by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)
For many the time has finally come for the fantasy football playoffs to begin. While you don’t want to necessarily stray from your “star”, you also don’t want to make a mistake as it’s either win or go home. Who are the best options for Week 14? Who brings extra risk with everything on the line? Let’s take a look:
- Tom Brady – New England Patriots – vs. Baltimore
- Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – vs. Seattle
- Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks – at Green Bay
- Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – at Tampa Bay
- Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – at Los Angeles
- Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Houston
- Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers – at Carolina
- Derek Carr – Oakland Raiders – at Kansas City
- Kirk Cousins – Washington Redskins – at Philadelphia
- Eli Manning – New York Giants – vs. Dallas
- Carson Palmer – Arizona Cardinals – at Miami
- Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers – at Buffalo
- Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals – at Cleveland
- Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys – at New York Giants
- Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers – vs. San Diego
- Jameis Winston – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. New Orleans
- Marcus Mariota – Tennessee Titans – vs. Denver
- Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions – vs. Chicago
- Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens – at New England
- Ryan Fitzpatrick – New York Jets – at San Francisco
- Tyrod Taylor – Buffalo Bills – vs. Pittsburgh
- Carson Wentz – Philadelphia Eagles – vs. Washington
- Alex Smith – Kansas City Chiefs – vs. Oakland
- Sam Bradford – Minnesota Vikings – at Jacksonville
- Ryan Tannehill – Miami Dolphins – vs. Arizona
Thoughts:
- Over the past few weeks the Green Bay Packers have given up 1,205 passing yards (fifth most in the league). On the other side Russell Wilson has finally started to look healthy, having thrown for 270+ yards in four of his past five games and showing the ability and willingness to break some runs. He has just 2 TD over the past three games, which does have to make you a little skeptical, but there’s reason to believe in him as one of the better options in the league.
- In the same game you may want to downgrade Aaron Rodgers due to the matchup with Seattle. However this isn’t the same dominant Seahawks defense, while Rodgers himself is just behind Drew Brees (1,547 vs. 1,541) for the most yardage over the past four weeks. Don’t push him too far down your rankings due to matchup alone.
- Speaking of defenses that are no longer dominant, the Carolina Panthers just saw the Seattle Seahawks post 40 points against them… Of course Philip Rivers has thrown 7 INT over his past three games and has thrown for under 250 yards each of the past two. Obviously we wouldn’t flea from him, but there’s reason to be a little bit skeptical about his performance.
- Sure Eli Manning is coming off a poor performance, but the matchup against the Cowboys is a highly intriguing one. Dallas has struggled against the pass in recent weeks (league high 1,329 yards, 8 TD and 0 INT over the past four games) and we all know the Giants offense rests on the shoulders of Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. Feel confident using Manning as a low-end QB1.
- It was a “step back” for Kirk Cousins, but that’s what happens when you’ve thrown for 375+ yards in three of your previous four games. He was still solid (271 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) and draws a Philadelphia defense that has been struggling of late. The first time he faced off with them he threw for 263 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT, though he’s been playing at a higher level since then.
- It may seem odd to have Ben Roethlisberger dropped so far down these rankings, though the matchup with Buffalo isn’t particularly easy. He’s also been better at home (327.2 yards/game, 17 TD, 3 INT) as opposed to on the road (233.0 yards/game, 8 TD, 5 INT). In other words don’t feel obligated to utilize him.
- Before you lock Dak Prescott into your lineup, keep in mind that he’s thrown for under 200 yards in each of the past two games. They are going to try riding Ezekiel Elliot, especially against a solid Giants’ secondary, so he’s more of a QB2.
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Make sure to check out all of our Week 14 rankings:
Leanning Dalton over Brees for week 14. Match up…What you think.
I think CIN D is a great pick, I’m NO PROFESSIONAL, but I think the snow forecast for sunday in Cleveland is going to hurt Dalton’s overall ceiling too much. Should boost a certain CIN RB though.
Hi prof need a s. Kc Detroit atl wash zona and Tenn and nth. Can u rank them
Defense
Prof,
16 team PPR League
Made the playoffs as the 6th seed after losing the Division Title in a tie breaker. Novak missing the EP killed me.
