Thursday Night Football just means a little more when it’s the fantasy football playoffs. For most, it’s win or go home, so these lineup decisions have to be perfect. In order to make that happen, we’re going to be looking at the top 24 quarterbacks and tight ends to help with your start/sit decisions.
As always, these rankings are constructed through statistical analysis, matchup data, sportsbook data, and film. Good luck!
Week 15 QB Rankings
Tier 1
1. Lamar Jackson @ NYG
2. Josh Allen @ DET
Tier 2
3. Joe Burrow @ TEN
4. Jayden Daniels @ NO
5. Jalen Hurts vs PIT
Tier 3
6. Tua Tagovailoa @ HOU
7. Baker Mayfield @ LAC
8. Kyler Murray vs NE
9. Bo Nix vs IND
10. Sam Darnold vs CHI
11. Brock Purdy vs LAR
Tier 4
12. Jordan Love @ SEA
13. Jared Goff vs BUF
14. Justin Herbert vs TB
Tier 5
15. Drake Maye @ ARI
16. Caleb Williams @ MIN
17. Anthony Richardson @ DEN
18. Matthew Stafford @ SF
19. Jameis Winston vs KC
Tier 6
20. Patrick Mahomes @ CLE
21. C.J. Stroud vs MIA
22. Aaron Rodgers @ JAC
23. Geno Smith vs GB
24. Russell Wilson @ PHI
Must Start: QB
Tua Tagovailoa @ HOU
ESPN Projection - QB14
For the FTR start of the week, the players that will be eligible for this list are all close to being ranked as a back-end QB1/TE1 based on ESPN’s PPR projections. After going down with another concussion, Tua Tagovailoa has come back on a tear. In Tagovailoa’s last four games, he’s been dominant, scoring at least 23 points.
Facing off against the Houston Texans in week 15, that trend should continue. The Texans have allowed the 12th most fantasy points to quarterbacks (236.8), making this a good matchup. With the Dolphins as 2.5-point underdogs on FanDuel Sportsbook, we can expect them to have to throw the ball a fair amount as well. Expect Tagovailoa to keep this streak up with another 20-point game.
Week 15 TE Rankings
Tier 1
1. Trey McBride vs NE
2. Brock Bowers vs ATL
3. George Kittle vs LAR
Tier 2
4. Travis Kelce @ CLE
5. Jonnu Smith @ HOU
Tier 3
6. Mark Andrews @ NYG
7. T.J. Hockenson vs CHI
8. Sam LaPorta vs BUF
9. Tucker Kraft @ SEA
10. Evan Engram vs NYJ
Tier 4
11. Cade Otton @ LAC
12. Zach Ertz @ NO
13. Hunter Henry @ ARI
14. Pat Freiermuth @ PHI
Tier 5
15. Jake Ferguson @ CAR
16. Dalton Kincaid @ DET
17. Kyle Pitts @ LV
18. Cole Kmet @ MIN
Tier 6
19. Mike Gesicki @ TEN
20. Juwan Johnson vs WAS
21. Dalton Schultz vs MIA
22. Ja'Tavion Sanders vs DAL
23. Noah Fant vs GB
24. Noah Gray vs @ CLE
Must Start: TE
Tucker Kraft @ SEA
ESPN Projection - TE17
The 2024 season has been very rocky for Tucker Kraft, but he’s been productive in his last three games. In weeks 12-14, Kraft has scored over 10 points in every game and is averaging 4.7 targets during the span. While these numbers aren’t going to blow you away, Kraft can give you solid production as a low-end TE1.
Heading into week 15, Kraft gets to take on the Seattle Seahawks, who have been below average in defending tight ends this year. So far, the Seahawks have allowed the 11th most fantasy points (175.3) to tight ends. On top of that, PFF’s TE Matchup Tool has Kraft with a 24% matchup advantage. That’s an extremely impressive score, ranking 7th on the week.