Fantasy playoffs are here and Dart, Tuten, and Jefferson are must-starts
Fantasy playoffs are here, and Joe Rivera and Jacob Camenker give your their list of must-start players ahead of Week 15.
December football is in full swing, and with it are the fantasy football playoffs for millions of managers across multiple platforms. If the opening round hasn’t begun yet for your league, it’s likely just one week away.
Week 15 carries extra weight because of this. Every team has served its bye week in the NFL. It’s now down to the final four weeks of the regular season and there’s plenty to play for in fantasy.
Results this week could decide who serves a last-place punishment as well as who makes the postseason. Finding an edge – however slight it may be – could make a huge difference this weekend.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons kicked the week off on “Thursday Night Football” with a down-to-the-wire divisional battle. Apologies to those with Kyle Pitts Sr. on their bench; few, if any, could’ve predicted the fourth-year tight end would notch the first three-touchdown game of his career.
If that didn’t doom your matchup completely, we’ve got your back with a guide to help you set your lineup for Week 15. The USA TODAY Sports staff has start-sit recommendations and rankings for each position for the rest of the week’s slate of games.
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 15 QBsJaxson Dart, New York Giants (vs. Washington Commanders)
Dart’s fantasy value has stemmed mainly from his rushing during his rookie season, but that could change down the stretch. The Giants de-emphasized his designed rushing attempts when he returned from a concussion in Week 12. He saw four carries in that contest, his fewest in a start this season.
Even so, Dart has plenty of upside as a passer in his Week 14 game. The Commanders have surrendered 26 passing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season, tied for the third-most in the NFL. They just let J.J. McCarthy rack up his first-ever three-touchdown game in Week 13, so Dart should be a threat to post multiple scores in this contest.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Tennessee Titans)
Purdy hasn’t yet eclipsed 200 yards passing in his return from a toe injury and has logged just three total touchdowns over his last two outings. Still, the veteran signal-caller can be trusted against a Titans defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks this season.
Tennessee has allowed multiple passing touchdowns in six of its last seven games and just surrendered 364 passing yards and four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) to Shedeur Sanders. Purdy should have a high floor in this favorable matchup.
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings (at Dallas Cowboys)
It’s not going to be easy for fantasy managers to back McCarthy in the fantasy playoffs. The second-year quarterback hasn’t looked very good during his first season as a starter and is averaging just 156 passing yards per game with nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions on the season.
That said, McCarthy is coming off a solid, three-touchdown showing against the Commanders and gets to face a Cowboys defense that has surrendered the most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks this season. Dallas also sports one of the NFL’s best scoring offenses, so McCarthy may need to throw a lot to keep pace in this matchup. Consider the 22-year-old a boom-or-bust start for those in desperate need of quarterback help to close the season.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 15 QBsCaleb Williams, Chicago Bears (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Williams has played well this season, but he faces a tough matchup against the Browns in Week 15. Yes, Cleveland just surrendered 31 points against Tennessee, but most of the Titans’ offensive damage came via Tony Pollard and a ground game that racked up 184 yards and two touchdowns.
The Browns have been much better against passing attacks, surrendering the fifth-fewest FPPG to quarterbacks this season. That’s partly thanks to the prowess of Myles Garrett and a pass rush that ranks fifth-best in the league in pressure rate (39.3%), per the NFL’s Next Gen Stats. That could prove problematic for Williams, whose passer rating drops from 100.3 when kept clean to 55.3 when pressured, per Pro Football Focus.
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals (at Houston Texans)
I get it – you don’t want to bench Brissett. It’s understandable, as he has been one of fantasy’s most consistent quarterbacks, averaging 307.4 passing yards per game as a starter and logging multiple passing touchdowns in seven of his eight starts.
But did you see what the Texans did to Patrick Mahomes on “Sunday Night Football” to close Week 14? Houston limited the Chiefs’ star to 160 passing yards, held him without a score, and forced him into three interceptions. Brissett figures to have a hard time against such a strong defense, so he should be kept on the fantasy bench this week.
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at Denver Broncos)
Love is on one of his hot streaks, as he has posted back-to-back games with exactly 234 passing yards while racking up a whopping seven touchdowns. Could that streak come to an end in Week 15?
The Broncos have allowed just 13 passing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season and have only allowed multiple passing touchdowns in four contests. Love could find a way to beat a tough Denver defense, but backing him on the road seems too risky to trust in the fantasy playoffs, even amid his recent run of strong performances.
