Best Fantasy Advice: Week 14

Welcome to the first week of the Fantasy Football Playoffs. Some of you have bye weeks this week because of your seeding. Congrats, but do not overlook Week 14. You need to pay attention to the team(s) you will ultimately match up against in the Semifinals. Also, do a little researching on who has a promising next couple of matchups. To those of you competing this week and looking to advance to the next round, read everything written below. This week is filled with tough matchups for some great players and promising matchups for some  “streamer-type” players. Good luck, and happy FANTASYING. 

Quarterbacks

Must Starts: 

• Justin Herbert (vs ATL) The potential offensive rookie of the year has been a fantasy “dud” as of late. In his last two games, he has posted 17.44 and 6.36 PPR-point outings. On top of that, he has thrown a combined 105 passes in that cold stretch (WOW). Expect a better outing this week against a Falcons team that ranks dead last at defending fantasy quarterbacks. 

• Ryan Tannehill (at JAX) Tannehill went from a streamer-type fantasy quarterback to a “must start” option for the third week in a row. If you have the Titans’ signal-caller, don’t be afraid to roll with him the rest of the way. He has an enticing matchup on the road this week against a one-win team. Jacksonville has given up the fourth most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year. 

Other Notables: Russell Wilson (vs NYJ), Aaron Rodgers (at DET), Lamar Jackson (at CLE), Tom Brady (vs MIN), Kirk Cousins (at TB)

Must Avoids:

• Matthew Stafford (vs GB) It looked like Stafford and the Lions’ offense were able to do whatever they wanted last week against a depressing Bears team. Kenny Golladay looks like he will miss yet another game, so Stafford will have to rely on Marvin Jones Jr., T.J. Hockenson and Danny Amendola against a very good Packers secondary. In their first matchup earlier this year, Stafford produced just 17.16 PPR points. You need more out of your starter in the Fantasy Playoffs. 

• Derek Carr (vs IND) At this point, Carr is hit-or-miss. You don’t want to rely on a guy who can’t be trusted when you are trying to advance in the playoffs. The Colts secondary is legit, and Carr has posted five 20-plus point outings. At the same time, he has also fallen short of 15 points four times. Find someone who is more consistent. 

Other Notables: Jalen Hurts (vs NO), Tua Tagovailoa (vs KC), Baker Mayfield (vs BAL)

Running Backs

Must Starts: 

• David Montgomery (vs HOU) No running back in the league has scored more fantasy points than Montgomery has the past two weeks combined. The second-year-pro has produced more than 25 PPR points each in the past two weeks, and he was the RB1 last week. Expect yet another great performance against a Houston defense that allows the second most fantasy points to running backs through the first 13 weeks.

• D’Andre Swift/Adrian Peterson (vs GB) If Swift is deemed out before Sunday, plug Peterson into one of your starting running back spots. If Swift is in, expect a big day for the rookie. Green Bay is atrocious against the run this season. They have given up the third most fantasy points to running backs this year. Look for a big game for whoever is starting on Sunday. 

Other Notables: Wayne Gallman(vs ARI), Melvin Gordon III (at CAR), Jonathan Taylor (at LV), Giovani Bernard (vs DAL)

Must Avoids: 

• Devonta Booker (vs IND) There were high expectations last week for Booker taking on a Jets team as the Raiders’ starting running back. Josh Jacobs was out, and Booker looked rough. He ran the ball 16 times for 50 yards and no touchdowns against a winless Jets team. If that wasn’t convincing enough, the veteran back will take on a Colts team that recently got DeForest Buckner back. Yikes. 

• Todd Gurley (at LAC) You may think about dropping Gurley at this point. He looks slow, sloppy and injured. In the past three weeks, he has combined for just 6.9 PPR points. That’s a low number for just one game itself. Please, do not start the veteran in your playoffs just because of his name, and he who he is. 

Other Notables: J.K. Dobbins (at CLE), Kareem Hunt (vs BAL), Peyton Barber (at SF)

Wide Receivers

Must Starts: 

• T.Y. Hilton (at LV) Hilton has finally molded back into his old form lately. Last week was his best performance of the season as he caught eight of his 11 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown. He has now scored more than 15 PPR points two weeks in a row. This week, he has a good shot at extending his streak to three against a subpar Las Vegas secondary. 

