NFL Power Rankings Week 15
Bye Weeks are no longer a factor, leaving us with four weeks of uninterrupted chaos as the NFL playoff race is in full swing. Fantasy football managers who advanced to their league’s fantasy playoffs are preparing to make a run at winning championships, but injuries continue to pile up across the league, complicating the path to victory.
Parity in the NFL appears to be at an all-time high, with the best teams sitting at either 10-3 or 9-4. It’s a week-to-week league, which is why there are still 30 teams mathematically alive to clinch a playoff berth. For instance, Buffalo’s massive road win over Kansas City in Week 14 propelled the Bills to 7-6, sharing the same record as five other AFC teams, with two of them, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, currently occupying the sixth and seventh AFC playoff seeds.
Much will change across the landscape of the NFL in Week 15, with every team competing, while players and coaches try to perform well enough to earn a contract extension and return to their team once the 2024 season arrives. It’s the perfect time to conduct our weekly deep dive and reveal our NFL Power Rankings ahead of Week 15.
NFL fantasy analyst Matt MacKay is back to give us his latest NFL power rankings entering Week 15. He’ll analyze each team, ranked 1-32, providing his take on the overall state of the franchise, plus a fantasy football tidbit for one fantasy-relevant player per team. Half-PPR scoring is the default format used to assess these prospects ahead of the opening week of the fantasy football playoffs.
Best of luck with all of your start/sit decisions and matchups, hopefully, this article will answer some difficult questions and maybe lead to a winning wager or two at various online sportsbooks as a bonus. Either way, let’s find out where each team stands and which fantasy players to target or fade during a jam-packed Week 15 NFL slate.
1. San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco remains atop the NFL power rankings after disposing of Seattle without too much effort in a 28-16 divisional win at home in Week 14. Deebo Samuel continues to be the most explosive playmaker on an offense filled with talent, but Brock Purdy’s hyper-efficiency and poise have him firmly in the NFL MVP odds race alongside Dak Prescott.
QB Brock Purdy – Purdy is QB5 in fantasy points per game (19.2), throwing for over 300 yards in three of his past four games. Next up, a road trip to Arizona, which could wind up being a trap game. Expect Purdy and the 49ers’ offense to remain humming, making Purdy a top-eight fantasy quarterback in Week 15.
2. Dallas Cowboys
The only other team in the league that’s almost on pace with San Francisco is Dallas. Dak Prescott has cemented himself as the outright MVP betting favorite, following the Cowboys’ dominant 33-13 win over the Eagles last Sunday night. Now, a marquee matchup on the road against a revitalized Buffalo Bills team awaits.
WR CeeDee Lamb – CeeDee Lamb is the WR2 in fantasy points per game (18.1) behind only Tyreek Hill, thriving with Prescott’s improvement as a passer in a pass-centric offense. Lamb has seen nine to 17 targets in seven consecutive games, keeping him as a top-five wideout against the Cardinals’ 13th-ranked defense against fantasy wide receivers in Week 15.
3. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens won a thriller at home with a walk-off punt return touchdown in overtime against a scrappy Los Angeles Rams team in Week 14. Lamar Jackson tossed over 300 yards and three touchdowns for only the second time this season, reigniting MVP chatter, albeit still a distance behind Prescott and Purdy.
WR Zay Flowers – Rookie wideout Zay Flowers has been peaking at the right time ahead of the fantasy football playoffs. Flowers finished Week 14 as the WR7 with 17 points, hauling in six of 10 targets for 60 yards and a touchdown. He lands a much easier matchup against Jacksonville’s porous pass defense in Week 15, making Flowers a fringe WR1 if Baltimore can replicate its passing attack from last weekend.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ offense couldn’t muster much against Dallas on the road in Week 14, scoring one touchdown via scoop-and-score on defense. Philadelphia’s rest-of-season schedule isn’t difficult, so they shouldn’t panic yet, but they’ll want to regain momentum ahead of a difficult road environment against a desperate Seattle Seahawks team in Week 15.
