The Rundown: Week 15 Stats to Know & Jets vs Ravens

Week 14, for many, was the start of the fantasy playoffs. It was a rough week for owners of LeVeon Bell, Aaron Rodgers, Saquon Barkley, and Russell Wilson among others. For those who remain, be it through advancing in the playoffs or being good enough to get a bye, this week will be a tough one to navigate with players like Marvin Jones hitting the IR and others still questionable for Week 15. That said, fantasy teams that made the playoffs did so using season-long tactics that still apply here including mining the waiver wire and playing the matchups.

Each week, I will provide a preview article with some key overall stats to watch for along with the Thursday game preview that includes start/sit ratings. Then, there will be subsequent previews later in the week with all the other games in time for the remaining fantasy decisions before kickoff. For much of this data, I will be using 4for4's Snaps, Touches, and Targets Apps as well as analyzing each team's pace and play-calling tendencies.

Ten Stats to Know for Week 15

• Awesomely bad: Jameis Winston became just the second player since the NFL merger to throw for over 400 yards with three or more interceptions twice in the same year.
• Do everything: Austin Ekeler became the fourth player in the last 10 years to record 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game.
• Big game Slayton: Darius Slayton is the 11th rookie to catch multiple touchdown passes in three or more different games in a season. A.J. Brown and Marquise Brown are both at two currently.
• Strive for 25: Christian McCaffrey has nine games with 25-plus PPR points. He could tie the single-season record if he reaches the mark in all three remaining games.
• A low bar: Aaron Rodgers has failed to reach 200 passing yards in three of the past five games. He has never done it more than four times in a season.
• Mixon it up: Joe Mixon is one of five running backs to score 80 PPR points or more over the past five weeks and is the RB4 during that time.
• He’s a Lock: Drew Lock is just the seventh quarterback to throw for multiple touchdowns in each of his first two career games.
• In the 90s: This is the first season since 1985 that two different games ended up in a combined score greater than 90.
• Red zone running: The Ravens have run the ball in the red zone 92 times this season. The next closest is the Vikings at just 73.
• Setting the bar: Michael Thomas is on pace to be the first player to receive over 180 targets and catch over 80% of them. Antonio Brown is the only receiver to catch over 70%.

Jets @ Ravens

Spread: Ravens -14.5 | Total: 45

The betting line makes it clear how this game is viewed. While the Jets have looked much improved with Sam Darnold, showing positive trends for 2020, this game will be a reality check. The Ravens reminded the NFL of their dominance with recent wins over the 49ers and Bills. Their top-ranked rushing offense should test the Jets second-ranked run defense.

New York Jets

The Jets offense has been good with 370 or more total yards of offense in three of their past four games. It has been a mix of run and pass, which will be what they need to attack a Ravens defense who ranks top 10 in both. Volume will be the key for any fantasy relevance here, which is why LeVeon Bell, assuming full health, is capable of being a fringe starter here.

Team Trends That Matter

• Their 23.0% scoring rate on offensive drives ranks last in the NFL.
• The Jets have only allowed three touchdown receptions to non-wide receivers.
• Rank last with just 27 rushing attempts in the red zone.

Fantasy Rating and a Stat to Know

• QB Sam Darnold (0) - Multiple touchdown passes in three of the last four games
• RB LeVeon Bell (3) - At least four receptions in four of the past five games
• WR Robby Anderson (3) - The WR10 over the last three weeks
• WR Jamison Crowder (1) - Has caught just seven of his last 20 targets

Baltimore Ravens

The Jets stout run defense may scare off some teams, but the Ravens won’t be deterred here. Still, expect a few extra passes from Lamar Jackson but regardless of how he scores, he will have his way once again here. The only possible deterrent is an early blowout.

Team Trends That Matter

• The last two opposing running backs have seen over 20 total touches and 17-plus PPR points against the Ravens.
• Their 55.6% scoring rate on offensive drives ranks first in the NFL.
• Lead the NFL with 215 plays run in the red zone.

Fantasy Rating and a Stat to Know

• QB Lamar Jackson (5) - Hasn’t thrown over 25 passes in a game since Week 6
• RB Mark Ingram (4) - Just one game with fewer than 10 rushing attempts this season
• WR Marquise Brown (3) - Has totaled -1 receiving yards over the past two weeks
• WR Mark Andrews (4) - Played just nine snaps in Week 14, a season-low

Fantasy Rating Key

• (5) - Elite option. Must start.
• (4) - Strong option. Likely start.
• (3) - Good option. Low-end starter to high-end backup.
• (2) - Weak option. Possible flex or desperation play.
• (1) - Bad option. Bench in nearly all cases.
• (0) - Not an option. Injured, bench, or waivers.