The Carolina Panthers will visit the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, specifically regarding RB Rico Dowdle.
Is Rico Dowdle Playing in Week 15?
Dowdle is not on the injury report, and barring a surprise, he is expected to play.
We’ll continue to monitor the Panthers’ injury report leading up to kickoff for any changes. You can also visit and bookmark our Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Dowdle in Week 15?
After a run of snap dominance from Rico Dowdle over Chuba Hubbard, Carolina used a committee approach to down the Rams in Week 13, and this profiles as a frustrating backfield as we get the fantasy season to the finish line.
In Seattle, because the offense is one we can rely on, you could squint and justify playing both members of their backfield. In Carolina, that’s not the case.
This team has failed to score 10 points in three of their past six games and a floor like that simply tanks the projectable upside of all involved, especially if we aren’t sure who is going to get the most valuable touches.
Dowdle has fallen on his face in terms of rushing efficiency of late (under 3.3 yards per carry in each of his last three games with 10+ carries) and while the pass catching role has been stable of late (19 targets over his past five games), Hubbard was the third down back with a bullet in Week 13 and that introduces risk into this profile.
This could be another high-volume rushing game for the Panthers, but you’d have to be reasonably desperate to go this far down the ranks with no teams on a bye. After this week, Carolina gets Tampa Bay and Seattle, two run defenses that I have no interest in challenging.
It shouldn’t be a surprise, but there is only one Panther you should even consider with your season on the line and his name is Tetairoa McMillan.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Cheat Sheet.
Dowdle’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 15
Dowdle is projected to score 13.7 fantasy points in PPR formats.
We project Dowdle to rush for 67 yards and 0.2 rushing touchdowns, while adding 3 receptions for 18 receiving yards and 0.2 receiving touchdowns.
Check out the free PFSN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Week 15 Weather Impact: Panthers at Saints
Since the Saints play in a dome, there is no weather impact for this Week 15 matchup. Temperatures will be a comfortable 72 degrees Fahrenheit with no wind.
