Fantasy Football: Who to start in the first week of fantasy playoffs

Each decision could mean the difference between going home and moving on, so it's time to get a plan in place.

Will McFadden

The fantasy playoffs are here! Congratulations if your squad has made it this far, but now the real challenge begins. Each decision is crucial, and each mistake magnified.

Do you stick with the guys who got you this far or play the matchups? Those decisions could mean the difference between going home and moving on, so you'd better have a plan in place.

Throughout the season, I'll help you build the perfect lineup and become a league legend. Each week, I will recommend three starters at each position as well as a waiver pickup in a matchup I really like. I will also spotlight one Falcons player in each section.

It's not all too difficult to tell someone to start Bijan Robinson or Josh Allen on any given week, and I assume everyone reading this right now would already know to do so. Therefore, I'll try to focus these recommendations on players who might be on the starting or flex bubble.

Running backs to start in Week 15

RJ Harvey vs. Green Bay Packers

He's finished as a top-five running back in back-to-back weeks and still has a stranglehold on the Broncos' backfield. While the Packers could build and hold a lead against Denver, I think Harvey will get a heavy workload once again on Sunday afternoon.

Woody Marks vs. Arizona Cardinals

Since Week 10, Marks has taken over the main job in Houston, and he's coming off one of his best performances of the year. Arizona's defense allows the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs, and there's a decent chance Houston can build a lead behind their dominant defense to give Marks a lot of second-half work.

Aaron Jones Sr. at Dallas Cowboys

Jones has only scored two touchdowns this season, which has kept him from becoming a reliable fantasy starter, but he's got a great matchup on Sunday night against the Cowboys. Even if Dallas tilts the score in its favor, Jones' prowess as a pass catcher out of the backfield should keep him involved.

Waiver start Chris Rodriguez Jr. at New York Giants

I wouldn't blame you if you'd prefer to have nothing to do with Washington's offense at this point, but this is a matchup ripe for the picking. Rodriguez is the Commanders' goal-line back, and the Giants have given up the second-most fantasy points to the position.

Falcons spotlight Bijan Robinson at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers have been a difficult defense to run against, and they held Robinson to just 24 yards in Week 1. However, Robinson caught six passes for 100 yards and a touchdown in that game and could see similar action as a receiver on Thursday night.

Wide receivers to start in Week 15

Michael Wilson at Houston Texans

The Texans' defense may very easily make me eat these words, but Wilson has to be plugged into starting lineups after his recent stretch of gamesespecially in PPR leagues. He's averaging 14 targets over the last four weeks and has finished as a top 10 receiver three times in that span.

Wan'Dale Robinson vs. Washington Commanders

He's been the most consistent thing about the Giants' offense this season and has the opportunity for a big game against a Commanders defense that ranks among the worst in the NFL.

Jauan Jennings vs. Tennessee Titans

Jennings has been a touchdown machine of late, scoring in four of the 49ers' last five games. He's also caught no fewer than four passes in those games and clearly has a nice connection with Brock Purdy. Take a look at him as a flex option in this one.

Waiver start Jayden Higgins vs. Arizona Cardinals

Higgins has yet to have a true breakout game this season, but he's developed into a nice player for Houston's offense. In the games where he's caught a touchdown this season, Higgins has pretty much been a top 20 receiver. I think there's a good chance he puts up his best performance of the year in this one.

Falcons spotlight Darnell Mooney at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With Drake Londonofficially ruled out for Thursday night, Mooney enters this matchup as Atlanta's top receiver on paper. The returns have not been there yet this season, but Mooney did finish as a top 10 fantasy receiver in both of his games against Tampa Bay last year.

Tight ends to start in Week 15

Harold Fannin Jr. at Chicago Bears

The connection between Fannin and Shedeur Sanders is undeniable. He saw 11 targets last week and turned those into 114 yards and a touchdown to finish as the top fantasy tight end. I expect him to keep rolling in this one.

Jake Ferguson vs. Minnesota Vikings

He's cooled off significantly since starting the year on a potentially record-setting pace, but Ferguson is still a great starting option. Against a blitz-heavy defense in Minnesota, Dak Prescott could look his way often as a quick outlet, especially if CeeDee Lamb misses the game.

Dalton Kincaid at New England Patriots

Kincaid has played in nine games this season and scored a touchdown in five of them. He's also finished among the top eight fantasy tight ends in five games this year, which is a testament to his chemistry with Josh Allen.

Waiver start Isaiah Likely at Cincinnati Bengals

He was the Ravens' top pass catcher when these two teams met a couple of weeks ago, and Likely caught his first touchdown pass of the season in Week 14. The arrow is firmly pointing up for him right now with a very winnable matchup on tap.

Falcons spotlight Kyle Pitts at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pitts is coming off his best two-game stretch since his rookie year, and caught two touchdowns the last time he played in Tampa Bay. Although he's questionable for Thursday night, he should be heavily involved if he suits up.

