As Week 15 wraps up, fantasy managers are either celebrating unexpected heroes or lamenting underwhelming performances.
This was a major week for booms and busts in the first round of the fantasy playoffs for many, as unexpected stars delivered, but some high-profile players failed to live up to their name when they were needed most. Week 15 was a week filled with surprises and records broken.
Let’s break down the biggest surprises and disappointments from this week’s action in Week 15.
Surprises of Week 15
- Trevor Lawrence & Travis Etienne, QB and RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Fantasy Points: TLaw- 44.3, ETN- 31.5 (PPR)
Why It’s Surprising: Although it was the Jets they were playing, this was a career day for both the Clemson duo, Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. 6 touchdowns for Lawrence and 3 to Etienne is still nuts, considering he didn’t do it from the ground. It was all from the air, as they face a tough Denver defense in Mile High for Week 16.
Fantasy Impact:Â Both can be started, but I wouldn’t expect the same numbers, as the Broncos defense is miles better than the Jets defense they faced in Jacksonville. Lawrence is still a ok streamer, and Etienne is still a running back 2 starter in most cases.
- Kyle Pitts, TE & Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Fantasy Points: Pitts- 45.6 (PPR), Kirk- 26.92
Why It’s Surprising: Nobody saw this historic Falcons duo rise against Tampa Bay on Thursday Night coming, unless you are Bucs fans. Although not to the same level, the Kirk Cousins, Kyle Pitts duo shredded this same defense last year, as they went nuclear and won fantasy weeks.
Fantasy Impact: There are so many stats that involve fantasy and just the tight end position itself, with Pitts, but regardless, you have to start him moving forward in the fantasy playoffs. Cousins might be a decent quarterback streamer depending on the matchup.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
Fantasy Points: 41.4- PPR
Why It’s Surprising: It’s safe to say the Sun God is fully healthy, as he goes off for Amon-Ra St. Brown fantasy managers with his biggest game of the season. This was also with Jameson Williams having a 20+ point performance as well against a tough Rams defense in a high-scoring affair despite the Lions losing.
Fantasy Impact: St. Brown is a must-start moving forward, regardless of the matchup, as a top 5 wide receiver for fantasy, as one of the most consistent options, while not missing basically anytime besides the one game.
- Bonus Surprises:Â TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots; Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants; Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals; Colby Parkinson, TE, Los Angeles Rams; Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans; J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings; Darren Waller, QB, Miami Dolphins; Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Jalen Nailor, WR, Minnesota Vikings; Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans; Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders; Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers; Isaiah Davis, RB, New York Jets; Malik Davis, RB, Dallas Cowboys; Jawhar Jordan, RB, Houston Texans; Rasheen Ali, RB, Baltimore Ravens; Ameer Abdullah, RB, Indianapolis Colts; D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears; Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
Disappointments of Week 15
- Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Fantasy Points: 9.8– PPR
Why It’s Disappointing: The Jekyll and Hyde nature of Jahmyr Gibbs is crazy, one week it’s 3 touchdowns, the next week, it’s 0. Kinda like Kimani Vidal’s fantasy season before Omarion Hampton came back, but on a way higher level. The Lions still use him, so the floor is good enough, but the ceiling is way lower every other week compared to the top consistent running backs.
Fantasy Impact: You still have to start Gibbs and hope this trend continues, as he will likely win your week in Round 2 of the fantasy playoffs against the Steelers.
- Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Fantasy Points: 3.8 (Andrews) and 0 Points (Likely) – PPR
Why It’s Disappointing: This was against the Bengals, the worst defense against tight ends. Zay Flowers was the main target for Lamar Jackson in this game, as he could’ve had a bigger day. Isaiah Likely, last time they played, he should’ve had a touchdown added on to his 10+ fantasy performance, but this was a major letdown. Mark Andrews ‘ post-extension has failed to live up to the top 15 tight end status managers had before.
Fantasy Impact: Hard to start any Ravens tight end moving forward with any confidence unless you’re desperate, even in the fantasy playoffs. Both face a stingy Patriots defense in primetime this week.
- Bonus Busts: Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts; Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots; Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys; Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings; Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers; Stefon Diggs, WR, New England Patriots; Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers; Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns; Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets; Kenneth Walker, RB, Seattle Seahawks; Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals; Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys; Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars; Mike Gesicki, TE, Cincinnati Bengals; Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts; Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts; Jayden Higgins, WR, Houston Texans; Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs; Kyle Monangai, RB, Chicago Bears; Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks; Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants
