FanDuel NFL: Week 15 lineup
FLEX: Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons- $5,300
Remember when Tevin Coleman took over once Devonta Freeman went down with a foot and groin injuries? Coleman is still considered the starting bucks, but Smith is producing and that’s all that matters.
In last week’s loss to the Green Bay Packers Smith led the backfield with 11 carries for 60 yards. He also caught three passes for 14 yards. The rookie back tied a career-high with his 60 rushing yards and 11 rushes. Smith outperformed Coleman despite being on the field less.
Now, if you are going into Week 15 and expect Smith to dominate, that isn’t very likely. However, Smith has tallied more total yards than Coleman over the last three weeks. This week, he has a very favorable matchup at home against the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona has allowed opposing running backs to rush for the most yards in the NFL, 1,618 yards. They are the only team in the league who has allowed over 1,600 yards. In addition, they have given up a league-high 16 rushing touchdowns to the opposing backs.
It doesn’t stop there, the Cardinals have allowed backs to catch 69 passes for 570 yards and two touchdowns. On average, the position is scoring 27.8 fantasy points per game.
Over their last four games, they have given up 100-plus in three of those contents and five touchdowns. Running backs are averaging just over 124 yards and at least one touchdown per game against the Cardinals.
Smith will have a great opportunity to get back in the end zone for the first time since Week 9.
Defense: Green Bay Packers- $3,500
Defensively, the Green Bay Packers are the play. Someway and somehow the Green Bay Packers are still mathematically alive when it comes to playoff contention.
Even though the likelihood of them making the postseason is slim, every game is critical and their defense needs to continue to play at a high level.
Last week against the Falcons, Green Bay held the Falcons’ high powered offense to 344 yards and 20 points. It should also be noted the Packers allowed a garbage touchdown with less than 20 seconds left in the game.
The Packers defense forced two turnovers, a fumble and an interception. Bashaud Breeland’s second-quarter interception was returned for a touchdown and helped to give the Packers a 10-point lead. The unit also sacked Matt Ryan twice and they finished the afternoon with 13 fantasy points.
This was the first time since Week 10 that the defensive unit finished with double-digit fantasy points. Each time the Packers defense has secured more than 10 points, they have never loss (3-0-1).
Although the Packers are on the road in Week 15, they should have success against the Chicago Bears. Mitchell Trubisky has thrown for less than 200 yards in back to back games for the first time this season. While doing so, he has thrown for two touchdowns and five interceptions.
The Bears defense has been stout, but their offense is in trouble. Green Bay will take advantage of this and will continue to fight to keep their season alive.