Doug Martin has a great matchup against the Bengals. Photo via Raiders.com
It's the semi-finals for most fantasy leagues, so I'm back to give out more sleeper plays. My standard for a good fantasy game is around 100 total yards and/or a TD, and this is for PPR scoring. A game with a lot of catches helps too, obviously. Of course, the bar is a little lower for TEs.
My plays are below and these players are in no particular order.
QB
Kirk Cousins (MIN): He was total garbage against the Seahawks on Monday night, but he's worth using this week. There isn't a better fantasy matchup for QBs over the last 3 weeks than Miami. They're allowing over 31 FPTS/G to the position.
Jared Goff (LAR): I think he bounces back after his poor performance against the Bears. The Eagles are bad against the pass with all their injuries, so Goff deserves another shot.
Josh Allen (BUF): The matchup against Detroit isn't great, but Allen has been really good for fantasy with all his rushing production.
RB
Doug Martin (OAK): Martin has been playing well lately, and he gets a great matchup against the Bengals this week. The Bengals have allowed 7 TDs to RBs in their last 4 games. They also have allowed over 31 FPTS/G to RBs over the last month.
Leonard Fournette (JAX): I know, he was terrible last week and their o-line looks awful, but I think he gets going this week. The Jags shouldn't be chasing points against Washington, and the Redskins have given up 623 rushing yards in their last four games. Start him.
Derrick Henry (TEN): This may seem obvious after his performance last week, but he has a good matchup, and he's been getting in the end zone consistently even before breaking out last week against the Jags.
David Johnson (ARI): Oh how the might have fallen, but the Falcons are giving up over 25 FPTS/G to RBs over their last 4. Johnson is worth a shot this week. If you made it this far after drafting him in the first round, you've done well.
WR
Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods: I expect both of these guys to go off this week against the Eagles trash secondary. Remember what Amari Cooper did to them last week? I thought so. Josh Reynolds is worth a look as well if you need him.
Jarvis Landry: He had a huge game last week, so hopefully that's a sign of things to come. Seattle is allowing almost 40 FPTS/G to WRs over their last 5, so the matchup is excellent.
Julian Edelman: The Steelers get crushed in the slot on the reg, so Edelman is a must-start this week.
Corey Davis: Nothing too scary about the matchup against the Giants, and the Titans are still trying to get in the playoffs.
TE
Eric Ebron (IND): He may seem like a no-brainer, but I thought I should mention him because of the matchup. Nobody gives up more fantasy points to the TE position than the Cowboys over the last 5 weeks.
Chris Hernden (NYJ): The Texans struggle against TEs giving up almost 18 FPTS/G to the position over the last 4 weeks.
Cameron Brate (TB): He has a nice matchup against the Ravens who allow over 18 FPTS/G to TEs over the last month, and all the guy does is catch TDs.
That's all I have for this week. For more fantasy info, make sure you check out my show Moneyline on ESPN 97.5 every Sunday from 10-noon. Jerry Bo and I will get you ready for kickoff and answer any questions you may have. Also, follow us on Twitter.
Good luck in Week 15!
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How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
*ChatGPT assisted.
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