TE Dallas Goedert – After a multi-week absence due to injury, Dallas Goedert returned in Week 14, catching all four of his targets for 30 yards, but finishing as the TE26. Goedert remains a boom-or-bust option against Seattle, but they are a borderline top-12 matchup in fantasy, so he’s worth streaming due to his floor.
5. Buffalo Bills
The narrative surrounding Buffalo being fraudulent has quickly evaporated, especially with current OC Joe Brady calling plays after the firing of former OC Ken Dorsey. Buffalo had chances to beat the Eagles in Week 12 before their Bye, but they came out and won 20-17 on the road in Kansas City in Week 14, revitalizing their Super Bowl aspirations.
RB James Cook – Second-year running back James Cook is now getting put into better positions within Brady’s offense, handling 15 touches and converting them into over 130 scrimmage yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs. Cook is a high-end RB2 with RB1 upside despite a tough matchup against Dallas in Week 15.
6. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City has now lost three of its last four games, something we haven’t seen during the Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid era. Sure, refs played a small part in late stages of the game, but the Chiefs’ offense is struggling to move the football right now. The Broncos are only one game back in the AFC West, so the Chiefs will need to muster their A-game against New England on the road in Week 15.
WR Rashee Rice – If there’s one positive to take from the Chiefs’ offense, it’s Rashee Rice. Rice finished as a WR1 in Week 14, catching seven of 10 targets for 72 yards and a touchdown. The rookie wideout has now turned in three consecutive double-digit fantasy games, so he’s a mid-range WR2 and eligible to be inserted into lineups in 12-team fantasy leagues.
7. Miami Dolphins
One of the worst meltdowns we’ve seen in some time happened in prime time during Miami’s home game against the Titans in Week 14. An early injury to star wideout and NFL MVP hopeful Tyreek Hill derailed momentum, even during his second half return. Tua Tagovailoa played horribly, while the offensive line also lost another key piece. The Dolphins’ rest of season schedule is brutal, starting with a tough matchup against the Jets’ lock-down pass defense in Week 15.
RB Raheem Mostert – Despite all of the hype surrounding rookie De’Von Achane, veteran Raheem Mostert has been the biggest steal in fantasy drafts this season. Mostert scored twice against the Titans, finishing with 22.5 fantasy points. Mostert has 18 total touchdowns in 2023 and should feast against the Jets’ run defense, which is its weakness, keeping him as a must-start in fantasy lineups, despite currently being questionable with a knee injury.
8. Denver Broncos
After a horrendous 1-5 start, Denver’s first-year head coach, Sean Payton, has coached the Broncos into a 6-1 record since Week 7. Russell Wilson is cooking again, while the Broncos’ defense under DC Vance Joseph has been the biggest improvement since earlier in the season.
WR Courtland Sutton – Sutton has been Wilson’s favorite target and a touchdown machine in 2023. Denver’s sixth-year wideout has 10 receiving touchdowns through 13 games, never scoring more than once per contest. He’s a WR2 due to his ability to score touchdowns despite playing in a low-pass volume offense.
9. Cleveland Browns
The Browns’ injuries have piled up more aggressively than other teams, but the arrival of veteran Joe Flacco at quarterback has put Cleveland right back into an AFC contender. Yes, it’s a small sample size, but Flacco’s big arm and accuracy were on full display against Jacksonville in Week 14.
WR Amari Cooper – Cooper didn’t have a big outing in Week 14 despite a favorable matchup, finishing as WR31. He’s questionable with a rib injury and is currently riding a five-game touchdown drought. Don’t give up now though, as Cooper faces Chicago in Week 15, a middle-of-the-pack matchup, but a higher upside now that his quarterback is competent.
10. Detroit Lions
It’s been tough to watch the Lions regress this late in the season. After looking like an NFC contender, Detroit has lost two of its past three games, while its defense is getting gashed against opposing running backs.
