It’s playoff time friends, and there is much to be discussed. Here’s the fallout going into week 14: Oh, and checkout the recent Alabama Shakes album if you haven’t yet. The Grammy nods are well warranted.

 

Cowboys vs Redskins

 

• You’d think I was insane if I said this 13 weeks ago, but Dez Bryant is not a must start during the playoffs. Matt Cassel is inept and relegates Dez to shay flex status. In fact, I wouldn’t risk starting any Cowboy not named McFadden or Bailey this week.

 

• Jay Gruden has taken a page out of the book of Belichick, bringing utter mystery to the Redskins backfield. One week after taking a commanding hold of the running game, Alfred Morris was replaced by Matt Jones after a few carries. What’s worse is that it could flip the other way in week 14. This is a situation to avoid at the most critical time of your season.

 

Texans vs Bills

 

• The Texans aren’t far behind the ‘Skins running wise, as Chris Polk led the backfield out of nowhere. Alfred Blue had just 4 carries in turn. Fortunately, the Texans are playing the Patriots this week, so it makes the decision to not start any of these guys easy.

 

• It’s a coin-flip trying to determine who will be the better play out of Washington or Shorts. If you’re going to take a stab at either during the playoffs, my money would be on Shorts, as he’s more of a big play threat.

 

• It must feel good for Watkins owners who held firm during the uncertainty of the first half of the season, as he’s turned into a weekly must start. That shouldn’t change during the playoffs.

 

• I’ll say it again, Tyrod Taylor needs to be owned and started throughout the playoffs.

 

Packers vs Lions

 

• You know something is amiss when Aaron Rodgers is your leading rusher, but that’s exactly what happened for the Packers Thursday night. Apparently, Lacy missed the team’s curfew the night before, and that put him in the doghouse for the week. That may be the case, but it makes him almost impossible to trust in week 14.

 

• After an invigorated start to the season, James Jones is nothing more than a dart throw these days. Find a better option for the playoffs.

 

• The Lions’ backfield is looking more and more like Abdullah’s playground, but he’s not an especially strong play this week against the Rams. Riddick is a reasonable play in PPRs.

 

Jets vs Giants

 

• Fitzmagic has his work cut out for him with the Titans, Cowboys, and Patriots on the schedule, but his consistent play has garnered him QB1 status for the playoffs.

 

• Bilal Powell comes in handy whenever the Jets are trailing by double digits, but it’s hard to tell when that will occur. He’s a shaky RB play for week 14, but that might be a better option than what you currently have at your disposal.

 

• Another week, another single digit carry day for all four Giants RBs. Stay away.

 

• Will Tye is proving me wrong. With Larry Donnell out for the foreseeable future, he makes for a reasonable TE streamer.

 

Cardinals vs Rams

 

• Stepfan Taylor has a shoulder injury, adding to the list of hobbled Cardinals RBs. Kerwyn Williams could continue to be the no.2 in week 14. His small stature and shiftiness makes him an intriguing play versus the Vikings stout front 4.

 

• Your fantasy WR lineup could consist entirely of Cardinal receivers, and you could still rest easy. They’re all WR3s at worst.

 

• Gurley’s fantasy downpour has lightened to a trickle, and his schedule doesn’t get any easier for the playoffs. His freak ability keeps him hovering at RB2 statues, but I’m not bullish on him.

 

• If you have any other Rams in your lineup, don’t.

 

Falcons vs Buccaneers

 

• I’d rather have Taylor, Fitzpatrick, Bortles, or even Mariota and maybe even Winston than Matt Ryan during the playoffs. His play is anemic and shameful. Tamme isn’t even a safe play as the “no.2” option in Atlanta.

 

• Winston will be a strong streamer against New Orleans this week. His poise under pressure and escapability is exciting to watch, and I’d be extremely happy with him as my dynasty QB for the future.

 

• Austin Seferian-Jenkins was second in targets for the Bucs, even with limited snaps. He makes for a prime streamer in week 14 against the Saints.

 

Seahawks vs Vikings

 

• Doug Baldwin is gaining a reputation as a second half of the season riser. He did the same thing last year it seems. He’s a WR2 with upside throughout the playoffs.

 

• Likewise, Tyler Lockett is tearing up the field, but I am hesitant to rely on him in playoff matchups. Seattle’s matchup with the easy going Ravens secondary does make him an intriguing play in week 14 though.

 

• The Vikings offense was a mess against the Seahawks, but that probably had a lot to with A.P. only getting 8 carries. That won’t happen again.

 

• Diggs has a big future, but he’s a scary play during the playoffs, as his upside has been capped by Peterson’s dominance.

