QBs to start in Week 15
Buccaneers’ Tom Brady (vs. Falcons): This past week, we had Tom Brady as a start due to his favorable matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Brady would post an ordinary 15.64 fantasy points, which wasn’t what we were expecting from him. However, he should get a prime chance to bounce back against a pass-funneling defense in the Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed 23.1 fantasy points per week (most in the NFL), 3,851 passing yards (second-most in the NFL), and 26 passing touchdowns (tied for fifth-most in the NFL) to QBs.
Rams’ Jared Goff (vs. Jets): Trusting Jared Goff in fantasy football has been tough to do this season. The 26-year-old QB of the Los Angeles Rams has recorded 23+ fantasy points in five games this season. On the other hand, he’s also scored fewer than 15 fantasy points in seven games. With that being said, it’s hard not to like his chances of having a productive outing against the New York Jets in Week 15. New York’s defense has surrendered 25.51 fantasy points per week and 12 passing touchdowns in the past four weeks, which are both the most in the NFL in that span.
Colts’ Philip Rivers (vs. Texans): It was a slow start for Philip Rivers to begin his first season with the Indianapolis Colts. In the first five weeks, Rivers failed to eclipse 15 fantasy points once. However, the veteran signal-caller has now notched 16+ fantasy points in seven of his last eight games. Look for Rivers to continue his success through the air against the Houston Texans, who own the 25th ranked pass defense in terms of DVOA.
Other QBs to consider in Week 15: Chargers’ Justin Herbert (vs. Raiders), Titans’ Ryan Tannehill (vs. Lions), Eagles’ Jalen Hurts (vs. Cardinals)
QBs to sit in Week 15
Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa (vs. Patriots): Tua Tagovailoa impressed me when watching him play against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14. The rookie QB would nearly outplay Patrick Mahomes, throwing for 316 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception for a season-high 27.04 fantasy points. Despite his recent performance, Tagovailoa now faces a stiff test in the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick has always fared well against QBs who are 25 years or younger. While the Patriots have gone 3-4 to QBs 25 years or younger this season — due to their inept offense — they’ve also held those QBs to a 61.5 completion percentage, 1,551 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Given that, I’d be wary of starting Tagovailoa in Week 15.
Patriots’ Cam Newton (vs. Dolphins): On the other side of the game, Cam Newton comes with some risk as well. Newton has an extremely floor through the air, failing to throw for than 200+ yards in nine of his 12 starts for the Patriots. Yes, he put up 25.7 fantasy football in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. But that was a different Miami defense than we are seeing right now. The Dolphins currently own the sixth-ranked pass defense in terms of DVOA.