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 15 RBsTyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (at Washington Commanders)
Tracy Jr. and the Giants are back from their late bye week and return immediately for a divisional matchup against the Commanders. Washington is fresh off a shutout loss to Minnesota and will be without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels once again.
This will be an excellent opportunity for Tracy and the Giants. Washington has allowed 162 total yards per game to opposing running back groups over their last three games. In that span, they’ve allowed four touchdowns to the position group as well.
New York is rested and can take advantage of Washington’s run defense, even on the road. Tracy should be in for a good week.
Woody Marks, Houston Texans (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
Apologies, Mr. Marks. We recommended sitting the Texans’ top running back last week against Kansas City and he responded with 76 total yards on 28 touches and a receiving touchdown.
If he can put up that stat line against the Chiefs’ defense, he has a much higher ceiling at home against the Cardinals. Arizona just let the Rams’ running backs take over in Week 14 with 268 total yards and three touchdowns allowed on 36 touches.
We’re not going to argue that Houston’s offense is on the same level as Los Angeles’ unit at this point in the season. The Rams are one of the best offenses in the league. But Arizona’s allowed at least 100 total yards to opposing running back groups in each of their last five games. Marks should have another great week for the Texans in a crucial home game for playoff seeding.
TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots (vs. Buffalo Bills)
Henderson and New England are back on the field after their late bye and are rewarded with a high-stakes home game against the Bills. The Patriots beat Buffalo in prime time earlier this year despite managing just 71 rushing yards as a team.
New England’s rushing attack has taken a step forward since then, while the Bills’ defense has been more susceptible to opposing running games. Buffalo’s allowing 139 total yards per game to opposing running backs over their last five matchups. That’s good news fantasy-wise and it gets even better when accounting for scoring; opposing running backs have tallied eight touchdowns in that time frame as well.
Henderson’s taken on a bigger role since these two teams first faced off. He could have another double-digit performance this week to ensure you move in the playoffs.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders (at New York Giants)
If you’re looking for value amid some injuries to key FLEX players, consider Rodriguez. The third-year back has taken on a bigger role in recent weeks compared to rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt and out-touched him 10 to seven.
Washington’s offense will likely struggle without Daniels. They could lean more into the run game at home, given its potential.
New York has allowed opposing running backs to churn out yards and find the end zone regularly in recent weeks. Over their last four matchups, opposing running back groups have averaged 172.5 total yards per game and scored five touchdowns. Rodriguez has great FLEX value if you’re looking for a starter in a pinch.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 15 RBsBreece Hall, New York Jets (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
Hall and the rest of the Jets’ offense struggled in Week 14 against Miami with just 207 total yards, including just 65 on the ground as a team. Hall had 43 of them on 14 carries and failed to find the end zone.
Things may not be much better this week against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has allowed more than 100 rushing yards to a team just once all season. They’re allowing just 69.75 total yards per game to opposing running back groups over their last four games, with two touchdowns allowed in that span as well.
The Jaguars are fighting for their division title and have the run defense to stand up to the Jets. If you have to start Hall this week due to injuries or other roster setups, don’t expect much from him.
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (at San Francisco 49ers)
Pollard ran all over the Browns in the Titans’ surprising Week 14 win over Cleveland. His 161 rushing yards were a career-best but may not be a sign of things to come.
Tennessee heads on the road to face a 49ers team fresh off its bye. Before their week off, the San Francisco defense was playing well against the run. Opposing running back groups averaged 124.75 total yards per game over San Francisco’s last four games, which include matchups against the Rams and Panthers‘ potent running games. In that span, they’ve allowed three touchdowns.
It’d be a shock to see the Titans’ backs replicate the kind of success they had against Cleveland on the road against San Francisco. Pollard hadn’t managed more than 10 points in standard scoring since Week 5 prior to his breakout last Sunday.
Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Miami Dolphins)
We recommended sitting Gainwell last week and he responded with a solid game powered by his first rushing touchdown since Week 4. Warren had a touchdown of his own through the air to make it three games in a row with a trip to the end zone.
Both runners could be in trouble in Week 15.
Miami held the Jets’ offense in check on the ground in Week 14. Zoom out a bit more and it’s the latest in a trend of good performances. The Dolphins are allowing 104.5 total yards per game to opposing running back groups over their last four matchups. But they haven’t allowed a running back to score a touchdown since Week 8.