RB Jahmyr Gibbs – Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs did just enough with 14 touches to turn in an RB14 performance against Chicago in Week 14. Gibbs should remain locked into lineups as a fringe RB1 against the Broncos’ run defense, presenting the best fantasy running back matchup in the league during Week 15.
11. Los Angeles Rams
Rams’ head coach Sean McVay continues to scheme up his players to the best of his abilities, nearly pulling off a big-time road upset in wet and windy Baltimore in Week 14. Matthew Stafford is slinging the football and Cooper Kupp looks healthier. Most importantly, Kyren Williams is healthy and the difference-maker in this run-centric Rams offense. Now at 6-7, the Rams are the eighth seed in the NFC, tied with Green Bay but behind due to a head-to-head tiebreaker. A home game against a horrendous Washington defense in Week 15 is a bounce-back spot for the Rams to return to .500 and build their chances of an NFC Wild Card berth.
WR Cooper Kupp – As mentioned, Rams’ star wideout Cooper Kupp looked himself again in a tough matchup against Baltimore. Kupp caught eight of 10 targets for 115 yards and a touchdown, finishing as the WR5. Kupp could have his biggest game of the season in Week 15 against the Commanders, making him a must-start asset in fantasy lineups.
12. Cincinnati Bengals
Jake Browning has stepped in admirably for Joe Burrow and kept Cincinnati competitive in the AFC playoff race. The Bengals are now 7-6 after winning two consecutive games against the Jaguars and Colts, both teams above .500 during their matchups, so confidence should be flowing in Cincinnati. Next up is another home game against the stout Vikings defense, led by DC Brian Flores.
RB Joe Mixon – We’ve seen Joe Mixon go on a tear lately, logging an RB7 finish in Week 14 and back-to-back 20-point fantasy outings. However, Minnesota’s ranked as a bottom-seven fantasy running back matchup, so temper expectations for Cincinnati’s RB1 in Week 15. Mixon should remain a starter with a solid RB2 floor due to his pass-catching role.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are getting cold at a bad time, going 2-3 out of their Week 9 Bye. A late push against Cleveland wasn’t enough to mount a comeback, so now, the Jaguars sit one game ahead of Houston and Indianapolis in a tight AFC South.
TE Evan Engram – Jacksonville’s TE1 has been on fire since Week 13, scoring three touchdowns and recording 20 receptions during this stretch. Engram finished TE1 in Week 14, so he remains a must-start prospect despite a bottom-ten matchup against the Ravens defense in Week 15.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle has looked competitive for stretches, but the absence of Geno Smith in favor of Drew Lock due to injury gave the Seahawks no chance on the road against San Francisco in Week 14. Smith remains questionable with a groin injury ahead of a Week 15 contest at home hosting Philadelphia.
WR D.K. Metcalf – Metcalf’s ejection last game tarnished his early touchdown against the 49ers, but fantasy managers should feel encouraged about his late-season stride. Metcalf faces a struggling Eagles secondary in Week 15, two weeks removed from shredding Dallas’ much stronger pass defense with over 100 yards and three touchdowns. Metcalf is a fringe WR1 with a WR2 floor, even if Lock starts against the Eagles.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
All of a sudden, Tampa Bay finds themselves in the NFC South division lead. Back-to-back wins against divisional opponents have led to this result, as Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and Rachaad White form a talented nucleus on offense to counter a bad Tampa Bay pass defense.
RB Rachaad White – After a slow start, Rachaad White has been on fire in fantasy football. The second-year running back logged an RB6 finish in Week 14, finishing with over 130 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown. A road game against the Packers’ porous run defense should keep White firmly in RB1 territory, so he’s another must-start candidate in Week 15.
16. Minnesota Vikings
Arguably the worst and ugliest win of the season, Minnesota is now 7-6 following a 3-0 road win against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14. Josh Dobbs was benched late in favor of Nick Mullens, who is now QB1 ahead of the Vikings’ upcoming road game in Cincinnati.
