You can’t afford to make any start/sit decisions now that the fantasy football playoffs have begun if you want to keep your championship hopes alive. If you’re looking for a potential “boom” play or injury fill-in, our Week 15 fantasy sleeper picks can help you advance to the next round.
Fantasy Sleepers of Week 15: Latest news on Raheem Mostert, Matt Ryan, Rex Burkhead and more
- Raheem Mostert, Dolphins @ Bills (Nick Musial)
UPDATE (DEC. 18): Mostert rushed 17 times for 136 yards, caught one of two targets for 20 yards, and returned one kickoff for 28 yards in the Dolphins’ 32-29 loss to the Bills on Saturday night.
With Jeff Wilson Jr. (hip) out and listed as “day-to-day” against Buffalo, Mostert is expected to handle the majority of the backfield duties. The Bills allow the fewest fantasy points to running backs, but Mostert’s projected workload in the absence of Wilson Jr. makes him a must-start. A high snap share and a few catches could vault him to RB2.
- Matt Ryan, Colts @ Vikings (Lutovsky)
UPDATE (DEC. 18): In the Vikings’ 39-36 overtime loss on Saturday, Ryan completed 19 of 33 passes for 182 yards and one touchdown.
Do you really want Ryan to be in your fantasy playoff lineup?
The Vikings, on the other hand, rank sixth in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks, so even Ryan should have a high floor and potential high ceiling against them. Ryan should come through in a pinch if you’re in a deep league.
- Rex Burkhead, Texans vs. Chiefs (Lutovsky)
UPDATE (DEC. 18): Burkhead is expected to play a larger role against the Chiefs on Sunday because Dameon Pierce (ankle) is out.
UPDATE (DEC. 17): With Dameon Pierce (ankle) out, Burkhead is expected to play a larger role in Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.
With Dameon Pierce (ankle) out and Eno Benjamin waived, Houston’s backfield should be a two-man show with Dare Ogunbowale and Rex Burkhead.
Ogunbowale played more snaps than Burkhead last week, but Burkhead was the one called on late in the game for goal-line carries. As a result, we expect him to get the majority of the RB touches and put up flex-worthy numbers in a favorable matchup.
- Ryan Tannehill, Titans at Chargers
When you’re running with Derrick Henry, how underappreciated are your weapons?
- Latavius Murray, Broncos vs. Cardinals (Vinnie Iyer)
What’s red, green, and not so good? The Cardinals’ run defense is in shambles. It’s Latavius for the rest of us!
- Arizona Cardinals vs. Broncos (Lutovsky)
Russell Wilson played his best game as a Bronco last week, taking six sacks and turning the ball over once before leaving with a concussion. Even if he clears protocol, Arizona’s aggressive, playmaking defense will be able to generate sacks and takeaways. Even better if Brett Rypien gets the start.
- Carolina Panther vs. Steelers (Musial)
Because Kenny Pickett is still in the league’s concussion protocol, this pick assumes Mitchell Trubisky will start. Trubisky struggled to muster much offense in relief duty last week, tossing three interceptions, and another multi-INT day against Carolina on the road could be in the works.
- Green Bay Packers vs. Rams (Iyer)
They’re preparing to bake Christmas cookies shaped like sacks and turnovers.
NFL Schedule 2022 – NFL Week 15
Saturday, Dec. 17 or Sunday, Dec. 18 (Pool games)
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills, TBD, TBD
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns, TBD, TBD
Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings, TBD, TBD
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints, TBD, TBD
New York Giants at Washington Commanders, TBD, TBD
Sunday, Dec. 18
Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., CBS
Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., Fox
Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans, 1 p.m., CBS
Dallas Cowboys at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., Fox
Detroit Lions at New York Jets, 1 p.m., Fox
Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m., Fox
Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m., CBS
New England Patriots at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Monday, Dec. 19
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN/ABC
