Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 14

It’s playoff time folks, so we can’t afford make missteps this week! Let’s sharpen our blades for the ensuing battle! Here’s the fallout going into Week 14…

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Saints – 10 @ Cowboys – 13

 

• Drew Brees and company couldn’t get anything going against the Cowboys’ stalwart defense on Thursday night, to the surprise of virtually everyone watching the game. No Saint topped 40 yards, and the lone TD on the night went to Keith Kirkwood on his one reception of the game. There’s not much to really take away as far as the Saints go, we just saw the Cowboys defense go from top 10 to elite. New Orleans faces the Buccaneers this week, so you can go back to starting your studs as usual.

 

• Michael Gallup(5 rec, 76 yards) seems to be coming up in the Dallas offense, as teams have started to focus on stopping Amari Cooper. He’s still not worth starting in all but the deepest formats, but it looks like he may turn into a decent keeper for next season.

 

Bears – 27 @ Giants – 30

 

• A perfect storm developed for Tarik Cohen(20 tou, 186 yards, 1 TD) on Sunday. He benefited from being a safety blanket for a backup QB and the key factor in the attempt to make a comeback in the 4th quarter. It almost worked. A similar situation is not unlikely this week against the Rams.

 

• Taylor Gabriel had a forgettable day for the most part, but he did have 7 targets for 3rd best on the team behind Cohen(14) and Allen Robinson(9). He had 7 receptions in each of his previous games. He could be a boon for PPR formats this week against the Rams.

 

• TE Adam Shaheen scored in his first game back from I.R. Trey Burton had a goose egg. Correlation doesn’t mean causation, but Burton’s arrow has already been pointing down. The fact that the Bears are playing the Rams this week is the only reason I would have keep him around.

 

• I wouldn’t read too much into Russell Shepard‘s 59 yard, 1 TD game. He only had 2 receptions on the day, his highest total since the 3 he had in Week 5.

 

• Rhett Ellison is soaking up targets(7), but Evan Engram has a good shot to play this week. If Engram does sit, Ellison would be worth a look in Week 14 against the Redskins.

 

Bills – 17 @ Dolphins – 21

 

• What Josh Allen is lacking with his arm, he’s making up for with his feet – He’s run for almost 235 yards over his last 2 games. I’m not against streaming him against the Jets, as a strong running QB creates a solid floor, e.g. Lamar Jackson.

 

• Zay Jones is showing flashes of the player we saw at the Senior Bowl 2 years ago. In 2 of his last 3 games, he’s averaged 6 catches and 80 yards, with 3 TDs over that time. Unfortunately, he failed to record a catch in the other game. Highly volatile, Jones is purely a keeper/dynasty hold until he and Allen can link up consistently.

 

• The squeaky wheel gets the grease, as in the case of Kenny Stills who had 4 catches for 37 yards and a TD after complaining about his lack of use in Week 12. 37 yards seems paltry, but considering the team high for yardage was 43 yards, that’s pretty decent. DeVante Parker was that leader, and he also recorded a TD. Should Danny Amendola sit in Week 14, both players will be flex-worthy options against New England.

 

Broncos – 24 @ Bengals – 10

 

• Initially thought by some to be too light to finish a season healthy, Phillip Lindsay is silencing his critics, having played all 13 games thus far and getting stronger throughout the season – 159 yards and 2 TD in his one. It’s the bigger back, Royce Freeman, who’s missed games to injury and has failed to carve out a leading role, despite getting double-digit carries on multiple occasions.

 

• Courtland Sutton(4 rec, 85 yards, 1 TD) paid off on Sunday, it was just probably in a week no one was willing to use him, after he hurt us with a single 14 yard catch in Week 12. I’d say roll with him in Week 14, but he’s facing Richard Sherman and it’s the playoffs now.

 

• Considering Case Keenum only threw the ball 21 times, connecting on just 12 – his lowest completion rate this season, it’s not surprising that Emmanuel Sanders had his worst game of the year(4 rec, 19 yards). He’ll bounce back this week, as he doesn’t have to face Sherman lining up in the slot.

 

• A.J. Green re-injured his foot on Sunday, likely ending his season, as the Bengals are arguably out of the playoff race at this point. It’s conceivable that the Bengals will take a long look at Cody Core now – He scored Cincy’s only TD on Sunday. Second year player Josh Malone could see some run too, if he can come back from a hamstring injury this week.

 

• Gio Bernard(11 tou, 46 yards) is worth picking up in PPR formats again. He co-lead the team with 8 targets on Sunday.

 

Browns – 13 @ Texans – 29

 

• Baker Mayfield(397 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT) finally hit a rough patch after a 5 week run of lame defenses. He ended up with a lot of yardage, but that’s because the Texans were up by 23 at the half. He’ll get the fading Panthers this week, so there may be a bounce back in his near future.