 

Ravens vs Dolphins

 

• Buck Allen is doing everything for the Ravens, and that will probably continue in week 14 against the Seahawks. As highly targeted as Kamar Aiken has been, I don’t love his chances versus Sherman and co.

 

• DeVante Parker is a solid play at home versus the Giants after two straight weeks with TDs. The switch has been turned on, and it will stay on throughout the playoffs.

 

Bengals vs Browns

 

• Jeremy Hill has been a scary proposition on a weekly basis, but the dearth of strong RB plays due to injury has made him a high-end play moving forward.

 

• Should Eifert miss another week, Marvin Jones stands a good chance for another score in week 14.

 

• Johnny Football could be back under center in week 14, and that bodes well for Travis Benjamin. His shoulder scare is already behind him, though that is of little consolation to those who used him in week 13.

 

• Crowell stinks, but he makes for a disgustingly reasonable flex play against the 49ers this week.

 

Jaguars vs Titans

 

• Allen Hurns has been cleared to play in week 14. He’ll be an instant WR2, and Robinson will remain an easy WR1.

 

• Julius Thomas is scary TD dependent, but that’s not a bad place to be for a TE.

 

• Dorial Green-Beckham finally had the breakout we were waiting for, but there were few who had him in their lineups to enjoy it. He’s a high upside play against the Jets should Revis remain in concussion protocol.

 

• Mariota was the first NFL QB to rush for over 100 yds and throw for over 250 in the same game. He probably won’t do it again this week with the Jets on the slate, but his running ability raises his floor considerably and is why I like him more than some more conventional QB plays this week.

 

49ers vs Bears

 

• I’d like to say that there is something to be gleaned regarding the 49ers offense after this performance, but I still don’t trust anybody outside of Shaun Draughn for week 14, even against the Browns.

 

• Langford had 12 carries, but it was evident that Forte has reclaimed the Bears backfield. The occasional use of Kadeem Carey in the redzone makes Langford an even dicier play in week 14.

 

• Martellus Bennett’s head isn’t in the game right now. I’m not looking his way during the playoffs.

 

Broncos vs Chargers

 

• Juwan Thompson could be a sneaky start in week 14 if Anderson misses time. He’ll still share carries with Hillman, but the Broncos are doing what they can to keep Osweiler from throwing the ball more than he needs to.

 

• Vernon Davis is concussed and questionable for week 14. Owen Daniels would be an unappetizing streamer in his stead.

 

• The Chargers are intent on getting Melvin Gordon the lion’s share of reps, but perhaps his recent fumble-itis will allow Woodhead some more action. Both are risky plays against the new look Chiefs defense this week.

 

• The same can be said for other Chargers skill players outside of Antonio Gates.

 

Chiefs vs Raiders

 

• West and Ware had an almost even timeshare against the Raiders, with both getting single digit carries. This would give me pause for week 14 if the Chiefs weren’t playing the sieve like Chargers run defense. You can flex either back, but Ware is more likely to get goal line action.

 

• Derek Carr is nothing if not an equal opportunist to his receivers, and this is bad news for Amari Cooper’s outlook in week 14. Carr will be perfectly fine not looking his way against a vaunted Denver secondary.

 

Panthers vs Falcons

 

• Devin Funchess had a nice TD grab, but he has effectively lost his starting spot to Corey Brown, who is now healthy. Funchess played on only a fourth of Carolina’s snaps and is not a dependable play during the fantasy postseason.

 

• Brandon Coleman, not Marques Colston, is the beneficiary of Willie Snead’s absence should Snead miss more time. He’ll be a boom or bust flex play if Snead stays out against the Bucs.

 

Eagles vs Patriots

 

• DeMarco Murray bypassed the coaching staff to complain to Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie about his role, or lack thereof, in week 13. This is exactly the type of move that will make Chip Kelly flex his mini-muscles in week 14. The fact that Ryan Mathews is back practicing makes this situation even more precarious for all parties involved, including Sproles.

 

• The Patriots are beatable minus Gronk, and Brady would do well to find some WRs he feels comfortable with, as tossing the ball to James White all day isn’t going to cut it.

 

• In true Belichickian fashion, James White, not Brandon Bolden, was the the pass catching back du jour against the Eagles. Expect an about face this week. Or don’t. Who cares. I hate this backfield.

 

Colts vs Steelers

 

• So much for Hasselbeck being the savior of the Colts this season. He couldn’t get anything going against one of the worst secondaries in the NFL, and that gives makes me apprehensive of endorsing him in week 14, even against the Jaguars. To make things worse, he’s pretty banged up going into the matchup.

 

• Big Ben is back firing on all cylinders. Cincy will be a tough test this week though, as they have a formidable secondary. Wheaton could be a sneaky good play again this week as the oft forgotten piece of the Steelers offense.