Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 15th, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
Network: FOX
Writer: Christian Otteman (@COttemanPL on Twitter)
New York Jets
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: Sit, QB2
There are reasons to be tempted to start Aaron Rodgers this week. In Week 14, he threw for over 300 yards for the first time since 2021. Additionally, the Jaguars are the single best matchup for quarterbacks, allowing the second-most passing yards and the most fantasy points overall to the position. However, Rodgers has burned us far too many times in 2024 to consider starting him in the playoffs, at least in 1QB leagues. He’s yet to record a finish better than QB10 in a week this year. Don’t trust him to take your team to the semifinals.
Running Back
Breece Hall: Start, RB2
Braelon Allen: FLEX Option, RB3**
Isaiah Davis: FLEX Option, RB3**
The Jets’ RBs are a difficult bunch to predict at this time, as Breece Hall missed last week’s game with a knee injury and is reportedly “struggling” ahead of Week 15. We may have seen Hall play his last snaps in 2024, as it wouldn’t make sense for the Jets to risk the health of one of their best playmakers with the season lost. If he does play, he’ll be a risky low-end RB2. The interesting plays are the pair of rookies if Hall misses another week. Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis split the work almost exactly evenly both on the ground and through the air in Week 14, though it was Davis who found the end zone for the second straight week. It’s anyone’s guess as to which RB would be the better play in a Breeceless world, but both would be RB3/FLEX options if you’re hurting due to injuries. The Jaguars are a nice enough matchup for RBs that either (or both) could return value.
Wide Receiver
Garrett Wilson: Start, WR2
Davante Adams: Start, WR2
Allen Lazard: Sit
In a strong matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, both Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams are strong WR2 options. While both receivers are consistently earning double-digit targets in games, Adams has been the more consistent scorer of the two from a fantasy perspective over the past month. There’s no doubt that Wilson is the more athletic receiver at their respective career stages, but there is value in Adams’ connection with his old friend under center. Recent performance gives the slight edge to Adams in this matchup, but we’re starting both as solid WR2s after a pair of 100+ yard performances last week.
Tight End
Tyler Conklin: Sit
There’s no room for Tyler Conklin in your lineup during the fantasy playoffs. Look elsewhere, even if you’re desperate for a streamer. Names like Grant Calcaterra and Juwan Johnson would be better options.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Mac Jones: Sit
Mac Jones has a 2:5 touchdown to interception ratio this season. Please don’t do this.
Running Back
Travis Etienne Jr.: FLEX Option, RB3
Tank Bigsby: FLEX Option, RB3
I’ll get this out of the way first: if Breece Hall sits, I’d be more comfortable in playing either one of the Jets’ rookies over the Jaguars’ RBs. Both Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby would be extremely risky FLEX options to play in Week 15, given the uncertainty of their workloads and low likelihood to score. Last week, Bigsby shouldered the load on the ground with 18 carries to Etienne’s 4, but Etienne was unsurprisingly the preferred option in the passing game. If you must, I prefer Etienne’s floor to Bigsby’s, but I’d do everything I can to avoid this backfield altogether.
Wide Receiver
Brian Thomas Jr.: FLEX Option, WR3
Parker Washington: Sit
The Mac Jones era in Jacksonville has given talented rookie Brian Thomas Jr. back-to-back double-digit target games in the past two weeks, leading to a pair of top-20 finishes at WR. Even with a dire QB situation, BTJ has a chance to deliver as a FLEX in Week 15, but the impending return of Sauce Gardner makes things more challenging. There are a wide range of outcomes for BTJ in this matchup–if you’re risk-averse, it’s probably best to look elsewhere to find a receiver to carry you to the semifinals.
Parker Washington followed up his breakout 6-103-1 line in Week 13 with a 2-15-0 stinker in Week 14. He should be left on your benches this week, but I endorse stashing him in Dynasty Leagues if you have the room.
Tight End
Evan Engram: Start, TE1
He hasn’t quite seen the elite target volume we saw in 2023, but aside from Week 1, Evan Engram has seen at least 5 targets in every single game this season. That sort of volume matters at the TE position, even when Mac Jones is the one providing those looks. Engram should offer a relatively safe floor but a low ceiling in Week 15, making him a back-end TE1.