XANDAMERE’S SHOWDOWN SLANT ::
Week 15 kicks off with the Chargers visiting the Raiders in what is expected to be a shootout. On a week full of high-total games, this one currently has the highest at 53.5, and it’s expected to be close with the Raiders favored by 3.5 points. These teams feature capable offenses and mediocre defenses, with the Chargers ranked 22nd in overall defensive DVOA and the Raiders 28th. We should have a fun one to start the week.
On the Chargers’ side, Austin Ekeler is the clear lead back, assuming the role immediately . . .

SATURDAY SLATE OVERVIEW::

By Hilow >>

On small slates such as this one, it becomes increasingly important to ensure lineups are built around game flows. I refer to this concept regularly as “telling a story” with each lineup, in that the players must come together in a way that makes sense from a real-life perspective. We will identify the likeliest game flow from each game below, but keep in mind any and all alternate scenarios (although there are no tributaries listed for these two games, that does not mean tributaries are not possible, simply that there were no . . .

Game Overview ::

By Hilow >>

Two of the bottom four teams in pace of playThe number one (GB) and number two (CAR) offenses in time of possession per drive; number two (GB) and number five (CAR) offenses in average yards per driveA “connection” narrative takes on a little more meaning when it involves Aaron RodgersPackers and Panthers are top two in the league in percentage of defensive snaps in zone coverage, with both offenses adept in moving the ball against zone

How Carolina Will Try To Win ::

The Panthers rank 29th in the NFL in overall pace of play . . .

Game Overview ::

By JM >>

Seattle has a tough matchup vs Washington, but they should be able to break through (with elevated scoring upside for the Seahawks if Haskins is starting this week instead of Alex Smith)Washington should be expected to lean toward the pass in this one, but with a continuation of their short-area attack likelySeattle should control this game, without any clear tributary scenarios that could elevate game environment to a point where it becomes a key spot to bet onThis leaves us mostly "picking and choosing" in this one

How Seattle Will Try To . . .

Game Overview ::

By Hilow >>

Key injuries to both teamsExtremely interesting tributary scenario (which has one of the highest chances of happening from a real-world perspective of any tributary we’ve seen this season)It will be up to the Bears’ success to truly open this game up

How Chicago Will Try To Win ::

The Bears have shown us all season that they plan on starting games with increased rush rates, only to shift to a pass-heavy approach at the first signs of failure (which has been often). Say what you will about Mitchell Trubisky, but he . . .

GAME OVERVIEW::

BY HILOW >>

Clear avenue of attack for the Dolphins (ground game)Likely avenue of attack for the Patriots (ground game)Likeliest game scenario reduces the total number of offensive plays run from scrimmage

HOW NEW ENGLAND WILL TRY TO WIN::

The Patriots have 14 (!!!) players listed as questionable for Week 15, with every single player getting at least two limited practices in throughout the week. Kudos, Bill Belichick, as if this wasn’t hard enough without your antics. Regardless of who ends up active, we should see the Patriots continue heavy 21-personnel usage, looking to . . .

Game Overview ::

By JM >>

This is the best matchup the Ravens' offense has had this year, and they should be able to control this game throughoutThe Jags are turning back to Gardner Minshew, which will theoretically give them a better shot at remaining competitiveExpect the Ravens to quickly tilt run-heavy as they take control, with the Jags eventually forced to lean heavily on the passNothing pops in this game, but with the Ravens carrying the third-highest Vegas-implied team total on the slate, it's certainly viable to dig around on that side of the ball . . .

Game Overview ::

By JM >>

The Bucs are likely to lean pass-heavy in this one, with more volume than they saw last weekLike every team against the Bucs (or...every team not named the Vikings), the Falcons should be expected to lean pass-heavy as wellThe Over/Under on this game is, rather quietly, somewhat aggressiveLots to sort through in this one

How Tampa Bay Will Try To Win ::

A basic glance at the box score from last week might lead a chunk of our competition away from this offense (because whatever happened last week is obviously going . . .

