Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout going into Week 14

The regular has come to an end, unless you’re in some dodgy alternative format league, so we have to be a little more prudent with our decisions going into Week 14. Here’s the Fallout…

 

 

Bears – 24 @ Lions – 20

 

• Don’t look now, but Mitch Trubisky(338/3/1) has strung together a couple of decent fantasy outings in a row. I’m only streaming him if I don’t need upside though, as the Bears play the Cowboys this week, and they should handle him pretty well.

 

• The Bears are starting to realize what we’ve known all along, and that’s that Anthony Miller(9/140) is arguably their best offensive weapon. I think he’ll have an easier go of it this week than Allen Robinson, but I’m not touching him outside of PPR formats.

 

• UDFA David Blough(280/2/1) began his first career NFL start with a 75 yard TD bomb to Kenny Golladay leveled off from there unfortunately. He ended up with a decent line, but the Lions face Minnesota this week, and Jeff Driskel may be healthy enough to go, so I’m not prioritizing Blough outside of deep dynasty leagues.

 

• If Bo Scarbrough(21/83) can manage to throw in some scores to the mix, he’ll be an RB2 in fantasy. He’s got a rough fantasy playoff schedule, but he’s well worth flexing, as the undisputed go-to in the Lions backfield.

 

Bills – 26 @ Cowboys – 15

 

• I said to be on the lookout for Cole Beasley(6/110/1) to have an upside revenge game against the Cowboys last week, and it came to fruition. Having scored in back to back games, Beasley makes for a decet flex in PPR leagues and otherwise this week against the Ravens. 

 

• Jason Witten(6/42/1) had his best game of the season on Thanksgiving, and he’s averaging 6 targets a game, but he’s entirely too TD dependent to ride into the playoffs. He hasn’t had more than 5.8 std points in games in which he hasn’t scored, and Thursday was his first scoring game since Week 2. 

 

Saints – 26 @ Falcons – 18

 

• Drew Brees(184/1) has been solid against teams that aren’t the Falcons, throwing 3 TDs in every game he’s finished that hasn’t been against them. He’ll have his toughest test of the season against the 49ers this week, a team that just held Lamar Jackson to his lowest passing yardage(105 yards) total this season. 

 

• Taysom Hill had 2 TDs on Thanksgiving night, in addition to a blocked punt. It was his best game of the season thus far, but you can’t chase Hills stats. He had only 4 touches on the day. 

 

• Devonta Freeman(21/64) is healthy enough, but that didn’t really matter against the Saints. It’s been a down season Freeman, but he gets a nice matchup with the Panthers this week. He has flex appeal. 

 

• The good news is that Julio Jones isn’t being shut down and seems close to playing – apparently, he would have last week if the game was on Sunday. No point in chasing Christian Blake or Jaeden Graham this week, unless we see reports that Julio is limited this week. Russell Gage maintains his WR4 status. 

 

49ers – 17 @ Ravens – 20

 

• Tevin Coleman(6/15) “started”, But Raheem Mostert(21/152/1) was the main mover in the 49ers backfield against the Ravens. Unfortunately for him and his prospective owners, Matt Breida may return this week, throwing a wrench in the works. His return would muddle things for his owners, who aren’t sure whether they should depend on him or not, in addition to the other backs’ owners. None of them would be more than low floor flexes against the Saints this week. 

 

• Deebo Samuel(3/61/1) has either scored or gone over 100 yards in his last 4 games. He’s only 67% owned and has a decent matchup in what could shape up to be a shootout against the Saints this week. 

 

• A week after Willie Snead(1/12) and Marquise Brown(1/1) had stellar fantasy days, they had the floor drop out beneath them. Yes, it was against SF, but they face the Bills this week. I’m not taking a chance on either going into the playoffs.

 

Redskins – 29 @ Panthers – 21

 

• I insisted that you grab Derrius Guice(12/137/2) when he was activated from I.R., and this is precisely why. One of the most dangerous backs in the league when healthy, Guice went big only 12 touches. He’s still in a committee, but he’s well worth flexing in any format this week against the Packers.

