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Week 15 Fantasy Football Playoff Guide: Prime Starting Choices And Waiver Tips

Fantasy Insider Scott Engel offers tips and insights for the start of the fantasy playoffs.

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Scott Engel is in his ninth season of Fantasy Football coverage on Seahawks.com. Scott is a 20-plus year veteran of the Fantasy industry and an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. You can find more of his Fantasy analysis at RotoBaller.com and SportsLine.com. You can listen to Scott on weekend mornings and on demand on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. Scott has won his highly competitive Fantasy Football league with other experts and top players in each of the past three years. He made the Fantasy playoffs in 14 of his 16 leagues this season, with a winning record in 15 leagues. He won seven of his nine first round playoff matchups in Week 14.

We have shared strategical and mental approaches to succeeding all season long in the Fantasy Insider series on Seahawks.com. You know how to ready for the most important games of the year at this point of the playoffs. Do not overthink things, start your best and most dependable players regardless of matchups, and do not use matchups as the sole basis for your lineup decisions. Do not worry about who your opponent plays, as you cannot control the other team's output. Set the most informed and optimal lineup, as your goal is to simply outscore the other team. Do not make your lineup decisions based on who the other team has, simply start your own best options. And do not put extra pressure on yourself when you have made it this far. You have proven you belong in the final four of your Fantasy Football playoff bracket by making it this far. For those who need a refresher on our Fantasy playoff tips to survive and advance, click here.

It's a great position to be in, one game away from a Fantasy Football Super Bowl in Week 15. We will help get you to the championship game with some of our favorite plays, focusing on guys who should get the calls in close lineup decisions and identifying top streaming options. We also offer some waiver wire tips so you can either acquire some possible late-season Fantasy Football playoff heroes or prevent your opponents from acquiring them. The one proactive type of move you can make to adversely affect the opposition is to block their targeted waiver claims if you can.

To show your appreciation for the Seahawks players that have helped you get this far in the Fantasy postseason, cast your Pro Bowl votes for them now.

Fantasy Football Playoffs: Week 15 Recommended Starters

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ravens: Like many other rookies, Dobbins is blossoming later in the season. He is the most explosive running back on the league's best rushing offense. Dobbins looks capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. He has rushed for a TD in three consecutive games, and Dobbins is averaging 5.3 yards per carry. The Jaguars are 28th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to running backs and Dobbins has upside for possibly the best performance of his rookie season in a very important Fantasy Football playoff week.

Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles: The insertion of Jalen Hurts as a starter sparked a resurgence from Sanders, who posted high quality numbers in a big win over New Orleans. He rushed for 115 yards and two TDs, including an 82-yard scoring run vs. the Saints, who had entered Week 14 as the No. 1 team in allowing FFPG to RBs. Sanders became the first 100-yard rusher vs. the Saints since 2012, ending a 55-game streak of not allowing any rushers to hit the century mark. He is an upside play working in a read-option attack vs. the Cardinals this week.

Nyheim Hines, Colts: Indianapolis has developed an explosive duo at RB, with rookie Jonathan Taylor coming on strong late in the year and Nyheim Hines operating as a very dangerous complement. He is producing the best numbers of his career, as his seven TDs from scrimmage are a new high, and his 678 yards from scrimmage puts him on track to establish a new career best, as does Hines' 51 receptions. The Texans allow the second-most FFPG to RBs, and the fourth-most receiving yards to the position, and Hines rushed for a TD vs. Houston two weeks ago. He is a fine flex option for Week 15.

Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns: He showed up in a big way in a Monday Night thriller vs. Baltimore, with 110 yards from scrimmage and two TDs. The Browns face the Giants, who have allowed the second-most receptions to RBs this season. Cleveland relies heavily on their RBs and Hunt is a must-start as a flex option this week. He has seven TDs from scrimmage this season and continues to get double figure touches even with Nick Chubb back in the picture.

Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks: Lockett has been reliable for Russell Wilson over the past two games, catching 11 passes and averaging 10 yards per catch in each outing. He has also flashed some of his bigger-play ability, with long catches of 24 and 17 yards in each game. He is worthy of flex consideration this week, as getting the ball to Lockett on high percentage passes and on key downs will be very important against an aggressive Washington front.