Game Overview ::

By JM >>

You may not even need me to write up half of this game; we all know how the Titans will try to winThe Lions set up pretty well in this spot for "keeping things competitive" if Stafford manages to play through his rib injury...and they don't set up nearly as well if Stafford missesLikeliest game flow is dependent on Stafford's injury situationThe viability of various DFS approaches is also, of course, dependent on Stafford's injury situation

How Tennessee Will Try To Win ::

Well. I wonder who the chalkiest running back . . .

Game Overview ::

By JM >>

Deshaun Watson could use a breakThe Indy offense shouldn't have much trouble with the Texans hereThis game has a pretty broad range of potential scoring outcomesThere are middle-of-the-road ways to play this one; but with a broad range of potential scoring outcomes, there are also some potentially valuable stories that could be told

How Houston Will Try To Win ::

Deshaun Watson is awesome — but there is only so much that Superman can do. In two tough matchups since losing Will Fuller (at home vs Indy // at Soldier Field vs the . . .

Game Overview ::

By Hilow >>

Brandon Aiyuk pops as a high floor, moderate ceiling pieceOutside of Aiyuk, there isn’t much to like hereGame is likely to start slow as both offenses struggle to move the ballLow 45 point game total for a reason

How San Francisco Will Try To Win ::

The 49ers have really struggled on offense without Jimmy Garoppolo and George Kittle (Kittle was activated from the IR this week, but appears headed for another absence), averaging just 19.8 point scored per game over the last six weeks without the two. This has elevated their pass . . .

Game Overview ::

By JM >>

The Jets are likely to "dictate the way this game plays out"...but not quite in the way we typically mean when we say thatThe Rams are likely to tilt pass-heavy in the early going here, though the Jets will likely need to keep pace in order for that to continue throughoutThis is one of the biggest spreads we've had all season; it's not a good spot for the Jets

How New York Will Try To Win ::

Typically, we begin these writeups with the team that is likelier to control and . . .

Game Overview ::

By Hilow >>

Expect the Eagles to look rather different on offense with Jalen Hurts under center, with likely increased rush rates moving forwardBetter chance at this game underwhelming than blowing upThe Cardinals seem intent on riding a largely mismanaged Kenyan Drake; the matchup with the Eagles sets up best for the short passing attackNot a ton to love here

How Philadelphia Will Try To Win ::

Jalen Hurts season is upon us. Hurts will get the start in Week 15 after replacing Carson Wentz last week, leading the Eagles to an upset win over the Saints. In . . .

Game Overview ::

By JM >>

The Saints' best bet for a victory is to slow the game down and win on the groundThe Chiefs have a tough matchup...but they're a tougher matchup for any defense than any defense is for themThere are a few ways this game could play out, and your builds around this game should tell the story you want to tell

How New Orleans Will Try To Win ::

Note :: Drew Brees is now expected to play. This will be addressed in the Player Grid!

Drew Brees is going to miss another week, which means . . .

XANDAMERE’S SHOWDOWN SLANT ::
Sunday night football brings us yet another Giants Showdown (how does this team get so many island games? Ugh), with Cleveland visiting New York for a 44.5 total game with the Browns favored by six. There are some important injury situations that don’t have clarity yet, so there are some if/thens we’ll need to consider here.
On the Cleveland side, the backfield is, as always, a split between Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Chubb is the favorite to lead in snaps and touches in games that Cleveland controls, which should describe this . . .

XANDAMERE’S SHOWDOWN SLANT ::
Week 15 wraps up with one of the worst games I can remember (though that isn’t the NFL’s fault, this game could have been exciting if Joe Burrow hadn’t gotten hurt). The Steelers are visiting the Bengals in a game with a 40 total with the Steelers favored by a whopping 14 points. Yes, that’s right, that means the Bengals are projected by Vegas to score just 13 points, because they’re going up against one of the NFL’s best defenses and they’re trotting out third-string quarterback Ryan Finley . . .