I’m starting Ryan over Flacco hoping Ryan can bounce back,
I have the following RB’s: West, Gurley, Sproles and Derrick Henry. Please pick two.
Receivers: Cooks, Baldwin, Nelson and Eifert who I can start as a receiver. Please pick three.
Kickers: Novak or Gano.
Thanks
Non ppr,
Dak or carr
Adams, diggs , crowder or sanders for wr2
Thanks
haggy – I wouldn’t, I’m going Brees
Barney – Arizona #1, KC #2
David:
RB – Gurley/Sproles I guess (don’t like it)
WR – Nelson/Baldwin/Eifert
K – Gano
Matt – Carr // Diggs
Hummmmmmmm
Rivers or cousins or manning?
I’m rolling Rivers this week
Standard Scoring.
Wilson or Cousins?
Hi Prof,
2 QB league. Have Manning, Palmer, Kaep, and Dak. Would you play Kaep, or go Manning and Palmer? Thanks!
River or Dalton?
Hope this is a good question: How do you feel about Petty and Anderson NYJ stack against a weak SF 49’s defense? Anderson seems to be the favorite target of Petty who (finally) is taking the starting position over Fitzpatrick (who should have been CUT after KC lol) and I feel like Petty will be coming off a high after having relieved Fitz and he’ll be excited to prove he should earn a bigger paycheck this December, starting on a warm day in California. I like Anderson’s speed and height match-up in the secondary and I feel like these two are about to make some things happen. Thoughts?
So. …stick with Brady, rather than Big Ben on the road. …one last question, at wr3 poor choices: inman, beasely, gabriel, thielen…leaning inman. Any help?
Jones is banged up and double coverage bait and Sanu is out, to my knowledge, I think Gabriel is your best option there. I’m not the PROFESSOR though lol, I’m just waiting for a reply myself my friend.
Donnie – Wilson for sure
Chris – No chance I trust Kaep at this point. Coaching staff showed little faith in him last week
James – I’m definitely rolling Rivers
Abel – Certainly not the craziest thing I’ve heard, though I’d have a hard time trusting them
Greg – Yep, I’m going Brady. As for the WR3, I’d agree leaning Inman. Hard to trust, but Rivers always produces
Hi Professor,
Kaep or Carr this week? Jets are a good match up. Was it just the weather conditions in Chicago that benched him? Carr may have hand issues and on Thursday. Thoughts? Thank you.
What do you think should I pick Bryant or cousins for this week?
Too Tall – I couldn’t sit Carr in favor of Kaep…
Jay – I assume Ryan is who you mean…, and it would be him
Oh yes I meant Ryan lol Thank you! I usually put Ryan in but cousins has been gettting some good points lately.
Do you think the frigid temps in KC will have a major impact on Carr with passing? My fear is another Chicago/SF game where it is mostly running the ball. That was the only reason I was considering Kaep on Sunday.
That was more of a wind/snow issue then the cold I’d think
Carr, Dalton or Prescott?? leaning toward Prescott due to Dalton having bad weather for sunday and carr last start against chiefs bwasn’t that good. Please help!!
Cousins or Winston this week? Can’t get a better matchup for Jameis, but what say you?
chris – Prescott doesn’t have an easy matchup and it’s also easy to envision them leaning on Elliot. I’d go Carr.
Trevor – Cousins has been going well, so I’d lean him
Do I accept the trade: Give Andy Luck for Drew Brees ? First week of playoffs, Brees has better matchup this week, plus if I keep Luck then next week he’s faces Minnesota’s D if I win this weeks playoff game.
What do you think?
Your league still allows trades?! I’d probably prefer Brees, but it’s close and purely matchup based
Yes, it does. But each league member has to vote on the trade and 12 out of 16 members must be in favor of the trade or else it gets blocked. I accepted the trade and so did the league so let’s hope I didn’t make a mistake!
Brady or stafford? Who has safer floor and who has higher ceiling?
Brady, Brady, Brady