By Cody Smith
Welcome to the fantasy football playoffs everyone!
If you made it, and are facing some tough decisions this week, look no further. I’m here to help.
If you didn’t make the playoffs this season, better luck next year, but there is still a consolation bracket to play in and potentially a league punishment to avoid.
After a week off for Thanksgiving and the first weekend of buck season in Pennsylvania, I’m ready and rearing to get back into fantasy football for the playoffs.
So let's get right into it shall we?
Injury Notes
Matt Stafford remains out with broken bones in his back and David Blough is slinging the rock for the Lions. This could bump down Lions wide-outs a bit, but if you don't have better options, Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones should be started, just don’t look for huge numbers out of the duo.
It was announced this week that Daniel Jones has suffered a high ankle sprain and is out for at least this week and maybe longer. With Eli Manning at quarterback, I would favor Sterling Shepard this week out of all Giants' receivers, as Manning has some familiarity with him.
Josh Jacobs is listed as questionable with a fractured right shoulder. Apparently this has been nagging Jacobs for a while, so he will more than likely be out there and will be a must play on Sunday.
Le’Veon Bell has been declared out this week with an illness. This leaves Ty Montgomery and Bilal Powell in the backfield, neither of which are a viable fantasy option, even against the Dolphins.
James Connor has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. This leaves Benny Snell as a flex option with Jaylen Samuels holding some value in PPR leagues.
Jordan Howard has missed three games in a row with a shoulder injury. Howard has apparently not yet been cleared for contact, which would suggest he misses Monday night’s game with the Giants. Miles Sanders becomes the Eagle’s RB1 with Jay Ajayi likely to steal a few touches.
Damien Williams is still “week-to-week” with injured ribs and has been ruled out this weekend. I’m staying away from the Kansas City backfield this week.
Julian Edelman is questionable headed into this week. In other news, the sky is blue and the grass is green. Edelman will play and will put up nice numbers, even against the No. ranked Kansas City pass defense.
Hollywood Brown is questionable with an ankle injury, but is expected to play. He is a questionable play against the Buffalo secondary.
Will Fuller V is questionable with a hamstring injury. He has been questionable each of the last two weeks and played through his injury designation. He has a tough match-up this week but is flex worthy.
Others to keep an eye on: Adam Thielen (hamstring), Mohamed Sanu Sr. (ankle), Nelson Agholor (knee) and Demaryius Thomas (hamstring)
Quarterbacks I like
Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdowns last weekend in snowy conditions. This week he has the 23rd ranked Washington defense to contend with. I’m expecting another big game from Rodgers. Roll him out if you’ve got him.
My Rank: QB4
ESPN Rank: QB7
Bad news, Jameis Winston threw no touchdown passes last week. Good news, He didn’t throw any interceptions either. Winston has 22 TDs and 18 INTs on the season. Chances are you’ll suffer a few turnovers if you play him, but he should reward fantasy owners this week against the Colts.
My Rank: QB5
ESPN Rank: QB11
Quarterbacks to avoid
Matt Ryan has a nice outing against the Saints last week, but posted a stinker against a soft Tampa Bay secondary two weeks ago. This week he has Carolina who limited him to just one TD pass in Week 11. I would sit Ryan this week in a game where the Falcons could lean heavily on the run.
My Rank: QB14
ESPN Rank: QB6
Tom Brady had a nice fantasy outing against Houston coming off three straight stinkers dating back to Week 9. Kansas City is tough against the pass, which worries me for the veteran that is a great asset in real football, but a match-up dependent fantasy asset.
My Rank: QB21
ESPN Rank: QB13
Week 14 Quarterback Rankings
1. Russell Wilson @LAR
2. Lamar Jackson @Buf
3. Deshaun Watson vs. Den
4. Aaron Rodgers vs. Wsh
5. Jameis Winston vs. Ind
6. Kirk Cousins vs. Det
7. Patrick Mahomes @NE
8. Carson Wentz vs. NYG
9. Ryan Tannehill @Oak
10. Jacoby Brissett @TB
11. Sam Darnold vs. Mia
12. Josh Allen vs. Bal
13. Kyler Murray vs. Pit
14. Matt Ryan vs. Car
15. Jimmy Garoppolo @NO
16. Ryan Fitzpatrick @NYJ
17. Drew Brees vs. SF
18. Kyle Allen @Atl
19. Philip Rivers @Jax
20. Baker Mayfield vs. Cin
21. Tom Brady vs. KC
22. Jared Goff vs. Sea
23. Devlin Hodges @Ari
24. Eli Manning @Phi
25. Derek Carr vs. Ten
26. Gardner Minshew vs. LAC
27. Andy Dalton @Cle
28. Drew Lock @Hou
29. David Blough @Min
30. Dwayne Haskins @GB
Running Backs I Like
Todd Gurley II’s 19 for 95 and a touchdown against Arizona looked promising, but can he do it against a tougher opponent in Seattle in a game script that likely won’t be nearly as friendly? I say yes, as Gurley posted 15-51-2 against Seattle earlier this season. If the Rams can get into scoring position, Gurley is poised for a big game.
My Rank: RB10
ESPN Rank: RB14
Mark Ingram II went 15-59 last week in an incredibly tough match-up with the 49ers. He gets Buffalo this week who is better against the pass than the run. Look for Baltimore to run early and often in this one.
My Rank: RB11
ESPN Rank: RB15
Running Backs to Avoid
Aaron Jones ran for just 18 yards last week against the New York Giants. Go back and read that again. Now read it a third time. Jones has been boom or bust this season and has busted in three of his last four. Don’t trust him in your fantasy lineups this weekend. Hopefully you have a better RB2 option.
My Rank: RB17
ESPN Rank: RB8
Austin Ekeler is certainly a flex option this week in a positive match-up against the Jags. He has been a PPR machine this season, having scored double-digit PPR points in six straight games. My concern here is how much Ekeler ends up getting used. This could be a ground and pound game for the Chargers, which would open more doors for Melvin Gordon than Ekeler. As I stated, he is still a solid flex play, but maybe not an RB2.
My Rank: RB23
ESPN Rank: RB13
Week 14 Running Back Rankings
1. Christian McCaffrey @Atl
2. Dalvin Cook vs. Det
3. Leonard Fournette vs. LAC
4. Derrick Henry @Oak
5. Saquon Barkley @Phi
6. Alvin Kamara vs. SF
7. Nick Chubb vs. Cin
8. Josh Jacobs vs. Ten
9. Phillip Lindsay @Hou
10. Devonta Freeman vs. Car
11. Mark Ingram II @Buf
12. Chris Carson @LAR
13. Melvin Gordon @Jax
14. Todd Gurley vs. Sea
15. Joe Mixon @Cle
16. Miles Sanders vs. NYG
17. Aaron Jones vs. Wsh
18. James White vs. KC
19. Kenyan Drake vs. Pit
20. Devin Singletary vs. Bal
21. Marlon Mack @TB
22. Kareem Hunt vs. Cin
23. Austin Ekeler @Jax
24. Sony Michel vs. KC
25. Carlos Hyde vs. Den
26. Benny Snell Jr. @Ari
27. LeSean McCoy @NE
28. Tevin Coleman @NO
29. Jamaal Williams vs. Wsh
30. Duke Johnson vs. Den
31. Derrius Guice @GB
32. Patrick Laird @NYJ
33. Ronald Jones II vs. Ind
34. Jaylen Samuels @Ari
35. Bo Scarbrough @Min
36. Nyheim Hines @TB
37. Royce Freeman @Hou
38. Matt Breida @NO
39. Peyton Barber vs. Ind
40. Latavius Murray vs. SF
41. Adrian Peterson @GB
42. J.D. McKissic @MIn
43. David Johnson vs. Pit
44. Frank Gore vs. Bal
45. Dare Ogunbowale vs. Ind
46. Rex Burkhead vs. KC
47. Alexander Mattison vs. Det
48. Jalen Richard vs. Ten
49. Chris Thompson @GB
50. DeAndre Washington vs. Ten
Wide Receivers I Like
Tyler Lockett has been limited since his 13-152-2 performance against the Buccaneers in Week Nine that vaulted him into the top five of PPR scoring. I believe he breaks back out this weekend against the Rams. Last time against the Jalen Ramsey-less Rams, Locket went 4-51-1 in a Seahawks' victory. With Ramsey likely covering Metcalf in this one, I like Lockett to break out as a slot receiver.
