• Add Matthew Stafford: The Los Angeles Rams‘ starting quarterback has thrown plenty of touchdowns recently and has an excellent Week 15 matchup.

• Watch for injury news: Injuries to Josh Jacobs, Alexander Mattison, Isiah Pacheco and Brian Robinson Jr. could lead to big opportunities for their backups.

• Add D’Onta Foreman: His injury led him to get dropped in several leagues, but he remained the Bears' starting running back this past week.

Estimated Reading Time: 21 minutes

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Quarterback

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (Rostered in 33.5% of leagues on ESPN)

Stafford threw three touchdown passes in the Rams' overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

• This was his third straight game with three-plus touchdowns despite several injuries to the Rams’ receivers in that time.
• Stafford’s 10 touchdowns in the past three weeks lead the league, and he has also thrown for 802 yards over the span, ranking sixth.
• Stafford plays the Washington Commanders in Week 15. Washington has allowed the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
• Other fantasy free-agent quarterbacks posted big games this week, including Joe Flacco, Zach Wilson and Jake Browning, but Stafford has a much better matchup this week and a higher floor compared to those in that group.

Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (22.9%)

Carr completed 18 of his 26 passes for 119 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the Saints’ victory over the Carolina Panthers.

• This was not Carr’s best game, but injuries are a factor, both for him and his receivers. Rashid Shaheed, Michael Thomas and Taysom Hill have all missed time.
• Carr should be left out of fantasy starting lineups this week, as the Saints play the New York Giants. New Orleans will be running the ball all game, and Carr and his receivers need time to recover.
• The Saints play the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16. The Rams have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. New Orleans also plays the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17, a team that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
• For the most part, only fantasy managers who might need a quarterback during the championship round should consider Carr.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (48.4%)

Mayfield completed 14 of his 29 pass attempts for 144 yards and two touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons.

• This was not Mayfield’s best game, but the Falcons’ defense has done a great job at stopping quarterbacks in recent weeks.
• He has been an inconsistent fantasy quarterback throughout the season but generated three top-12 games since Week 7.
• The Buccaneers play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. Jacksonville has allowed the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
• That will likely be a must-win game for both teams. The Buccaneers will probably be playing from behind and need to throw a lot.
• Mayfield should be the top option for fantasy managers looking for a quarterback in Week 16.

Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (16.0%)

Levis threw for 224 yards and a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13.

• He has yet to live up to his four-touchdown performance in his first NFL game, but he has slowly improved as a passer.
• He graded out below 60.0 in each start from Weeks 9-11 and above 60.0 in Weeks 12-13.
• The Titans play the Houston Texans in Week 15. Houston has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year. This gives Levis the best matchup among quarterbacks available in at least 80% of ESPN leagues.
• The Titans and Texans play again in Week 17, so if Levis shows out the first time, there’s a chance he could play well the second time.
• The Titans play in Week 14 on Monday Night Football, and the hope is that Levis takes another step in the right direction.

Running Back

Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders (0.5%)

Josh Jacobs suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter in Week 14 and didn’t return.

• The Raiders played only six offensive snaps after the injury.
• Ameer Abdullah took the snap immediately after the injury because it was a third down. He also took the third snap on the following drive and the two snaps in the last two minutes because they were in clear passing situations.
• White took the other two snaps. White would presumably take Jacobs’ role if the 2019 first-rounder misses time.
• The Raiders play the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football. The short turnaround makes it less likely that Jacobs plays this week.
• Given how well running backs typically perform against the Chargers and the possibility of White playing 15-20 snaps, he is the top waiver-wire option of the week unless Jacobs is good to go.
• The Raiders also play the Colts during the fantasy championship round. Indianapolis has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs.

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