Union

Fantasy Stat Pack: Week Fifteen

Ryan McDowell Posted On December 13, 2018
Save To Favorites

If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed a series of tweets I share on a weekly basis regarding player and team defensive performances, all from a fantasy lens. I’m going to be sharing some of that same information with you here.

I use this each week as I am making my own lineup and waiver wire decisions and thought you might find this valuable as well.

Note: The scoring system used for this data is always PPR with four points for passing touchdowns.

All year to date fantasy ranks are based on total points.

Quarterbacks

Week Fourteen QB1s (top 12 scorers)

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady finally lived up to our lofty expectations with his first overall QB1 game of the season and only his fifth QB1 performance of the year. The big surprise of this group was Redskins backup Josh Johnson, who replaced Mark Sanchez in the second half and racked up fantasy points through the air and on the ground. He was named the starter for Week Fifteen but expecting a repeat performance might be unwise.

Year to Date QB1s

With his big game, Brady cracks the top 12 for the season to date, replacing the disappointing Kirk Cousins, who fell from QB12 out of the QB1 range. Steelers quarterback moved up from QB4 to QB2 on the season despite missing much of the second half of his team’s Week Fourteen game while Panthers Cam Newton slipped from QB3 to QB5.

QB1 Games this Season

  • 11 Patrick Mahomes
  • 10 Andrew Luck
  • 9 Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan
  • 8 Cam Newton, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson
  • 7 Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff, Philip Rivers
  • 6 Drew Brees, Kirk Cousins

Most QB1 Games Allowed

  • 9 ATL
  • 8 KC, TB, WAS
  • 7 CIN, NE, NO, PHI
  • 6 OAK, PIT, SF
  • 5 BAL, CAR, CLE, DEN, GB, JAX, LAR, MIA, NYJ
  • 4 ARI, CHI, DET, HOU, IND, LAC, NYG, SEA, TEN
  • 3 BUF, DAL, MIN

The Falcons continued putrid pass defense has put them atop this list, allowing nine QB1 games in just 13 games this season. This week, they might stand a chance facing rookie quarterback Josh Rosen in a home game in the dome. Rosen hasn’t finished as a QB1 all season and has only two games better than QB23. Even Rosen’s ideal matchup isn’t enough of a reason to use him in your fantasy playoffs.

The Chiefs, Buccaneers and Redskins have allowed eight QB1 games this year, which is good news for Philip Rivers (vs. KC), Lamar Jackson (vs. TB) and Cody Kessler (vs. WAS). Kessler was even worse than his predecessor Blake Bortles and announcers in last week’s game were speculating we could see Bortles reinserted into the lineup. Even with a plum matchup, the Jaguars passing game is one to avoid. Rivers should be locked into lineups and Jackson is certainly tempting after being named the starter over a healthy Joe Flacco.

The Bills, Cowboys and Vikings continue to slow down the pace of their games, which limits opposing quarterback production. This week, the victims are Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (vs. BUF), Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (vs. DAL) and Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (vs. MIN). You weren’t using Stafford or Tannehill regardless, but Luck makes for a tough decision. Dallas hasn’t allowed a QB1 game since Week Ten, though Eagles Carson Wentz nearly got them with his QB13 game last week. Luck has finished as the QB10 or better in nine of the past ten games. It is difficult to imagine having better options on your roster.

Running Backs

Week Fourteen RB1s (top 12 scorers)

Titans running back Derrick Henry enjoyed a career-game on Thursday night football and got many fantasy players off to an unbelievable playoff lead while others were frustrated to leave Henry on their bench. Brandon Bolden got revenge on his former team with two rushing touchdowns against the Pats and the Chiefs duo of Damien Williams and Spencer Ware both stung the Ravens defense for an RB1 game.

Year to Date RB1s

We saw very little movement among the top fantasy backs on the season. Even former Chiefs back Kareem Hunt has maintained his spot despite not playing since Week Eleven. The top five backs on the season have also clearly established themselves as the top assets in dynasty leagues as well.

