Fantasy football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: 16 players to start or sit in Week 15 Jacob Camenker, USA TODAYDecember 9, 2025 at 3:03 AM 0 Week 15 of the NFL season is here, and that will mark the start of the fantasy football playoffs across most leagues. As such, it will be doordie time for the teams remaining, placing an increased emphasis on making critical start 'em, sit 'em decisions. Per usual, injuries are clouding the water at some positions for fantasy managers. Notably, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones went down with a seasonending Achilles tear.
- - Fantasy football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: 16 players to start or sit in Week 15
Jacob Camenker, USA TODAYDecember 9, 2025 at 3:03 AM
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Week 15 of the NFL season is here, and that will mark the start of the fantasy football playoffs across most leagues.
As such, it will be do-or-die time for the teams remaining, placing an increased emphasis on making critical start 'em, sit 'em decisions.
Per usual, injuries are clouding the water at some positions for fantasy managers. Notably, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones went down with a season-ending Achilles tear. Jones had been a consistent fantasy starter throughout the season, so fantasy managers will need to find a replacement for him.
There aren't many high-end, readily available quarterbacks, so those in a bind at the position may have to turn to matchup-based streamers to plug their lineup holes. Meanwhile, others will face existential quandaries in assessing whether to trust struggling stars like Justin Jefferson or to roll with top-tier waiver wire pickups in an effort to get more juice out of the flex spot.
Who can you start and sit in fantasy football for Week 15 of the NFL season? USA TODAY Sports outlines eight players to start and eight to sit.
MORE: Need more NFL news, takes and fantasy advice? Check out USA TODAY Sports' NFL Vodcast
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Fantasy football players to start in Week 15Quarterbacks -
Jaxson Dart, New York Giants (vs. Washington Commanders)
Starting Dart carries some risk, as the Giants may de-emphasize his rushing ability in an effort to keep him healthy. That's why the rookie had just four carries against the Patriots in Week 12, his fewest in a start this season. Still, Dart has plenty of upside as a passer against a Commanders offense that has surrendered 26 total touchdowns to quarterbacks this season, tied for third-most in the NFL, and just let J.J. McCarthy rack up his first-ever three-touchdown game against them.
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings (at Dallas Cowboys)
Speaking of McCarthy, you can feel free to trust him against a Cowboys defense that has surrendered the most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks this season. The first-year starter will likely need to throw a lot to help his team keep pace with Dallas, and a couple of touchdowns could make him a high-risk, high-reward option for those seeking out a Daniel Jones replacement.
Running backs -
Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. New York Jets)
Trusting Tuten may seem strange after had as many carries (2) as he did fumbles in the Jaguars' Week 14 win over the Colts. That said, one of Tuten's fumbles came on a kickoff and he was nicked up during the play. If he is healthier in Week 15, he should be able to perform well as the complement to Travis Etienne against a Jets defense that has allowed nine rushing touchdowns and an average of 142.25 rushing yards over its last four games.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders (at New York Giants)
Rodriguez continues to head the Commanders backfield. He led the team with 10 carries and 52 yards against the Vikings, nearly identical to his average of 10.8 carries for 50.6 yards with three touchdowns over his last five games. The 5-11, 224-pound bruiser could be an RB2 against a Giants team that has allowed the second-most rushing yards to running backs this season (1,629) and 16 total touchdowns to the position.
Wide receivers -
Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Tennessee Titans)
Pearsall has logged just five catches for 20 yards in three appearances since returning from a six-game absence. That may make it hard to trust him, but the Titans have allowed the sixth-most FPPG to receivers this season. That should allow Pearsall to enjoy a breakout game after shaking off the rust and getting an extra chance to rest during the 49ers' Week 14 bye.
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (at Dallas Cowboys)
Will this be easy to stomach? Nope. Jefferson has only twice topped 50 receiving yards with McCarthy starting and has totaled just four catches for 15 yards over his last two outings. Even so, the 26-year-old veteran remains one of the league's most talented receivers and is facing a Dallas defense that has allowed a league-high 22 touchdowns to wide receivers. Expect Jefferson to bounce back in a big way and reminder everyone why he was a first-round pick across most fantasy formats entering the season.