Quarterbacks to start in Week 15

Lamar Jackson at Cincinnati Bengals

After four straight weeks finishing outside of the top 14 in fantasy, Jackson rebounded against Pittsburgh and ended up as the QB7 in Week 14. He's got a rematch on tap against the Bengals, who held him in check two weeks ago. But Cincinnati is also giving up the second-most points to fantasy quarterbacks. Can the Bengals hold him in check once again?

Jaxson Dart vs. Washington Commanders

Coming out of the bye week, Dart should ostensibly be as fresh as could be at this time of year. While he may not continue to run the ball at the clip he has, Dart could easily put up some big fantasy numbers against this Commanders defense.

Trevor Lawrence vs. New York Jets

I won't blame you if you feel a little queasy rolling into a playoff game with Lawrence as your starting quarterback, but he's had at least two touchdown passes in each of his last three games and is in a plus matchup against the Jets.

Waiver start Tyler Shough vs. Carolina Panthers

Believe it or not, Shough has finished as a top-12 fantasy quarterback or better three times in his last four games, including in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers. He'll face them again Sunday after his best performance of the year. If you're desperate, Shough is the dark horse to bet on.

Falcons spotlight Kirk Cousins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cousins finished as QB1 and QB3 for fantasy in his two games against the Buccaneers in 2024. Although he won't have Drake London for this Thursday night matchup, there's a little bit of a track record of success against Todd Bowles' defense.

Up Next

Videos

Jessie Bates III & others on the Falcons' upcoming matchup against the Buccaneers

Videos

Quarterback Kirk Cousins Week 15 Media Availability | Tuesday, December 9th | Press Conference

Videos

Atlanta Falcons Coordinators look ahead to Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchup | Press Conference

Videos

Dee Alford is Mic'd Up against the Seattle Seahawks

Videos

Head Coach Raheem Morris Week 15 Media Availability | Monday, December 8th | Press Conference

Videos

Kaden Elliss on what is ahead for Atlanta Falcons & reflects on Seahawks matchup | Press Conference

Videos

Raheem Morris on Falcons home loss to Seattle Seahawks | Press Conference

Videos

Jessie Bates III & others on the Atlanta Falcons loss to the Seattle Seahawks

Videos

Kirk Cousins reflects on Atlanta Falcons matchup vs Seattle Seahawks | Press Conference

Videos

Pitts gets a 26-yard catch to get Falcons' drive going

Videos

Gonzalez breaks tie with Seahawks with a 43-yard FG

Videos

Kentavius Street's first sack of 2025 drops Darnold

Videos

Pitts catches pass for 30-yards

Videos

Mike Hughes intercepts Sam Darnold pass vs. Seattle Seahawks

Videos

Darnold dumped by Pearce Jr. for an 8-yard sack

Videos

Zane Gonzalez opens up scoring in the Seahawks-Falcons game with made FG

Videos

Falcons rookies sing holiday carols for patients at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank hospital

Videos

Jessie Bates III & Marquice Williams on Sunday's matchup against the Seahawks | Press Conference

Videos

A.J. Terrell Jr. is the 2025 Atlanta Falcons Walter Payton Man of the Year

Videos

Darnell Mooney & others on the Falcons preparation to take on the Seahawks | Press Conference

Videos

Quarterback Kirk Cousins Week 14 Media Availability | Monday, December 3rd | Press Conference

Videos

Head Coach Raheem Morris Week 14 Media Availability | Wednesday, December 3rd | Press Conference

Videos

Ruke Orhorhoro is micd up against the New York Jets

Videos

Breaking down the monster matchup between A.J. Terrell Jr. & Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Film Review

Videos

Head Coach Raheem Morris Week 14 Media Availability | Monday, December 1st | Press Conference

Videos

Ruke Orhorhoro & JD Bertrand reflect on the Falcons loss to the Jets

Videos

Kaden Elliss & others on the Atlanta Falcons loss to the New York Jets | Press Conference

Videos

Kirk Cousins reflects on Atlanta Falcons road matchup vs New York Jets| Press Conference

Videos

Raheem Morris on Atlanta Falcons performance vs New York Jets | Press Conference

Videos

Bijan Robinson's best plays from 193-yard game vs. Jets Week 13

Videos

Falcons at Jets | NFL+ Highlights

Videos

Tyler Allgeier left all alone on 31-yard catch and run

Videos

David Sills V's second TD catch in as many weeks gives Falcons the lead vs. Jets

Videos

Zane Gonzalez 52-yard FG recaptures Falcons lead entering fourth quarter

Videos

Kyle Pitts showcases his speed on 24-yard catch

Videos

Bijan Robinson is elusive on 5-yard TD run

Videos

Bijan Robinson races into Jets territory on 42-yard catch and run

Videos

Tyler Allgeier's eighth TD run of 2025 trims Jets' lead to 7-6 in second quarter

Videos

Leonard Floyd wraps up Tyrod Taylor for Falcons sack

Videos

Bijan Robinson enters cutback lane for 26-yard gain vs. Jets

More The Dallas News

Access More

Sign up for The Dallas News

a daily newsletter full of things to discuss over drinks.and the great thing is that it's on the house!