It’s week 15! The fantasy playoffs are here and the real NFL playoffs are just around the corner. Many teams are still competing for postseason positioning.
This week, Liz Loza and I will do our best to give you all the information you need to add some vacation dollars to your pocket.
So, finish it off with the unique props that come out in week 15! — Daniel Dorff
All possibilities at time of publication. For the latest odds visit: ESPN betting.
quarterback prop
0:30
Why Tyler Fulghum isn’t betting on the Cowboys
Tyler Fulghum explains his shocking decision to pick the Panthers to win and cover the spread.
Bryce Young OVER 19.5 passes completed (even)
Rosa: Young has never been an efficient passer, but his completion percentage has improved since he was reinstalled as the team’s starter in Week 8. The second-year signal caller has managed at least 19 more completions in three straight games since Carolina Panthers’ Week. 11 Hello. In fact, he has exactly 19 completion percentages while facing a strong Philadelphia Eagles defense that has allowed the fifth-lowest completion percentage so far in 2024.
Considering this week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, the odds are good that Young improves on that total. Dallas’ secondary got Trevon Diggs back last Monday, but the defense also lost rising star linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. The compromised pass rush numbers work in Young’s favor.
Kyler Murray has over 224.5 passing yards (-110) and Michael Wilson has over 34.5 receiving yards (-105).
Rosa: Murray has had a disappointingly good season, falling below 215 passing yards in seven games while exceeding 250 passing yards in six games. But as the schedule eased, his numbers improved. The Arizona Cardinals quarterback has crossed the line above with four straight efforts, averaging 267 passing yards per game since Week 10. He’s expected to put up similar numbers against a strong New England Patriots defense that gave up 7.4 yards per attempt. Sixth-fewest sacks (27) on the season.
And Wilson deserves praise after emerging as Arizona’s No. 2 WR. The Stanford product ranks second on the team in route execution and scoring touchdowns, and has topped 50 receiving yards in three straight games. Wilson would benefit from softer coverage, as Marvin Harrison Jr. will likely shadow Christian Gonzalez. The Patriots have allowed an average of 227 receiving yards per game.
running bag props
1:03
Dopp: ‘Clear skies ahead’ for Hubbard through fantasy playoffs
Daniel Dopp, Mike Clay, and Field Yates explain why Chuba Hubbard is a good option for the fantasy playoffs.
Chuba Hubbard over 99.5 rushing + receiving yards
Help: Chuba has been splitting time with Jonathon Brooks over the past few weeks, but that won’t be the case for Week 15 as Brooks is sadly back on injured reserve with another torn ACL. Let’s hope Brooks can come back stronger than ever in 2025. But for now, let’s focus on the volume Hubbard will see against the Cowboys. Hubbard and Adam Thielen are basically that Carolina offense at this point.
Hubbard’s volume was enormous, and his productions often did not live up to it. Don’t let some of his early season numbers convince you that this propeller isn’t achievable. The Panthers have played much better over the past five weeks than they did at the start of the season, and Hubbard has been a big part of that, recording two games of over 100 total yards in the past four years. Keep in mind, Brooks was splitting time with Hubbard over two games, and that probably won’t be the case moving forward.
Rico Dowdle 17.5+ rush attempts (-135)
Help: Dowdle has experienced a sharp volume boom over the past three weeks. He averaged 12.5 carries per game through nine weeks, but that number has increased to 19, 22 and 18 over the last three weeks. Now he’s taking over a Panthers team that has seen its running backs carry the ball 445 times. N.F.L. Carolina has also allowed the most rushing yards and second-most rushing touchdowns this season.
And to reiterate just how much volume he’s getting, literally no one is touching the ball in the Cowboys’ backfield. Since Week 12, Dowdle has had 59 carries. Ezekiel Elliott has six and Hunter Luepke has three. Dowdle will get the bulk of the workload in this Week 15 matchup.
wide receiver props
Adam Thielen 49.5+ receiving yards (-130)
Help: Thielen has been on a tear over the past two weeks, converting 17 receptions on 21 targets for 201 yards and a touchdown. His veteran presence has been huge for second-year quarterback Bryce Young, and I expect that connection to continue in Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Not only has Thielen hit this line in three straight games, but the Cowboys have allowed 17 different wide receivers to hit this line so far this season. In fact, they’ve only allowed seven wideouts to reach that number since Week 10, indicating that this defense hasn’t gotten much better as the season has progressed.
If you want to get frisky, you can also do this with Thielen’s five-plus-catch receiving line, which currently sits at +115. Considering Thielen’s recent book and Young’s tendency to look for older men, you might want to consider this bet. Slate is my favorite.
Keenan Allen 4.5+ receptions (-125) and 49.5+ receiving yards (-125)
Rosa: Allen’s production has skyrocketed since Thomas Brown took over playcalling duties for the Chicago Bears, averaging 5.6 catches and 63 receiving yards per game over his past three outings. Ironically, Allen’s best performance of the season came in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings. The effort saw Allen convert 9 of 15 targets for 86 yards and one score.
It’s unlikely he’ll hit double-digit targets this round, but it’s worth noting that the vet’s target share jumped in the second half of the season, clearing 90% in five of seven games. Additionally, the Vikings’ secondary remains generous, allowing the most catches (193) and the most receiving yards (2,501) to opposing WRs during 2024. I estimate Allen will toy with at least five grabs and around 55 receiving yards this week. 15.