 

• Adrian Peterson(13/99/1) had a great day too, but I’m not excited about his prospects this week. He’s more of a deep league flex. 

 

• We’ve seen Terry McLaurin‘s(2/8) floor in a Dwayne Haskins led offense, and it isn’t pretty. He can’t be trusted going into the playoffs.

 

• Curtis Samuel(4/65/1) had his best game in 7 weeks, but he’s too boom or bust to depend on with any regularity. He does have a good shot to go big on the Falcons this week, but he’s a luxury play at best. 

 

Jets – 6 @ Bengals – 22

 

• The Jets looked pretty pathetic handing the Bengals their first win of the season, but they have a get right opportunity with the Dolphins this week – though, they’re not even pushovers anymore. It was good to see Robby Anderson(7/101) stay involved for the 2nd straight week, and I like his chances of continuing that run against Miami. 

 

• Andy Dalton‘s return makes Tyler Boyd(5/59/1) and Auden Tate(4/66) fantasy relevant again. I don’t like him against the Browns this week, but I’m willing to give either of those WRs a spot start. 

 

• John Brown will be active in Week 14 against the Browns. He’s only a risky tournament play in that one. 

 

Titans – 31 @ Colts – 17

 

• There are too few opportunities in the Titans offense behind Derrick Henry(29/166/1). He’s the only Titan worth starting in the playoffs, though the Raiders make for a tantalizing opponent for A.J. Brown and Corey Davis. 

 

• Jonathan Williams(9/25) disappointed after 2 straight 100+ games. He’s a risky flex against Tampa’s stifling run defense this week. I actually like Nyheim Hines(6/40/1) a bit more in this one. 

 

• Zach Pascal(7/109) ascended to the top of the pecking order with no T.Y. Hilton or Chester Rogers around this week. Rogers is out for the season, and there’s no word on Hilton’s availability yet for this week. If Hilton sits, Pascal and Jack Doyle(6/73/1) are both must starts against Tampa Bay’s sieve-like secondary this week. 

 

Buccaneers – 28 @ Jaguars – 11

 

• Sigh, there’s no backfield more frustrating the Buccaneers’. They show no allegiance to any back, and they literally go with the “hot hand” in any situation. Neither Peyton Barber(17/44/2), nor Ronald Jones(6/8) can be trusted in the fantasy playoffs. 

 

• O.J. Howard(5/61) had his 2nd best day of the season, but he’s not dependable in fantasy playoff matchups. There are too many options in Tampa, including Brashad Perriman(5/87) – he’s not startable either. 

 

• Nick Foles(93/0/1) was benched for Gardner Minshew(147/1/1) for the 2nd half of the game on Sunday. He left his magic in Philly. Minshew will probably start the rest of the season for the Jaguars. This is great news for D.J. Chark(2/47) owners. 

 

Raiders – 9 @ Chiefs – 40

 

• With Hunter Renfrow out with a broken rib, Darren Waller soaked up targets underneath, the only place the Raiders could move the ball through the air. He’ll be a solid play against Tennessee this week. 

 

• Another KC back went down. This time it was Darrel Williams to a hamstring injury. Darwin Thompson came in and ran 11 times for 44 yards and a TD. He looked like the better back to LeSean McCoy. If neither Williams can go this week, Thompson will be in line for major work this week, though it will come against the Patriots. 

 

Eagles – 31 @ Dolphins – 37

 

• Alshon Jeffery is totally healed from his ankle injury, if there was any question after his 9/137/1 Sunday. He has the Giants and Redskins up next so make sure he’s in your lineups. 

 

• Zach Ertz(3/24) didn’t look fully healthy on Sunday, and his stat line reflected that. He should have a much better day against the Giants, although Dallas Goedert isn’t going anywhere. It was encouraging that Ertz played more snas than Goedert on the day, if that’s any consolation moving forward. 

 

• #DFSTwitter’s “Laird and Savior,” Patrick Laird “led” the Miami backfield with Kalen Ballage going down to injury on Sunday, carrying the ball 10 times for 5 yards and a TD – He did add 43 yards in the passing game. Myles Gaskin looked more explosive, carrying the ball twice for 20 yards, and he’s probably earned more action moving forwards, though either player is only worth adding in dynasty formats right now. 

 

• Devante Parker(7/159/2) has led the AFC in receiving since Week 6. Make sure he’s in your  lineups this week when the Dolphins face the Jets. 

 

• TE Mike Gesicki has scored in back to back games. He’s also had 7 targets in both of those contests. He’s streamable against the Jets.

 

Packers – 31 @ Giants – 13

 

• Allen Lazard had his best game of the season on Sunday, but he had only 3 targets on the day. His Week 12 line was 2/28, and 21 yards of that came on a run play. He’s too boom or bust to rely on, but if you’re desperate and need the upside, he gets the Redskins this week. 

 

• Aaron Jones(15/31) and Jamaal Williams(14/67) are pretty much cancelling each other out in fantasy. Both players are low ceiling flexes against Washington. 

 

• TE Kaden Smith(6/70) led the Giants in yards, and was second to only Darius Slayton(9) in targets(8). He’s decent streamer against Philly this week. 

 

• Slayton will be an attractive flex this week if Golden Tate continues to sit. Hell, he’ll be one if he doesn’t as either the 3rd or 4th option in a play from behind Giants offense, Slayton has the big play ability to make anyone’s fantasy day. 

 

Rams – 34 @ Cardinals – 7

 

• The Rams got off this week, well everyone but Brandin Cooks(2/24), and we expect nothing less against the Cardinals’ defense. Tyler Higbee(7/107/1) blew up, but the Cards are notoriously soft against TEs this season, so I’m not champing at the bit to add him. Higbee will be worth a stream against the Seahawks though, especially with Goff refusing to go deep, which is why I’m also hands off Cooks. 

 

• Kenyan Drake(15/51) led the Cardinals backfield, getting 15 touches to David Johnson‘s(6/24) 6. Chase Edmonds didn’t register a touch. Drake is the player to flex against the Steelers this week, though DJ will stay in the mix, as Drake wasn’t amazing against the Rams. 

 

Chargers – 20 @ Broncos – 23

 

• Mike Williams(5/117) is putting up the yards, but he’s not scoring, yet. He’s an upside play against the Jags this week.

 

• Austin Ekeler‘s passing game prowess(4/51/1) is keeping him fantasy relevant, though I’m seeing way too much Andre Patton on the field, when it should be Ekleler. Let’s hope he scores again this week. 

 

• New Broncos QB Drew Lock(134/2/1) loves him some Courtland Sutton(4/74/2). Jeff Heuermann saw just as many targets(5) though, rendering Noah Fant useless in fantasy for the time being. 

 

Browns – 13 @ Steelers – 20

 

• Odell Beckham(3/29) is the no.2 in the Browns passing game to Jarvis Landry(6/76). Both are worth starting against the Bengals this week, as long as Baker Mayfield‘s hand isn’t too much worse for the wear since banging his hand on a helmet on Sunday. 

 

• Benny Snell(17/67/1) was the back to own in Pittsburgh, getting 17 touches to Jaylen Samuels‘ 9. Snell is a strong flex play against the Cardinals this week if James Conner continues to sit. 

 

• James Washington(4/111/1) has had 90+ yards and a score in 3 of his last 4 games. He’s a high upside flex play against the Cardinals. 

 

Patriots – 22 @ Texans – 28

 

• With the Pats trailing most of the game, Tom Brady relied upon James White(22/177/2) to get them back in it, which almost worked. White makes for another upside flex play against the Chiefs this week in what should be a high scoring affair. 

 

• With Phillip Dorsett and Mohamed Sanu healthy, N’Keal Harry played only 22 snaps. He’s a dynasty hold. 

 

• Jakobi Meyers(3/46) had 7 targets on the day, and could be a sneaky upside play against the Chiefs this week. 

 

• Duke Johnson(14/90/1) had his best week this season against the Patriots, but he hadn’t topped 50 yards in the two weeks prior. He’s not a player to bank on during the playoffs.

 

• Neither is Carlos Hyde(11/22), who isn’t involved enough in the passing game to justify starting in shallower leagues.