TE T.J. Hockenson – It’s rare we see T.J. Hockenson turn in a TE2 performance, but that’s exactly what happened against the Raiders. Expect Mullens to elevate Hockenson as the new quarterback for Minnesota. It helps that Hockenson gets the best fantasy tight end matchup of the season against the Bengals, so lock him into lineups to help your fantasy team maximize points in Week 15.
17. New York Giants
The New York Giants have completely flipped their fortune with rookie quarterback Tommy Devito, rallying to win three straight games, including a game-winning drive against the Packers on Monday Night Football. A fourth consecutive win against the Saints in Week 15 would launch the Giants firmly into the NFC playoff picture.
RB Saquon Barkley – Saquon Barkley’s RB5 finish against Green Bay in Week 14 came as a result of over 100 scrimmage yards and two rushing touchdowns. He’ll face a bigger challenge against the Saints’ run defense in Week 15, a bottom-ten matchup, but his role as a pass-catcher should keep Barkley with an RB2 floor. Don’t bench him in 12-team leagues.
18. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta finds itself at a crossroads, failing to keep their hold on the NFC South with a 29-25 loss at home to Tampa Bay in Week 14. Now, Bijan Robinson and Drake London will be tasked with avoiding another divisional upset on the road against Carolina.
WR Drake London – The Falcons’ second-year wideout and former first-round pick showed up in a big way despite the loss in Week 14, logging a season-high 172 receiving yards and catching 10 of 11 targets. London’s lack of touchdowns since Week 4 is a bummer, and Carolina is stingy against wideouts, so expect a more modest 10-15 fantasy points in Week 15.
19. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay finally lost a game in December under head coach Matt LaFleur, failing to hold the Giants on their last-minute drive. Jordan Love continues to play well, showcasing a strong arm and confidence in a young wide receiving corps.
WR Jayden Reed – Speaking of the Packers’ young wideouts, rookie Jayden Reed has been impressive down the stretch. Reed has produced 13 or more fantasy points in four of his last five games, scoring two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown. A season-high 10 targets in Week 14 suggests Reed could be in store for a WR1 outing against Tampa Bay’s bottom-five pass defense.
20. Indianapolis Colts
After going on a four-game winning streak, Gardner Minshew and the Colts’ offense ran out of steam. Half of their 14 points came from a pick-six before the Colts’ defense allowed the Bengals to record over 380 total yards of offense for the second consecutive week. A big-time home game against playoff-hopeful Pittsburgh, who is currently in the playoffs with the Colts at the bottom of the AFC playoff seeding, will determine a lot for Indianapolis’ remaining outlook.
RB Zack Moss – Even without Jonathan Taylor in the backfield, Zack Moss’ inability to break 10 fantasy points is beginning to look like a trend. Pittsburgh’s run defense is ranked 15th, so there’s room to improve, but Moss doesn’t have to be locked into lineups, as he’s an RB3 when he doesn’t score a touchdown.
21. New York Jets
Zach Wilson looked like the best version of himself in a dominant win over Houston in Week 14, turning in over 300 yards and two passing touchdowns. The Jets’ playoff hopes remain slim, but they have enough momentum to make them a tough out, especially with a stout pass defense. They travel down to face an injury-riddled Miami offense in Week 15.
RB Breece Hall – The Jets’ second-year running back exploded with an RB2 finish in Week 14, catching eight of nine targets for 86 yards and a touchdown. Hall’s entering a matchup against a Miami defense that just allowed Derrick Henry to score twice in the red zone, so if the Jets can move the football effectively as they did in Week 14, Hall is a top-ten fantasy running back. He should not be benched in Week 15.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers’ playoff hopes are looking slimmer with each game played. Head coach Mike Tomlin is under fire for his coaching mediocrity, while the offense looked stale with Mitch Trubisky under center. Back-to-back losses against Arizona and New England, two of the worst teams in the league, make Saturday’s road game in Indianapolis a must-win for the Steelers.
