By MIKE HERNDON
It’s playoff time in fantasy football and you know what that means: It’s snowing in Buffalo.
Miami couldn’t have picked a worse week to visit Orchard Park, but at least you have the option of fading Dolphins skill players. You may have to hold your breath and ride with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in a lineup or two, but I’d recommend finding a streamer in all but the very deepest leagues in place of Tua Tagovailoa. Even though most of the snow will have already fallen by kickoff Saturday night and in-game snow is expected to be light, I don’t want anything to do with any Dolphins if I can help it.
On the Bills’ side, you’re still rolling out Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, but temper expectations. This should not be a ceiling week.
It would’ve been the perfect week to stream Jets QB Mike White, who had a prime matchup at home against the Lions. But alas, he hasn’t been cleared from his rib injury suffered last week and Zach Wilson will start. All Jets get a downgrade, even in a nice matchup.
Some other suggestions as we delve into the fantasy postseason:
- While I generally think handcuffing early in the season is mostly useless, now is the time when it’s wise to stash the primary backup for your RB1 at least.
- If you stream defenses (or any other position), look at the matchups in Week 16 or 17 and add accordingly now, before you have to fight for it on waivers.
- Pay attention to weather forecasts. Snow, heavy rain or high winds = fade QBs, WRs and kickers.
Some other start/sit recommendations for your fantasy playoffs in Week 15:
QB:
Starts:
Daniel Jones, Giants: It’s tough to find viable streamers this week, but Jones might fit the bill. The matchup with Washington isn’t daunting (17 fantasy points in their last meeting) and with Saquon Barkley possibly less than 100 percent and facing a tough Commanders front seven, Jones will likely have to throw.
Sits:
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins: His last couple games haven’t been as sharp in the first place. Now add a tough Bills defense and a forecast of snow and I’m out.
RB:
Starts:
J.K. Dobbins, Ravens: He exploded for 120 yards in his first game back from injury and now he gets a Browns defense that’s been getting destroyed on the ground. The weather won’t be great in Cleveland, either, and Lamar Jackson is out, meaning the Ravens should rely even more on the run game.
D’Onta Foreman, Panthers: That big day from Dobbins last week came against the Steelers, the same defense Foreman will face at home this week. While Chuba Hubbard was effective last week, Foreman still led the Panthers’ backfield with 21 carries.
Sits:
Travis Etienne, Jaguars: This is another week to sit him, as he’s running through a gauntlet of tough defenses and his efficiency has hit the skids. This week: Dallas.
Zonovan Knight, Jets: He’s been a revelation the last couple of weeks, holding onto his 1a role in the backfield even with Michael Carter’s return. But the Lions have been sneaky good against the run lately and Zach Wilson under center will likely mean fewer scoring opportunities.
WR:
Starts:
Mike Williams, Chargers: Williams burst back onto the scene last week, putting up 116 yards and a score in his first game back from injury. This week’s opponent, Tennessee, is a pass-funnel defense that should present plenty of opportunity for him to blow up again.
Michael Pittman, Jr., Colts: He got shut down by Dallas in the Colts’ last game, but this week’s opponent, Minnesota, has given up yards in bunches through the air. This should be a nice spot for a bounce-back.
Sits:
Gabe Davis, Bills: You’ve got to start Stefon Diggs anyway, but a boom-or-bust downfield threat receiver in the snow? Nope.
Garrett Wilson, Jets: It’s a pristine matchup with a porous Lions secondary, but I wouldn’t trust Zach Wilson to get the ball to him.
TE:
Starts:
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys: He’s coming off a 10-target game and the Jacksonville defense should present no significant problem.
Sits:
As always, if you don’t have one of the three or four studs at the position, play whoever you can find that’s getting targets. It’s rough out in these streets.
Categories: Fantasy Football
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