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..Starting-to-sit questions can be a concern for even the best fantasy managers, especially in playoff weeks. Here’s a rundown of the traffic lights to help you prepare for Week 15.
✅ Green light
QB Sam Darnold vs. Bears
Only 52% of Yahoo leagues start on Friday morning, so maybe some need a nudge. Darnold was the league’s most consistent pocket quarterback with multiple touchdown passes in 10 starts and a QB rating above 100 in 11 different weeks. He’s already torched a respected high school in Chicago, holding them for 330 yards three weeks ago. While we’re hanging in Minnesota, start Jordan Addison as well.
WR Calvin Ridley vs. Bengals
He has dominated targets since the DeAndre Hopkins trade, and the Bengals are 30th in passing DVOA. Even with the erratic Will Levis throwing passes, I like Ridley’s chance to get home in Week 15.
WR Adam Thielen vs. Cowboys
He’s been WR6 and WR19 the last two weeks, making beautiful music with an improving Bryce Young. On Sunday, the Panthers are favored and Dallas presents itself with a subpar pass defense.
RB Rico Dowdle at Panthers
Dallas’ offense has some momentum with Cooper Rush at quarterback, and the surging Dowdle will find running lanes against a Carolina defense that gives up 5.0 yards per carry. Rico Suave belongs in your playoff lineup.
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 over the last three weeks. New York’s defense did not live up to preseason expectations.
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🫤 Yellow light
QB Jameis Winston vs
Don’t sweat the opposition – the Chiefs defense is just league average. And when the Browns consistently blow up the running game, as they usually do, Winston figures to throw 40 or more passes. He has exceeded his projection in 5 of 6 starts this year and will do so again.
RB Alvin Kamara vs. Commanders
He’s probably too active and too good for the bench, but remember Kamara has just one touchdown in his last nine starts and an inexperienced quarterback can wreck the offense. If you’ve been lucky enough to land a surprise star like Zach Charbonnet (assuming he’s not Kenneth Walker III), maybe Kamara is actually usable.
RB Jaleel McLaughin vs. Colts
You can never start Denver back with complete confidence, given the whims of Sean Payton. But McLaughlin was the team’s best defender the last time Denver played, and if he can even sneak 10 runs against a shaky Indianapolis front seven, the result will likely be entertaining numbers. Also consider that Bo Nix was active as a rusher and scrambler earlier in the year, but has frozen that part of the game over the past month.
TE Hunter Henry at Cardinals
He has low touchdown value and the Cardinals have played well all season. But Henry is generally the first read for Drake Maye, and that means Henry could go 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 all it takes. However, Ferguson still doesn’t have a touchdown this year and offers just 8.7 yards per catch. I’d rather start someone who has recently offered something productive.
🛑 Red light
Seahawks QB Jordan Love
Green Bay’s offense has gotten into the running game, and Love offers little as a scrambler. He’s also catching at the wrong time in Seattle, as the Seahawks defense is flying off its Week 10 bye (296 yards allowed for the week, six takeaways). I suspect Love won’t get a second touchdown pass on Sunday.
WR Michael Pittman Jr. in the Broncos
He has yet to show chemistry with Anthony Richardson (it’s a paltry 59.4 rating when Richardson targets Pittman), and it’s likely that ace Patrick Surtain II will tag Pittman all afternoon.
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. vs. Ravens
He’s had an impressive rookie year, no issues, but Baltimore’s defense is adamant against the run and the game script could get out of hand as the Ravens are 16-point favorites.
TE Kyle Pitts at Raiders
Kirk Cousins doesn’t have a fastball anymore and has never had much contact with Pitts, who has been the TE46 since Week 9. You can’t wait forever for players.