Fantasy Football Week 15 Recap: 12 Things You Need To Know

Week 15 was as tumultuous as any we have seen in 2022. There were numerous multi-score comebacks including the NFL’s largest-ever deficit overcome on a special Saturday slate of games. The fantasy playoffs kicked off in most leagues and there were some unexpected stars along with disappointment from normally dependent fantasy contributors. Fortunately, this was a week rather light on injuries. Here is what I saw.

Bright Stars

Jalen Hurts started slowly but finished strong. After two early interceptions, Hurts hit his stride. Rebounding to throw for 315 yards, Hurts led the Eagles to their 13th win of the season. He did the majority of his damage on the ground. Hurts ran for 61 yards and three rushing scores.

Jalen Hurts has 35 pass + rush TD this season.

Tied with Randall Cunningham (1990) for most in a single season in #Eagles history. #FlyEaglesFly

— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) December 18, 2022

Patrick Mahomes delivered in Houston. Remarkably accurate, Mahomes completed 36 of 41 attempts. He amassed 356 yards through the air. This was the eighth time in nine games that he topped 300 passing yards. He tossed two touchdown passes and contributed 33 yards and a touchdown with his feet.

Trevor Lawrence was a major factor in one of the week’s wild comebacks. Coming off his season-high in passing yardage, Lawrence tacked on another 318 yards passing against Dallas. He threw four touchdowns, including three in the second half as the Jaguars came roaring back to force overtime. Lawrence has now thrown 11 touchdowns over his last four games.

Derrick Henry carried the Titans’ offense again. Posting his second consecutive 100+ yard performance, Henry paced the team with 21 carries. He caught all four of his targets in the passing game, earning 59 receiving yards to go along with his 104 rushing. He reached the end zone in the second quarter. Henry has passed the century mark in seven of his 14 games this season.

Dim Stars

Davante Adams faltered in Week 15. After posting 70 or more receiving yards in six straight contests, Adams crashed back to Earth. Despite leading the team with nine targets, Adams was only able to put away four of them for 28 yards. Derek Carr threw three touchdowns, but none to Adams as the receiver failed to reach double digits in PPR scoring for just the third time this season.

Rachaad White had a quiet day in a Tampa Bay loss. Out-touched by teammate, Leonard Fournette, White rushed 11 times for 38 yards. He caught one of two targets but added only five receiving yards. Fantasy managers who started White in the playoffs likely regret that decision.

Miles Sanders had his worst fantasy day of the year to date. He carried the ball 11 times yet only amassed 42 rushing yards. He also fumbled away his only reception leading to a Bears touchdown two plays later. He posted less than two points in PPR scoring. Chances are he was a drain on numerous playoff rosters this week.

D'Onta Foreman was a non-factor facing Pittsburgh. Despite having gained 70+ yards in five of his last seven contests, Foreman failed to reach double digits in rushing yards for the first time since Christian McCaffrey was traded. He earned nine yards on 10 carries and was not targeted in the passing game. The Steelers held the Panthers to 21 yards rushing as a team.

Rising Stars?

Zay Jones led all receivers in fantasy scoring on Sunday. With his second 100+ yard performance of the year and just the third of his career, Jones scorched the Cowboys’ secondary. He compiled 109 receiving yards and reached the end zone three times in Jacksonville’s come-from-behind victory.

Zay Jones has more TDs today than he did in his three seasons with the Raiders (2019-2021)

— Ryan McDowell (@RyanMc23) December 18, 2022

Jerick McKinnon delivered a second straight multi-touchdown effort. The versatile running back saw a season-high in touches with 18. He rushed 10 times for 52 yards and a score. He caught all eight of his targets contributing 70 yards and an additional touchdown through the air. He has 30+ PPR points in each of his last two outings.

Tyler Allgeier had his biggest game yet. Allgeier set new career-highs in carries with 17 and rushing yards with 139. It was his first 100+ yard game. Allgeier may have added value in the remainder of the fantasy playoffs as the Falcons have made the switch to rookie quarterback, Desmond Ridder. It is likely the team will rely on their run game to support their young signal caller.

Injury Concerns

Colt McCoy left the game early in the third quarter. McCoy was later ruled out with a concussion. He will enter the protocol and his status for Week 16 is yet to be known. McCoy was replaced by third-string quarterback, Trace McSorley.