WR Diontae Johnson – A late garbage time touchdown saved Diontae Johnson’s fantasy outing against Arizona, finishing with 13.2 fantasy points. Johnson’s Week 15 matchup against a stingy Colts’ pass defense, ranked 12th-toughest for fantasy wideouts, means he’ll likely be at WR3 or WR2 production at best. Consecutive touchdowns have saved him from WR4 finishes, so he’s a viable bench candidate in Week 15.
23. Las Vegas Raiders
After going 2-0 against the Giants and Jets under interim head coach Antonio Pierce, the Raiders’ momentum has since waned. Las Vegas couldn’t muster a point against Minnesota at home in Week 14, now, Josh Jacobs is potentially going to miss Thursday Night Football with a quad injury. Aidan O’Connell has been a capable signal-caller for the Raiders, who could improve their playoff stock with a win against the injury-plagued Chargers in Week 15.
WR Davante Adams – We may not get WR1 production with O’Connell under center, but Raiders’ top wideout, Davante Adams, should be able to log WR2 numbers in Week 15 against the Chargers. He caught eight receptions against Los Angeles in Week 4 with O’Connell, finishing with 11.5 fantasy points, which he’s hit twice in the past four games. Keep Adams in lineups as a fringe WR2.
24. Chicago Bears
Since Justin Fields’ return from a thumb injury, the Bears are 2-1, blowing a late lead against Detroit in Week 11 that could’ve made them 3-0. Fields logged a QB3 finish against the Lions in Week 14, scoring two touchdowns, including one as a ball carrier, to remind the league about his talent. Cleveland’s defense is a much tougher test for Fields and the Bears in Week 15, but they have momentum and sit one game out of being tied for the final NFC Wild Card seed.
QB Justin Fields – Fields’ ability to handle 12-18 carries per game, combined with D.J. Moore’s talent on the perimeter, makes the Bears’ QB1 a must-start in Week 15. Yes, the Browns are a bad fantasy matchup, but the volume Fields earns as a ball carrier is solid enough to expect fringe QB1 production. He’s still a must-start on the road against a Browns run defense that has shown signs of vulnerability.
25. Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud suffering a concussion deflated Houston in a wet road contest against a tough Jets defense in Week 14. The Texans still have everything in front of them, and if Stroud is cleared to play, he’ll keep the Texans competitive during a return home in Week 15.
RB Devin Singletary – We saw Devin Singletary earn 32 snaps versus Dameon Pierce’s eight snaps, an encouraging sign for Singletary’s fantasy managers heading into a divisional matchup against the Titans run defense. Singletary is a volatile option but has displayed RB1 ceiling games, so he’s a risky RB2, reliant upon receiving work and touchdowns, in a bottom-eight matchup against Tennessee in Week 15.
26. New Orleans Saints
The Saints ended their three-game losing skid against Carolina in Week 14, which isn’t overly impressive. Derek Carr remains a liability more than an asset, while Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave have begun to showcase their skills. Playing in the NFC South at 6-7 means the Saints are only half a game back from leading the division, so another home game against the surging Giants in Week 15 should be intriguing.
RB Alvin Kamara – Kamara scored his third rushing touchdown in two weeks during New Orleans’ win over Carolina. However, he only caught three passes for -11 yards, a remarkable feat. Kamara is set to smash in a top-12 fantasy running back matchup against the Giants in Week 15, making him an RB1 and a must-start fantasy asset.
27. Tennessee Titans
We’ve barely spent any time talking about the Tennessee Titans this season but their signature win over Miami in Week 14, which ended a massive losing slump on the road, should give Will Levis and the rest of the Titans’ offense plenty of confidence. Now, Tennessee is 5-8 and remains mathematically alive in the AFC playoff hunt, with a must-win road game against division rival Houston.
WR DeAndre Hopkins – It’s a revenge game for DeAndre Hopkins, who began his decorated career with Houston. Hopkins has been solid in the last two weeks, finishing with 16.4 and 21.9 fantasy points. As long as he’s earning 12 targets per game, Hopkins is a mid-range WR2 with WR1 upside, as he managed a top-five finish against Miami in Week 14.
