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Bye Weeks: N/A
Grab a Helmet
Josh Gordon: Too good to sit.
Josh
Gordon @ NE: I’m not sure what’s most astounding about Gordon’s
record-setting two-game run in Weeks 12 and 13 (24 receptions, 498
yards, and four TDs…a fantasy season for many receivers). Is it
the fact he didn’t even lead the league in points one of those weeks
(Eric Decker bested him last week)? How about the fact his team
didn’t win either game despite playing two sub-.500 teams? Or maybe
it’s the fact he amassed those video game-like numbers despite playing
with two different quarterbacks, one of whom was named Brandon Weeden?
The fantasy pundits are dubious Gordon can even come close to an
encore performance in Week 14 and I probably agree. I don’t, however,
agree you could conceivably sit him down. Whether it’s Weeden, Jason
Campbell, Alex Tanney, or Bernie Kosar throwing him passes this
Sunday, you gotta continue riding him. He’s too good and a New England
blowout might even create more opportunities for gaudy stats.
A.J.
Green v. IND: Until Gordon exploded onto the scene this year,
Green was the resident alpha dog wideout in the AFC North. He’s
probably still more reliable in the long term thanks to a more stable
QB sitch and better surrounding talent, but his 2013 campaign has
been slightly marred by some serious inconsistency. Following a
stellar start to the season (162 yards and two scores in the opener),
Cincy’s young star averaged just 6.5 points over his next four games.
Then, he caught fire, averaging 16.6 in his next five…only to come
crashing back down to earth in his most recent two tilts (7.5).
It’d be nice to know what he might bring to the table in critical
Week 14 matchups, but it’s probably anybody’s guess. Here’s mine:
He explodes against a Colts’ secondary that has been gashed for
some very large numbers this year (25.2 points/game yielded to WRs,
eighth worst). You don’t quit Green either.
DeSean
Jackson v. DET: I told you early on to expect the unexpected
with Chip Kelly and the iconoclastic head man hasn’t disappointed
in his first year at the helm, even making a liar out of me. The
Eagles aren’t close to leading the league in plays per game (as
I figured they would), but they certainly possess the NFL’s most
explosive offense, having recorded 61 pass plays over 20 yards and
16 over 40 yards, both league highs. Those are passing plays, mind
you, not running plays. Still think Kelly’s all about the zone read?
Jackson is the most dangerous of Philly’s WR bunch and he squares
off this Sunday against a Lions defense that has given up three
of the six longest passing plays in the league this year. So, to
recap: explosive receiver + explosive offense v. an incendiary secondary?
Call it the formula for fantasy dynamite, students, and get Jackson
in your lineups.
Grab Some Wood
Anquan
Boldin v. SEA: Boldin’s the third ‘Frisco player I’ve recommended
you sit down in Week 14, but if I had more space, I’d probably
list them all. That’s how strongly I feel about the way Seattle
is playing these days. I’m no apologist for the only Pacific NW
franchise, by the way, even though I call that corner of the country
home. I actually loathe the ‘Hawks and their nut job fans (primarily
because they double as Husky and Sounders fans) and might be one
of the very few people around who thinks Pete Carroll’s good guy
schtick is pure phony baloney. This much is fact, though: Dude
can coach. He should have paid for his sins in Southern California,
but that doesn’t detract from what the former Trojan shot caller
has done in the Emerald City. Expect very little from the 49ers
offense this Sunday night and virtually nothing from the guy who
will be blanketed by Richard Sherman – destroyer of wide receiver
dreams and sporting decorum – all evening.
Greg
Jennings @ BAL: Jennings is getting some love in fantasy circles
this week after a 78-yard, one-TD performance against the Bears
in Minnesota’s win last Sunday. Matt Cassel replaced Christian
Ponder halfway through that contest and will get the start for
sure this weekend, a development that seems to bode well for Jennings’
continued success (his two best games in 2013 have come with Cassel
under center). Here’s what personally holds me back: 1) Baltimore’s
pass defense is better than the numbers would indicate (they yielded
more than 20% of their total points to WRs in the season opener
against Denver); 2) Jennings still has fewer fantasy points than
Julio Jones (Jones hasn’t played since Week 5). It’s OK if you
think I’m a Jennings hater (guilty), but just remember it’s your
fantasy butt on the line if you ignore this advice and not mine.
Santonio
Holmes, Jeremy
Kerley v. MIA: Nope, you didn’t need to be told
this, but can we just cogitate for a few about how crazy it is
that Rex Ryan is sticking with Geno Smith as his quarterback?
I mean, what possible reason could there be for trotting a guy
out there who threw for 127 yards and two picks a couple weeks
ago…and then performed about three times as poorly the following
week (29 yards and one INT against the Fish in Week 13)? Starting
Smith is a terrible idea, but starting one of the guys he theoretically
plays catch with is downright horrifying. Only if you’re
trying to embarrass an annoying relative/friend and have the manpower
to cover for a goose egg.
Good luck, folks!
Quarterbacks 
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