RB1 Games this Season

  • 11 Todd Gurley
  • 10 Saquon Barkley
  • 9 Christian McCaffrey, Melvin Gordon
  • 8 Ezekiel Elliott, Alvin Kamara
  • 7 James Conner
  • 6 James White, Joe Mixon
  • 5 Kareem Hunt, Nick Chubb, Kenyan Drake

Most RB1 Games Allowed

  • 10 ATL, CIN
  • 9
  • 8 KC, MIA
  • 7 ARI, CLE, NYG, SEA
  • 6 DET, IND, LAC, PHI, TB
  • 5 BUF, DEN, HOU
  • 4 BAL, CAR, CHI, JAX, NE, NYJ, OAK, WAS
  • 3 DAL, GB, MIN, NO, PIT, SF
  • 2 LAR, TEN

Again, we see the Falcons defense show up at the top of these offenders list. Atlanta and the Bengals have each allowed a whopping ten RB1 games while no other team has given up more than eight on the season. This week, Atlanta hosts the Cardinals, which seems like a great opportunity for struggling back David Johnson, though he’s been in and out of practice with a quad injury this week. Assuming he plays, Johnson should be in lineups despite his disappointing season. The Bengals host the Oakland Raiders, who surprised the Steelers a week ago. It is impossible to predict how Oakland will perform from week to week but this is a nice spot for veteran back Doug Martin.

The Chiefs (vs. possibly Melvin Gordon and Justin Jackson) and the Dolphins (vs. Dalvin Cook) are also exciting matchups for the opposing backfields.

The Rams and Titans have allowed only two RB1 games all season. This week, the Rams host the Eagles. With quarterback Carson Wentz already out of the lineup, this team is in trouble. There’s no way rookie back Josh Adams, who is not used at all in the passing game, should be relied on in fantasy lineups. The Titans travel to face the Giants where rookie Saquon Barkley will surely hurt Tennessee’s nearly spotless record against backs. I’m not scared of this team when it comes to using the rookie of the year.

Wide Receivers

Week Fourteen WR1s (top 12 scorers)

For the second time in their weeks, Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper was the overall WR1, catching ten balls for over 200 yards and three touchdowns against the Eagles. Browns receiver Jarvis Landry caught the ball, ran the ball and even threw the ball on his way to his first WR1 game since Week Seven.

Year to Date WR1s

The Steelers wideouts moved in different directions as veteran Antonio Brown dropped from WR3 to WR6 while Juju Smith-Schuster used his huge game to bump up from WR9 to WR7. Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins had a slow game and fell to WR8 and Odell Beckham’s missed game caused him to drop from WR8 to WR10.

WR1 Games this Season

  • 8 Adam Thielen, Julio Jones
  • 7 Antonio Brown, Michael Thomas
  • 6 Davante Adams, Keenan Allen, Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs
  • 5 DeAndre Hopkins, Odell Beckham, Mike Evans
  • 4 Juju Smith-Schuster, Tyler Boyd, Brandin Cooks, Emmanuel Sanders

Most WR1 Games Allowed

  • 11 CAR, NO
  • 10
  • 9 GB, TB
  • 8 PHI
  • 7 CIN, CLE, DET, LAR, SEA, TEN
  • 6 ARI, ATL, MIA, WAS
  • 5 DEN
  • 4 CHI, KC, NE, NYJ, PIT, SF
  • 3 BAL, DAL, JAX, LAC, NYG, OAK
  • 2 BUF, HOU, MIN
  • 1 IND

The Panthers and Saints, a pair of NFC South teams, have each given up 11 WR1 games this season. This week, those two teams face off against each other on Monday Night Football. Obviously, Michael Thomas is already locked into your lineups but this matchup makes DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel solid plays and even puts Keith Wirkwood, TreQuan Smith and Devin Funchess into consideration.

