Scott Engel is in his 13th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com. Scott's work is also featured on The Athletic and SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.
The Seahawks are rolling, taking a four-game winning streak into the Week 15 Sunday night matchup against the Packers. Now is the time for you to get on a roll too, as the fantasy football playoffs open this week.
Winning a fantasy football championship requires pulling off a three-game winning streak in most leagues, beginning in Week 15. Yet you also cannot put extra pressure on yourself to succeed. Overthinking lineup decisions at this time of year can be dangerous. You know who the must-start players in the lineup are, and by this point of the season, it is also apparent who presents the best potential for production among the streamers and complementary lineup options.
We help fantasy players make the tough decisions as always in this column, featuring guys to start when faced with challenging lineup choices. The best approach to take is to make the most informed decisions possible and set the best lineup without obsessing over a final starting pick or two. Make a call and stick with it confidently, because you took a fantasy team this far. Matchups should only be used to compare two similarly valued players for lineup usage, not to make a pure determination on one player over another.
Zach Charbonnet Player Spotlight: The Top Fantasy Running Back of Week 14
Zach Charbonnet's career performance in Week 14 not only was a major factor in the Seahawks' key win over the Cardinals, it also launched many fantasy football teams into the postseason. His 134 rushing yards and two TDs, combined with seven receptions for 59 yards, translated into 38.4 fantasy points.
The second-year Seahawk put his full versatility on display, running with both physicality and speed when needed while operating as a frequently reliable receiving target on flat and shorter pass routes. The Seahawks' offensive line also did a fine job of paving openings that Charbonnet ran through with authority. He then turned on the jets when reaching the second level of defenders.
If he is needed to play a large role again this week, Charbonnet will be a must-start fantasy RB1. The Packers rank 27th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs over the last four weeks.
We reminded readers to roster Charbonnet as a fantasy insurance play at RB for several weeks. During the fantasy playoffs, it is absolutely vital to roster the top NFL complements/backups to your regular fantasy starters at RB. We list the best ones to roster as part of the Week 15 RB rundown. Our analysis leans to PPR scoring formats and players are listed in order of lineup preference at each position.
NFL Week 15: Running Back Starters
START Chuba Hubbard: I rank Hubbard just outside the RB1 field this week on RotoBaller.com, ahead of other higher-quality types such as Jonathan Taylor, James Conner, and Alvin Kamara. He finished as a fantasy RB1 in three of the past four weeks. Hubbard rushed for five TDs in his last five games, as an improving Bryce Young is effectively guiding the Carolina offense. The Cowboys rank 28th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs.
START Brian Robinson Jr.: The Commanders return from a bye with an exploitable matchup against the Saints. New Orleans may be without their starting QB and the defense might spend a lot of time on the field. New Orleans is tied for the second-most rushing TDs allowed to RBs this season (14). Robinson is up to eight rushing TDs on the year and it is possible he finds the end zone more than once this week.
START Rico Dowdle: The Dallas RB rushed for 100-plus yards in each of the last two games. The Cowboys have the fourth-best offensive line run-blocking matchup grade of any team on Pro Football Focus for Week 15. Dowdle is running hard, slipping and breaking tackles, and he can boost your fantasy team into the next round of the playoffs as Dallas takes on Carolina.
START Sincere McCormick: If you need a flex option for the opening round of the fantasy playoffs, the new Las Vegas lead running back should get strong consideration. He is averaging 5.5 yards per carry and Antonio Pierce indicated he intends to give McCormick more regular work. The 24-year-old runs with good vision and a determined approach, and the matchup against Atlanta's 17th-ranked run defense is certainly not one to fear from a fantasy perspective.
McCormick is a top 25 fantasy RB for NFL Week 15, so he is a quality option if you need a good streamer. Many fantasy players will still have to stream starters even though bye weeks are finished.
Fantasy Football Rankings: The Top Insurance Running Backs
It is essential to add these RBs if available, as fantasy football pickups to ensure you have the next man up on an NFL roster in case of an injury. Players are ranked based on projected potential for workloads.
- Jaylen Wright, Dolphins
- Trey Benson, Cardinals
- Justice Hill, Ravens
- Tyler Allgeier, Falcons
- Blake Corum, Rams
- Kendre Miller, Saints
- Cam Akers, Vikings
- Ray Davis, Bills
- Khalil Herbert, Bengals
- Chris Rodriguez, Commanders
- Tyler Goodson, Colts
- Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles
NFL Week 15: Wide Receiver Starters
START Khalil Shakir: We could be seeing a Super Bowl preview when the Bills take on the Lions in NFL Week 15. I am expecting a very high-scoring affair that will please fantasy players. Shakir has an 89.9 WR/CB matchup grade against the Lions cornerbacks on Pro Football Focus for Week 15. That grade qualifies as "Excellent." He is the most reliable Bills WR for fantasy purposes and is a must-start for the first playoff week.
START Adam Thielen: As you can gather, I will be looking to the Carolina-Dallas game for some healthy fantasy returns. Thielen is a favorite target for Young. The Panthers' veteran WR is a terrific safety option for the second-year QB. In the last two games, Thielen caught 17 of 21 targets for 201 yards and a TD. The Cowboys have allowed the most receptions to WRs over the past four weeks (62).