• Tyler Lockett (vs NYJ) The veteran, speedy, receiver has been very inconsistent this season. We have seen a 53 PPR-point performance (Week 7), and we have seen a 5.3 PPR-point performance (Week 12) from Lockett this season. Expect a big game from him and the rest of the Seattle Seahawk offense as they take on the abysmal New York Jets team. Do not be afraid to start Lockett this week whatsoever. 

Other Notables: Keke Coutee (at CHI), Mike Evans (at MIN), Deebo Samuel (vs WAS), Corey Davis (at JAX)

Must Avoids: 

• DeVante Parker (vs KC) It’s a sure thing; Tua Tagovailoa hates throwing to Parker. Maybe that’s not actually the case, but it seems like it when you look at the production comparison between Parker’s fantasy numbers when Tua is the quarterback and when Fitzpatrick is. Parker is averaging 14.43 PPR points with “Fitz” as his primary signal-caller but only 8.08 PPR points when Tua is. Until the “beard” is back under center, sit Parker for the rest of the season. 

• D.J. Chark Jr. (vs TEN) There was so much hype surrounding Chark Jr. before the start of the season. Since then, he has gone through three different starting quarterbacks, and he is certainly not gelling with Mike Glennon yet. Since week nine, the third-year-pro has yet to reach double-digit fantasy points. This is an easy call no matter what the matchup looks like. 

Other Notables: Jalen Reagor (vs NO), Henry Ruggs III (vs IND), Tyler Boyd (vs DAL)

Tight Ends

Must Starts: 

• Darren Waller (vs IND) If you don’t start Waller this week, then either you have Travis Kelce or you’re strictly trying to lose. The “Walrus” went off last week as he topped all other tight ends in fantasy points (45). He caught 13 of his 17 targets for 200 yards and one touchdown. His performance was the fifth best fantasy performance by a tight end of all-time. It doesn’t matter if the Colts defend his position well. Start him. 

• Eric Ebron (at BUF) Could you imagine if Ebron didn’t have a single drop this season? He would more than likely be a top-three fantasy tight end option this year. Unfortunately, we all have to live with the Ebron we have grown to know. Enough negativity. The Pittsburgh tight end has a great matchup this weekend against a Bills team that surrenders fifth most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Also, Ebron is averaging 11 targets in his last two games. 

Other Notables: Hunter Henry (vs ATL), Mark Andrews (at CLE), Mike Gesicki (vs KC)

Must Avoids: 

• Hayden Hurst (at LAC) At this point, it is time to avoid Hurst as your starting tight end. He hasn’t scored double-digit fantasy points since Week 9, and he is coming off of a one catch, nine-yard reception day. The first-year-Falcon has fallen short of TWO PPR points TWICE in the past three weeks. He cannot be trusted at this point. 
• Austin Hooper (vs BAL) Hooper hasn’t been the same since getting his appendix removed. Last week, it seemed like every receiving option got going except for the veteran tight end. Baltimore is a bad matchup, so avoid him this week.

Other Notables: Zach Ertz (vs NO), Trey Burton (at LV), Jonnu Smith (at JAX)

Defenses

Must Starts: 

• New Orleans Saints (at PHI) The Saints may have the best defense in the league this year. They are taking on an Eagles team that just benched their franchise quarterback. Expect New Orleans to get pressure on rookie Jalen Hurts all day long. 

• Seattle Seahawks (vs NYJ) Seattle’s defense has been so much better in recent weeks. Rule of thumb: ALWAYS START THE DEFENSE GOING AGAINST THE JETS. 

Other Notables: Carolina Panthers (vs DEN), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs MIN), Indianapolis Colts (at LV)

Must Avoids: 

• Miami Dolphins (vs KC) Miami’s defense has been great this season. But, my other rule of thumb is that you ALWAYS BENCH THE DEFENSE GOING AGAINST THE CHIEFS. 

• New York Giants (vs ARI) The Giants’ defense has been getting better and better each and every week. On the other hand, Arizona has one of the most explosive offenses in the league. It would be smart to avoid New York this week. 

Other Notables: Buffalo Bills (vs PIT), Minnesota Vikings (at TB), Cleveland Browns (vs BAL)