The 2022 fantasy football playoffs are here, and start/sit decisions are at their most critical. Let’s take a look at our WR start/sit Week 15 plays, which include Michael Pittman Jr. and Elijah Moore. Be sure to also check out our full Week 15 wide receiver rankings.
Week 15 Fantasy Football WR Start ’ems
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (vs. MIN)
Undoubtedly one of my biggest whiffs of the 2022 season was Michael Pittman Jr. I expected a massive leap forward from low WR2 to low WR1. Instead, he’s kind of the same guy he was last year, averaging 13.5 PPR fantasy points per game (just 0.5 fewer than last season).
The miss on Pittman isn’t on himself. I missed on Matt Ryan and this Colts offense as a whole. I expected this team to more closely resemble the 2020 squad led by Philip Rivers. Instead, Ryan is somehow worse than Carson Wentz was last season.
Now that we’ve gotten the retrospection out of the way, let’s get to why it’s okay to trust Pittman in your fantasy quarterfinal matchup.
Pittman has caught at least six passes in eight games this season. Yeah, he’s actually been better than you realize — he’s just not scoring touchdowns. Of those eight games, six of them came against teams that rank in the bottom half of pass defenses.
MORE: Fantasy RB Start ’em Sit ’em Week 15
Well, it doesn’t get much easier than a Vikings defense that allows the second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. A very nice 69% of their receiving yards allowed goes to wide receivers.
Where the Vikings really struggle is against outside receivers. That’s more good news for Pittman, who only travels to the slot 15% of the time.
If you drafted Pittman in the third round and managed to make the playoffs, kudos to you. Perhaps this is the week your investment finally pays off. Start Pittman.
Elijah Moore, New York Jets (vs. DET)
Another colossal bust this season has been Elijah Moore. Sophomore wide receivers coming off strong closes to their rookie years often make a leap. Moore did the opposite. He was essentially vanquished to the bench for much of the season.
Moore is averaging just 5.8 ppg. However, things have been trending up since head coach Robert Saleh vanquished Zach Wilson to the bench.
Moore’s snap share was back up to 80% last week, and he posted season highs in targets (10) and receptions (6). His 12 fantasy points marked the second time in three weeks he cracked double digits.
This week, Moore is poised to be the starter opposite Garrett Wilson, with Corey Davis trending toward missing. It’s a dream spot against a Lions pass-funnel defense that allows the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers. In fact, 71.7% of their receiving yards allowed goes to WRs.
Moore is in a great spot this week and looks like a locked-in WR3. Start him.
Week 15 Fantasy Football WR Sit ’ems
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs (at HOU)
JuJu Smith-Schuster broke out of a three-game funk last week to catch nine of 11 targets for 74 yards and a touchdown. It was the ideal performance for fantasy managers to trust him again…just in time for a Week 15 letdown.
The Texans may be the worst team in the NFL, but they’re not the worst defense in the NFL…at least against the pass. Houston allows the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. The way to beat them is on the ground against their league-worst run defense.
While the Chiefs will always skew more pass-heavy, this is a week where Kansas City — as heavy favorites — can pound Isiah Pacheco as much as they want. The best way to get involved with JuJu is to take his receiving yards lower on Underdog Fantasy.
Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals (at DEN)
It’s about that time in the season when teams pack it in. And after losing Kyler Murray to a torn ACL, the Cardinals are next on the list.
Marquise Brown has underwhelmed since his return to action. He’s seen eight targets in back-to-back games, catching six for 46 yards and then four for 34 yards. While he’s clearly still a starter, he’s taken a bit of a backseat to DeAndre Hopkins.
There are two issues with Brown this week. First, Colt McCoy is unlikely to sustain two fantasy-relevant receivers. So, it’s either Brown or Hopkins. My guess is McCoy will favor the guy who is more likely to bail him out on errant throws.
MORE: Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups
Second, there’s the Broncos’ defense. Denver’s season may be over, but this defense is as elite as ever. They allow the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, with just 55.6% of receiving yards allowed going to the position. It’s an awful matchup.
A game that will feature McCoy vs. Brett Rypien is not a recipe for fantasy goodness. We want back-and-forth action resulting in points. As Peyton Manning aptly described the start of this past Monday Night Football game, this game has all the makings of a punt-fest. Say goodbye to Hollywood in your Week 15 lineups.