I cannot stress enough to start your studs in the fantasy football playoffs. However, we now know that certain studs, such as Keenan Allen, Josh Jacobs, and others are unavailable in Week 15. So, in the event you do need to swing for the fences a bit, I’m giving you a bold prediction for one player at each position that I think can help get you to Week 16.
2023 NFL Week 15 Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Bold Prediction: 305 passing yards, 4 touchdowns
28.2 fantasy points
Matthew Stafford is on an absolute heater. He is averaging 267 passing yards per game over his last three performances. Additionally, Stafford has 10 total touchdown passes over this three-game stretch. It’s worth noting, too, he threw three touchdown passes in each of his last two against the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, two of the best defenses in the league.
More importantly, Stafford has no less than 22.96 fantasy points in a game since Week 11. As a result, Stafford ranks as the QB7, QB8, and QB5 respectively over the last three weeks, as well. If for whatever reason he is available in your league, just add him now, even if you don’t need him, so nobody else can have him.
My Week 15 bold prediction for Stafford is based on his recent success with consideration to the matchup ahead. The Washington Commanders have to travel to the West Coast to take on Stafford and the Rams this Sunday. Washington’s defense is allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks per game (21.5) this season. Since trading away Chase Young and Montez Sweat at the trade deadline, they’re allowing 22.02 points per game which would be the most on average the full season.
The only thing stopping Stafford from finishing inside the top-five this week is goal-to-go situational rushing touchdowns from the backfield, namely Kyren Williams. Otherwise, my bold prediction has a good shot as Stafford is likely to air it out to Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and others in front of their home crowd. If you need an advantage at quarterback in Week 15, take it with Stafford. For those who lose Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow, or maybe without C.J. Stroud, plugging Stafford into your Week 15 lineup is what gets you into the semifinals.
Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Bold Prediction: 15 carries, 70 yards, 1 touchdown; 3 receptions, 30 yards
19.0 fantasy points
Alexander Mattison accounts for 64.8% of the Vikings’ running back carries this season. The other 35.2% belong to Cam Akers, who tore his Achilles, Kene Nwangwu, who has four total carries, and Ty Chandler. As we enter Week 15, we already know Alexander Mattison isn’t going to make the trip to take on the Cincinnati Bengals due to an ankle sprain. That sets up Ty Chandler perfectly to cash in on my Week 15 bold prediction for him.
As previously alluded to, Ty Chandler is the Vikings’ second-leading rusher this season with 203 yards on 49 carries. Behind him are Cam Akers, who is on Injured Reserve, and quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who we now know will serve as the team’s third-string option with Nick Mullens getting the start. As a result, Chandler is bound to see a heavy majority of the team’s rush attempts on Saturday afternoon.
Despite preparing to start their fourth different quarterback this season, the Minnesota Vikings remain the third pass-heaviest team in the league. In Week 15, Nick Mullens will have a full complement of weapons in Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison, though Jefferson does have deep bruising of the ribs. That said, Ty Chandler should figure to see a few check-down looks in Week 15, as well.
The Cincinnati Bengals defense has allowed 4.42 yards per carry this season to opposing running backs. Additionally, they’ve allowed the eighth-most rushing touchdowns to the position this year, as well. Chandler could see upwards to 20 touches if the Vikings defense can keep the Bengals’ offense off the field and Minnesota looks to slow the game down, killing the clock. I like Chandler as a volume-based RB2 with major upside in a game that has a current 40.5-point total. This bold prediction is a season-high fantasy score for Chandler if it comes to fruition! What better time than now?
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Baltimore Ravens
Bold Prediction: 4 receptions, 85 yards, 1 touchdown
18.5 fantasy points
It isn’t often we get to see Odell Beckham Jr. on the field in 2023. However, when we do, he looks like vintage OBJ, especially as of late. Since Week 9, Beckham has 31 total targets in five games for the Ravens. He is the 42nd-most targeted wide receiver on average over this time playing no more than 53% of Baltimore’s offensive snaps. However, when he is on the field, Beckham is getting the ball and producing. He ranks as WR24 with a 13.5 points per game average since Week 9, as well.
My Week 15 bold prediction for Odell Beckham isn’t to suggest you bench an obvious stud for him. However, he is a home run hitter you can feel good about plugging into a flex spot in Points Per Reception leagues. He and the Ravens head to Jacksonville to face a Jaguars defense that has allowed 28.7 points per game in their last three. That ranks fifth amongst all teams. Baltimore is still in hot pursuit of the top seed in the AFC so there are no worries about them taking their foot off of the gas any time soon.
Jacksonville is one of the tougher defenses against the run in 2023, as well. The Ravens are the league’s run-heaviest team but should have no problem taking things to the air on Sunday Night Football. Their defense allows the third-most passing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks. They also have allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns this season. Odell Beckham needs just one play to make starting him in Week 15 count. However, given the matchup, and him simply passing the eye test as of late, I think he can swing your matchup if you’re looking for a flex option to help you do so in Week 15.
Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bold Prediction: 6 receptions, 60 yards
12.0 fantasy points
With just 6.8 points last week and 12.7 total in his last two, it’s probably hard to trust Pat Freiermuth in fantasy playoff lineups. Additionally, trusting a Mitch Trubisky receiver, let alone a tight end, on the road makes matters that much worse. My Week 15 bold prediction for Freiermuth is based on another high-volume outing for him, though. Again, though he scored just 6.8 fantasy points, two of which are from a two-point conversion reception, Freiermuth tied Diontae Johnson for the team lead in targets (7) last week.
Freiermuth gets a positive matchup to open the fantasy football playoffs. The Indianapolis Colts allow the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends despite having given up just two touchdowns to the position. They are one of just five teams to allow two or fewer scores to tight ends this season. However, Indy’s defense does sit inside the top 10 in receptions and yards allowed to tight ends.
That said, I think Freiermuth presents a high floor in his Week 15 matchup. Pittsburgh could find themselves down to the Colts and focused on a pass-heavy approach. They’re desperate for a win after dropping two straight to two-win teams. If Freiermuth is getting the job done for Trubisky early on, I think he could maintain a focus on him as one of his favorite targets. My Week 15 bold prediction suggests starting Freiermuth as a safe tight end pick that you’re thrilled about if he finds the end zone. He has just one game this season with more than three receptions. Let’s make it two and rack up some fantasy points on Saturday.
Week 15 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty