Congratulations. You made it to the fantasy playoffs. Every decision now becomes even more critical. The stress and agony over lineup decisions are very real.

Before we kick off the Week 15 smash starts, let’s check out how we got here by reviewing the Week 14 selections.

We were pumped on the running back choices with Rico Dowdle, who ran for 131 yards, and Isaac Guerendo, who finished as the RB2. Guerendo rushed for 78 yards and two scores before exiting the fourth quarter with a foot injury.

Jordan Addison led our wide receiver trio with a massive smash start. Addison recorded eight catches on 12 targets for 133 yards and three touchdowns. Jakobi Meyers and Calvin Ridley were heavily targeted (10 targets each) but failed to provide fantasy managers better than WR3 numbers.

The remaining lineup didn’t fare much better, with Jake Ferguson challenged by the underwhelming Cooper Rush. Will Levis was downright miserable against the worst defense in the league. The Arizona Cardinals didn’t play any defense versus the Seahawks.

May all your fantasy starters have career games this week. Here are eight fantasy football smash starts for Week 15 you need to have in your winning lineups.

Fantasy Football Smash Starts For Week 15

Quarterback

Justin Herbert (QB – LAC) vs. Tampa Bay

The uncertainty of rookie wideout Ladd McConkey being available this week might make fantasy managers shy away from using Justin Herbert. However, Herbert has a favorable matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who rank in the bottom 10 in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.

Herbert still has Josh Palmer, a resurgent Quentin Johnston and a surprising tight end in Stone Smartt to throw the ball to in what should be a back-and-forth contest with Baker Mayfield and the Bucs’ offense. You will want skin in this game with plenty of offensive fireworks.

Running Back

Aaron Jones (RB – MIN) vs. Chicago

Aaron Jones has been an inconsistent fantasy producer this season. He has been bothered by numerous injuries that have hampered his playing time. In addition, he has five fumbles on the season, which has led Jones to be on the bench more than you would want your RB2 to be.

Jones has started to fire up his fantasy managers with scores in three consecutive games, including a top-10 finish against the Chicago Bears, his Week 15 opponent. Jones had 22 rushes for 106 yards and a touchdown while producing three receptions on four targets for 23 yards against the Bears in Week 12.

The 11-2 Vikings are on a six-game winning streak, chasing the 12-1 Lions. While the Bears seem to have their offense back in sync, their defense is another story. The Bears’ run defense has been surrendering yards all season, allowing 134.8 rushing yards per game.

Fortunately for fantasy managers with Jones on their roster, the Bears’ run defense has been even more leaky in their last three games, allowing a dismal 149.7 rushing yards and over a rushing touchdown per game. Jones should at least match his Week 12 production. If the Bears’ offense can keep it somewhat close, Jones will explode into a multi-score affair and lead fantasy managers to the next round of their playoffs.

Sincere McCormick (RB – LV) vs. Atlanta

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce announced earlier this week that undrafted free agent Sincere McCormick will be the Raiders’ starting running back for the remainder of this season. Most fantasy managers are asking who the heck Sincere McCormick is.

You can click on the link above to get the back story on the emerging running back. Opportunity knocked when running backs Alexander Mattison and Zamir White went down with injuries, and McCormick kicked that door wide open. McCormick is averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per carry over the past three weeks. He rushed for a career-high 78 yards and 15 attempts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14, the most rushing yards by a Raiders running back since Week 7.

McCormick has yet to score, but his Week 15 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons provides promise. The Falcons rank 17th in opposing rush yards per game, allowing 120.8 yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry. For those fantasy managers who took the plunge with McCormick on waivers, he will pay immediate dividends for the Raiders and fantasy managers this week.

Isiah Pacheco (RB – KC) at Cleveland

It is fun to watch Isiah Pacheco play football. He brings a hard-nosed attitude and excitement that most players lack. OK, enough of the preaching. Pacheco is still trying to find his groove after missing most of the season with a serious leg injury. He has not hit double-digit fantasy points or scored since his return, but that all changes this week with his Week 15 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns are surrendering 127.9 rushing yards and 1.4 rushing touchdowns per game. The Chiefs are focused on staying healthy and holding on to their top seed in the AFC, but they also need Pacheco to be a central cog in their offense like he was last season. Look for the game plan to get Pacheco right with a heavy dose of running the ball, leading to 100+ rushing yards and a score or two. This smash play will be the key to fantasy managers winning playoff matchups.

Wide Receiver

Jerry Jeudy (WR – CLE) vs. Kansas City

Jerry Jeudy’s fantasy stock continues rising, especially since Jameis Winston took over behind center. Jeudy is currently leading the league with 17 yards per reception and is fourth with 944 receiving yards. With 56 more receiving yards, the former first-round pick will achieve his first career 1,000-yard season.

Jeudy has scored in three of the last four weeks and will have plenty of opportunity to score this week in a high-scoring matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are the most formidable team to run against in the league, so opposing offenses turn to their passing game to keep up. Winston will probably throw a few interceptions but will also light up the scoreboard for the Browns, with Jeudy being his primary target.

Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA) at Houston

Since Tua Tagovailoa‘s return, the Dolphins have focused on increasing their passing volume. The Dolphins have the highest percentage of pass plays (71.07%) across the past three weeks. The primary weapons in the passing game have flourished for fantasy managers. The revival of Tyreek Hill and the emergence of Jonnu Smith as a TE1, along with Jaylen Waddle getting the volume, made fantasy managers smile after starting Waddle as their WR3.

Waddle has produced 21 receptions on 25 targets for 296 yards and one touchdown over the past three weeks. The volume is hard to argue with, and we should see that continue this week in their matchup against the Houston Texans. The Dolphins are in the playoff bubble but have won four of their last five games. They will need to put points on the board to continue their win streak. All of their weapons are in play here. Opposing defenses focus on Hill and Smith, but they should not sleep on Waddle, nor should fantasy managers when making fantasy start sit decisions.

Tight End

Tucker Kraft (TE – GB) at Seattle

Tucker Kraft has stepped up lately, even though the Packers are focusing their game plan on feeding the rock to Josh Jacobs. He has produced seven receiving touchdowns this season, including two in the past three games.

The Packers are fighting for playoff positioning. They travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. Watch for Jordan Love to look for his tight end on play-action plays as the Seahawks try to slow down Kraft on his way to another score and TE1 finish.

Defense

Atlanta Falcons D/ST at Las Vegas Raiders

The Falcons’ defense has struggled this season, but this is a juicy matchup for any defense. They should capitalize on their former third-round pick, Desmond Ridder, who will be the Raiders’ third quarterback this season.

The negative game script could lead to plenty of throws for Ridder, with the Falcons’ offense finally showing life against a vulnerable Raiders defense. A resurgent Kirk Cousins and a healthy dose of Bijan Robinson should stake the Falcons to a comfortable lead. This lead will allow the Falcons’ defense to pile on their nine sacks in the last two weeks and provide fantasy managers a smash start this week.

Dennis Sosic is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Dennis, check out his archive and follow him @CALL_ME_SOS.