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 @ 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 
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