It's fantasy playoff time, baby (for most leagues)!! Well, unless, of course, you didn't make the playoffs. Then you're just playing for pride (and to not finish last). For those of you who made the playoffs in your fantasy league, congratulations. Now comes the toughest part of the season. Records get thrown out the window. Anything can happen these next three to four weeks, and it will be imperative that you make the right lineup decisions. The margin for error is extremely slim. Good luck.
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| Who's Jeff Wilson Jr? I'm assuming it's this guy. |
Week 14 Picks to Click
QB
Top 3
Drew Brees, Saints (@ TB) - After a surprisingly unproductive performance last week, Drew gets a breezy matchup this week in Tampa. The porous Buccaneer pass defense provides for a great bounce-back opportunity.
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. BAL) - With or without Kareem Hunt, Patty is an elite quarterback option (he's thrown 10 total touchdown passes his last two games), even against a stout Baltimore defense.
Phillip Rivers, Chargers (vs. CIN) - Phil, who has been on a roll the last two weeks (54-65, 558 yards, five touchdowns, and a(nother) baby), and he should continue rolling against Cincinnati's 31st-ranked pass defense.
Sleepers
Mitchell Trubisky, Bears (vs. LAR) - Mitch returns from a two-week injury-induced sabbatical to face off against the Rams on Sunday night in Chicago. The Bears offense should return to the production it showed before Turbisky got hurt in what could be a high-scoring game.
Baker Mayfield, Browns (vs. CAR) - I refuse to get off the Baker train. Even after throwing three interceptions in a disastrous first half, last week, he came back to throw for 350 yards and a touchdown in the second half.
Lamar Jackson, Ravens (@ KC) - I'll keep riding the LJ train too, as he has another favorable matchup. Kansas City, for all it's offensive brilliance, ranks 31st in the NFL in total defense, which means Lamar should have room to run (and throw).
RB
Top 3
Christian McCaffrey, Panthers (@ CLE) - McCaffrey may not be the top running back in fantasy this season, but he has been the best the last month. CMC has eclipsed 100 total yards each of his last five games, and we'll probably do so again in Cleveland.
Alvin Kamara, Saints (@ TB) - Kamara hasn't found the end zone the past two weeks, but he has continued to be heavily involved. Tampa Bay got shredded by CMC last week (and Matt Breida the week before), so Kamara should bounce back Sunday.
Todd Gurley, Rams (@ CHI) - The most productive back in football this season broke the century mark again last week, making it six times he has rushed for over 100 yards this year. Chicago's defense is tough, but Gurley should get his.
Sleepers
Jaylen Samuels, Steelers (@ OAK) - James Connor is out this week, so it's next man up for the Steelers. That means Samuels, who will try to replicate Connor's (and Le'Veon Bell's) production behind Pittsburgh's skilled offensive line. Also, Oakland's defense ranks 31st against the run.
Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers (vs. DEN) - With Matt Breida out this week, this guy I had never heard of before this week will get the bulk of the carries for San Francisco. He had 15 carries for 61 yards and eight catches for 73 yards last week against Seattle.
Dion Lewis, Titans (vs. JAX) - After a strong start to the season, Dion has gone dormant the past few weeks. But Tennessee's receiving back could get back on track against a Jacksonville defense that gave up eight catches to Nyheim Hines last week.
WR
Top 3
Antonio Brown, Steelers (@ OAK) - A.B. was called out by Big Ben last week, and he responded with 154 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers. He should torch an Oakland defense that got shredded by Travis Kelce last week.
Michael Thomas, Saints (@ TB) - Thomas has been held in check the past two weeks, but he is primed for a bounce-back performance against a Tampa Bay defense that has had trouble containing opposing receivers this season.
Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. CIN) - Phillip River's favorite throwing partner was targeted 19 times Sunday night, and he reeled in 14 of those targets for 148 yards and a touchdown. There's no stopping Allen, and the Bengals can't stop anyone right now.
