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.

We’ve finally made it! The fantasy football playoffs are upon us and if you have some of these players rostered, your team is likely still alive and looking forward to a deep post-season run. The bad news is these dynasty superstars face some very challenging matchups this week that could leave your team chasing points at other positions. These players carried you to the playoffs and there is no way you’re benching any of them, but be ready for a step back in fantasy production in Week Fifteen.

Jalen Hurts, QB PHI

The Eagles and Jalen Hurts face off with the cross-state rival Steelers this week. Pittsburgh has still not allowed a single QB1 game on the year, giving up 17.7 fantasy points per game, fourth-lowest in the league. The Steelers have held quarterbacks down all year, including Lamar Jackson’s QB24 finish and rookie Jayden Daniels’ QB21 rank. The good news for Hurts is even when he faces tough pass defenses, he can still rack up fantasy points on the ground.

De’Von Achane, RB MIA

With the struggles and injuries to veteran Raheem Mostert, second-year man De’Von Achane has been consistent while flexing massive upside all year long. That will be challenged in Week Fifteen against the Texans. Houston has allowed seven top-24 fantasy performances, third-best in the league. Houston is also one of just three teams allowing less than 18 PPR fantasy points per game to opposing backfields. With Houston’s struggles against the pass, the Dolphins could focus on that piece of the offense to the detriment of the run game.

Justin Jefferson, WR MIN

Vikings superstar receiver Justin Jefferson finally ended his two-month scoreless streak last week, finding the end zone twice to notch a top-five receiver performance. Minnesota matches up with NFC North foe Chicago this week and the Bears have shut down opposing receivers. Only the Giants defense has allowed fewer top-24 receiver performances and the 28.3 fantasy points per game allowed by the Bears is the second-best mark in the league.

Nico Collins, WR HOU

The bad news for Texans receiver Nico Collins is that the Miami defense has allowed just seven top-18 fantasy performances all season. The good news is that three of those have come in the past two games. Because of those recent struggles, I’m torn on this one. Collins has been solid since returning from the injury that landed him on the injured reserve list, posting fantasy finishes of WR10 and WR13 over the past two weeks.

Ja’Marr Chase, WR CIN

The Bengals and Ja’Marr Chase took the Monday Night Football stage and put up a dominant performance, notching his third overall WR1 game of the season and second in two weeks. This week could be a bit more challenging as the Titans attempt to slow down Chase and the Bengals. Tennessee has allowed just 28.5 fantasy points per game, third-lowest in the league and only the Bears and Giants have given up fewer top-24 performances.

Note: The scoring system used is always PPR with four points for passing touchdowns and all stats and info are provided by Fantasy Data.

Quarterbacks

Week 14 QB1s

Season-Long QB1s

Most QB1 Games This Season

Most QB1 Games Allowed

The Jaguars and Buccaneers have each allowed a league-high nine QB1 performances this season. With that said, it would be difficult to roll with either Aaron Rodgers (vs. JAX) or Justin Herbert (vs. TB) in the fantasy football playoffs. They would both make fine second starters in a superflex league this week. The options aren’t necessarily any better as we move down the list. Baltimore (vs. Drew Lock) and Las Vegas (vs. Kirk Cousins) have each surrendered eight QB1 games this season.

Along with the Jaguars and Buccaneers, other teams allowing more than 24 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks include the Bengals (vs. Will Levis) and Cowboys (vs. Bryce Young.) These poor quarterbacks in ideal matchups will push fantasy managers to rely on their typical starters in average or worse matchups, which could result in below-average scoring. Don’t expect 200-point fantasy scores as we had last week.

On the other hand, some of the league’s top signal callers find themselves with a very challenging foe in Week Fifteen. Along with the previously-mentioned Hurts, other quarterbacks facing opponents who have allowed three QB1 games or fewer include Jayden Daniels (vs. NO), CJ Stroud (vs. MIA), Josh Allen (vs. DET), and Jared Goff (vs. BUF.)

Veterans Russell Wilson (vs. PHI), Sam Darnold (vs. CHI) and Matthew Stafford (vs. SF) are each facing poor matchups this week as well.

