Sit/Start 2023 Week 15: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Monday, December 19th, 2023, 8:15 PM ET

Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA

Betting Odds: Eagles -3.5, O/U 47.5 via OddsShark

Expected Weather: 48 F, Showers

Network: ESPN

Writer: Christian Otteman (@COttemanPL on Twitter/X)

Philadelphia Eagles

Quarterbacks

Jalen Hurts (Start, QB1)

After turning in his worst fantasy performance of the year in Week 14, you shouldn’t have any doubts about starting Jalen Hurts in your first playoff matchup. Hurts has been among the most consistent QBs in the league this year, turning in top-12 performances in all but three weeks. He sits behind Josh Allen as the QB2 on the season. While he failed to score in any capacity last week for the first time all season, Hurts should have no trouble finding the end zone against a Seahawks defense allowing the 10th-most points and 7th-most rushing yards to opposing QBs. Fire up Hurts as a surefire QB1 in Week 15.

Running Backs

D’Andre Swift (Start, RB2), Kenneth Gainwell (Sit)

After a couple of brutal matchups against the 49ers and Cowboys, D’Andre Swift will look to get back on track against a Seahawks run defense allowing the 5th-most points to opposing RBs on the season. While a good matchup on paper, Swift’s role is a bit more unclear as backfield mate Kenneth Gainwell has taken a larger share of snaps in the backfield the past couple of weeks. Gainwell was in on 54% and 45% of snaps in Weeks 13 and 14 to Swift’s 42% and 51%, showing a more evenly split backfield than we’ve seen for much of the season. Combine that with the fact that Jalen Hurts is the go-to goal-line rusher and it’s tough to recommend Swift as more than a low-end RB2 play for this week. Meanwhile, Gainwell has not finished higher than RB24 at any point this season, meaning that you should look for higher-upside options in the FLEX position.

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

A.J. Brown (Start, WR1) DeVonta Smith (Start, WR2),  Dallas Goedert (Start, TE1)

It’s no secret that the targets in this offense are concentrated between the Eagles’ “big three” of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert. No other pass-catcher received more than 1 target in last week’s game against the Cowboys. While A.J. Brown has slowed down since the Eagles’ BYE week, he dominates a massive part of the target share in this offense and gets a great matchup this week against a Seahawks secondary allowing the 7th-most points to opposing receivers. Brown will most frequently see coverage from Tariq Woolen when he lines up on the right but will also go up against rookie standout Devon Witherspoon on occasion. Nevertheless, Brown is locked in as a WR1 this week in this matchup with a high projected total of 47.5. We should see plenty of yards and scores in this game, and Brown can play a key role in winning you your first playoff matchup.

DeVonta Smith thrived in the absence of Dallas Goedert, who returned to game action playing 84% of snaps in Week 14. Even in Goedert’s return, Smith garnered 10 targets, keeping his streak of 8+ targets in every game since the BYE alive. DeVonta has a large enough target share and is talented enough to push WR1 numbers in this plus matchup, but we’re sliding him in as a WR2 as long as Goedert is on the field. Speaking of Dallas Goedert, he faces a middling defensive matchup against a Seahawks defense that ranks 15th against TEs. The caveat is that Seattle does allow the 9th-most yards to opposing tight ends, meaning that Goedert has a good chance to post a decent yardage total in a good matchup against LB Jordyn Brooks. Though he’s only been a top-12 TE twice this season, Goedert slides in as a low-end TE1 this week thanks to his target share and the game environment.

Seattle Seahawks

Quarterback

Geno Smith (Start, QB1) or Drew Lock (Start, QB2)

As of the time this article is being written, it’s unclear whether it’ll be Geno Smith or Drew Lock taking snaps under center for the home team this Monday. The good news for investors in the Seahawks offense is that the Eagles are a great matchup in the passing game, with their porous secondary allowing the 2nd-most fantasy points and 5th-most passing yards to opposing QBs. Geno Smith is the better option and would slide in as a QB1 in this shootout, but it’s worth noting that Drew Lock performed well against an extremely tough 49ers defense in Week 14. If Smith is forced to miss another game, Lock would rank as a high-end QB2 worth a start in Superflex formats and would even be a decent start in 1QB leagues if you’re dealing with injuries (get well soon, Justin Herbert).

Running Backs

Kenneth Walker III (Start, FLEX), Zach Charbonnet (Start, FLEX)

In his return to game action, Kenneth Walker III saw a near-even split with Zach Charbonnet in terms of workload (56%-42% of snaps, respectively). While Charbonnet was easily the more efficient runner on the ground, Walker saw the bulk of the passing down work, hauling in 4 of 5 targets in Week 14. This is a Pete Carroll backfield, meaning that the workload split is never clear, but both backs have a tough matchup against an Eagles front seven allowing the third-fewest points to RBs. In a potential shootout, both RBs can be started as FLEX options if necessary, but it’s a coin flip on which back will have the better fantasy day.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

DK Metcalf (Start, WR2), Tyler Lockett (Start, WR3), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Start, FLEX), Noah Fant (Sit, TE2)

Playing against an Eagles secondary allowing the most points to WRs this year, this could be a big week for the Seahawks pass catchers. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett will primarily see coverage from James Bradberry and Darius Slay on the outside, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba will most commonly face Bradley Roby in the slot. Metcalf has the highest upside in this group and sits on the WR1/2 borderline for this matchup with the potential to win your week with a couple of big plays. Lockett and Smith-Njigba are both fine starts this week as well, especially in PPR leagues. The Eagles are among the league’s worst in allowing receptions, yards, and TDs to opposing receivers, meaning a big week could be in store for any or all of the members of this group.

Looking at the TE matchup, the Eagles allowed the 6th-most points to TEs, but Noah Fant hasn’t had a prolific enough season to recommend starting outside of leagues requiring multiple starts from the position. He’s squarely in the TE2 ranks as a classic “touchdown or bust” candidate.