Fantasy Football Article: 2025 – 2026 Season Week 15
Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. I secured the final playoff spot in my league despite losing my game in week 14. My week got off to a good start with Dallas Cowboys PK Brandon Aubrey and WR CeeDee Lamb having huge games against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night, although Lamb’s injury early in the third quarter put a damper on things.
I wasn’t expecting a huge game from QB Patrick Mahomes against the tough Houston Texans defense, and he only scored a whooping 5 points. However, my opponent started QB Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders who only scored 2 points.
At RB, Josh Jacobs of the Green Bay Packers continued his solid and consistent season. RB Chris Rodriguez of the Washington Commanders put up nice numbers in limited opportunities with the Commanders getting blown out. I will say that I get frustrated with teams that insist on throwing the football inside the opponent’s five-yard line. The Commanders had first and goal on the Vikings six-yard line. Rodriguez carried the ball to the two-yard line but then the Commanders commenced throwing three incomplete passes.
WRs Devonta Smith of the Philadelphia Eagles and Khalil Shakir of the Buffalo Bills were both disappointing. Smith was hardly targeted and except for one completion of over 20 yards, every pass to him was within two yards of the line of scrimmage. Shakir did score a TD on an unbelievable pass by Josh Allen that went between three defenders but otherwise did nothing.
It turned out that both of my defenses, the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers, had excellent games so it didn’t matter which one I played.
I must give my opponent credit for making a waiver wire move prior to our game, which resulted in his victory. He dropped PK Chris Boswell and picked up RB Tony Pollard of the Tennessee Titans who had a career game with 161 scrimmage yards and 2 TDs. When I first saw this move, I thought it would benefit me since the Titans were playing on the road against a tough Cleveland Browns defense. It just shows that matchups don’t always matter.
My reward for making the playoffs is to face the first-place team who led the league in scoring. But this is the playoffs and anything can happen. Good luck to those who made the playoffs and kick some butt.
Week 14 Results
QB: Bo Nix (Denver Broncos): 227 total yards, 1 TD, 0 Int
Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): 164 total yards, 1 TD, 0 Int
RB: Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals): 3 receptions, 35 total yards, 2 TDs
Quinshon Judkins (Cleveland Browns): 1 reception, 84 total yards, 0 TDs
WR: Terry McLaurin (Washington Commanders): 3 receptions, 41 total yards, 0 TDs
Jakobi Meyers (Jacksonville Jaguars): 4 receptions, 48 total yards, 1 TD
TE: Jake Ferguson (Dallas Cowboys): 5 receptions, 58 total yards, 0 TD
Sleeper – Isaiah Likely (Baltimore Ravens): 4 receptions, 25 total yards, 1 TD
PK: Wil Lutz (Denver Broncos): 6 points, 3 PATs, 1 FG
Brandon McManus (Green Bay Packers): 4 points, 4 PATs, 0 FGs
DF: Los Angeles Rams: 17 points against, 314 total yards allowed, 3 sacks, 1 takeaway
Baltimore Ravens: 27 points against, 318 total yards allowed, 0 sacks, 0 takeaways
Players to Start Week 15
QB: Jaxson Dart (New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders)
Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans)
RB: Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons)
Woody Marks (Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals)
WR: Tet McMillan (Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints)
Jameson Williams (Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Rams)
TE: Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers)
Dalton Kincaid (Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots)
PK: Chris Boswell (Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins)
Evan McPherson (Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens)
DF: Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. New York Jets)
Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
Week 14 Selections vs. the Point Spread
Dallas Cowboys (+3.0) at Detroit Lions Final Score: Det. 44 Dal. 30
Houston Texans (+3.5) at Kansas City Chiefs Final Score: Hou. 20 KC 10
Philadelphia Eagles (-3.0) at Los Angeles Chargers Final Score: LAC 22 Phi. 19 OT
Week 14 Record: 1 – 2 Season Record: 23 – 19
Week 15 Selections vs. the Point Spread
Atlanta Falcons (+4.0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I don’t know what’s wrong with the Buccaneers but they have been terrible for several weeks. QB Baker Mayfield can’t throw for 200 yards and the defense has regressed. The Falcons have been eliminated from playoff contention so will look to play the role of spoiler. The Falcons have one of the best pass defenses in the league and have significantly improved their pass rush. Take the visitors with the points.
Dallas Cowboys (-6.0) vs. Minnesota Vikings
I just can’t trust the Vikings offense whether JJ McCarthy or anyone else is at QB. One thing the Cowboys do well at home is score points. I don’t think the Vikings can keep up. With the Philadelphia Eagle losing Monday night, the Cowboys will be fired up as they’re closing in on the Eagles for the division title. Take the home team and give the points.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.0) vs. Miami Dolphins
It’s hard for me to pick the Steelers but they played well in a critical matchup in week 14 versus the Baltimore Ravens and they have the most to play for with a division title within their grasp. The Dolphins have been winning but there are two things working against them. First, DeVon Achane is banged up. Even though he will probably play, one good shot to the ribs could knock him out. Secondly and more importantly, the Dolphins are going to be playing in cold weather. The Dolphins historically have had limited success when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. I’m taking the Steelers and giving the points.