Sleepers
Courtland Sutton, Broncos (@ SF) - With the unfortunate news that Emmanuel Sanders tore his Achilles in practice this week, Sutton becomes Denver's number one receiver. Go ahead, name another healthy receiver currently on the Broncos.
Jarvis Landry, Browns (vs. CAR) - Just when you thought he was dead, Cleveland's big free agent acquisition came back to life against Houston, hauling in six passes for 103 yards. The most trusted and experienced receiver on the Browns could keep it going against Carolina.
Adam Humphries, Buccaneers (vs. NO) - Humphries has quickly emerged as one of Jameis Winston's top options, as he has scored a touchdown each of the last three weeks (and five in the last five games). The struggles of New Orleans' pass defense are well-documented.
TE
Top 3
Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. BAL) - Kelce has solidified himself as the best tight end in football (and one of the best offensive players in football) the past two weeks, totaling 295 yards and three touchdowns on 22 catches.
Zach Ertz, Eagles (@ DAL) - Although the Philadelphia offense has struggled a little, Ertz hasn't been affected that much, The talented tight end has six touchdowns on the season, and is approaching 1,000 receiving yards.
George Kittle, 49ers (vs. DEN) - Kittle doesn't have a touchdown the last three weeks, but 32 total targets, 21 total catches, 201 total receiving yards, and even 10 rushing yards. He's bound to find the end zone this week with his heavy usage.
Sleepers
Jimmy Graham, Packers (vs. ATL) - Jimmy hasn't been all that productive this season, but he was targeted a season-high 11 times last week, and he faces a weak Atlanta defense this week. Plus, maybe the firing of Mike McCarthy will invigorate this stagnant offense.
Vance McDonald, Steelers (@ OAK) - The most ferocious stiff-armer in the NFL (unconfirmed) has seen a consistently healthy target share, and this week he matches up against a defense that gave up 168 yards and two touchdowns to Travis Kelce last week.
Evan Engram, Giants (@ WAS) - I'm putting Engram here mostly for my sake, since I'm starting him in a playoff macthup after losing Greg Olsen last week. EE has had trouble staying healthy this season, but he can be productive when he is on the field.
D/ST
Top 3
Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ) - While the offense has been a mess, the Bills own one of the better defenses in football. The last time they played the Jets (three weeks ago), they won 42-10 and scored a defensive touchdown.
Los Angeles Chargers (vs. CIN) - The L.A. defense, which recently got pass-rusher Joey Bosa back and had a punt return for a touchdown Sunday night, faces Jeff Driskel and the hapless Bengals Sunday at home.
Tennessee Titans (@ TEN) - The struggles of the Jacksonville defense are well-documented. Cody Kessler and company won last week, but they only scored six points. Against a solid Tennessee defense, this could be another low-scoring game.
Sleepers
Dallas Cowboys (vs. PHI) - The Eagles have had some offensive struggles this season, and Dallas did just hold a historically good New Orleans offense to just 10 points last Thursday.
Houston Texans (vs. IND) - Andrew Luck and the Indy offense was rolling before laying a goose egg last week against the tough Jacksonville defense. Things don't get any easier on the road against Houston's talented defense.
Detroit Lions (@ ARI) - Detroit has not played well this season, but the Arizona offense has scored 20 or more points just twice this season.
K
Top 3
Will Lutz, Saints (@ TB) - The Saints offense should rebound against a weak Tampa Bay defense, which means Lutz should also rebound.
Harrison Butker (vs. BAL) - Harrison should continue kicking butt this week, and he might be called upon more against a talented Baltimore defense.
Greg Zuerlein, Rams (@ CHI) - Like Butker, Greg the Leg could be called upon more this week against a defense good enough to keep his talented offense out of the end zone.
Week 14 Game Picks
(Note: Yes, I realize I somehow forgot about the San Francisco-Seattle game last week. I apologize.)