Pittsburgh may benefit from the cold weather at home this week but the Dolphins’ run defense is about as stout as it gets league-wide right now. Don’t expect a strong game from either of the Steelers’ running backs if you must start them.
Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Detroit Lions)
Corum’s breakout game against Arizona came a week after he scored his first touchdown since Week 2. The second-year running back is averaging 11 yards per carry over his last two games with outstanding results against the Cardinals and Panthers.
The Lions’ defense is a different story. You’d be right to have faith in the Rams’ offense, but the Lions’ defense is multiple tiers better than what Arizona and Carolina are trotting out at this point in the season.
Detroit has allowed 122 total yards per game to opposing running back groups in their last four games, with just one touchdown in that span. Corum made the most of his touches in the win over Arizona but he still isn’t getting the most in the Rams’ backfield. Both Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers are getting touches with the former leading the way. As fun as it is to ride the hot hand, we’re very worried Corum’s recent breakout will come to an end against the best run defense Los Angeles has faced since Week 11.
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 15 WRsTerry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (at New York Giants)
McLaurin predictably had a worse outing in Week 14 – against a Vikings defense that has allowed the fewest points to fantasy wide receivers and with a half-healthy quarterback – than he had the week prior. The Commanders’ leading receiver is in line for a bigger day in Week 15.
The Giants have allowed the third-most average points to wide receivers in 2025, fifth-most receptions and fourth-most receiving yards. Washington will also be entering Week 15 with either a healthier Jayden Daniels back behind center or a fully healthy Marcus Mariota filling in once again. The latter is two weeks removed from throwing to McLaurin seven times for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Tennessee Titans)
Jennings and the 49ers are coming into Week 15 fresh off their late-season bye. The Titans are riding high after their second win of the season, despite allowing Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders to throw for over 300 passing yards and three touchdowns.
San Francisco’s leading wide receiver by targets is entering Week 15 having scored a touchdown in four of his last five games. Jennings has also recorded at least five targets and four catches in each of the 49ers’ last five matchups. Tennessee has allowed the fifth-most receiving yards to opposing receivers over the last four weeks.
Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (at Chicago Bears)
If Jeudy and the aforementioned Sanders were having any issues through the rookie quarterback’s first two career starts, those issues were solved in Sanders’ third start. Jeudy just had his second-best game of the season with three catches for 76 yards and a touchdown.
The Browns’ Week 15 matchup projects to be an even better one for the team’s top wideout. Despite leading the NFL in defensive takeaways, Chicago has allowed the fourth-most average fantasy points to opposing receivers. The Bears‘ 19 touchdowns allowed to wide receivers rank third. The 357 yards they’ve allowed to wideouts over the last two weeks is tied for fifth-most.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 15 WRsXavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)
Worthy has failed to score even 10 fantasy points in PPR leagues in four of his last five games. He scored 10.1 in the one week he crossed the 10-point threshold. He also has not out-targeted Rashee Rice a single time since Rice returned from a six-game suspension to begin the season.
Things do not look any better for Worthy in Week 15 as he and the Chiefs come up against one of the NFL’s top defenses against opposing receivers. Los Angeles has allowed the second-fewest average points and the fifth-fewest yards to wideouts in 2025. The two touchdowns the Chargers have allowed to opposing receivers are also tied for second-fewest.
D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Moore made the “sit” list last week and did nothing to improve his outlook for Week 15 with his outing against the Packers on Dec. 7. The Bears’ veteran wideout caught just one of his three targets for -4 yards in Green Bay. It’s the second time in his last five games that Moore has had zero yards or fewer.
The Browns are an even stingier defense to opposing receivers than the Packers are so far this year. Cleveland has allowed the fourth-fewest average points and the fewest receptions to wideouts through 14 weeks. That does not bode well for Moore, who has recorded fewer targets, catches and yards than three other Chicago pass-catchers in the team’s last five games.
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (at Cincinnati Bengals)
After a largely middling year from Flowers through 13 weeks, the Ravens’ top wide receiver exploded for 124 yards on eight catches against the Steelers in Week 14. Fantasy managers with Flowers on their team should not be tempted to start him in Week 15 based on last week’s output alone.
