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Colby Cavaliere | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer


The Shot Caller's Report - Quarterbacks
Your Guide To Fantasy Lineups: Week 14
12/03/14
QBs | RBs | WRs

With many leagues kicking off their playoffs, or settling the final regular season results, Week 14 is a big one in the fantasy football world. Let’s lace em’ up, and dig into this week’s SCR!

Note: Fantasy points based on FF Today’s standard scoring system.

Bye Weeks: N/A

Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson @ PHI: The Eagles are giving up the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.


Grab a Helmet

Matthew Stafford v. TB: Welcome back Matt! After slogging his way thought a highly disappointing fantasy season, Stafford feasted on the Chicago defense as a Thanksgiving Day appetizer. Having watched the Lions bumble through many of the past 14 Thanksgiving Day games while living in Michigan, it was nice to sit on the couch with my meal and be surrounded with content Lions’ fans at my in-laws. Now, back to your fantasy team. Stafford was surgical last week, and has a chance to shine again against a Tampa team that has given up the 7th most touchdown passes in the league. With Megatron healthy, Tate running circles around defenders on the perimeter and a complete arsenal of weapons in the backfield, look for Stafford to put up healthy QB1 numbers. If you’ve been patient all year, now is the time to reap the rewards.

Russell Wilson @ PHI: Until news broke Wednesday that Brian Hoyer would be the starter for Week 14, I had the lovechild of Justin Bieber and Doug Flutie (Manziel) in this slot. So in an about face, I’m going with the best scrambling quarterback still with a pulse, Russell Wilson. Wilson sports the highest floor of any quarterback outside the big boys, as he hasn’t dipped below 12 fantasy points in any game this year. Wilson and the Seattle offense should be able to exploit an Eagle defense that gives up the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Don’t be shy getting Wilson in your lineup, as he should be a shoe-in QB1 this week.

Andy Dalton vs. PIT: Listen, most of us expected Dalton to take a step back after his quietly excellent 2013 season. What we didn’t see coming was a few leaps back, and a drop into a deep dark hole. With an even 13-13 touchdown to interception ratio, Dalton has only managed 20+ fantasy points in 4 of 13 games, making him at best a low end QB2. But I get a 20-plus point feeling this week as the Bengals host the hapless Steelers. The Pittsburgh defense has looked lost in the secondary all year, and they simply don’t have the cornerback talent to shut down the Bengals wideouts. Dalton has had success in his two games last year vs Pittsburgh (510 yards 3 tds, 0 ints.). He might not put up the kind of numbers that will carry you to victory this week, but in daily leagues, 2QB leagues, or teams looking for a streaming option this late in the year, Dalton could provide some good value.

Grab a Headset

Matt Ryan @ GB: Matt Ryan at home in the Dome, start em! Matt Ryan on the road in frigid Lambeau, grab a headset! Despite one of the most unlikely stat lines of the year against a dominant Cardinal defense last week, Matty Ice is facing an uphill battle against the surging Packers. Ryan averages only 18.6 on the road and has an 8-7 touchdown to interception ratio. Look for the Falcons to try and run the ball early and often to keep the game close and throw in predictable situations. The Pack should be able to harass Ryan into a few mistakes. If you have better starting options, roll with them over Ryan.

Josh McCown @ DET: After averaging nearly 300 yards and two touchdowns a game since his return to the lineup in week 10, I had to look deeper into what changed from a dreadful start to the year. For starters, McCown has had a more experienced Mike Evans, but more importantly, buttered his bread against three of the worst pass defenses in the NFL (Atlanta, Chicago, Washington). He predictably crashed against the Bengals last week, putting up only 9.5 fantasy points. A trip to Motown and a face-off against another dominant defense looms for McCown. The weeks of McCown being a great streaming option may have dried up. Simply put, I’d take McCown in an Ivan Drago look-alike contest this (or any!) week, but not as my starting fantasy QB.

Mark Sanchez v. SEA: After watching several of Mark Travis John Sanchez’s recent games (yes, that’s his full name), I’m convinced I could have a decent shot at putting up a 300-yard game in Chip Kelly’s offense even if my last football game came in a backyard leaf pile against my 6-year-old son. ( I easily scored like six touchdowns if that counts for anything). Sanchez looks fluid and athletic, but continues to give defenses the ball (8 total turnovers in 5 games) far too often. Seattle’s defense has been human at times this year, especially on the road, but this match-up isn’t great for the Eagles. Sanchez’s fantasy value has been partially volume dependent, and I just don’t expect 40+ attempts for the Eagles this week. Look for heavy doses of McCoy and Sproles, and a flat statistical game from Sanchez.

Running Backs