The NFL playoffs are now right around the corner and every game carries a little more weight from here on out. Week 15 will prove to be a turning or breaking point for several teams. The week was kicked off in a 12-6 victory by the Los Angeles Rams over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night in which neither team scored a touchdown.
There is a full 12-game slate on Sunday with plenty of seeding stakes on the line. With no more bye weeks and every team buckled up for the final stretch, expect plenty of exciting football this weekend.
There are far more ways to get involved in the action than just traditional betting. One of the more unique features on DraftKings this year is Pick6 Fantasy Football! This article will look at my top picks for the Week 15 slate in which you simply choose more than or less than the assigned statistic.
Bryce Young More Than 206.5 Passing Yards
The resurgence of Bryce Young has been one of the more notable storylines over the second half of the season. Last year’s No. 1 overall pick has had a rocky start to his NFL career and was benched midway through this season. He has looked like a different player since returning to the starting quarterback role. Young has played some high-level football over the past few weeks and has a great opportunity for some strong play and a victory this week against the Dallas Cowboys.
Since he has returned to the starting lineup, Young is averaging 212.2 passing yards per game. He has thrown for more than 206.5 passing yards in three of the six games and is coming off one-possession losses to the Buccaneers, Chiefs and Eagles across the past three games. Young and the Panthers will now face off against the Dallas Cowboys who rank 31st in points allowed and 26th in yards given up. Looking just at their pass defense, they rank 23rd in passing yards allowed, 20th in passing touchdowns conceded and 30th in net yards per pass attempt. They allowed 359 passing yards to Joe Burrow last week and have given up more than 206.5 passing yards in six of the past eight games.
Young is playing better football and will square off with a struggling defense this week. It may be a lost season for Carolina overall, but every week matters for Young as he looks to build into next season. Look for him to continue letting it fly and throw for more than 206.5 passing yards this week.
Isiah Pacheco More Than 57.5 Rushing Yards
The Kansas City Chiefs continue to tempt fate each week but still hold a 12-1 record. They have not had much success running the ball this season and rank 21st in rushing yards, 18th in rushing touchdowns and 26th in net yards per rush attempt on the season. Isiah Pacheco established himself as the every-down running back last season but this was derailed due to injury early this season. Kareem Hunt was brought back to the organization while Pacheco remained out, but now both running backs are active on the roster.
While Hunt will continue to be in the mix, Pacheco is re-emerging as the lead back. Last week, the Rutgers product had 15 carries compared to Hunt only having four rush attempts. Pacheco has not had his breakout performance since returning from injury and recorded 44 and 55 rushing yards in the two games since he returned to the field.
The Chiefs will face the Cleveland Browns this week who have struggled to stop the run. Overall, Cleveland ranks 26th in points allowed, 21st in yards given up, 22nd in rushing yards conceded, 29th in rushing touchdowns given up and 20th in net yards per rush attempt. Pacheco recorded more than 57.5 rushing yards in eight of the 14 games last season and looks like himself with the ball in his hands. The struggling Browns defense presents a get-right spot for Pacheco and 57.5 yards is a low margin for the former seventh-round pick. Expect his best rushing performance since his 90-yard output in Week 2 and for Pacheco to record more than 57.5 rushing yards against the Browns.
C.J. Stroud More Than 1.5 Passing Touchdowns
There has been a bit too much made about C.J. Stroud taking a step back in his second season. No, he is not leading the NFL in passing yards per game or interception rate as was the case last season. But when looking around at the level of quarterback play in the NFL, Stroud has still been more than satisfactory.
Stroud has thrown for more than 1.5 passing touchdowns four times this season and has a great chance to add to this against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins sit at 6-7 and are desperately trying to sneak into the playoffs. Their output hit a huge lull while Tua Tagovailoa suffered another concussion early this season. While its defensive numbers look better than expected, ranking 14th in points allowed, ninth in yards given up and allowing the fifth-fewest passing touchdowns, Miami has given up at least 15 points in each of the past eight weeks.
Expect there to be some offensive fireworks in this game and for both teams to have some offensive success. Look for this to be a get-right spot for one of the rising stars in the NFL who has not played up to his standard for most of the season. Expect Houston to air the ball out more this week and for Stroud to throw for more than 1.5 touchdowns against the Dolphins.
Jameis Winston Less Than 10.5 Rushing Yards
The Cleveland Browns received a necessary spark midseason when Jameis Winston stepped into the starting lineup following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury. Winston has aired the ball out plenty and breathed life into the passing game. However, his mobility with his legs is not one of his strengths.
In fairness to Winston, he has tallied at least one rush attempt in every game as a starter this season. He has recorded rushing outputs of 13, 22, 18, 0, 22 and 16 yards. This should be looked at as more of an outlier than the expectation moving forward. These have almost entirely come off scrambles rather than designed runs. During his last season as a primary starter back in 2019, Winston was held to less than 10.5 rushing yards in eight of the 16 games.
Looking at this matchup, the Browns will face off with the Chiefs. Kansas City has a stingy defense and an offense that can break free for a strong scoring output in any game. If the Browns fall behind early, the focus will especially be on the passing game. Expect Cleveland to attack through the air and for Winston to be held to less than 10.5 rushing yards.
Xavier Legette More Than 37.5 Receiving Yards
One of the biggest beneficiaries of the improved passing game from the Panthers has been Xavier Legette. The rookie pass catcher is averaging 33.2 receiving yards per game but has recorded more than 37.5 receiving yards in four consecutive games leading into this matchup. He has recorded at least one catch in every game except one this season and as many as six in a game.
This is a great matchup for Legette as the Panthers face the struggling Cowboys defense. Dallas ranks 31st in points allowed, 26th in yards conceded, 23rd in passing yards given up and 30th in net yards per pass attempt. Injuries have further magnified the defensive issues for the Cowboys.
While this is a winnable game for Carolina, the priority is continuing to keep Bryce Young on the proper developmental path. Legette is a key part of this and will continue to see a healthy dose of targets. There have been flashes of chemistry between the young quarterback and wide receiver duo. Look for this to continue in this Week 15 matchup and for Legette to record more than 37.5 receiving yards for the fifth consecutive game.
Joe Burrow More Than 274.5 Passing Yards
The Cincinnati Bengals have dropped to 5-8 on the season and their path to the playoffs continues to narrow. Very little of this responsibility should fall on the shoulders of Joe Burrow. If the season outlook and record were different, Burrow may very well be in the MVP conversation. The Bengals’ franchise signal-caller leads the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns. He has 33 passing touchdowns and has only thrown six interceptions on the season overall.
While the outlook is bleak, expect Burrow to do everything in his power to give the team a chance to win. The former No. 1 overall pick is averaging 285.1 passing yards per game and has thrown for 309 or more yards in each of the past four weeks.
Tennessee’s defensive metrics are all over the place. It ranks 27th in points allowed but second in yards given up. The Titans also have allowed the fewest passing yards but rank 20th in passing touchdowns conceded. Will Levis’ turnover issues are the largest reason why but Josh Allen is the only other quarterback in the same tier of talent as Burrow that the Titans have faced. Burrow is playing at an incredibly high level and should be expected to record more than 274.5 passing yards for the fifth consecutive week as he desperately looks to keep the Bengals’ playoff hopes alive.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (“Pick Set”) of at least two players and select whether you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you cannot pick the same player twice and you must select players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is seanbarnard) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.Must be at least 18 years or older. Higher age limits may apply in some states. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid only in states where DraftKings Pick6 operates. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. Winning a contest on DraftKings depends on knowledge and exercise of skill. See terms at pick6.draftkings.com.
