If you’re reading this, in all likelihood that means you’ve made it as far as your fantasy football playoffs. Maybe your team is stacked and you have no concerns heading into these do-or-die matchups. It’s more likely though that you’re gonna need to strike fantasy gold this weekend to keep moving on. The bold predictions below are not guaranteed, but the Fantrax staff has put a lot of thought into targeting players that could pay off big-time in crunch time.
2022 NFL Week 15 Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Bold Prediction: 18 rushes, 90 yards, 2 touchdowns; 2 receptions, 15 yards
24.5 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Colin McTamany, @Colin_McT on Twitter
Colin’s Breakdown: Week 15 is the beginning of the 2022 fantasy football playoffs. It’s also going to be the first time rookie Isiah Pacheco scores 20 or more fantasy points. That’s my bold prediction.
His Week 15 matchup with the Houston Texans simply cannot come at a better time. When fantasy managers are sweating who to start in the opening round of playoffs, look no further than the guy with the absolute best matchup for running backs. The Texans are allowing the most rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns to the position this season. Pacheco is on a five-game streak of leading the Kansas City backfield in carries. He has at least 13 in each in that span with an average of 16. In a game where the Chiefs are two-score favorites, I expect Pacheco to see an above-average amount of targets with an opportunity to run wild.
In addition to Pacheco’s massive rushing upside in Week 15, he is starting to see a few looks in the passing game, as well. Six of Pacheco’s nine total targets this season have come in the Chiefs’ last three games. He has 56 total receiving yards as a result of catching all six of those targets. I know his teammate, Jerrick McKinnon, is fresh off of an overall RB1 finish last week, but he mixed in more as the Denver Broncos threatened a late-game comeback. I’m not expecting the Texans to do the same. Pacheco is going to carry the rock and kill the clock on Sunday so get him in your lineups.
Mike White, QB, New York Jets
Bold Prediction: 350 passing yards, 2 touchdowns
22.0 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Lauren Auerbach, @lkauerbach on Twitter
Lauren’s Breakdown: Let me start by pointing out that Mike White is dealing with a rib injury and hasn’t officially been named the Jets’ Week 15 starter. However, he’s declared he’s “ready to roll” this week, and assuming he suits up, I’m here for it. White gets a tasty home matchup against Detroit. The Lions are the leakiest unit against quarterbacks, allowing 23.32 fantasy points per game to the position. I love White’s upside this week, making him one of my favorite quarterback plays for the start of the fantasy playoffs.
The Lions are a vulnerable unit through the air. They’ve given up the third-most passing yards this season and were just picked apart by Kirk Cousins to the tune of 425 yards and two touchdowns in Week 14. White should also be able to take advantage. Since taking over the starting quarterback reins in Week 12, he’s elevated the Jets’ passing game. In the last three weeks, he’s averaging 43 pass attempts and 317 passing yards per game, both ranking as the third-highest among quarterbacks over that span.
The Jets and Lions are both in must-win mode, setting the stage for a potential shootout. For my bold prediction, I like White to keep rolling through the air and finish as a top-10 quarterback in Week 15.
Chris Moore, WR, Houston Texans
Bold Prediction: 7 receptions, 150 yards
22.0 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Bradlee Kilgore, @SirBradleeK on Twitter
Bradlee’s Breakdown: Chris Moore had a monster week last week versus the Dallas Cowboys. He caught 10 of his 11 targets for 124 receiving yards. There are two factors that led to his success. Davis Mills started at quarterback, a dramatic improvement from Kyle Allen, which allowed them to actually move the ball on offense. The second factor was that Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins were injured. This week Moore has three factors at his advantage: One, Davis Mills remains the starting quarterback. Two, Cooks and Collins are unlikely to play again. Three, the Texans are facing the Kansas City Chiefs, which is a worse pass defense than the Cowboys. That could make for a more special performance. Keep an eye on Moore this week.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Cleveland Browns
Bold Prediction: 10 receptions, 88 yards, 1 touchdown
24.8 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Michael Quintero, @WeekendMike on Twitter
Michael’s Breakdown: Donovan Peoples-Jones is starting to look like Deshaun Watson’s favorite target. I know Amari Cooper is still there, but last week Peoples-Jones had 12 targets to Cooper’s seven. People may forget, but Watson is elite when it comes to spreading the ball around. Back in Houston, Will Fuller V was a top fantasy receiver alongside De’Andre Hopkins. Watson is getting better each week, and so is Peoples-Jones. This week the Browns host the Baltimore Ravens, who are giving up the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. I am making the bold prediction that Peoples-Jones will have not only another huge game, but his best of the fantasy football season.
Elijah Moore, WR, New York Jets
Bold Prediction: 6 receptions, 105 yards, 1 touchdown
22.5 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Reese Jones, @PotPharma on Twitter
Reese’s Breakdown: It’s an up-and-down (mostly down) year for Elijah Moore. However, things seem to be turning around after Moore was targeted a season-high 10 times last week against the Buffalo Bills. Moore was able to turn those 10 targets into six receptions for 60 yards. Modest production, but definitely a step in the right direction. I believe that he will be able to build on this momentum this week.
The Lions’ secondary will still be tending to fresh burns provided by Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and K.J. Osborn. Jefferson went off for 200+ receiving yards while Thielen and Osborn each scored a touchdown. That makes five passing touchdowns allowed in the last three games for the Lions. Elijah Moore has been inconsistent all season, but with Corey Davis in the concussion protocol, the volume should be there for Moore in a game where the Jets will likely need to score a ton to have a chance of winning. It’s my bold prediction that Moore to eclipse the century mark and finds the end zone.
Also make sure to check out our Week 15 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex Rankings