My Rank: WR7
ESPN Rank: WR18
John Brown saved his week last week with a passing touchdown in an otherwise bleak performance (3-26-0) against Dallas. He has just five receptions over the last two weeks, but is still the 16th ranked PPR receiver. He’ll face Baltimore this week in a game where the Bills could likely find themselves playing from behind. It isn’t the greatest match-up, but Brown has been fairly solid for your team all season long. Play him at flex with confidence, or as a low-end WR2.
My Rank: WR18
ESPN Rank: WR24
Wide Receivers to Avoid
Tyreek Hill has a very tough match-up with New England. The Patriots' defense has been something special this season and is great at taking away teams’ top options. Hill is clearly the top option here, and may be blanketed by Stephon Gilmore. I think you have to start him if you have him, but don’t expect huge numbers.
My Rank: WR15
ESPN Rank: WR5
Kenny Golladay has a great match-up, but will have to catch lightning in a bottle two weekends in a row with David Blough at quarterback. Look for different options due to the under-experienced QB throwing Golladay the ball.
My Rank: WR19
ESPN Rank: WR14
Week 14 Wide Receiver Rankings
1. Michael Thomas vs. SF
2. Mike Evans vs. Ind
3. Julio Jones vs. Car
4. Devante Adams vs. Wsh
5. Chris Godwin vs. Ind
6. DJ Moore @Atl
7. Tyler Lockett @LAR
8. DeAndre Hopkins vs. Den
9. Julian Edelman vs. KC
10. DeVante Parker @NYJ
11. Courtland Sutton @Hou
12. Keenan Allen @Jax
13. Cooper Kupp vs. Sea
14. Jarvis Landry vs. Cin
15. Tyreek Hill @NE
16. Calvin Ridley vs. Car
17. Alshon Jeffery vs. NYG
18. John Brown vs. Bal
19. Kenny Golladay @Min
20. Christian Kirk vs. Pit
21. DK Metcalf @LAR
22. Stefon Diggs vs. Det
23. Emmanuel Sanders @NO
24. Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Cin
25. Marvin Jones Jr. @Min
26. Robert Woods vs. Sea
27. Zach Pascal @TB
28. A.J. Brown @Oak
29. Will Fuller V vs. Den
30. Sterling Shepard @Phi
31. Darius Slayton @Phi
32. DJ Chark Jr. vs. LAC
33. Tyler Boyd @Cle
34. Dede Westbrook vs. LAC
35. Diontae Johnson @Ari
36. Golden Tate @Phi
37. Jamison Crowder vs. Mia
38. Curtis Samuel @Atl
39. Deebo Samuel @NO
40. Marquise Brown @Buf
41. Cole Beasley vs. Bal
42. James Washington @Ari
43. Mike Williams @Jax
44. Tyrell Williams vs. Ten
45. Robby Anderson vs. Mia
46. Terry McLaurin @GB
47. Steven Sims Jr. @GB
48. Larry Fitzgerald vs. Pit
49. Chris Conley vs. LAC
50. Sammy Watkins @NE
Tight Ends I Like
Kyle Rudolph has scored five touchdowns in the last four games and is not a TE1 on the season (TE12 overall.) This is the kind of hot streak I want in my lineup going into the playoffs. Expect top-12 TE numbers from Rudolph this week
My Rank: TE9
ESPN Rank: TE15
Tight Ends To Avoid
Dallas Goedert is being ranked as a TE1 due to 13 receptions in the last two weeks However he has not had over 70 receiving yards in a game this season. I’m fading Goedert this week despite his recent success.
My Rank: TE16
ESPN Rank: TE11
Week 14 Tight End Rankings
1. George Kittle @NO
2. Travis Kelce @NE
3. Darren Waller vs. Ten
4. Zach Ertz vs. NYG
5. Hunter Hunry @Jax
6. Austin Hooper vs. Car
7. Mark Andrews @Buf
8. Jack Doyle @TB
9. Kyle Rudolph vs. Det
10. Jared Cook vs. SF
11. Mike Gesicki @NYJ
12. Vance McDonald @Ari
13. Tyler Higbee vs. Sea
14. Jacob Hollister @LAR
15. Ryan Griffin vs. Mia
16. Dallas Goedert vs. NYG
17. Noah Fant @Hou
18. Darren Fells vs. Den
19. Jimmy Graham vs. Wsh
20. Ian Thomas @Atl
21. Kaden Smith @Phi
22. O.J. Howard vs. Ind
23. Jonnu Smith @Oak
24. Irv Smith Jr. vs. Det
25. Jeremy Sprinkle @GB
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