Start and sit Quarterbacks for fantasy football in Week 15

Each week, fantasy game managers with backend quarterback talent try to thread the needle on who is their best option to start. These outcomes can vary widely depending on game flow and matchups. There will be times when both quarterbacks fall into the winning column and weeks when they fall short of expectations. The trick is making the correct decision when one player delivers a winning day, and the other turns in a bust performance.

Must Start Quarterbacks in Week 15

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Heading into 2025, I had high hopes for the Cowboys’ passing attack with the addition of George Pickens and the expectation of a bounce-back season from CeeDee Lamb. My goal was to play Prescott at home based on his recent history in home/road splits. Surprisingly, he has three excellent showings (@NYJ – 237/4, @CAR – 261/3, and @LV – 268/4) this year away from Dallas, while being an easier sit on the road in challenging matchups (@PHI – 188/0, @CHI – 251/1, and @DEN – 188/0).

Prescott rides into Week 15 facing the Vikings with three consecutive games with over 300 yards passing. Dallas has scored 40, 40, 44, 17, 24, and 31 points at home, while reaching the endzone 23 times in these matchups.

Minnesota has the second-best quarterback defense (207.95 fantasy points) in four-point passing touchdown formats. Their last four opponents scored 12.25, 9.10, 5.40, and 4.70 fantasy points from the quarterback position. Quarterbacks had the best success midseason over three games (Jalen Hurts – 326/3, Justin Herbert – 289 combined yards with three touchdowns, and Jared Goff – 284/2).

In my early projections in Week 15, Prescott ranked 14th at quarterback based on his matchup. I have the Cowboys on a path to score 27 points in a game they are expected to win by 5.5 points, with an over/under of 47.5. Based on this, I have the Cowboys’ quarterback on a path to pass for 275 yards and two touchdowns, with Dallas scoring once on the ground. The key to Prescott reaching a higher outcome is Minnesota playing better offensively, starting with their young quarterback.

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

After 14 weeks, Goff sits 10th in quarterback fantasy points (268.70) in four-point passing touchdowns formats. He scored lower than 20.00 fantasy points in seven of his 13 starts while shining in only two contests (Week 2 – 334/5 and Week 10 – 320/3). Despite the appearance of a player with a dull ceiling, Goff is tied with Dak Prescott for second in passing touchdowns (26) and fifth in passing yards (3,334) while attempting 412 passes (10th).

The Rams’ defense has been excellent against running backs (3.8 yards per rush and two rushing touchdowns allowed). They’ve allowed the fifth-lowest fantasy points (241.40) to backs, suggesting Detroit wins via the pass in this contest. Los Angeles has allowed 18 passing touchdowns, but quarterbacks have averaged only 6.5 yards per pass attempt, while their defense has recorded 36 sacks.

Detroit lost its stud strong safety (Brian Branch) for the season last week, giving the Rams a higher chance of beating the Lions’ diminished secondary via the pass. Los Angeles will score in this game, forcing Goff to up his pass attempts. I have him projected to pass for 303 yards and two touchdowns, but Detroit will need more than that from him to win this contest.

Mac Jones (342/2 and 319/3) had the most success against the Rams this year, and one of those matchups the 49ers played without George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall, and Jauan Jennings.

Quarterbacks to Sit in Week 15

Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals

Over his last eight starts, Brissett has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He averaged 25.35 fantasy points, 324 combined yards, two touchdowns per game, highlighted by an exceptional passing opportunity (43.1 passer per game). Brissett even gets extra credit for consistency (24.90, 23.55, 27.45, 24.00, 28.60, 21.85, 23.65, and 22.75 fantasy points).

Unfortunately, the Cardinals travel to Houston this week and face the top-rated quarterback defense (200.70 fantasy points). The Texans allow 6.2 yards per pass attempt with quarterbacks tossing 12 touchdowns. They’ve allowed fewer than 18.50 fantasy points to 10 offenses, including the last five games (13.40, 16.00, 12.65, 18.15, and 11.90). Evelen quarterbacks have passed for fewer than 225 yards.

For the fantasy teams that have ridden Brissett to the fantasy postseason, it will be challenging to sit him, and many won’t have a better option. I have Brissett projected to pass for 238 yards with one passing touchdown and a 25% chance of scoring on the ground, totaling 17.28 fantasy points.

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

Nix falls into the sit column this week based on his matchup and his lack of passing touchdown production (2) over his last four starts. He ranks 9th in fantasy points (270.40) heading into Week 15 while coming off three dull fantasy days (9.50, 15.55, and 20.65). Nix has been his best in three home matchups (30.00, 42.75, and 27.35), but those outcomes came against bottom-tier ranking defenses (CIN, NYG, and DAL). On the positive side for Denver’s top passer is an uptick in passing attempts over the last three matchups (37, 45, and 38).

Green Bay surprisingly comes into this matchup as a 2.5-point favorite despite the Broncos winning 10 consecutive games. The Packers rank seventh against quarterbacks (224.80 fantasy points) while allowing a league-low 6.1 yards per pass attempt. The Packers have also faced the fewest number of rushing attempts by a quarterback (32/139/2). Five quarterbacks scored over 20.00 fantasy points, with Dak Prescott (319/3) having the most success. Green Bay has 33 sacks, but almost two-thirds have been in four games (4, 4, 6, and 5).

Nix rates poorly in this game, but he has the tools and coaching staff to outperform expectations. I have him as a sit, but the Broncos’ defense could give him a short field on some drives, which could help him score touchdowns.

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