The Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 14 of the NFL Season

The playoffs are in sight, as we come into the last quarter of the fantasy season! Let’s not take any dead weight with us as we trim the fantasy fat and bolster our starting lineups for the home stretch…

 

Cowboys 27 @ Saints – 17

 

• Tony Pollard just looks like the better back in Dallas. The Cowboys would be prudent to let him take the reins in Big D, at least until Zeke is not limping off the field after every drive. In any case, I think it’s safe to start Pollard this week. 

 

• Michael Gallup has had pretty decent lines his first 2 games back in action, but that was largely due to CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper being limited. With Cooper likely back at full speed this week, I would temper my expectations for Gallup against Washington. 

 

• Alvin Kamara was reportedly close to playing on Thursday, so I would expect him to at least give it a go this week, as the Saints’ season is on the line. Then again, maybe the Saints think they can beat the Jets without him.

 

• Ty Montgomery saw his second straight week of significant touches as a Saint, playing 52% of snaps as a runner and a pass-catcher. He’s useless if Kamara returns this week, but he makes for a deep PPR flex against the Jets if Kamara happens to sit. 

Eagles – 33 @ Jets – 18

 

• Gardner Minshew(20/242/2) had a solid spot start against the Jets, and I’m sure there will be clamor for him to take the spot permanently by the ever discontented Philly fan base, but Jalen Hurts(ankle) should be back under center in Week 14. I prefer Hurts’ scrambling ability for FFL purposes anyway. We know Minshew can get erratic under pressure, and the Jets never had him shaken. That being said, it probably wouldn’t hurt to hold onto Minshew for another week. 

 

• The Eagles remembered they have a pretty capable back in Kenneth Gainwell(17/87/1) who sat in for an ailing Boston Scott. Miles Sanders injured his ankle in the 2nd half of the game and could be at risk of missing Week15 after the bye, so Gainwell makes for a deep bench hold in the meantime. 

 

• Tevin Coleman(14/77) continues to run as the lead back in Michael Carter‘s absence. Expect him to hold that role for at least one more week as Carter isn’t eligible to return until Week 15. 

 

• Corey Davis‘ groin nagged him the entire time he was in the game on Sunday. I expect the Jets to give him a rest this week, giving Jamison Crowder(4/62) some juice behind the electrifying Elijah Moore(6/77/1). 

 

Buccaneers – 30 @ Falcons – 17

 

• Recently signed Breshad Perriman saw only 3 targets for 5 yards in his 2nd action for Tampa, with Antonio Brown suspended for several games(COVID-19). It was a paltry outcome, but Perriman could be in line for some more looks this week as the Bucs face the Bills, who will no doubt do their best to stifle Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. 

 

• Russell Gage caught 11 of 12 targets for 130 yards on Sunday, running as the Falcons no.1 WR. He also had a costly fumble late in the game, but Gage seems to be favored even over Kyle Pitts by Matt Ryan right now. He needs to be owned going into the playoffs. 

 

• Kyle Pitts hasn’t scored since Week 5 or gone over 60 yards in over 4 straight games. His high snap count and significant target share keep him in consideration every week, but he’s not being used in the red-zone to any success. He doesn’t have to be in lineups every week, though he should still be owned in most formats. 

 

Colts – 31 @ Texans – 0

 

• Colts WR Ashton Dulin caught his 2nd TD in as many weeks, but the catches were literally his only reception on the day in both instances. He’s not an option in fantasy. 

 

• The Texans are FFL poison. I can’t advocate starting any of them in fantasy right now. That being said, Rex Burkhead(8/45) looks like the lead back for now. 

 

Chargers – 41 @ Bengals – 22

 

• Justin Jackson(8/21) ran as the no.2 behind Austin Ekeler on Sunday, but with the game in hand most of the time, he was mainly used as a clock killer and wasn’t very effective even then. 

 

• Jalen Guyton(4/90) had his best game of the season on Sunday, but he’s only seen more than 3 targets in 2 other games so far. He’s not on my fantasy radar. 

 

• Ja’Maar Chase(5/52) is the no.2 in Cincy. Tee Higgins(9/138/1) has regained his status as the go-to for Joe Burrow and is a must start as the playoffs come into view. Tyler Boyd continues to get low-yield targets as the 3rd WR.

 

Vikings – 27 @ Lions – 29

 

• Adam Thielen suffered a high-ankle sprain on Sunday and is expected to miss at least one game. Fire up Kj Osborn(4/47/1) in his stead. Tyler Conklin(7/56) should see an uptick in targets as well. 
• Alexander Mattison(25/124/1) fit right in for Dalvin Cook, though he was stuffed on the one to deny the Vikings the lead. He’ll get the start for at least one more week. 

 

• Jamaal Wiliams was the clear lead back against the Vikings(18/80), though he couldn’t find the end-zone. He should get the start again this week, and I have higher hopes for him, as I don’t expect Jared Goff to throw 3 TDs against the Broncos. 

 

• Amon-Ra St. Brown led the Lions in receiving(10/86/1) on Sunday, scoring the game winner as time ran out. It was his best game of the season so far, but I don’t expect a repeat in Week 14 against Denver. Hopefully he continues to see similar volume though. 

 

• Josh Reynolds(4/69) had 7 targets on the day, behind St. Brown(12) and TJ Hockenson(8). I actually like him more than St. Brown moving forward, as Reynolds has been involved consistently since he joined the team and is more of a red-zone threat. 

 

Giants – 9 @ Dolphins – 20

 

• Mike Glennon had a terrible game and got concussed at the end of it, to add injury to insult. No idea yet who will start against the Chargers, though the result won’t likely be much different. The Chargers secondary is legit. 

 

• Devontae Booker had 10 touches on Sunday, behind Saquon Barkley‘s 17 on the day. Booker had 54 yards on the day and could actually see significant action this week against the run funnel Chargers, especially if Glennon or Jake Fromm makes the start. 

 

• DeVante Parker was activated for Week 13 and caught all 5 of his targets for 62 yards. Expect him to get even more involved in Week 15 after the bye against the Jets. 

 

Cardinals – 33 @ Bears -22

 

• The Cardinals played small ball in this one, with no player seeing more than 3 targets on a rainy day. DeAndre Hopkins(2/32/1) saved his day with a score. All Arizona pass-catchers’ lots should improve this week in what should be a shootout with the Rams. 

 

• 4 different Bears saw 7 targets against the Cardinals on a day that Andy Dalton threw 4 picks. Jakeem Grant led the field with 62 yards and a score, but Allen Robinson and Marquise Goodwin were out, and it’s likely Justin Fields will be back under center in Week 14 versus Green Bay. Darnell Mooney remains the only Bears WR worth flexing. 

 

Washington – 17 @ Raiders – 15

 

• Logan Thomas was the only Washington pass-catcher to score on Sunday, but he may be lost for the season with both an ACL and MCL injury. Ricky Seals-Jones missed the game with a hip injury, so it may very well be John Bates who gets the start against the Cowboys this week. 

 

• Hunter Renfrow(9/102) was the only Raiders pass-catcher to do anything on Sunday, despite Foster Moreau filling in for Darren Waller at TE. Waller will likely miss Week 14 as well, but Moreau doesn’t inspire much confidence after this letdown. 

 

• Kenyan Drake is out for the season with a broken ankle. This boosts Josh Jacobs‘ value more than it instills any fantasy faith in Jalen Richard, who may return soon from the COVID-19 list. 

 

Jaguars – 7 @ Rams – 37

 

• James Robinson lost a fumble early in the game and ended up ceding 10 touches to Carlos Hyde, who managed to score. I don’t know that I’m more confident in Hyde moving forward, but I’m definitely less bullish on Robinson in week 14 against the Titans. 

 

• Laquon Treadwell(4/62) is being treated as Jacksonville’s lead WR, by Trevor Lawrence at least, as he’s led the team with 13 targets over the last 2 weeks. He could be worth a flex against the Titans this week, as they’re the worst secondary in the league. 

 

• Sony Michel(27/129/1) made an argument for at least a timeshare moving forward in the Rams backfield with a powerful Week 13 performance. Even if Darrell Henderson can go this week, Michel makes for a flex start against the cardinals. 

 

• All 3 Rams starting WRs found the end-zone on Sunday, but only Cooper Kupp saw double-digit touches(10). Van Jefferson was 2nd with 8, and Odell Beckham was actually 4th on the team with 5, one fewer than Tyler Higbee. 

 

49ers – 23 @ Seahawks – 30

 

• George Kittle and Eli Mitchell comprised the bulk of the 49ers offense on Sunday, with Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Sherfield – not Jauan Jennings – picking up the scraps with 6 and 5 targets a piece. Aiyuk is the only 49ers WR you can take stock in if Samuel misses Week 14. 

 

• The Seattle backfield was a 3-headed dog, with Adrian Peterson and Rashaad Penny seeing double-digit touches and Travis Homer leading the way with 80 yards and a score on 7 touches – Peterson scored as well. Homer’s line is a little misleading, as he took a fake punt 73 yards, but any one of these guys could manage to retain some fantasy relevancy against the Texans this week. I’m not banking on any of them though. 

 

• Dee Eskridge caught his first TD on the season, and could be working his way back into the 3rd WR spot after an injury plagued start to his career. Russell Wilson looked like he may have turned a corner in this game, so Eskridge could provide some deep league relief if he sticks. 

 

Ravens – 19 @ Steelers – 20

 

• With a 19 to 4 touch ratio, Davonta Freeman has taken the lead back role from Latavius Murray. Murray can be dropped in most formats. 

 

• Sammy Watkins(4/39/1) seems to have retaken the no.2 WR role in Baltimore from Rashod Bateman(1 target), who even ran behind Devin Duvernay(2/21). I can’t explain it, but Bateman can’t be relied on any further this season. 

 

• Pat Freiermuth showed just how TD dependent his is on Sunday, catching 3 balls for 26 yards. If he doesn’t score, he’s unusable in fantasy. He’s scored in 4 of his last 6 games though. 

 

Broncos – 9 @ Chiefs – 22

 

• Javonte Williams‘(29/178/1) breakout game was bittersweet for his owners, who no doubt loved his output but have to be shaking their heads thinking about how he could have been doing this since day one if Melvin Gordon wasn’t around. If Gordon returns this week, Williams is back to half mast. 

 

• Noah Fant(4/33) and Albert Okwuegbunam(3/21) are canceling each other’s fantasy values out. I’m not depending on either of them at this juncture. 

 

• Darrel Williams had 8 touches and 80 yards behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire on Sunday night, as the two RBs were the only effective aspects of the Chiefs offense against the Broncos. The Chiefs face the Raiders this week, who they beat 41-14 only 4 weeks ago, so the other skill players should bounce back. I’m not moving in on Williams.