5 Start, 5 Sit for Week 15 of the 2023 NFL Season
The playoffs are here! Every decision now carries the weight of the season and one wrong move could be the end of a year’s worth of work. The knowledge I’m bringing you this week will keep you in the game just long enough to taste victory at the end of December. Just like always: 5 good, 5 bad.
Start:
Jake Browning vs MIN – Start
In the wake of Joe Burrow’s injury, Jake Browning has been able to put together a great string of games. Backup quarterbacks have gotten a chance to show off a lot this season and Browning has been one of the best. The supporting cast for the Bengals has been solid enough to cover for any mistakes Browning has made, so they have still managed to win games. Against a middle-of-the-pack Vikings defense, I think Browning should continue to play well.
Ezekiel Elliott vs Chiefs – Start
Say what you will about him, but Ezekiel Elliott is still able to put up points. The run game is really the only thing that the Patriots have going for them, and Zeke is a huge part of that. In the past two games (including 1.5 without Rhamondre Stevenson) he’s racked up 120 yards on 39 carries, adding 112 through the air on 11 catches and a touchdown. The Patriots should have a tough time against the Chiefs, but Elliott is going to get his touches and should still get you solid points.
Courtland Sutton vs DET – Start
Sutton is probably the best fantasy player on his team at this point. His value is majorly predicated on touchdowns, but he’s been pretty consistent at catching those. Detroit’s secondary is questionable at best, so he should be able to produce well as long as Russ can get him the ball. I see him as a WR3 with WR2 upside.
Jake Ferguson vs BUF – Start
Ferguson is one of the half-a-dozen of young tight ends that are producing like vets. The heavy pass scheme of the Cowboys allows him the rare situation to draw 6+ targets. He has been incredibly valuable on third down and in the red zone for Dallas. For probably the hardest road game the Cowboys will have this year, I’m expecting him to be utilized heavily. He’s also someone I’d be looking to acquire in dynasty if I’m working a rebuild as he’ll be dominant for another decade if he’s lucky.
D.K. Metcalf vs PHI – Start
As poorly as the Eagles’ defense has been playing in recent weeks, I probably could have picked any Seahawk in this spot. The Eagles are 28th in allowed passing yards and 31st in passing touchdowns allowed. Metcalf is a dominant, physical receiver that is bound to cause trouble over the middle for the lackluster linebacker core and soft secondary. He hasn’t played against Philly since 2020, but when he did, he had 10 catches for 177 yards. Definitely someone I want in my starting lineup.
Sit:
Aidan O’Connell vs LAC – Sit
Not a shock here really, but I want to make sure the enticing matchup doesn’t lead anyone astray this week. While the Chargers’ defense is terrible, the Raiders’ offense is just as bad. Need I remind you they were just shut out by the Vikings. Through eight games, O’Connell has only scored more than 10 points one time! Don’t fall into a trap in the playoffs. If you are in a superflex league and O’Connell is your QB2, you’d probably be better off playing another skill player in that spot.
D’Andre Swift vs SEA – Sit
This one hurts as an Eagles fan. Whatever spark Swift had early in the season is being stifled by lack of volume. Philadelphia has more or less abandoned their run game and Swift is hardly used in the pass game anymore. I’d love to see his usage climb once again, but from the last 3 games, it’s hard to feel good about playing him. I would think you might have a better option at RB this week if you’re in the playoffs, so if you do, you should consider a change.
George Pickens vs IND – Sit
We thought that George Pickens was going to massively benefit from Matt Canada’s firing, but sadly it has not gone that way. He hasn’t been over 100 yards since week 7 and hasn’t caught a touchdown since week 8. The non-Canada system is definitely better, but there is still a ceiling on Pickens’ production as long as Diontae Johnson lines up opposite him. He probably isn’t even worth a flex this week.
Gerald Everett vs LV – Sit
Gerald Everett was a mediocre tight end before Justin Herbert went on IR. Now, without a pro bowl quarterback, I fear he will be relegated even further down the list of useful players. His only saving grace this week is that the Chargers will be without Keenan Allen. This means that Everett may well be the only starting pass catcher on the field. Play with caution.
Kyler Murray vs SF – Sit
My decision to sit Kyler this week comes partially off of how well the 49ers contain Jalen Hurts two weeks ago. I think Kyler is going to have to make magic happen in the pocket in order for the offense to work and the San Francisco pass rush is going to make that impossible for him. Kyler hasn’t actually played against the Niners since 2021 and in that game he only had 13 points. I know it’s a completely different team, but I’m expecting a similar performance.
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