Scott Engel is in his 14th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and weekly fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com and he is also a host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.
The fantasy football playoffs are here, and with it comes extra pressure. Now we are at the point where it's win or see your season end, and so fantasy players tend to put more thought into their lineup decisions. It is always good to make the most informed and educated lineup choices, but there comes a point where you may be 'overthinking' start/sit calls.
If you have made it this far, then a lot has been done right. Stick with the players and approaches that have brought your team this far. It's well established by this point of the season who you can rely on, and what lineup spots will require streamers.
Don't let certain fantasy myths or unproven theories trip you up when making lineup decisions. For instance, don't make lineup decisions based on the other team's starters. Going with a wide receiver because the other team has a quarterback on the same NFL roster does not "cancel out" or "maintain pace" with the other side. The scoring is different at both positions. The QB can have a bad day and the WR still posts quality numbers.
The reasons for starting a certain player over another need to be solid. If you have to start two to three players from the same team, and they are your best options, just keep them activated. When it comes to injuries, one of my longtime strong stances is when you are in doubt, always go with the healthy player.
Another is not to overthink injuries. If an NFL team clears a player to be active with no reported limitations, he is also cleared for my fantasy lineup. This is especially true for players on NFL teams that are fighting for playoff positioning. When NFL teams need key players to deliver, those are very often the types of guys that you will count on heavily, too.
Heading into the first round of the fantasy playoffs, it is apparent who your must-start players are. As always, we feature the players to go with when facing tough lineup decisions. Analysis leans to PPR formats. Players are listed in order of starting preference.
NFL Week 15: Running Backs To Start
START Travis Etienne: The Jaguars RB is a top 10 fantasy RB for Week 15. Jacksonville has a one-game lead in the AFC South and must take care of business against the Jets as expected. New York has allowed nine rushing TDs to opposing RBs over the past four weeks. Etienne rushed for two TDs last week and he has finished as a top 7 RB in two of the last three games.
START TreVeyon Henderson: The Patriots engage in a highly important AFC East showdown with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. A win for New England could authenticate the Patriots as the new kings of the division. Henderson has scored in double figures in PPR points in five consecutive games.
Even though he is sharing carries at RB, the New England rookie has already displayed his upside. Buffalo has been a good matchup for opposing RBs all season. The Bills rank 26th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs. Lock in Henderson for some statistical promise in the first week of the fantasy playoffs.
START Rico Dowdle: The ex-Cowboy was a major breakout fantasy star earlier this season, but in recent weeks, we have also seen Chuba Hubbard re-emerge to share some more touches in the Carolina backfield. The ascending Panthers, however, have a legitimate shot to win the NFC South. The Saints rank 23rd in FFPG allowed to RBs over the past four weeks. Expect at least satisfactory RB production from Dowdle in Week 15.
START D'Andre Swift: After a painful loss to Green Bay, the Bears must bounce back in a winnable matchup. Cleveland ranks 28th in FFPG allowed to RBs over the past four weeks, and if Shedeur Sanders plays well again, we could see a higher-scoring affair between Chicago and the Browns, which would be good overall for the offensive outlook of key offensive Bears players.
In the past two games, Swift has totaled 138 and 82 scrimmage yards in each outing. He will provide an adequate statistical floor and he does have the upside to help your fantasy team notch a first round playoff win.
NFL Week 15: Wide Receivers To Start
START Justin Jefferson: This can be a rebound week for the Minnesota superstar. The game script against the Cowboys should be favorable for Jefferson in any regard. If the Vikings are keeping pace at all with Dallas, Jefferson will be involved. If they play from behind, he should post a healthy amount of receptions.
It is always a favorable matchup for a No. 1 WR who faces the Cowboys.
START Terry McLaurin: The Commanders were shut out by Minnesota last week but expect a better offensive outing against the Giants. In Week 13 against the tough Denver secondary, McLaurin returned for the first time since Week 8 and caught seven passes for 96 yards and a TD. The Giants rank 30th in FFPG allowed to WRs.
START Zay Flowers: The Ravens lost an important AFC North matchup against the Steelers last week, and must keep winning to have any shot of making the playoffs. Flowers finished as fantasy WR6 last week, his best finish since the season opener. He caught eight passes for 124 yards and a TD. Lamar Jackson may have to throw frequently to keep up with the Cincinnati offense.
START Ladd McConkey: The Chargers are currently in the AFC postseason picture as a wild card team and can further push the Chiefs away from the playoff race with a win over their rivals this week. Over the past four weeks, Kansas City has allowed the most receiving yards to WRs among AFC teams.
NFL Week 15: Quarterbacks To Start
START Brock Purdy: The 49ers QB is a viable streaming option if you are still deciding between more than one potential starter each week. San Francisco is trying to keep up with the Rams and Seahawks in the very strong NFC West, and Purdy has a very good matchup vs. Tennessee.
The Titans have allowed the most FFPG to QB over the past four weeks.
START Sam Darnold: He is another quality streaming option for fantasy players who might be considering more than one possible starter during the fantasy playoffs. The Indianapolis defense may get overworked this week as the offense sputters throughout the game.
Darnold passed for three TDs in the second half last week and started to work Rashid Shaheed more into the offensive flow for the first time. We could see Darnold throw two-plus TD passes again in another one-sided win.
NFL Week 15: Tight Ends To Start
START Harold Fannin Jr: If the Cleveland passing game continues to show signs of life, Fannin will be a strong fantasy starter during the playoffs. The Browns TE finished as the No. 1 fantasy player at his position last week, catching eight passes for 114 yards and a TD. Chicago ranks 27th in receptions allowed to TEs.
START Mark Andrews: If you don't have a regular TE starter that you can feel confident about, consider Andrews as a one-week play for the first round of the fantasy playoffs. Any TE that faces the Bengals deserves starting consideration. Cincinnati has allowed an NFL-high 15 TD receptions to TEs this season. The next closest defense has allowed nine.
Take a look at some of the best photos from the 2025 season so far.
Seahawks vs. 49ers - 2025 Week 1
Seahawks vs. 49ers - 2025 Week 1
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Seahawks at Steelers - 2025 Week 2
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Seahawks at Steelers - 2025 Week 2
Seahawks at Steelers - 2025 Week 2
The Seahawks, with head coach Mike Macdonald, celebrate the victory in the locker room after the game.
Seahawks vs. Saints - 2025 Week 3
Seahawks vs. Saints - 2025 Week 3
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Seahawks at Cardinals - 2025 Week 4
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Seahawks vs. Buccaneers - 2025 Week 5
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Seahawks at Jaguars - 2025 Week 6
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Seahawks vs. Texans - 2025 Week 7
Seahawks vs. Texans - 2025 Week 7
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Seahawks at Commanders - 2025 Week 9
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Seahawks vs. Cardinals - 2025 Week 10
Seahawks vs. Cardinals - 2025 Week 10
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Seahawks at Rams - 2025 Week 11
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Seahawks at Titans - 2025 Week 12
Seahawks at Titans - 2025 Week 12
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Seahawks vs. Vikings - 2025 Week 13
Seahawks vs. Vikings - 2025 Week 13
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Seahawks at Falcons - 2025 Week 14
Seahawks at Falcons - 2025 Week 14
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Seahawks at Falcons - 2025 Week 14
