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Fantasy Football Start/Sit Week 14
Quarterbacks
Start – Alex Smith vs Raiders
The Kansas City Chiefs are currently fading into oblivion in the race for the playoffs. After starting the season 5-0, Alex Smith was a name floating around in the MVP discussion as he came out blazing hot throwing for 10 touchdowns, 1391 yards and 0 interceptions. Well those were the good old days as the Chiefs have fell off a cliff losing 5 of their last 6 games. Smith has sprinkled in some amazing fantasy performances with some duds and is no longer a must start QB1 each week. Luckily for his fantasy owners and anyone who wants to roll the dice on him in DFS, he gets an excellent matchup against the Oakland Raiders, the same team that he took advantage of in Week 7 throwing for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Raiders pass defense are a prime option to attack when looking at the matchups. They currently rank last in the league in pass-defense DVOA, last in opponent passer rating, last in opponent completion percentage allowing a whopping 70% completion rate and has given up 20 passing touchdowns through the air to a league low 1 interception. The numbers speak for themselves so it’s safe to start Smith with confidence this week in a game that will likely be a shootout just like the 31-30 game these two teams played earlier this season.
Start
- Matthew Stafford vs Buccaneers
- Philip Rivers vs Redskins
- Josh McCown vs Broncos
- Derek Carr vs Chiefs
Sit – Marcus Mariota vs Cardinals
Running Backs
Start – Dion Lewis vs Dolphins
I know what you all are thinking… “Never trust a Bill Belichick backfield.” But wait, the Patriots have finally given us some clarity on who the main ball carriers will be in their offense. Mike Gillislee has been a healthy scratch for some time now and James White hasn’t topped more than 5 carries since Week 1. It’s a two-headed backfield in New England and it’s led by this week’s start recommendation Dion Lewis. Rex Burkhead will also be a great start this week as he has been getting an equal share of the Patriots snaps and is the preferred goal line back. The reason I like Lewis in this particular match-up is due to the freelance nature of Ndamukong Suh and the rest of the defensive line which causes them to lose their assignments and open up huge holes to run through. Lewis is a dynamic back with excellent burst and shiftiness that can really take advantage of this match-up. He might not get the carries inside the 5-yard line but I have a feeling he will break a couple of big runs and hit a home run for you this week.
Start
- Jamaal Williams vs Browns
- Lamar Miller vs 49ers
- Rex Burkhead vs Dolphins
- Samaje Perine vs Chargers
- Giovani Bernard vs Bears
Sit – Jerick McKinnon vs Panthers
Wide Receivers
Start – Davante Adams vs Browns
The Packers fan base are counting down the days until the return of their leader Aaron Rodgers. A-Rod can return from his injury as early as Week 15, but for now this weekend’s game with second string quarterback Brett Hundley against the Cleveland Browns looms large for the Packers playoff hopes. Hundley’s play has been disappointing thus far outside of his 3 touchdown game in Week 12. Even through the ups and downs from Hundley, one thing remains constant, he loves himself some Davante Adams. Adams is to Hundley as Jordy Nelson is to Rodgers. He is the young quarterback’s go to weapon and has virtually doubled the targets that Nelson and Randall Cobb are getting each week. Before last week’s 84 yard passing game by Hundley (Adams 42 yards) the young receiver totaled 298 yards receiving on 18 catches and 2 touchdowns in the previous 3 contests. Not only is he on fire but he gets a nice match-up against the lowly Cleveland Browns pass defense this week. The Browns have allowed the 3rd most receiving touchdowns in the league and are ranked second to last in opponent’s passer rating. Fire up Adams this week.
Start
- Tyreek Hill vs Raiders
- Keenan Allen vs Redskins
- Golden Tate vs Buccaneers
- Larry Fitzgerald vs Titans
- Marvin Jones vs Buccaneers
- Michael Crabtree vs Chiefs
- Josh Gordon vs Packers
- Sammy Watkins vs Eagles
Sit – Paul Richardson vs Jaguars
Tight Ends
Start – Hunter Henry vs Redskins
The talented second year tight end Hunter Henry has been a frustrating player to own in fantasy football. In what projected to be his breakout season with Antonio Gates getting up there in age and his modest rookie year, Henry was on the cusp of being that dude. Well the Chargers forgot to get him involved in many of the games in 2017. He had two 0 reception games in the first 3 weeks of the season and just when it seemed like he was getting hot in week 6 & 7, he went back to fantasy irrelevance from weeks 8-11. In true L.A Chargers fashion, they began to unleash Henry over the last two weeks as he has played at least 70% of the snaps with 12 catches for 157 yards and a touchdown in that span. I say he continues on this new streak of success with a very nice match-up against a Redskins team that hasn’t contained the tight end position all season long. Numbers don’t lie as the Redskins have given up the sixth-most catches, third-most yards, sixth-most touchdowns, and fourth-most fantasy points to the tight end position this season.
Start
- Cameron Brate vs Lions
- Charles Clay vs Colts
- Ricky Seals-Jones vs Titans
Sit – Vernon Davis vs Chargers
Defense to stream
New England Patriots vs Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins…The Miami Dolphins…The Miami Dolphins rank 26th in points per game this season, 29th in yards per game this season and have been a mess with Jay Cutler under center this season. This game can get out of hand quickly. The Patriots are an excellent streaming option this week.
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