Corey Davis, WR, Titans: The fourth-year wideout is headed for his best season ever, and is averaging a career-high 14.9 yards per catch. Davis has two 100-yard games in his last four outings and has a very good matchup this week, so maintain some Fantasy faith in him. Detroit is 28th in FFPG allowed to WRs, and the Lions defense must focus heavily on Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown. Davis should be freed up to make some big plays.

Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers: The rookie had his best game yet in Week 14, catching 10 passes for 119 yards vs. Washington. Aiyuk has been pressed into a larger role because of injuries among the San Francisco pass-catchers, and he certainly appears capable of continuing to produce well as a No. 1 target for the 49ers. He scored in three consecutive games leading up to the Washington matchup. The Cowboys have allowed a league-high 22 TD passes to WRs and they are 26th in FFPG allowed to wideouts.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Steelers: He has been dependable and underrated, catching six-plus passes in seven of his past eight games and catching TD passes in four of his past six. Smith-Schuster has already tied a career high with seven TD receptions this season. The Bengals have allowed 15 TD receptions to WRs, tied for fourth most in the NFL. Smith-Schuster is a very safe Fantasy play in Week 15.

Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers: You should see Herbert regain his better form against the Raiders' 25th-ranked pass defense. He passed for 326 yards and two TDs in the first meeting with Las Vegas and you can at least expect that type of production in this matchup. Herbert leads all rookies with 3,467 yards and 25 TD passes. He is Fantasy QB9 for the season and should take advantage of the friendly matchup this time.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens: Jackson has looked like a streamer for much of the season, but he showed off his 2019 MVP form in Baltimore's epic win over Cleveland on Monday night. He had season highs in Fantasy points (34.9), rushing yards (124) and rushing TDs (two) vs. the Browns. The Ravens must continue to lean heavily on Jackson as they make their AFC playoff push, and it is a very good draw for him vs. Jacksonville (30th vs. QBs) this week.

Irv. Smith Jr., TE, Vikings: He is looking healthy again. Smith caught four passes for 63 yards and a TD in Week 14 and is a good option if you do not roster a Top 5 TE. The Bears are 30th vs. TEs.

Eric Ebron, TE, Steelers: This is a good matchup for Ebron to make some key plays and deliver quality Fantasy production. The Bengals are 28th vs, TEs.

Week 15 Defensive Streamers

The Seahawks defense is a prime start vs. a Washington offense that has allowed 40 sacks, fifth most in the league. Fantasy players should benefit from another strong Jamal Adams outing. … The 49ers are a respectable option vs. Dallas, which has allowed opposing defenses to generate the fourth-most Fantasy Points Per game. ... The Bills should be able to generate turnovers vs. Denver (NFL-high 21 interceptions), especially if Buffalo can be aggressive when building a sizable lead.

Week 15 Waiver Targets

Listed in order of waiver preference.

Running Backs: Jeff Wilson Jr. (1.3 rostered on NFL.com) scored his fifth rushing TD of the season last week and may play a large role for the 49ers in Week 15. … Gus Edwards (9.7) has three TD runs in his last three games and is a good bet to score again this week vs. the Jaguars. … Lynn Bowden Jr. (0.1) scored 15.4 Fantasy points last week and may be emerging as a needed playmaker for Miami. For now, this WR qualifies at RB on NFL.com, which makes him a nifty play. WRs can often roll up Fantasy points quicker than RBs. … Trayveon Williams (0) could start getting a larger workload in Week 15 and is worth a flier.

Wide Receivers: T.Y. Hilton (59.5) is still not rostered in too many leagues, and should be the top add after his recent three-game resurgence. Check to see if he is available in your league, especially since there are less teams making waiver claims in the Fantasy playoffs. … Rashard Higgins (3.2) has scored 40-plus Fantasy points in his past two games. … Chad Hansen (0.2) has suddenly become a preferred target for Deshaun Watson, with over 27 Fantasy points in his past two games. … Injuries at wideout in Atlanta are forcing Russell Gage (7.6) into a bigger role for the Falcons.

Tight Ends: Irv. Smith Jr. is rostered in just 0.9 percent of leagues. … Dan Arnold (0.5) has scored 30-plus Fantasy Points in his past two games.

Quarterback: Jalen Hurts scored 19.2 Fantasy Points in Week 14. Running QBs who pass effectively deserve immediate Fantasy QB1 consideration.

Fantasy Insider Scott Engel provides recommended starters and waiver targets for Week 15. Read more: https://shwks.com/alsf7

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