip Rivers broke over 100 yards passing with one TD. I have zero trust in the Colts’ passing attack.
Joe Burrow’s fantasy legacy took a hit on Sunday after throwing 39 times, failing to throw over 250 yards or a TD with two picks. It marked the first time he’s not thrown a TD since 9/8/2024. It stings that he had 250+ yards and two TDs two weeks ago against the same Baltimore defense. He may have played his last game this season now that the Bengals are out of playoff contention.
J.J. McCarthy compiled his second consecutive game of three TDs (two passing and one rushing) against Dallas. He has two more great matchups to close out the year against the NY Giants (2nd) and Detroit (4th). After his messy start, McCarthy could be a league winner.
C.J. Stroud is getting in form, throwing three TDs and 260 yards up against the Cardinals. He’ll have an above-average matchup against the Raiders in Week 16.
In the worst matchup on paper this week against the Texans, Jacoby Brissett finished with 20+ fantasy points and a QB1 finish for the ninth consecutive week. He’ll be a must-start against the Falcons, who are allowing 20+ points to QBs over their last four games.
Running Backs
- Player: TreVeyon Henderson
- Game: at Bills
- Stats: 14 carries, 148 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs, with 2 catches for 13 yards
Henderson posted a season-high in rushing yards, but for a second week in a row, was under 50% of snaps as Rhamondre Stevenson led the Patriots in snaps. Surprisingly, Stevenson rushed for 50 yards, his highest total since Week 7, but it’s clear Henderson is the RB1 in New England. The Patriots RB room will finish the fantasy playoffs having top 10 matchups on the road in Baltimore and the NY Jets.
Notables:
James Cook had a difficult task going up against the Patriots’ (31st) defense in Week 15, which has allowed just one RB (Chase Brown) over 100 yards. Cook managed to rush over 100 yards while scoring three TDs (two rushing and one receiving) after not scoring in his previous two games. He’ll have another tough matchup on paper against Cleveland, but he is averaging 20+ touches over his last four games.
D’Andre Swift paced the Bears’ backfield with two rushing TDs on 19 touches, hosting the Browns. Swift played 56% of snaps and is hovering north of 50% of snaps ahead of Monangai over the last three games. Swift will be the trusted RB against the Packers in Week 16, who could be without key defensive players.
RJ Harvey is the clear lead back in Denver, rushing 19 times and scoring a rushing TD against a stout Packer defense. He played 68% for the second week in a row, indicating he has earned Sean Payton’s trust heading into the postseason. Harvey will face a potential AFC playoff foe against the Jaguars, who allow the fourth-fewest points to RBs.
Travis Etienne Jr.’s pass-catching skillset was needed out of the backfield for the Jaguars, catching three TDs with 73 receiving yards. This was his first game with 100+ scrimmage yards since Week 12. Etienne became the 10th RB with 10+ TDs on the season, while tying Christian McCaffrey with the most RB receiving TDs (5). Denver is up next, which was gashed by Josh Jacobs.
Jacobs tallied 90+ scrimmage yards with two scores, including his longest TD run of the season on the road in Denver. As long as his knee holds up, he’ll be an RB1 against the Bears.
Blake Corum and Kyren Williams combined to score three TDs as both backs rushed over 70 yards. This RB duo will remain relevant against Seattle and Atlanta.
The only relevant skill player left in Indy, Jonathan Taylor, drew 25 rushing attempts – the most among all RBs in Week 15 – for 87 yards. He’ll be RB1 against the Niners, who struggled to slow the surging Tony Pollard.
Pollard rushed for 100+ yards and one score for the second consecutive week. In a wasted season for the Chiefs, Pollard could surprise us all again in Week 16.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt rekindled the preseason hype with Chris Rodriguez inactive with a groin injury, rushing for 96 yards and a score. Whoever starts for Washington should finish no lower than a high-end RB2 with the Eagles and Cowboys on the docket.
Woody Marks injured his ankle early in the game and did not return, leading to Jawhar Jordan’s first 100-yard rushing game. For what it’s worth, Marks could have returned to the game, but the Texans are prioritizing his health for a postseason push. This may led to a murky situation against the Raiders in Week 16, who allowed 39 rushing attempts to the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby.
Wide Receivers
- Player: Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Game: vs. Falcons
- Stats: 13 receptions, 164 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs on 18 targets
St. Brown’s teammate, Jameson Williams, put a 7-134-1 line in a losing effort to the Rams. The Lions abandoned the run, rushing just 20 times, while Jared Goff chunked the ball around 41 times, leading to Madden-esque numbers for the Lions WRs. A top-10 matchup against the Steelers awaits in Week 16.
Notables:
Puka Nacua found a new way to top another season-high, posting 181 receiving yards against the Lions, who permit the second-most points to WRs. Davante Adams’ hamstring forced him to exit the game early and should be monitored ahead of TNF’s game between the NFC West’s best, the Rams and Seahawks. Seattle allows the third-fewest points to WRs.
Michael Wilson exceeded expectations with 5-54-1 line against the Texans, the best secondary, to WRs. Wilson should be locked into lineups as long as Marvin Harrison is out and Brissett is under center for Arizona.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba failed to reach the endzone but went over the century mark for the ninth time this season. I am looking forward to seeing what he can do facing the Rams after what the Lions WRs put up against them.
Nico Collins’ 57-yard TD opened the floodgates for the Texans’ offense against Arizona. He finished with a modest 85 yards while scoring two TDs. Collins is on a heater, scoring 15+ points in five of his last six games.
Courtland Sutton has drawn 10 targets in back-to-back games and went over 100 yards for the first time since Week 3. Nix and Sutton are warming up at the right time for fantasy and should be in a shoot-out with the Jaguars in Week 16.
Lawrence’s success can be attributed to Brian Thomas Jr being the WR we know and expect him to be. Thomas will remain a WR2 with Jakobi Meyers and healthy Parker Washington keeping defenses honest.
DJ Moore was back to being the WR1 with injuries plaguing the WR room. If Rome Odunze and Luther Burden miss time, Moore should be in a big week against the Packers.
Adonai Mitchell is an intriguing player with his target share in New York with or without Brady Cook.
Tight End
- Player: Trey McBride
- Game: vs. Bengals
- Stats: 12 receptions, 134 yards, 2 touchdowns on 13 targets
McBride is on a generational TE run, posting career-high numbers on Sunday with Brissett. He’s up to nine TDs with Brissett since Week 6, with at least five catches in every game. The McRib and Brisket connection is pacing McBride to be in the record books for the most catches by a TE.
Notables:
Kyle Pitts Sr.’s three-TD and 166-yard performance is a story that few will believe, but here we are. He’s up to three consecutive games in double-digit fantasy points with a favorable upcoming schedule and little competition for targets.
Harold Fannin Jr. did little with his 14 targets. His target share with Shedeur Sanders is promising, but a bad matchup looms with the Bills (32nd) in Week 16.
Dallas Goedert posted his best two-game stretch of the season, going over 70+ yards in back-to-back games for the first time this season. With a matchup against Washington, who allow the second-most points to TEs, he is a must-start.
Colby Parkinson has quietly scored TDs in five of six games. If Adams misses, Parkinson has a great chance to snag a cheap TD for TE-needy teams.
George Kittle remains TE1 with a TD and at least 67 yards since Week 10, with the Colts next week, who allow the 11th most points to TEs.
Since you are here, check out more fantasy goodness at Razzball. Follow me on Twitter/X @Jefferson__21. Like and subscribe for more fantasy football content on YouTube @RazzballFantasy. Don’t forget to drop a comment or question down below.
