Well... We've finally made it. Week 14. Last chance to make it into the playoffs if you haven't yet. The only problem here... ANOTHER 6-TEAM BYE WEEK. Why does the NFL do this now of all weeks? I simply won't ever understand. Regardless, we have to adjust and adapt. We can do this! It's time for the final push into the playoffs, my fellow 'Holics. Let's pick our best matchups yet!
QUARTERBACKS
START Caleb Williams vs San Francisco 49ers
Williams had about as bad of a start to their rookie campaign as possible for the first 11 weeks. Then, coaching changes were made when the Bears fired OC Shane Waldron. Since passing game coordinator Thomas Brown was elevated to the offensive coordinator position, Williams has looked outstanding. His past two weeks, he has finished as a Top 5 QB. Neither the Vikings nor Lions defenses are any slouches either. I think it's time you take Williams seriously for the remainder of the season in this new-look offense. The Niners look lifeless as a team that has lost Christian McCaffrey among other players and seems to have lost motivation. Williams will look to take advantage of a team that, despite only allowing the 22nd most points to QBs, they've lost by a combined 73-20 over the past two games and I see Williams continuing the onslaught on San Fran.
SIT Patrick Mahomes vs Los Angeles Chargers
I think you should take the under on this game. Two outstanding defenses take the field this Sunday Night as the Chiefs host the Chargers in an AFC West showdown. Both teams have a top-of-the-line defense that will look to hold both offenses in check. Mahomes has had a great game every once in a while this season but his results have been very mediocre for the most part. The last time Mahomes faced the Chargers, he ended as QB17, as mediocre as you can get out of 32 QBs each week. The Chargers have given up the 23rd most points to opposing QBs. It would be unwise to trust Mahomes in this important week.
RUNNING BACKS
START Tyjae Spears vs Jacksonville Jaguars
This one will definitely be a tough sell. Spears has not had a great season production-wise as lead back Tony Pollard has not yet missed a game for the Titans. The thing with this is... The Titans have yet to face the Jaguars this season. The Jags have given up the 5th most points to opposing RBs and have a chance to face a positive game script for RBs (which doesn't happen quite too often for TEN) It's been stated by HC Brian Callahan that they want to manage Pollard's workload a bit better. This can only mean that now that Spears is healthy, his workload can increase leading to more than 7 projected fantasy points. I say, if you're really hurting for another FLEX play and this guy is available, he's worth the stream this week in this tasty matchup.
SIT Gus Edwards vs Kansas City Chiefs
I hope you have learned this lesson, but in case you haven't... Don't play your RBs against the Chiefs. They have a hefty margin between them and the #2 team for least number of points given up to opposing RBs. Edwards isn't exactly the back you can play in any matchup. He's taken over as lead back with the injury to J.K. Dobbins. There won't be much room for running for Edwards and the other backs in the Chargers backfield and all should be clearly avoided.
WIDE RECEIVERS
START Jordan Addison vs Atlanta Falcons
You may have not realized this but Addison had had a decent stretch for the past five weeks. From Weeks 1-8, he finished with no more than 4 targets in all but 1 game. Over the past 5 games, however, he's averaged over 6 targets a game while finishing as a Top 25 receiver 3 time and as WR1 in Week 12 vs the Bears. Addison is ready to continue his pace of steady play against the Falcons who have surrendered the 9th most points to opposing WRs this season. Justin Jefferson will garner all the attention from Pro Bowl CB AJ Terrell leaving Addison on their CB2. Addison is a steady FLEX play this week and should be taken seriously for during the fantasy playoffs.
SIT Deebo Samuel vs Chicago Bears
How disappointing. Samuel continues to put up stinker after stinker even after all the other top weapons around him disappear for the season. He just simply cannot be trusted for the rest of this season and is one of the biggest busts of this season currently sitting at WR49 on the season. Easy direction: just put him on your bench this week. The Bears are very stout against WRs this season anyways and all of the attention will be focused on him.
TIGHT ENDS
START Pat Freiermuth vs Cleveland Browns
Freiermuth is in the midst of a steady stretch himself. Over the last four weeks following the Steelers bye week, the 'Muth has been a Top 15 TE in three of them with at least 10 PPR points in all of them. That's as good as you can ask for with the TE position. He finished with exactly 10 PPR points two weeks ago at the Browns in Cleveland. Now, they're home in Pittsburgh two weeks later. The Browns aren't a great matchup on paper (28th most points to TEs) but if Freiermuth can command a similar game or better, he's worth the play this week that is missing plenty of big names on bye.
SIT Cade Otton vs Las Vegas Raiders
Otton was on the one of the biggest fantasy tears of the season from Weeks 7-9 averaging 23 PPR points over that span. But then, everything changed... when Mike Evans returned. Even though his target share still has stayed somewhat high, he's been extremely underwhelming. He's averaged 5 PPR points over the past two weeks. He's only caught 5 passes in those two games. Even with a soft matchup on tap vs the Raiders who have allowed the 5th most points to TEs, it doesn't bode confidence especially that he only caught 4 balls for 20 yards against the lowly Panthers last week. It may be risky but I think you ought to sit Otton.
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