28. Washington Commanders
Many expect that Washington head coach Ron Rivera won’t make it through the offseason, as the Commanders have looked lackluster in the past month of action. Sam Howell shows encouraging signs for the future of the franchise, but a porous pass defense and bad offensive line keep Washington from winning games.
QB Sam Howell – We’ve seen Howell rely on his mobility more and more, resulting in rushing touchdowns and elevated fantasy production. He’s QB8 on the season, recording five rushing touchdowns, plus nearly 3,500 passing yards. The Rams’ pass defense is tough, but Howell is a strong QB1 streamer in 12-team leagues in Week 15, especially rested off a Bye.
29. New England Patriots
Bailey Zappe tossed three touchdowns to give New England a lead on the road in Pittsburgh, which the Patriots kept intact until the final whistle in a 21-18 win. It was the first time New England scored more than seven points since Week 9, so it’s likely not sustainable ahead of a Week 15 contest against the Chiefs.
TE Hunter Henry – Hunter Henry caught two touchdowns during the Patriots’ win in Week 14. Now, off of a mini-Bye, Henry encounters a bottom-seven fantasy tight end matchup against a desperate Chiefs defense. The Patriots’ TE1 can be benched for players with higher upside, as Week 14 may be more of an anomaly than a reality.
30. Los Angeles Chargers
Injuries to Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen have essentially taken any wind left in the Chargers’ sails and killed momentum, especially with a bad loss at home to Denver in Week 14. Los Angeles does get Josh Palmer back from I.R. against the Raiders, as both teams are in full desperation mode to keep their playoff aspirations alive.
RB Austin Ekeler – Arguably the biggest bust of the 2023 fantasy football season, Austin Ekeler’s targets have dwindled. The ones he earns are frequently dropped and the Chargers’ offensive line has struggled to establish the run all season. Fortunately, a soft matchup against the Raiders’ run defense, ranked as a top-seven fantasy running back matchup, makes Ekeler an RB2 in Week 15 on Thursday Night Football, despite playing with Easton Stick at quarterback.
31. Arizona Cardinals
Give credit to Arizona for never quitting in a season filled without much talent on offense. Kyler Murray just went into Pittsburgh in Week 13 before the team’s Bye, allowing the offense to flow through James Conner and Trey McBride to seize a double-digit victory. Expect the Cardinals to return to mediocrity against one of the top run defenses in the league when they host San Francisco in Week 15.
TE Trey McBride – The last time we saw Trey McBride, he logged the overall TE2 performance, catching eight of nine targets for 89 yards and a touchdown. McBride lands a bottom-six matchup against the 49ers in Week 15. With Josh Dobbs, McBride only caught one pass for five yards in Week 4 against San Francisco, but he likely has a slightly bigger role with Murray. Still, he’s not a must-start by any means in Week 15 due to this difficult matchup.
32. Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young’s rookie campaign will be on par with Trevor Lawrence’s, assuming he makes it to Year 2. The Panthers have been a train wreck all season, but they did record over 300 yards of offense for the first time since Week 3 with Andy Dalton. Carolina hosts Atlanta in Week 15, who they pushed during their first head-to-head matchup in Week 1, so this could be a potential upset brewing in Charlotte.
WR Jonathan Mingo – Second-round rookie wideout Jonathan Mingo has emerged late in the season as a solid receiving option in Carolina’s offense. After Adam Thielen’s hot start, it’s been Mingo who has earned more targets, finishing with six to 10 targets in four consecutive outings. Mingo barely missed a deep ball from Young against the Saints in Week 14, which would’ve boosted him from 3.2 points to 15 points, changing our perception. Atlanta is a bottom-three matchup against fantasy wideouts, so Mingo’s encouraging usage may not turn into much despite promising signs. He’s a WR4 with WR3 upside in Week 15, but shouldn’t be cut from rosters.
