The fantasy football playoffs are where heroes are born and hearts are broken. In Week 15, you’re probably feeling good about your roster heading into the playoffs. Maybe you’re not feeling great, but start playing TreVeyon Henderson or Travis Etienne Jr. and suddenly, everything will be fine. On the other hand, there are some players who don’t perform that well and might make you scream at the TV.
We’ll look back at the players in Sunday’s lineup who failed to live up to expectations.
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Joe Burrow looked cold in worst moment against Ravens
Burrow has all the makings of a playoff hero. He shook off a toe injury that sidelined him for much of the season and returned ahead of a fantasy playoff run, producing QB11 and QB3 results for the coaches over the past two weeks. Burrow and the Bengals still have hope of making it to the actual playoffs in Week 15, and the game against Baltimore also sets up fantasy scoring.
It turned into a nightmare for manager Burrow and Cincy.
Burrow failed to reach double-digit fantasy points, finishing 7.5 points behind with 225 passing yards and two INTs for a passer rating of 58.2. This was one of the worst performances we’ve seen from a veteran quarterback at the wide position. It’s hard to imagine many Burrow managers being able to survive such an output and advance in the fantasy playoffs. Plus, the Bengals’ game against the Dolphins next week has no purpose other than pride. That could echo skill position players like Ja’Marr Chase and Chase Brown. In the PPR format, Chase and Brown both scored in double digits. If you advance with either player, expect Burrow to bounce back, but temper your expectations since the Bengals’ playoff chances are now non-existent.
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Raiders defeated by Eagles again
It’s been a season filled with extreme highs and lows for Brock Bowles and his coaches. The same goes for rookie RB Ashton Jeanty. If you put any of these players on your roster, you’re probably ready to go heading into 2026. Bowles caught six balls for 28 yards against the Eagles in Week 15, with Kenny Pickett filling in for the injured Geno Smith at center. Jeanty failed to reach double-digit fantasy points for the third straight game, finishing with 42 total yards on 13 touches (four catches). If you’ve played a non-PPR game – oops, we’re sorry.
To make matters worse, if you have to start any of these players next week, it’s against the Houston Texans, the best defense in the NFL. Hopefully you have some depth on your roster to absorb potential hits. If not, you’d better hit the exemption line.
Oh, how the mighty chieftain fell
Kansas City missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014. The Chiefs lost 16-13 at home to the Chargers on Sunday, knocking the defending AFC Champions League champions out of the playoffs despite wins by several other teams. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes also suffered a serious knee injury late in the game. Mahomes ended up with 189 yards passing and 1 reception without a touchdown, and the lone rushing touchdown somewhat saved his fantasy day (14.06 points). Even so, it’s not enough to get you into the playoffs.
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With Mahomes and the offense struggling again, WR Rashee Rice posted a mediocre 7-51-0 record on 11 targets. This was the second consecutive game in which he failed to score in double digits after scoring 20 or more points in two consecutive games. It’s hard to believe Rice (or anyone in Kansas City) will move on if Mahomes is out. It was also the worst moment in a fantasy matchup in Week 16 against the Titans. If Gardner Minshew is forced to start, maybe he can work some magic and save some of the Chiefs’ skill position players.