It’s week 15! The fantasy playoffs have arrived, the real NFL playoffs are just around the corner, and multiple teams are still vying for a playoff spot.
This week, Liz Loza and I are trying to give you all the information you need so you can keep some extra vacation money in your pocket.
So, let’s get after it with our Week 15 popular props! — Daniel Dopp
All odds as of publishing time. For the latest odds, visit ESPN betting.
quarterback props
0:30
Why Tyler Fulgham isn’t betting on the Cowboys
Tyler Fulghum explains his shocking decision to pick the Panthers to win and close the gap.
Bryce Young has completed more than 19.5 passes (tied)
risk: Young is by no means an efficient passer, but his completion percentage has improved since returning to the starting lineup in Week 8. The second-year signal-caller has also caught at least 19 passes in three straight games since the Carolina Panthers’ 11 bye week. In fact, he completed 19 passes against a stout defense from the Philadelphia Eagles, who have their fifth-lowest completion percentage so far in 2024.
The odds of Young improving on that total are high given this week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas’ secondary got Trayvon Diggs back last Monday, but the defense also lost emerging star linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. A compromised pass rush works in Young’s favor.
Kyler Murray has 224.5 more passing yards (-110) and Michael Wilson has 34.5 more receiving yards (-105)
risk: Murray’s performance all season has been frustrating, with seven games with fewer than 215 passing yards and six games with more than 250 passing yards. However, as the schedule eased up, his numbers improved. The Arizona Cardinals quarterback has thrown four consecutive passes over said line and is averaging 267 yards per game since Week 10. He’s expected to put up similar numbers against a New England Patriots defense that’s giving up 7.4 yards per attempt and producing the sixth-fewest sacks this season (27). .
Wilson deserves credit after becoming Arizona’s No. 2 wide receiver. The Stanford product ranks second on the team in rushing attempts and touchdowns and has three straight games with 50 or more receiving yards. With Marvin Harrison Jr. likely to be affected by Christian Gonzalez, Wilson should benefit from softer coverage. The Patriots are giving up an average of 227 yards per game.
running back props
1:03
Dopp: Hubbard ‘sunny’ in fantasy playoffs
Daniel Dopp, Mike Clay and Field Yates explain why Chuba Hubbard is a great fantasy playoff option.
Chuba Hubbard has over 99.5 rushing + receiving yards
dip: Chuba has been playing alongside Jonathan Brooks over the past few weeks, but that’s not the case heading into Week 15, when Brooks unfortunately was placed back on injured reserve with a torn ACL. We expect Brooks to return in 2025 stronger than ever. But for now, let’s focus on Hubbard’s performance against the Cowboys. Hubbard and Adam Thielen are basically this Carolina offense at this point.
Hubbard’s work is prolific and his works are often imitated. Don’t let some of his early-season numbers lead you to believe that goal is impossible. The Panthers have been much better over the past five weeks than they were at the beginning of the season, and Hubbard has played a big role in that, totaling over 100 yards in two games over the past four weeks. Keep in mind that Brooks split time with Hubbard in two of those games, and that won’t be a thing moving forward.
Rico Dowdle over 17.5 rushing attempts (-135)
dip: Dowdle has seen a surge in trading volume over the past three weeks. He averaged 12.5 possessions per game through nine weeks, but over the past three weeks his numbers have increased to 19, 22 and 18 possessions. Now, he faces a Panthers team whose running backs have carried the ball 445 times, the most in the league. National Football League. Carolina ranks second in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns this season.
To reiterate his offensive volume, virtually no one else in the Cowboys backfield touched the ball. Since Week 12, Dowdle has carried the ball 59 times. Ezekiel Elliott had six and Hunter Luepke had three. Dowdle will handle the majority of the workload in the Week 15 matchup.
wide receiver prop
Adam Thielen over 49.5 receiving yards (-130)
dip: Thielen has been outstanding over the past two weeks, catching 21 passes for 17 yards, 201 yards and a touchdown. His veteran performance 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 that mark in three straight games, but the Cowboys have allowed 17 different receivers to hit that mark so far this season. The fact that they’ve allowed seven receivers to reach that number since Week 10 alone shows that this defense hasn’t improved much as the season has progressed.
If you want to get lively, you can also take advantage of Thielen’s 5+ catch total, which is currently +115. Given Thielen’s recent writings and Young’s penchant for finding old men, you might consider taking that bet. This is my favorite slate.
Keenan Allen over 4.5 catches (-125) and over 49.5 yards receiving (-125)
risk: Allen has taken off in leaps and bounds since Thomas Brown took over play-calling duties for the Chicago Bears, averaging 5.6 catches and 63 yards per game over the past three games. Ironically, Allen’s best stat of the season came in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings. In that game, Allen caught 9 of 15 targets for 86 yards and a score.
He’s unlikely to have double-digit targets this return, but it’s worth noting that the veteran’s target share has jumped in the second half of the season, completing 90 percent of his attempts in five of seven games. Additionally, the Vikings’ secondary continues to be generous, allowing the most receptions (193) and the most receiving yards (2,501) to opposing receivers through 2024. Allen is expected to have at least five catches and about 15 catches for 55 yards this week.