Running Backs

Week 14 RB1s

Season-Long RB1s

Most RB1 Games This Season

Most RB1/2 Games Allowed

The Panthers stand alone at the running back position, having allowed 16 top-24 performances this season. This week, that means good news for Rico Dowdle, who has performed as a solid fantasy starter in recent weeks, including three straight games as a top-20 fantasy back.

The Jaguars are next in line, allowing 14 RB1 or RB2 performances this season. Jacksonville faces the Jets, though the status of Breece Hall is still unclear. If Hall sits again, either rookie Braelon Allen or Isaiah Davis would be solid options. Davis has finished as the RB22 and RB15 in the past two weeks.

Other backs with positive matchups in Week Fifteen include Rhamondre Stevenson (vs. ARI), Kenneth Walker/Zach Charbonnet (vs. GB), Joe Mixon (vs. MIA), Derrick Henry (vs. NYG), Jahmyr Gibbs/David Montgomery (vs. BUF) and Javonte Williams (vs. IND.)

The Chiefs continue to play strong defense against running backs, allowing four total top-24 games on the season. Browns comeback kid Nick Chubb has struggled to get going following his return from last season’s brutal leg injury. In the fantasy playoffs, he’s an easy fade.

Other teams that have held opposing running backs in check, giving up eight or fewer top-24 performances on the season include MIN (vs. D’Andre Swift), DET (vs. James Cook), HOU (vs. De’Von Achane), BAL (vs. Tyrone Tracy) and PHI (vs. Najee Harris.)

Wide Receivers

Week 14 WR1s

Season-Long WR1s

Most WR1 Games This Season

Most WR1/2 Games Allowed

The Texans are the defense to chase when looking for wideouts each week. They’ve allowed 18 top-24 performances this season, including six in their past three games. After a very slow and frustrating start to their respective seasons, Dolphins wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have been heating up. Both are exciting options for this week’s fantasy playoff matchup.

The Vikings are next in line, having allowed 16 top-24 games to receivers. This week, that means any or all of the Bears trio of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze belong in fantasy lineups.

Other receivers with matchups to target this week include Jakobi Meyers (vs. ATL), Calvin Ridley (vs. CIN), Malik Nabers (vs. BAL), DeAndre Hopkins (vs. CLE), Garrett Wilson/Davante Adams (vs. JAX) and Khalil Shakir/Amari Cooper (vs. DET.)

The Giants continue to shut down opposing wideouts, allowing a total of five top-24 games all season. The Ravens are coming off their bye and Zay Flowers hopes to avoid a down game against the G-Men.

Other receivers with difficult matchups include Jefferson/Jordan Addison (vs. CHI), Drake London/Darnell Mooney (vs. LV), Collins/Tank Dell (vs. MIA), Puka Nacua/Cooper Kupp (vs/ SF), Chase/Tee Higgins (vs. TEN) and Brian Thomas (vs. NYJ.)

Tight Ends

Week 14 TE1s

Season-Long TE1s

Most TE1 Games This Season

Most TE1 Games Allowed.xlsx

The Packers lead the league with nine TE1 games allowed, and face off with the Seahawks this week. Noah Fant still hasn’t made it back from a mid-season injury and AJ Barner has not been a major part of the offense. The Bengals (vs. Chigoziem Okonkwo) and Raiders (vs. Kyle Pitts) have also struggled against tight ends, but these players can’t be trusted this week, even with the matchups. I am most interested in David Njoku this week. He faces a Chiefs defense that has allowed over 16 fantasy points per game to tight ends, second-most in the league.

Four star tight ends face difficult matchups this week. None of them are likely to find their way to the fantasy bench but they deserve adjusted expectations. Hunter Henry (vs. ARI), Brock Bowers (vs. ATL), Mark Andrews (vs. NYG), and Jonnu Smith (vs. HOU) each have a challenge ahead for Week 15.

Finally, here is the chart summarizing how teams have fared against each position. I’ve also included the schedule for this week for reference.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.

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