Who Should I Start? Khalil Shakir or Josh Downs

Saturday, December 13, 9:18 AM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir has been quiet over the recent stretch of games. Shakir broke out for a season-high eight receptions for 110 yards on 10 targets against the Texans in Week 12, but in three games since, he's totaled just four receptions for 18 yards on 10 targets. The 25-year-old wideout is the only Bills wide receiver to average double-digit PPR points per game this season. However, Shakir has become tough to trust with how run-heavy the Bills have become, in addition to how spread out they are in the passing game. He profiles as a mid-tier WR3/flex option in Week 15 against a New England Patriots defense that ranks in the middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers.

Saturday, December 13, 1:01 PM

Across 12 games this season, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has recorded 44 receptions for 393 yards and three touchdowns on 65 targets. Downs has earned at least five targets in four out of his last five contests, but he's failed to crack 50 receiving yards in a game since Week 9. In Week 15, the Colts will turn to 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers to replace the injured Daniel Jones (Achilles), who was lost for the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Week 14. It's hard to project what Rivers will bring to the table for Downs and the Colts' pass-catchers, as Rivers has not played in an NFL game since the 2020 season. One certain thing is that Indianapolis faces a difficult matchup in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. Entering the weekend, Seattle ranks first among NFL defenses in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0). Between the tough matchup and the Colts' quarterback uncertainty, Downs should likely be avoided by fantasy managers in Week 15.