Welcome back to Week 15 of Keeping it Real with Fantasy – Playoffs Edition. Both New York teams proved they still have some of the juice that we expected from them at the start of the season, after upsets over aspiring playoff teams; the Jets’ 30-6 win over the Texans and the Giants’ 24-22 win over the Packers. More importantly, though, we congratulate you on an amazing season and making it to the fantasy football playoffs! Our advice has definitely gone a long way to helping you get there, so all we ask in return is to stick to what’s been working: us.
News/Injuries:
Justin Herbert (QB) – Yet another AFC quarterback has gone down with a season-ending injury. Unfortunately for the Chargers, their season goes from bad to worse with the loss of their franchise quarterback, thus ending their hopes of a late playoff push.
Tyreek Hill (WR) – Hill is having an all-time season at the wide receiver position. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, an ankle injury took him out of Monday’s game against the Titans and cost the Dolphins a win. The offense was a shadow of its former self when their All-Pro receiver got injured, but luckily a return is possible as early as this week.
Aaron Rodgers (QB) – Aaron Rodgers is set to make a historical return next week when the Jets host the Commanders. Rodgers, who tore his Achilles just 4 plays into his Jets career, is back to fully participating in practice and is looking to get the start next week. The Jets’ playoff hopes are still in play as they haven’t been eliminated just yet.
Starts:
Brandon Aubrey (K) – The first time in series history that a kicker has been mentioned, but how can you look away from what the Cowboys’ kicker is doing? “Butter” Brandon Aubrey is 30 for 30 on the season after making four kicks in the Cowboys’ win over the Eagles including a 59 and a 60 yard field goal. On top of this, Aubrey was named as the NFC’s special teams player of the week
Jaylen Waddle (WR) – Waddle has been the Dolphins’ WR2 this year due to Tyreek Hill’s dominant performances week in and week out. Tyreek Hill recently injured his ankle but is still able to play on it. The Dolphins host the Jets this week and even though the Jets defense is one of the best in the league, Waddle will be able to rack up yards while the defense is focused on Tyreek Hill. The last time these teams faced, Waddle had 114 receiving yards.
A.J. Dillon (RB) – A.J. Dillon has been right around average the whole year. Even so, he is currently the team’s leading rusher. This week, Dillon looks to have a breakout game against the Buccaneers and put up big numbers to help your team. With only one touchdown this season, he is due for another score as the Packers like to use him deep in the red zone.
Sits:
Kenneth Walker (WR) – Kenneth Walker has been a big rusher for the Seahawks all season. The Seahawks are set to host the Eagles this week on Monday Night Football. The Eagles have arguably the best run defense in the league. Don’t expect Walker to get past the line of scrimmage many times.
Stefon Diggs (WR) – Coming into the season, Diggs was considered to be one of the top receivers in the league. He started the season off hot but as the season progressed, he started to struggle. There have been arguments between him and Josh Allen. Allen hasn’t been throwing the ball to Diggs a lot lately and the Bills face the red-hot Cowboys this week. Expect Diggs to have another quiet game.
Waiver Wire:
Joe Flacco (QB) – Flacco has stepped in as the Browns starting QB with Watson out for the season. Even though he is getting old, Flacco still has the magic touch. In the past two games, he threw for 565 total yards. He has been lighting up NFL defenses–look for him to continue the trend. Definitely worth picking up.
Chase Brown (RB) – The Bengals haven’t gone away since Joe Burrow’s injury as RB Chase Brown and QB Jake Browning have emerged. Brown, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft, is coming off 105 yards from scrimmage and a receiving touchdown. He could be a good pickup for the final few games.