 

• Antonio Callaway(3 rec, 84 yards) is sneakily working his way into fantasy relevance over the latter half of his rookie season, going over 50 yards in 3 of his last 4 games. He’s back to being flex-worthy folks.

 

• Rashard Higgins has 2 TD in his last 3 games, but he’s also had 2 games with just 1 catch over that stretch. He’s too risky for the playoffs.

 

 

• WR DeAndre Carter(6 rec, 32 yards) was second in targets(6) behind DeAndre Hopkins(12) on Sunday, ahead of Demaryius Thomas(5). If Keke Coutee can’t go this week, Carter could be worth a look in return yardage leagues.

 

 

Cardinals – 20 @ Packers – 17

 

• It’s hard to reconcile the Cardinals winning this game, considering Josh Rosen threw no TD and David Johnson had none either. Chase Edmonds epitomized the TD vulture, taking 2 from Johnson inside the 10. Still, with only 5 carries in each of his last 3 games, Edmonds can’t be relied on in fantasy.

 

• Christian Kirk has been the Cardinals best receiver over the last 3 games, averaging over 50 yards during that time, but he’s gone for good this year with a broken foot. Larry Fitzgerald is the only Arizona pass-catcher I’m concerned with moving forward.

 

• The Packers sacked Mike McCarthy on Sunday, after going down to the amateurish Cardinals. Perhaps this will unfetter the once aggressive Packers offense in a last ditch attempt to make a playoff run. McCarthy has been giving Jamaal Williams too much action when it’s apparent that Aaron Jones is their best back.

 

• Marquez Valdes-Scantling(2 rec, 19 yards) had another dud this week, making it 3 in a row. It wasn’t for lack of targets as he had 7 on the day. He and Aaron Rodgers haven’t been on the same page, but maybe Rodgers getting a 200+ lb monkey off his back in McCarthy will sharpen things up. The Packers get Atlanta this week.

 

Colts – 0 @ Jaguars – 6

 

• The Jaguar defense played it’s best game of the season, limiting Andrew Luck to 248 yards and no TD after giving up 285 yards and 3 TD to him just 3 weeks ago. Luck had thrown at least 3 TD in his previous 8 games. He gets Houston this week, who is playing much better these days, but also gave up 464 yards and 4 TD to Luck in week 4.

 

• Nyheim Hines(13 tou, 82 yards) had his 2nd best receiving total of this season against the Jags, as the Colts were ineffective on the ground. His best receiving day? Week 4 against the Texans, who the Colts play this week.

 

• So I guess this is the Jaguars offense now. Cody Kessler has thrown for 156 yards and 150 yards in his two starts this season. Carlos Hyde had 13 carries, but Leonard Fournette will return this week. T.J. Yeldon(15 tou, 65 yards) can be held onto, as i believe he’ll be an asset in the short passing game, since it’s unlikely a deep passing game will exist.

 

Panthers – 17 @ Buccaneers – 24

 

• Curtis Samuel led the Panthers with 8 receptions and 88 yards on 11 targets on Sunday, after Greg Olsen left for what I presume is the season after injuring his foot. Devin Funchess was also on limited snaps. Samuel and D.J. Moore(4 rec, 44 yards) could trade big games here on out, but both will viable plays with Olsen out.

 

• Cameron Brate(3 rec, 36 yards) hasn’t seen the uptick in targets one might expect after the Bucs lost O.J. Howard to injury for the season. Adam Humphries(7 rec, 61 yards, 1 TD) has been the red-zone go-to, scoring 5 TD over the last 5 weeks.

 

• Chris Godwin(5 rec, 101 yards, 1 TD) teed off with no DeSean Jackson on the field. Jackson isn’t a lock to play this week, so keep rolling with Godwin against the Saints – I’d roll with him even if Jackson returns in this matchup.

 

Rams – 30 @ Lions – 16

 

• The Rams went to the ground on Sunday, with Jared Goff having his 2nd worst day of the season. Needless to say, none of his pass-catchers, save Robert Woods(5 rec, 67 yards, 1 TD), had impressive days. The Rams have now clinched the division, so it’s uncertain what the offense will look like moving forward in the regular season. There are 4 games left, so they’ll still give their starters run, but should blowouts occur in either direction, we could see major subs. RB Malcolm Brown should be owned in preparation.

 

• Levine Toilolo had the best game of his 6 year career on Sunday, leading the Lions with 90 yards on 4 receptions. I don’t expect him to approach these numbers again, but with Marvin Jones gone and Kenny Golladay facing Patrick Peterson this week, maybe he’s worth streaming.

 

• Bruce Ellington(7 rec, 35 yards) lead the Lions in targets(10) Sunday, but couldn’t do much with them. He’ll be worth flexing in PPR this week, as he plays out of the slot so Patrick Peterson shouldn’t be too much of a concern for him.

