Weekend Wonderings: Week 15 (2024)

By Winsto (12/14/2024)

  1. I wonder if I need to adjust my rankings of Jerry Jeudy (WR-Cleveland) and Elijah Moore (WR-Cleveland) now that we know Cedric Tillman (WR-Cleveland) will not play and David Njoku (TE-Cleveland) looks very Questionable.  Cleveland’s offense faces a solid, though vulnerable Chiefs secondary.  There is a world where Trent McDuffie (CB-KC) shadows Jeudy throughout the game and keeps him in check.  There is also a world where McDuffie does not shadow, and fantasy points will be scored. I tend to think it will be somewhere in the middle, hence my ranking him a borderline WR2/WR3.  With Tillman out, Moore is a WR5 with some upside.
  2.  If you put yourself behind the eight ball by starting virtually anyone in TNF’s Rams-49ers game and need to take some risks, may I present to you Jordan Akins (TE-Cleveland), IF Njoku is ruled Out. Kansas City gives up the 5th most fantasy points to the TE position, and Jameis Winston (QB-Cleveland) has relied on the TE position in the past.  Another option is Stone Smartt (TE-Los Angelas Chargers) versus Tampa Bay, who I discussed in this week’s Waiver Wire column, who gives up the 7th most fantasy points to the TE position.
  3. Speaking of TNF’s Rams-49ers, my biggest takeaway is that San Francisco’s passing attack really does struggle in inclement weather.  Yes, the Rams passing game struggled as well, as demonstrated by the fact that no TDs were scored in this game.  But, we now have two inclement weather games (Week 13 v. Buffalo and Week 15 v. Los Angelas Chargers) involving San Francisco, and to put it mildly, everyone involved in the passing game has struggled in those two games.  Moving forward, I would just ignore the fantasy stats from Brock Purdy (QB), Jauan Jennings (WR), George Kittle (TE) from Week 14 (as long as poor weather is not in the forecast for future games). Deebo Samuel (WR), however, is a different story, as I have no confidence in starting him, as I assume other Samuel fantasy owners have discovered.
  4. In what is turning into a weekly segment on the state of the Kansas City Chiefs offense, I wonder if I am the only one who has concerns about KC’s offensive line, sans D.J. Humphries (OT), holding up against Cleveland’s defensive line, led by Myles Garrett (DE).  This is not going to be ideal for KC.  I envision many quick passes, with Travis Kelce (TE), DeAndre Hopkins (WR), and Noah Gray (TE) being the prime beneficiaries.  I also envision more touches, of the short variety, for Xavier Worthy (WR), such as jet-sweeps and bubble screens.  As for Patrick Mahomes (QB), I am not optimistic this is the game that the offense turns things around.
  5. I wonder if anyone else has noticed that Jakobi Meyers (WR-Las Vegas) has 36 targets (23 receptions and 285 receiving yards) in his last 3 games. Even if Aidan O’Connell (QB-Las Vegas) cannot play and Desmond Ridder (QB-Las Vegas) starts, the next three matchups for Meyers are generous defenses (Atl, Jax, NO) against the WR.  For me, he stays as a mid WR3 for this week, even with Ridder.
  6. I, once again, will voice my opinion that Kimani Vidal (RB-LAC) is going to factor into fantasy down the stretch.  As stated in previous writings, Vidal out snapped Gus Edwards (53% v. 43%) in Week 14, and he had 8 touches to Edwards’s 10.  This may be your last chance at Vidal.  In addition, I am curious if Baltimore may give recently activated Keaton Mitchell (RB) a few more touches in Week 15, as the Ravens are coming off a Bye week.
  7. I wonder if I am the only one who just feels hesitant to play Breece Hall (RB-NYJ).  Considering his injury, the presence of Braelon Allen (RB) AND NOW Isaiah Davis (RB), and the random ineptitude of this offense and coaching staff, playing Hall simply gives me pause. Hall would be more of a RB3 for me, despite the nice matchup against Jacksonville.
  8. Speaking of hesitation, anyone else hoping to avoid falling for the Week 14 trap that was Bucky Irving (RB-TB) again in Week 15?  If he plays, starting him in fantasy football is a very big gamble.  I would not start him if I had comparable options.  Rachaad White (RB-TB), meanwhile, should be a higher end RB3 play for Week 15.
  9. For those of youin IDP leagues, Micah McFadden (LB-NYG) is a good start in Week 15.  With Bobby Okereke (LB-NYG) ruled Out, McFadden should see 100% of the snaps and be on the field for many, many plays against Baltimore’s offense.
  10. And finally…, I wonder why I know Santa Claus is nearby.  I guess it is because I can always sense his presents.