Tight end -
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (at Cincinnati Bengals)
The Bengals have a historically bad defense against tight ends. They have allowed the most receptions (97), receiving yards (1,258) and receiving touchdowns (15) to the position by far this season. This includes Likely's five-catch, 95-yard game on Thanksgiving, a contest during which the 25-year-old nearly scored but fumbled the ball at the 1-yard line. Likely should be out to avenge that mistake, making him a worthwhile play in NFL Week 15.
Defense/special teams -
San Francisco 49ers (vs. Tennessee Titans)
No quarterback has been sacked more times than Cam Ward this season (49). The 49ers rank last in the NFL in pressure rate, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats, but are well-rested following their bye. That could give San Francisco the juice needed to get some heat on Ward and take advantage of a Titans offense that is averaging just 15.5 points per game, second-fewest in the NFL.
Fantasy football players to sit in Week 15Quarterbacks -
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (vs. Cleveland Browns)
It may seem strange to back the Browns after they allowed 31 points to the Titans, but a majority of Tennessee's damage came on the ground. Cleveland has been good against the pass and also generates a lot of pressure, as its 39.% rate ranks fifth-best in the league, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats. Williams' passer rating drops from 100.3 when kept clean to 55.3 when pressured, per Pro Football Focus, so this may be a tough matchup for the second-year starter.
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals (at Houston Texans)
Did you see what the Texans did to Patrick Mahomes on "Sunday Night Football" to close Week 14? Houston limited the Chiefs star to 160 passing yards, held him without a score and forced him into three interceptions. So, as hard as it may be to bench Brissett – who has posted at least 258 yards and two touchdowns in seven of his eight starts – this is simply a horrible matchup for the veteran signal-caller.
Running backs -
David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (at Los Angeles Rams)
Montgomery's fantasy value has become almost entirely touchdown-dependent as Jahmyr Gibbs has taken over a larger workload in the Detroit backfield. "Knuckles" has posted rushing touchdowns in back-to-back games but will be hard pressed to do so again facing a Rams defense that has allowed a league-low two rushing touchdowns to running backs this season.
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers (at Kansas City Chiefs)
Hampton has only once averaged more than 3.7 yards per carry during his rookie season and is being eased back into action after suffering an ankle fracture. The first-rounder had just 48 yards on 15 carries against the Chiefs in Week 1 and may face a similarly tough task against a Kansas City defense that has allowed less than 100 rushing yards in six of its last eight games.
Wide receivers -
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (at Seattle Seahawks)
As mentioned, the Colts lost starting quarterback Daniel Jones to a season-ending Achilles tear. They are also without backup Anthony Richardson due to a fractured orbital bone while third-string quarterback Riley Leonard is dealing with a knee injury. That will make it very difficult to start any Colts passing game weapon, especially in a matchup against a Seahawks defense that has allowed the fewest receiving yards to wide-outs this season (1,411). Pittman and Alec Pierce should both remain on the bench in Week 15 as a result.
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (vs. Denver Broncos)
Reed returned to action after missing most of the season with a collarbone injury. He quickly re-established himself as one of Green Bay's top weapons, tying for the team lead with four targets and catching all of them for 31 yards. However, the Packers are now playing a Broncos team that has allowed a league-low five receiving touchdowns to receivers this season. That, plus Jordan Love's penchant for spreading the ball around, will make all of Green Bay's receivers boom-or-bust candidates in a tough matchup.
Tight end -
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)
Kelce is coming off his worst game of the season, as he caught just one pass for eight yards against the Texans in Week 14. Now, he faces a Chargers defense that ranks bottom-five in receptions allowed to tight ends and limited him to two catches in Week 1. Unless he can get a touchdown, as he did against Los Angeles in the Brazil game, the veteran may not be top-end starter in Week 15.
Defense/special teams -
Baltimore Ravens (at Cincinnati Bengals)
The Ravens were just shredded through the air by Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf at home. Now, they are hitting the road to take on Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and a Bengals team that dropped 32 points on them on Thanksgiving. It's probably best to steer clear of Baltimore, with that in mind.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Week 15: 16 NFL players to start or sit
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Published: December 09, 2025 at 01:27PM on Source: ANDY MAG
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