Week 15 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Latest Fantasy Football Lineup Advice for Sunday

It's officially playoff season in fantasy football, and Week 15 got underway on Thursday with a rather disappointing game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.

The Rams won a 12-6 clunker, while fantasy managers largely lost across the board. Aside from Puka Nacua I7 catches, 108 scrimmage yards) and Kyren Williams (2 catches, 112 scrimmage yards), most players underwhelmed.

Due to difficult matchups, several more players are likely to underwhelm this week. Here, you'll find a look at some of the toughest remaining matchups and a few start-sit recommendations based on past performances and projected roles.

All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White was a quality starter last year because of his high-volume workload. However, he's seen rookie running back Bucky Irving cut significantly into that workload at times in 2024.

White has still had some terrific fantasy performances—he had 109 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns against the Las Vegas Raiders last week—but he's also had some down weeks. In Week 13, for example, he logged just a single reception and 78 scrimmage yards.

This week, White and the Buccaneers will visit the Los Angeles Chargers, who have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Managers should, however, expect White to see a heavy workload against L.A. Irving is dealing with hip and back injuries and is officially considered questionable. Even if Irving plays, White is likely to hold the RB1 role over the rookie.

White should have a solid PPR floor in Week 14 and some strong touchdown potential—he's found the end zone in six of his last seven games.

We're more concerned with Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris, who is, himself, in a split-backfield situation.

Harris remains Pittsburgh's top ball-carrier, but he shares time with Jaylen Warren, who often out-paces him as a pass-catcher. Against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14, Harris carried 16 times for 53 yards and a touchdown. However, he finished without a reception. Warren, meanwhile, logged nine carries, two catches and 72 scrimmage yards.

In tougher matchups, Harris has become a touchdown-dependent fantasy option, which isn't ideal in the postseason. He will face a difficult matchup this week, as the Steelers will visit the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles have surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Harris still carries some low-end flex value, and he may find the end zone. Managers with other options, though, should look to avoid this particular boom-or-bust play.

It hasn't been a great season for the Cincinnati Bengals, but star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has essentially become matchup-proof. He leads the NFL with 1,319 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. He also continues to reward fantasy managers on a weekly basis.

Chase's last "bad" game came against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9. He didn't reach the end zone and finished with a mere 43 receiving yards. He did snag seven receptions, though, which shows just how high Chase's ceiling has become.

In every game since that one, Chase has found the end zone and topped 70 receiving yards. He had 14 catches, 117 yards and two touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.

This week will bring a difficult matchup, though, as the Bengals will visit the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers and may not score enough—it ranks 30th in scoring offense—to keep Cincinnati in pass-first mode.

Chase's target share, however, should still make him a strong play on Sunday.

While Chase has managed to shine through even tough situations regularly, teammate Tee Higgins has been far less consistent. He's had some huge games—including a nine-catch, 148-yard, one-touchdown outing against the Chargers—but he's also disappeared at times.

Against the Cowboys, Higgins caught just two passes for 23 yards. The 25-year-old took to social media after Cincinnati's win with an apparent nod to disappointed fantasy managers.

It's impossible to trust Higgins this week, given the matchup. While there's a non-zero chance that Tennessee will focus so heavily on slowing Burrow—head coach Brian Callahan was Cincinnati's offensive coordinator last year—that it opens up opportunities for Higgins. It's more likely, however, that the Bengals lean on Chase Brown and their ground game.

Brown, who has emerged as a top-tier dual-threat running back, and Chase are practically guaranteed to have large roles on Sunday. Higgins is a risk that should be avoided in a win-or-go-home fantasy matchup.

*Fantasy scoring information via FantasyPros.