Well, that was ugly. Fantasy stalwarts like Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, Mike Evans and Jordan Reed, among others, turned in absolute duds in Week 14, which of course happens to be the first week of the fantasy playoffs for most season-long leagues. The beauty of daily fantasy, of course, is that one week's duds don't carry over into the next. If you had a tough go of it last weekend, the slate is wiped clean for Week 15.
The goal of this weekly column is to help find the most profitable DFS stacks, while avoiding the duds. Stacking, or pairing multiple players from the same NFL team, is an ideal way to maximize your point production, which is crucial in larger GPP (guaranteed prize pool) tournaments. Let's take a look at some of the top DFS stacks for Week 15, loosely sorted by salary.
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High Priced Week 15 DFS Stacks
Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Jordy Nelson at Chicago
Remember all of the debates over what's wrong with Rodgers? That sure seems silly now. The two-time NFL MVP has been red-hot of late, despite a nagging calf injury. Over his last four games, Rodgers has 10 touchdown passes without any interceptions.
Expect the good times to keep rolling this Sunday against the rebuilding Bears. Chicago played Detroit tough until the final seconds in Week 14, but Rodgers should have little trouble. Nelson has caught four of those 10 TDs over the last four games, and remains Rodgers' most consistent target.
Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Antonio Brown at Cincinnati
What are the chances the Steelers have forgotten about the trainwreck that was last season's wild-card game against the Bengals? Low, in my estimation. As a quick refresher, Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict inflicted hits that left Roethlisberger hobbled for the divisional round and Brown relegated to the sideline (not to mention a hit earlier in the season that ended Le'Veon Bell's season).
Expect Roethlisberger and Brown to both come out firing. They will play it diplomatically this week, but the revenge narrative here is undeniable. Brown has four TDs in his last two games, and that trend should continue Sunday.
Washington QB Kirk Cousins and TE Jordan Reed vs. Carolina
Reed was quiet in his return following a one-game absence, finishing with just one reception for 10 yards this past Sunday. He should fare better Monday night against the Panthers' leaky defense.
Cousins is a safe bet, but with DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder all vying for targets, it's difficult to predict who will be on the receiving end of his touchdown passes. We're banking on Reed, given that the Panthers have been one of the league's worst teams against tight ends this season.
Moderately Priced Week 15 DFS Stacks
Arizona QB Carson Palmer and WR Larry Fitzgerald vs. New Orleans
We can chalk this duo's struggles last weekend up to the pouring rain in Miami. Expect a bounce-back performance from both veterans this Sunday in Arizona.
Prior to this past Sunday's clunker (three receptions, 12 yards), Fitzgerald had topped 50 yards in six straight games, with at least six receptions in five of those contests. Arizona released fellow wide receiver Michael Floyd this week, which should open up additional targets for Fitzgerald against the Saints' below-average defense.
Atlanta QB Matt Ryan and WR Taylor Gabriel vs. San Francisco
This stack rests solely on Julio Jones' status. If Jones returns after a one-game absence, he's certainly the most profitable stack with Ryan. However, if Jones sits out another game, Gabriel becomes an intriguing play.
The 25-year-old Gabriel has emerged as a dynamic playmaker for Atlanta this season. He's scored six total touchdowns over his last six games, and has topped 60 receiving yards in four of those games. Gabriel is virtually a must-play if Jones and fellow wideout Mohamed Sanu both sit out Sunday.
Denver QB Trevor Siemian and WR Emmanuel Sanders vs. New England
Siemian is averaging 351 yards and two touchdowns per game over his last two starts, yet he's still priced among the cheapest DFS quarterbacks. This is something to capitalize in Week 15 when Siemian goes up against the Patriots' middling pass defense (248 yards allowed per game).
Sanders and Demaryius Thomas both make fine stacks with Siemian, but Sanders appears to be the No. 1 target. Sanders finished with 11 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown this past Sunday, and he could be in for another big game in Week 15.
Bargain Week 15 DFS Stacks
Kansas City QB Alex Smith and WR Tyreek Hill vs. Tennessee
The Chiefs' winning formula has typically not required Smith to air it out, but it's been working over the last few weeks. Smith is averaging 267 yards per game over his last two starts, which constitutes "airing it out" for him.
Hill has been a revelation as a rookie, quickly emerging as Kansas City's most dangerous and dynamic weapon. Tight end Travis Kelce enters Week 15 with four straight 100-yard performances, but Hill offers the scoring upside, particularly against a Titans defense that has struggled against opposing wide receivers this season.
New York QB Bryce Petty and WR Robby Anderson vs. Miami
File this under, "Things I Never Thought I'd Type This Season." It's been a long, frustrating season for the Jets, but the upside is an extended look at Petty and Anderson, two young players that could figure into the team's long-term plans.
Anderson has been targeted a whopping 23 times over the last two games, so he's clearly emerged as a favorite target for Petty. This is an extremely risky, but also cost-efficient, stack. Proceed with caution.