The Packers and Bucs are also near the top of this list. The Packers face the Bears and receiver Allen Robinson has a shot at a big game despite his recent injury woes. Tampa Bay faces the Ravens and even in this matchup, it is impossible to guess where the Lamar Jackson targets will find themselves. I’m staying away from Michael Crabtree et al.

The Colts have still given up just one WR1 game on the year and that was way back in Week Four. This week, they play host to Amari Cooper and the Dallas Cowboys. After an amazing WR1 overall game last week, Cooper is the hottest fantasy receiver in the league, making this a very interesting matchup. Even against the Colts, I’m stick with Cooper.

The Bills, Texans and Vikings have also been stout against wideouts. Buffalo faces the Lions and inconsistent wide receiver Kenny Golladay, while the Texans travel to the Jets for a Saturday night game. Robby Anderson has been heating up lately but this could cool him down. Finally, the Vikings host Miami and a passing game to avoid.

Tight Ends

Week Fourteen TE1s (top 12 scorers)

49ers tight end George Kittle was just a few yards from the single-game receiving record at his position before he went catchless in the second half. Regardless, his performance was amazing and still earned him the TE1 spot for the week. Eagles tight end Zach Ertz didn’t crack the top 12 for only the second time this season but his teammate rookie Dallas Goedert did, as did a pair of Raiders in their upset win over Pittsburgh.

Year to Date TE1s

The long-awaited big game from Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski moved him from outside of the top 12 all the way up to TE7, while all others moved down a spot, including Vikings Kyle Rudolph, who fell out of the TE1 range.

TE1 Games this Season

  • 11 Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz
  • 10 Eric Ebron, George Kittle
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7 OJ Howard
  • 6 Jared Cook, Jimmy Graham, Trey Burton
  • 5 Austin Hooper, Rob Gronkowski

Most TE1 Games Allowed

  • 10 TB
  • 9 KC
  • 8 CAR, IND, PIT
  • 7 CLE, DAL, HOU, NE
  • 6 ATL, CIN, JAX, MIA, OAK
  • 5 ARI, BAL, CHI, DEN, DET, LAR, WAS
  • 4 LAC, MIN, NYG, SF
  • 3 BUF, GB, NYJ, SEA
  • 2 PHI
  • 1 NO, TEN

The Buccaneers have surrendered a league-high ten TE1 games and face the Ravens this week. Even before rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson took over, Baltimore was using a tight end committee, making it difficult to which player to use which week. Now, they’re all seeing less volume. Stay away from this enticing matchup. The Chiefs have struggled against tight ends and while you might be tempted to follow Stephen A. Smith’s advice and use Hunter Henry this week, this is probably another situation to avoid. Veteran tight end Antonio Gates has three catches in the past three weeks.

The Saints finally allowed a TE1 game last week when Tampa’s Cameron Brate scored twice. This week, rookie Ian Thomas gets his shot. The Greg Olsen replacement has finished as a TE1 in each of the past two weeks. In this muddied tight end landscape, fire him up in this high-scoring game. The Titans are the other team to allow only one TE1 game this year and that is bad news for Giants Evan Engram. He’s been a disappointment all season anyway so he can be left on your bench this week.

Finally, here’s the full defensive chart you might’ve already seen on Twitter.

a screenshot of a cell phone description automatically generated

ryan mcdowell
Latest posts by Ryan McDowell (see all)
Related Items:

Latest Articles

See All Articles

Dynasty Rankings

2024 Rookie Rankings

IDP Rankings

Devy Rankings

Podcasts

Videos

Devy Resources

Player Value Tools

Prospect Tools

Featured Tools

News & Research

Group-3386-min

Part of the Betsperts Media and Technology Group

Betsperts
FLA
Betsperts Golf
Bleachernation
4for4

Copyright 2024 Betsperts. All rights are reserved.

Find us here