The Bengals have allowed the third-fewest receptions to opposing wide receivers so far this season, which has helped keep Cincinnati’s defense in the top five of units allowing the fewest average fantasy points to wideouts. The last time Flowers and the Ravens faced the Bengals – only two weeks ago – the third-year receiver caught just two of his seven targets for six yards.
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 15 TEsJuwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (vs. Carolina Panthers)
One of the most popular waiver wire pickups in 2025 was Johnson, and managers will be privy to insert him in lineups this week. The threat of Taysom Hill taking opportunities away seems to be diminished and Alvin Kamara remains injured.
Johnson has come on strong since the Saints turned to QB Tyler Shough in Week 8. In his five games since then, the veteran tight end has 22-260-2 receiving on 27 targets. In his three games since the Saints traded away Rashid Shaheed, Johnson has served as the No. 2 pass catcher (75% route rate). He’s set up for a bounce-back week when the Saints host the Panthers, who have allowed (63.8) yards per game to the position (sixth-most) and the and tenth-most fantasy points per game to the position. In the first meeting against Carolina in Week 10, Johnson finished as TE3 on the week with 92 yards and a score. Start the veteran in Week 15.
Theo Johnson, New York Giants (vs. Washington Commanders)
The Giants‘ second-year tight end has been a boom-bust option since Malik Nabers went down with a season-ending injury, but he can be trusted this week when the Giants host the struggling Commanders. Jaxson Dart will continue to look for Johnson who has a 22% red zone target share. Expect Dart to continue to look for his athletic 6-foot-6, 259-pound tight end with quick throws. Johnson tied his season-high with eight targets in his first game with Dart healthy and Mike Kafka as the interim head coach.
Fantasy managers searching for upside at the position can start Johnson against the Commanders’ defense, which has allowed the fifth-most PPR points per game to tight ends, including the second-most scores. Johnson could be in line for a big day if he finds the end zone.
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (at New England Patriots)
Kincaid returned in Week 14 against the Bengals, playing for the first time since he injured his hamstring in Week 10. He finished as TE8 in PPR scoring, posting four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. He leads all tight ends, averaging 14.8 yards per catch.
He’s emerged as the top option in the Bills‘ passing game and Josh Allen has leaned on him in the red zone. He was the TE8 before his injury and is a start again in a massive Week 15 matchup when the Bills battle the Patriots in a game that will likely decide the winner of the AFC East.
The Bills will likely lean on Kincaid against New England, which has allowed the sixth-most receptions and ninth-most fantasy points per game to the position. The third-year tight end caught six passes for a season-high 108 yards in the Week 5 meeting with the Patriots.
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (at Cincinnati Bengals)
Start your tight ends against the Bengals. Cincinnati has allowed a league-high 24.11 PPR points per game and a league-high 15 touchdowns to the position, including two last week to Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox in Buffalo, who both finished among the top 10 at the position. This game has the second-highest total of the week (51.5), so expect plenty of scoring chances.
If Andrews is rostered and you’re looking for a deep league flex option, Isaiah Likely is the top steamer of the week and is available in 94% of Yahoo leagues. Andrews is tough to trust most weeks, but the matchup is too good to leave him on the bench.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 15 TEsHunter Henry, New England Patriots (vs. Buffalo Bills)
The veteran in New England was near entering must-start status but the matchup in Week 15 causes hesitation for Henry. Drake Maye is blossoming into an MVP candidate, but a matchup with the Bills is challenging for Henry to find success.
The Bills have allowed the fewest receptions (37) and fewest yards (441) to opposing tight ends. They’ve allowed a league-low 7.33 PPR fantasy points pr game to the position, and Henry finished as the TE27 when these two met back in Week 5. You should arrange to keep Henry out of lineups this week.
Oronde Gadsden, Los Angeles Chargers (at Kansas City Chiefs)
The Chargers’ rookie tight end is a recommended sit for the third straight week. He hasn’t finished better than TE28 in five weeks and he recently posted a season-low one catch for seven yards. He should be benched again this weekend when the Chargers take on a desperate Chiefs team at Arrowhead.
The Chargers will likely lean on running backs Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal to keep Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense off the field. Los Angeles’s offensive line is dealing with multiple injuries and the tight ends have been tasked with more blocking assignments as a result.
Additionally, Kansas City has given up the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends, so the 22-year-old should be left on the bench in 10-12 team leagues this week in this letdown spot for the Bolts.