 

Ravens – 26 @ Falcons – 16

 

• The Ravens are a running team now and may be for the rest of this season, as they keep winning and coach Harbaugh has said Lamar Jackson has done enough to keep the starting job in Baltimore. As far as I’m concerned, if Joe Flacco doesn’t return as the starter, you can cut any Ravens pass-catcher save for maybe Ty Montgomery(8 tou, 55 yards), who will serve as a pass-catching option out of the backfield.

 

• The Falcons were useless on offense against the Ravens, aside from Austin Hooper who managed 44 yards and a TD. Julio Jones was seen getting his hand wrapped early, but didn’t miss any time. The Falcons will look to bounce back against a reeling Packers team this week.

 

Chiefs – 40 @ Raiders – 33

 

• Spencer Ware(15 tou, 52 yards, 1 TD) wasn’t spectacular in his first game as a starter(3.4 YPC), and maybe that’s why the team added Charcandrick West for good measure on Monday. Damien Williams wasn’t half bad with a 7.6 YPC for 38 yards on 5 carries. We’re going to have to temper expectations for Ware moving forward.

 

• Demetrius Harris and Chris Conley each managed to snag TDs, but it was pretty much Travis Kelce and no one else in the passing game Sunday. Tyreek Hill had 2 would be TDs that he either dropped or was underthrown on. He’ll have a tough week up ahead against the Ravens.

 

• Multiple Raiders were fantasy productive on Sunday, which says more about the Chiefs’ defense than it does about the Raiders offense in my opinion. Fortunately for the Raiders, they get the Steelers’ garbage secondary this week. Start Jalen Richard, Jared Cook, and Jordy Nelson at will.

 

Jets – 22 @ Titans – 26

 

• Isaiah Crowell set a season high for touches(25) against the Titans on Sunday for 107 all-purpose yards. The Jets couldn’t get anything else going offensively on a day where Josh McCown threw for 128 yards and a pick. We can expect more of the same this week against the Bills’ swarming secondary.

 

• Taywan Taylor came back from a 3 week absence and promptly posted 104 yards on the stat sheet. It was only on 3 receptions, but Taylor looked electric. He could get loose over the middle again this week against a Jaguar team that is susceptible there.

 

• This Anthony Firkser character is stealing some of Dion Lewis‘ thunder out of the backfield. He’s averaging over 45 yards through the air the last 3 games and managed to score this week. I think the Titans will have to use both of them to move the ball against Jacksonville this week.

 

49ers – 16 @ Seahawks – 43

 

• Jeff Wilson Jr. looks like the pickup of the week at running back. Matt Breida aggravated his ankle during pre-game warmups, leaving Wilson to lead the backfield – He did a bang up job(23 tou, 134 yards). Alfred Morris should be activated this week if Breida has to sit, but Wilson would be the preferred play over him.

 

• Dante Pettis(5 rec, 129 yards, 2 TD) needs to be added in most formats. Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon are for the foreseeable future, and he looks like the no.1 in San Fran.

 

• True to Seattle’s OC’s word, Rashaad Penny was much more involved this game. He only had 7 carries, but Chris Carson only had 13. The Seahawks run the ball enough to keep them both viable in fantasy.

 

• David Moore dropped off the planet with 0 targets after going ballistic in Week 12(103 yards, 1 TD). Jaron Brown was the flavor of the day with 67 yards and 2 TD. Russell Wilson only threw the ball 17 times, so that plays a part, but Moore is too unreliable to use in the playoffs in most leagues.

 

Vikings – 10 @ Patriots – 24

 

• The Pats intentioned on stopping Adam Thielen(5 rec, 28 yards, 1 TD, and they almost shut him down, aside from a late game TD. He’ll be back to form this week against the Seahawks.

 

• Aldrick Robinson(5 rec, 37 yards) had 9 targets on the day, in what was likely an attempt to get the ball into someone other than Adam Thielen‘s hands. I wouldn’t bank on that kind of target share this week.

 

• 9 touches and 41 yards for Rex Burkhead in his first game back from I.R. It wasn’t mind-blowing, but it’s good to know he’ll be a part of the game plan moving forward. He should be added if he’s still on the wire.

 

Chargers – 33 @ Steelers – 30

 

• If there’s someone who’s going to give Jeff Wilson Jr. a run for his money this week, it’s Justin Jackson – though I told you to pick him up last week. He had 9 fewer touches than Austin Ekeler, but he made the most of it(82 yards, 1 TD). Jackson is the preferred play if Gordon sits again.

 

• James Conner injured his lower leg on Sunday night, but it’s being consider a minor injury. It’s still a wise move for his owners to add Jaylen Samuels in the meantime.