• Starts of the Week, not sit-your-studs: This is a list of players poised to beat expectations, accompanied by my confidence rating at the end of each outlook. Use them to win close decisions, not to bench superstars.

• Jaxson Dart smash spot: Dart gets the easiest matchup of the week, as he takes on a Commanders defense that has been torched all year. With the softest playoff schedule at the position, he’s a matchup cheat code who can help carry you to a championship.

• Get PFF+ for 30% off: Use promo code HOLIDAY30 to unlock the PFF Player Prop Tool, Premium Stats, fantasy dashboards, the PFF Mock Draft Simulator, industry-leading fantasy rankings and much more — everything you need to win your season.

Quarterbacks

Jaxson Dart, New York Giants

Dart has the easiest quarterback matchup of the week, according to the PFF Strength of Schedule Tool. He draws a Washington Commanders defense that has been a frequent target for Starts of the Week all season due to its struggles against the pass.

Washington has allowed 3,392 passing yards (fifth-most), 26 passing touchdowns (fourth-most) and the league’s highest passer rating at 109.7. With the easiest schedule of any quarterback across the fantasy playoffs, Dart is a strong option who can help carry teams to a championship based on matchup alone.

Confidence Level: Mid-tier QB1 

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy has been fine since returning from injury, averaging 16.3 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, with a single 9.0-point outing in Week 12 dragging that number down.

Week 15 sets up as a get-right spot. Purdy faces a Titans defense that has allowed over 20 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over the last three weeks, and the 49ers offense is finally close to full strength with George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings all healthy. San Francisco should control this game early, giving Purdy and his pass-catchers plenty of opportunities to produce.

Confidence Level: Low-end QB1 

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Being a Jalen Hurts fantasy manager over the past five weeks has been painful. He’s failed to clear 20 fantasy points in four of his last five games and is coming off a disastrous 2.8-point outing in a sloppy loss to the Chargers.

Week 15 sets up as the ideal bounce-back spot. The Eagles have the third-easiest quarterback matchup this week against a Raiders defense allowing over 18 fantasy points per game to opposing QBs, and Hurts’ rushing upside and touchdown efficiency give him a strong chance to get back over the 20-point mark when fantasy managers need it most.

Confidence Level: High-end QB1 

Wide receivers

WR AJ Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

Similar to Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown draws a depleted Raiders secondary and enters Week 15 red hot.

Despite Philadelphia’s recent offensive inconsistencies, Brown and Hurts have clearly found their rhythm again, and now face a Raiders defense allowing over 20 fantasy points per game to wide receivers over the last three weeks. Brown is firmly in WR1 territory this week.

Confidence Level: Mid-tier WR1 

Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers’ passing offense over the past four weeks has flowed primarily through Jauan Jennings and George Kittle.

During that stretch, Jennings leads the team with a 27.1% adjusted target rate (minimum 50 snaps), with Kittle right behind him at 27.0%. And much like the case for Brock Purdy this week, the matchup elevates Jennings’ outlook even further, as he draws a Titans defense that has allowed more than 23 PPR points per game to opposing wide receiver groups over the last three weeks.

Confidence Level: Mid-tier WR2 

Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

McMillan has been one of the steadiest wide receivers in fantasy over the back half of the season.

Since Week 10, he’s the PPR WR14, averaging 16.7 points per game, and now draws a Saints defense he should be able to exploit. With New Orleans’ offense trending upward, Carolina should be forced to keep throwing rather than leaning solely on the run game, keeping McMillan’s volume and upside intact this week.

Confidence Level: High-end WR2 

Running backs

Devin Neal, New Orleans Saints

Alvin Kamara is not expected to play again in week 15, and Devin Neal has been a serviceable piece for fantasy managers since Kamara went down. 

The last 3 weeks: 11.1 PPR points, 9.9 PPR points, 15.4 PPR points. While nothing flashy, Neal has been a nice stopgap and a consistent 10-plus points to plug into your lineups, and this matchup against the Panthers could be his biggest game yet. 

Over the last three weeks, the Panthers have been allowing 20.2 PPR points per game to opposing RB1s. If the Saints can keep this game within reach, Neal should see upwards of 15 PPR points in a matchup that is must-win for fantasy managers everywhere. 

Confidence Level: Mid-tier RB2

RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos

Harvey enters Week 14 riding back-to-back games of 20-plus PPR points, and while the matchup with Green Bay looks tough on paper, it actually plays right into his strengths.

The Packers have quietly allowed the eighth-most receptions and more than 400 yards after the catch to opposing running backs, setting up another high-volume receiving day for Harvey as Denver likely leans on the passing game to keep pace with Jordan Love and the Packers offense.

Confidence Level: High-end RB2 

Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns

Yes, I’m going back to Quinshon Judkins this week. Judkins has topped 15 PPR points in two of his last three games and now draws a favorable matchup against a Bears defense that ranks as the eighth-easiest for opposing running backs.

If Shedeur Sanders keeps the offense moving the way he did last week, it should open up plenty of rushing lanes for Judkins. He’s the riskiest play on this list, but also the type of swing that can decide Round 1 of the fantasy playoffs.

Confidence Level: Mid-tier RB2