The following is an excerpt from the latest edition of Yahoo’s fantasy football newsletter, Get to the Points! If you like what you see, you can subscribe for free here..Start-sit questions can worry even the best fantasy managers, especially in playoff weeks. Here’s a traffic light report to help you prepare for week 15.
✅ Green light
QB Sam Darnold vs. Bears
He only started in 52% of Yahoo leagues on Friday morning, so some may need a boost. Darnold is the most consistent pocket quarterback in the league, with multiple touchdown passes in 10 starts and a QB rating over 100 in 11 different weeks. He’s already torched the respected Chicago high school, pinning them for 300 yards three weeks ago. While we’re hanging out in Minnesota, please start Jordan Addison as well.
WR Calvin Ridley vs. Bengals
He has dominated targets since the DeAndre Hopkins trade, and the Bengals rank 30th in pass defense DVOA. Even with the erratic Will Levis throwing passes, I’m happy with Ridley’s chances to get home in Week 15.
WR Adam Thielen vs. Cowboys
He’s spent the last two weeks playing WR6 and WR19, making beautiful music with the ever-improving Bryce Young. The Panthers are favored on Sunday and Dallas presents a below-average pass defense.
RB Rico Dowdle at Panthers
The Dallas offense has some momentum with Cooper Rush at quarterback, and the surging Dowdle will find running lanes against a Carolina rushing defense that is giving up 5.0 yards per carry. Rico Suave belongs in your play-off lineups.
WR Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Jets
It’s remarkable how well Thomas has performed despite poor quarterback play (Trevor Lawrence has been a mess and Mac Jones is hopeless on long passes). We’d like more touchdown equity, but we can’t ignore the 17-246-1 binge of the past three weeks. New York’s defense has not lived up to preseason expectations.
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🫤 Yellow light
QB Jameis Winston vs. Chiefs
Don’t scare the opponent: The Chiefs’ passing defense is just league average. And when the Browns consistently screw up the running game, as they usually do, Winston figures he needs to catch 40 or more passes. He’s beaten his projection in 5-of-6 starts this year, and he can do it again.
RB Alvin Kamara vs. Commanders
He’s probably too active and good to be benched, but keep in mind that Kamara has just one touchdown in his past nine starts and the offense could be shipwrecked by an inexperienced quarterback. If you lucked out with a surprise star like Zach Charbonnet (assuming it’s not Kenneth Walker III), Kamara might be benchable.
RB Jaleel McLaughin vs. Colts
You can never start a Denver back with complete confidence given the vagaries of Sean Payton. But McLaughlin was the team’s best defender the last time Denver played, and if he can get even 10 carries against a shaky Indianapolis lead of seven, nice numbers will likely come from it. Also consider that Bo Nix was active as a rusher and scrambler earlier this year, but he has frozen that part of the game over the past month.
TE Hunter Henry at Cardinals
He has little touchdown equity and the Cardinals have had good results all season. But Henry is generally the first to read Drake Maye, meaning Henry could crack the top 10 this week even without a visit to the end zone.
TE Jake Ferguson at Panthers
The matchup is divine, and for some fantasy managers, that’s enough. However, Ferguson still doesn’t have a touchdown this year and he’s allowing just 8.7 yards per catch. I would rather start someone who has recently offered something productive.
🛑 Red light
QB Jordan Love at Seahawks
The Green Bay offense has gotten into the running game and Love offers little as a scrambler. He’s also catching up with Seattle at the wrong time, as the Seahawks’ defense has been on edge since Week 10 (296 yards allowed per week, six takeaways). My guess is that Love won’t get that second touchdown pass on Sunday.
WR Michael Pittman Jr. at Broncos
He has yet to show chemistry with Anthony Richardson (there’s a lousy 59.4 rating when Richardson targets Pittman), and it’s likely that coverage ace Patrick Surtain II will mark Pittman all afternoon.
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. vs. Ravens
He’s had an impressive rookie year, fumbling issues aside, but Baltimore’s defense is steadfast against the run and the game script could spiral out of control as the Ravens are 16-point favorites.
TE Kyle Pitts at Raiders
Kirk Cousins no longer has a fastball and he’s never had much contact with Pitts, the TE46 since Week 9. Forget benching Pitts, you have my permission to cut him outright. You can’t wait forever for players.