The difference between a winning and a losing week by a player in the fantasy market can be as simple as scoring a touchdown. We saw this situation unfold on Thursday night when Bucky Irving was bypassed for goal-line carries by Sean Tucker. As a result, he delivered a losing day (71 combined yards and one catch) despite touching the ball 17 times.
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals
Over his last eight starts, Brissett has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He averaged 25.35 fantasy points, 324 combined yards, two touchdowns per game, highlighted by an exceptional passing opportunity (43.1 passer per game). Brissett even gets extra credit for consistency (24.90, 23.55, 27.45, 24.00, 28.60, 21.85, 23.65, and 22.75 fantasy points).
Unfortunately, the Cardinals travel to Houston this week and face the top-rated quarterback defense (200.70 fantasy points). The Texans allow 6.2 yards per pass attempt with quarterbacks tossing 12 touchdowns. They’ve allowed fewer than 18.50 fantasy points to 10 offenses, including the last five games (13.40, 16.00, 12.65, 18.15, and 11.90). Evelen quarterbacks have passed for fewer than 225 yards.
Brissett should see his 20.00+ scoring streak end this week, putting him in the avoid column in this matchup despite his high level of success since taking over the Cardinals’ starting quarterback job.
Breece Hall, New York Jets
Hall has been limited this week in practice with a knee issue, but he should play on the road against the Jaguars. New York will start a third-string quarterback (Brady Cook) against a defense that has played well over recent weeks (two games with no touchdowns allowed). Jacksonville plays well vs. the run (3.9 yards per carry with eight running back touchdowns).
The Jets only have five rushing touchdowns by running backs. They barely threw to their backs in four (2/43/1, 2/6, 2/8, and 1/17) of their last five games. Over the past four games (63/213/1), Hall gained only 3.4 yards per carry with one touchdown. I view him as a sit-in Week 15.
Read More: Justin Jefferson Leads List of Receivers to Start in Week 15 Plus Two to Bench
D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
Last week, the Bears’ running backs were an avoid for me against the Packers’ defense. Chicago gave them 28 carries, leading to 123 rushing yards with some value in the passing game (4/19). Unfortunately, Swift scored 11.20 fantasy points in Week 14. The Browns come off their worst game vs. the run (35/184/2), but they still rank sixth in running back defense (249.30 fantasy points). Backs gain 3.8 yards per rush with six rushing scores. I have Swift ranked 30th at running back this week in PPR formats.
Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
It will be tough to sit Wilson this week against a talented Texans’ defense. He has been on a monumental run over the past month (39/481/2) while averaging 14 targets. Jacoby Brissett threw the ball about 43 times a game over his last eight starts, creating winning targets for his receivers. Two weeks ago, Tampa Bay held him to three catches for 36 yards on seven targets. Wilson caught only 22 of his 38 targets over his first nine games this year for 231 yards and one score. I expect him to have a correction game on the downside in Week 15.
Read More: Justin Jefferson Leads List of Receivers to Start in Week 15 Plus Two to Bench