Record
Last Week: 8-7 vs. Spread: 6-8-1 Over/Under: 8-7
Season: 117-75 vs. Spread: 92-83-6 Over/Under: 87-100-3
Thursday
Jaguars @ Titans (8:20 PM, FOX)
In this division rivalry between two offensively-challenged teams, I'll go with the hosts.
Spread: TEN -5.5 Over/Under: 37
Prediction: Titans 20, Jaguars 13
Sunday
Panthers @ Browns (1:00 PM, FOX)
I was a little overzealous about the Browns last week, but the Panthers have lost four in a row.
Spread: CAR -1.5 Over/Under: 47
Prediction: Browns 31, Panthers 28
Jets @ Bills (1:00 PM, CBS)
The last time these two played, the Bills won big, and I think they'll win again (but not as big).
Spread: BUF -3.5 Over/Under: 38.5
Prediction: Bills 27, Jets 13
Falcons @ Packers (1:00 PM, FOX)
In this battle of fallen teams, I'll go with interim coach Joe Philbin and the Packers.
Spread: GB -5 Over/Under: 50.5
Prediction: Packers 27, Falcons 14
Ravens @ Chiefs (1:00 PM, CBS)
Lamar Jackson hasn't lost as a starter, but I think that will change after a meeting with the Chiefs.
Spread: KC -6.5 Over/Under: 51.5
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Ravens 24
Patriots @ Dolphins (1:00 PM, CBS)
The season is winding down, which means Bill Belichick and the Patriots have hit their stride.
Spread: NE -7.5 Over/Under: 47
Prediction: Patriots 32, Dolphins 17
Saints @ Buccaneers (1:00 PM, FOX)
The Saints should bounce back against a Buccaneers defense that's not as good as the Cowboys'.
Spread: NO -8.5 Over/Under: 55.5
Prediction: Saints 38, Buccaneers 28
Giants @ Redskins (1:00 PM, FOX)
While New York just upset the Bears, Washington just lost it's second quarterback this season.
Spread: NYG -3.5 Over/Under: 41
Prediction: Giants 21, Redskins 13
Colts @ Texans (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Texans have won nine straight games, while the Colts scored zero points last game.
Spread: HOU -4.5 Over/Under: 49.5
Prediction: Texans 24, Colts 17
Bengals @ Chargers (4:05 PM, CBS)
The Chargers, coming off a big Sunday night win over Pittsburgh, should roll the struggling Bengals.
Spread: LAC -14 Over/Under: 47.5
Prediction: Chargers 33, Bengals 17
Broncos @ 49ers (4:05 PM, CBS)
Even without Emmanuel Sanders, Denver shouldn't have too many problems against the Niners.
Spread: DEN -4 Over/Under: 45.5
Prediction: Broncos 27, 49ers 19
Eagles @ Cowboys (4:25 PM, FOX)
The 'Boys are riding high right now, so I'll stick with the hot hand in Arlington.
Spread: DAL -3.5 Over/Under: 44
Prediction: Cowboys 21, Eagles 17
Steelers @ Raiders (4:25 PM, CBS)
Oakland, which stuck with Kansas City last week, won't make it easy, but Pittsburgh should win.
Spread: PIT -10.5 Over/Under: 51.5
Prediction: Steelers 31, Raiders 23
Lions @ Cardinals (4:25 PM, CBS)
Arizona may have beaten Green Bay last weekend, but I'll give this one to Detroit.
Spread: DET -3 Over/Under: 40.5
Prediction: Lions 24, Cardinals 17
Rams @ Bears (8:20 PM, NBC)
The Bears will give the Rams a run for their money in Chicago, but L.A. is just more talented.
Spread: LAR -3 Over/Under: 51.5
Prediction: Rams 30, Bears 24
Monday
Vikings @ Seahawks (8:15 PM, ESPN)
The Vikings will make this one interesting, but Seattle is on fire right now.
Spread: SEA -3 Over/Under: 45.5
Prediction: Seahawks 27, Vikings 21
Stats and info via ESPN.com, FantasyPros.com, and NFL.com
Lines via OddsShark.com
Lines as of Thursday Afternoon
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