We’ve arrived. The fantasy football playoffs are finally here, and everything fantasy managers have built throughout the season comes down to the next few weeks.
Don’t be a one-and-done championship hopeful. Instead, find ways to push yourself through the playoffs.
NFL Week 15 positional fantasy football rankings
• Matthew Stafford is back in the top 10: After a quiet first half of the season, Stafford has scored 10 touchdowns in the last three weeks and has a great matchup against the Washington Commanders this week.
• Most accurate rankings: Nathan Jahnke’s fantasy rankings have been the most accurate in season rankings over the last 81 regular season weeks, per FantasyPros‘ rankings accuracy competition.
• Other ranking formats available: Our weekly rankings landing page includes rankings in other league formats, flex rankings and IDP rankings.
NFL Week 15 fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em
• Start Matthew Stafford: The Los Angeles Rams quarterback is playing his best football of the season and has the perfect matchup to put up big numbers.
• Sit James Conner: The veteran running back has played very well this season but probably won’t get enough opportunities against the San Francisco 49ers.
• Start Rashee Rice: It’s taken 14 weeks for the Kansas City Chiefs’ top wide receiver to play more than 70% of his team's offensive snaps, but he can finally be relied on as a fantasy starter.
5 league winners for the fantasy playoffs
• QB Brock Purdy might carry fantasy managers and the San Francisco 49ers to championships: With two matchups against bottom-three defenses to close out the season, Purdy is bound to be on plenty of championship rosters.
• Kansas City Chiefs rookie Rashee Rice is in his WR1 era: Rice has emerged as a focal point for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ passing offense since their bye week, and he has a favorable schedule that could make him a WR1 over the rest of the season.
• Whichever Houston Texans tight end is healthiest: A favorable schedule to close out the season, paired with Houston's injuries at wide receiver, could put Dalton Schultz or Brevin Jordan in a position to win managers a fantasy football championship.
Risers and fallers heading into the fantasy playoffs
• Zack Moss isn’t producing: Moss has struggled since Jonathan Taylor has been out and shouldn’t be considered a locked-in starter.
• Evan Engram is hitting his stride: The Jaguars tight end had a career day in Week 14 and should continue to feature heavily.
• Delightfully Deebo Samuel: Samuel is roaring up rankings after an incredible three-week stretch.
QBs, RBs, WRs and TEs with the easiest schedules for the fantasy playoffs
• Kyren Williams can continue to shine: The Rams’ running back has been on fire since returning from IR, and he has the most favorable schedule among running backs.
• Rashee Rice’s nice schedule: The Chiefs wide receiver has the easiest remaining schedule at the position.
• Get ahead of the game: PFF’s Fantasy Strength of Schedule (SoS) metric provides a league-wide, season-long view of opponent matchups for each fantasy position.
Top waiver targets at each position to push your team into the fantasy playoffs
• Add Matthew Stafford: The Los Angeles Rams‘ starting quarterback has thrown plenty of touchdowns recently and has an excellent Week 15 matchup.
• Watch for injury news: Injuries to Josh Jacobs, Alexander Mattison, Isiah Pacheco and Brian Robinson Jr. could lead to big opportunities for their backups.
• Dig in, draft deep, and dominate the waiver wire like a true fantasy football champion. For a full list of Week 15 fantasy football waiver wire targets, check out our comprehensive guide.
Click here to see the top waiver targets at each position & Click here for our full list of waiver targets for Week 15
Three WR/CB matchups to target and avoid in Week 15
• WR Gabe Davis, Buffalo Bills vs. CB DaRon Bland, Dallas Cowboys: Davis’ matchup against Dallas’ ball-hawking perimeter cornerbacks generates contrarian appeal for bold, savvy fantasy managers.
• WR Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. CB Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens: Ridley faces a difficult matchup, catching passes from an injured quarterback.
• Dominate your fantasy league in 2023: For up-to-date fantasy draft rankings and projections, check out PFF’s fantasy rankings tool!