START Darnell Mooney: He is Atlanta's top downfield threat and should be started again for sure as a fantasy WR3 this week. Mooney finished with a career-high 142 receiving yards in Week 14 and he has an "Excellent" WR/CB matchup grade (86.4) vs. the Las Vegas cornerbacks in Week 15. The Atlanta WR finished with 85-plus receiving yards in four of his past six games. The Raiders allowed eight TD receptions to WRs in the last four weeks, tied for the most in the NFL.
START Marvin Harrison Jr.: The Seahawks' defense held the Cardinals to two passing TDs in two games, both in the last three weeks as Arizona lost three straight. To get the offense back on track, they need to get the ball to Harrison more frequently. The Cards have a winnable matchup against the Patriots this week. New England ranks 21st in FFPG allowed to WRs. Consider starting Harrison as a WR3.
More Week 15 Recommended WR Starters (in order of preference for lineup usage): Davante Adams vs JAC, Jakobi Meyers vs ATL, Jordan Addison vs. CHI, Zay Flowers vs. NYJ, Amari Cooper vs. DET, Jameson Williams vs. BUF, DeAndre Hopkins vs. CLE.
NFL Week 15: Quarterback Starters
START Tua Tagovailoa: Miami is trying to stay alive in the AFC playoff picture and Tagovailoa is doing his best to keep the Dolphins in the mix. He finished as a top 10 fantasy QB in each of the past four weeks, with 11 TD passes during that span. Houston has allowed 26 TD passes to opposing QBs, tied for the most in the NFL.
START Sam Darnold: Darnold is coming off a career game in Week 14 (five TD passes, 374 passing yards). Such a fantasy performance is hard to match, especially in a divisional game, but Darnold is still a top 10 QB for this week. The Bears have allowed the third-most passing yards to QBs over the past four weeks.
NFL Week 15: Tight End Starters
START Jake Ferguson: The Panthers allow the most FFPG to TEs. This will be Ferguson's second game back after returning from a concussion. Expect him to get more into the flow of the offense again as one of the top complements to CeeDee Lamb. He'll be a frequent option on key passing downs for Dallas. Ferguson is a top 12 fantasy TE for Week 15.
START Dalton Kincaid: He is a high-end TE2 for Week 15. As a fantasy player, I want as much involvement in the Buffalo-Detroit game as possible. Kincaid is expected to return from a knee injury and can be started by fantasy players who are streaming TEs.
NFL Week 15 Streaming Defenses: Washington (vs. New Orleans), New York Jets (vs. Jacksonville), Atlanta (vs. Las Vegas), Arizona (vs. New England).
Week 16 Streaming Defenses (for teams on a Week 15 bye): Buffalo (vs. New England), Indianapolis (vs. Tennessee), Atlanta (vs. New York Giants), Green Bay (vs. New Orleans).
Check out the Seahawks 53-man roster for the 2024 season.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaelon Darden (1).
This is a 2024 photo of Rayshawn Jenkins of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2).
This is a 2023 photo of Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4)
This is a 2023 photo of Jason Myers of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5)
This is a 2024 photo of Sam Howell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6)
This is a 2023 photo of Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7)
This is a 2024 photo of Coby Bryant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8)
This is a 2024 photo of Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)
This is a 2023 photo of Uchenna Nwosu of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10).
This is a 2024 photo of Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11)
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13).
This is a 2024 photo of DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14)
This is a 2024 photo of Tyler Lockett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16)
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18).
This is a 2024 photo of Jake Bobo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks rookie receiver Jake Bobo makes his first touchdown catch on a pass from Geno Smith in the fourth quarter.
This is a 2024 photo of Julian Love of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20)
This is a 2023 photo of Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21)
This is a 2024 photo of Tre Brown of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22)
This is a 2024 photo of Kenny McIntosh of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25)
This is a 2024 photo of Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26)
This is a 2024 photo of Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27)
This is a 2024 photo of Nehemiah Pritchett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28)
This is a 2024 photo of Josh Jobe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks S Jerrick Reed II is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32).
This is a 2024 photo of Brady Russell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38)
This is a 2024 photo of Chris Stoll of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41)
This is a 2024 photo of Drake Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42)
This is a 2024 photo of Tyrice Knight of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48)
This is a 2024 photo of Trevis Gipson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Trevis Gipson (50).
This is a 2024 photo of Olu Oluwatini of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51)
This is a 2023 photo of Patrick O'Connell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52).
This is a 2024 photo of Boye Mafe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53)
This is a 2023 photo of Dre'Mont Jones of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (55)
This is a 2024 photo of Derick Hall of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58)
This is a 2024 photo of Jalen Sundell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks offensive lineman Jalen Sundell (61)
This is a 2024 photo of Sataoa Laumea of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63)
This is a 2024 photo of Christian Haynes of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64)
This is a 2024 photo of Michael Jerrell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65)
This is a 2024 photo of Charles Cross of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2024 photo of Laken Tomlinson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70)
This is a 2023 photo of Abraham Lucas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72).
This is a 2024 photo of Cody White of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82).
This is a 2024 photo of Dareke Young of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83)
This is a 2024 photo of Pharaoh Brown of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86)
This is a 2022 photo of Noah Fant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 6, 2022 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87)
This is a 2024 photo of AJ Barner of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88)
This is a 2024 photo of Jarran Reed of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90)
This is a 2024 photo of Byron Murphy II of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91)
This is a 2024 photo of Mike Morris of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94)
This is a 2024 photo of Johnathan Hankins of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (97)
Seahawks defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris (98).
This is a 2024 photo of Leonard Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99)
