The Fantasy Footballers Podcast Weekly Recap Week 14 (Fantasy Football)
Week 14 is underway, and Andy, Mike, and Jason want to see you make the fantasy playoffs! Remember to listen to The Fantasy Footballers podcast, available wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Monday – Week 13 Studs & Duds + Lamar / Jefferson Panic Time!
News
Rome Odunze has cleared seven fantasy points just twice in his last eight games. The Lions signed Frank Ragnow out of retirement, then he immediately failed his physical and became ineligible to return. Jaxson Dart cleared concussion protocol and will start Monday night. Amon-Ra St Brown suffered a low ankle sprain on Thanksgiving. He’s unlikely for Thursday against Dallas, but Detroit does not expect an IR stint. Jameson Williams dominated with a 37 percent target share in the Sun God’s absence.
Justin Herbert fractured his left hand and needs surgery, though he plans to play through it. He will be tough to trust against the Eagles if he plays. Marvin Harrison Jr briefly exited with a heel injury, Aaron Jones re-aggravated his AC joint sprain, Parker Washington left early with a hip injury, and Dylan Sampson sustained a calf injury. Woody Marks and Kyren Williams had short-lived injury scares, and both returned.
The Minnesota QB situation remains bleak. Both McCarthy and Max Brosmer could spike the ball every play and own a better passer rating. The AFC North is chaotic with every team still alive. The Bears are somehow the current number one seed in the NFC, and one loss from falling to seventh.
Fantasy Studs
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QBs:
Patrick Mahomes and Jordan Love led the position after an electric Thanksgiving slate, while Marcus Mariota shocked everyone as the QB3. Bryce Young delivered for the second time in three weeks, and Trevor Lawrence rounded out the top five. Dak Prescott stayed hot as a locked-in weekly QB1, and Jacoby Brissett continued his absurd run of seven straight top-12 finishes and second only to Josh Allen in fantasy points since becoming the Cardinals’ starter.
RBs:
Bijan Robinson went ballistic, D’Andre Swift (and Kyle Monangai) erupted in Chicago’s blowout win, and Kimani Vidal continued his red-light, green-light pattern with another spike week. RJ Harvey found the endzone twice, Chuba Hubbard outshone Rico Dowdle, and Derrick Henry is still the Yeti. James Cook hammered Pittsburgh for 144 rushing yards on 32 carries and looked unstoppable.
WRs:
AJ Brown smashed again in a negative game script, and Rashee Rice stayed hot as KC’s true WR1. Dontayvion Wicks was the WR3 on the week and is consistently catching the ball. Jameson Williams delivered his third top-10 finish in four weeks, stepping up in St. Brown’s absence. Christian Watson posted elite target shares the past two weeks, while CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens both looked like true alphas. Davante Adams remains unstoppable near the goal line with 15 targets inside the five and nine TDs. Devaughn Vele out-scored Chris Olave, who had an egregious drop.
TEs:
Brock Bowers led the position, followed by Trey McBride, Zach Ertz, Travis Kelce, and Brenton Strange. Strange is quietly emerging after returning from injury: five for 93 and then three for 45 and a TD the past two weeks. With Parker Washington hurt and Jacksonville entering pass-friendly game scripts, he is firmly on the streaming radar. McBride remains an elite weekly play and draws the ultimate TE matchup in Cincinnati for championship week.
Fantasy Duds
QBs:
Lamar Jackson flopped in the matchup he had to smash, showing clear limitations from the toe injury. His rushing floor is gone, and he has been outscored by Shedeur Sanders over the last three weeks. Jalen Hurts has three finishes outside the top 12 in his last four, with declining rushing usage and Philly’s offense out of sync. Josh Allen was quiet in a run-heavy win, Matthew Stafford melted down with turnovers, and Caleb Williams continued his erratic play.
RBs:
Saquon Barkley crashed as the RB40 and continues a season of empty volume. He is RB16 on the year with only one strong outing. Travis Etienne, Ashton Jeanty, Kansas City’s committee, and Kenneth Gainwell all disappointed. Jeanty’s upcoming schedule (DEN, PHI, HOU) is one of the toughest possible for the fantasy playoffs.
WRs:
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was erased by Minnesota’s defense. Justin Jefferson caught two passes for four yards. He’s averaging just 8.4 PPR with the Brosmer/McCarthy combo, and has entered full panic mode. Zay Flowers’ decline continued and Emeka Egbuka’s early-season breakout has fully evaporated. DK Metcalf, Brian Thomas Jr, Jaylen Waddle, Devonta Smith, and Michael Wilson all underwhelmed. Ricky Pearsall is droppable with Jennings healthy.
TEs:
Oronde Gadsden managed only one catch for 27 yards. Mark Andrews’ four for 47 fell short of expectations, but the matchup was still productive overall for TEs. TE is a wasteland outside McBride, Bowers, and Kelce, with the rest purely matchup-dependent.
Tuesday – Week 14 Waivers & Streamers + Boom/Bust Pickups
News
Tyrone Tracy exited with a hip injury and didn’t return, making Devin Singletary a real waiver candidate heading into New York’s bye. Justin Herbert had surgery Monday morning on his fractured hand, but is considered day-to-day for MNF. If he suits up, it benefits the entire offense, especially if Omarion Hampton is activated. Mac Jones would have turned the surgery down.
Tee Higgins remains in concussion protocol, and the Bengals’ WR rotation is unpredictable, with Mitchell Tinsley getting nine empty targets. Drake London has a chance to return. J.J. McCarthy starts for Minnesota in Week 14 with no remaining alternatives. Aaron Jones’ shoulder injury is not believed to be serious, but Jordan Mason managers need to monitor him.
Adam Thielen was released out of respect so he can chase actual targets elsewhere. Jayden Reed isn’t yet medically cleared but will be evaluated later in the week. Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan are trending toward practice, giving Tampa Bay their full WR room for the playoff push. Kyler Murray will not have his 21-day window opened. Amon-Ra St. Brown didn’t practice Monday with a short week and is questionable.
Waiver Wire
Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
RBs:
Week 14 brings brutal byes: 49ers, Giants, Panthers, Patriots. Sorting RBs depends entirely on whether you need a desperation spot start or playoff upside.
Omarion Hampton’s return is possible with the MNF timing, but his usage and matchup vs PHI are unclear. Trey Benson seems to have suffered a setback after going from limited practice to DNP to inactive. If he isn’t activated this week, his season is over. That pushes Bam Knight up.
Kyle Monangai posted another 130-yard game and remains a priority if available. Chris Rodriguez has a strong one-week appeal vs Minnesota. Jordan Mason ranks ahead of him if Aaron Jones misses time.
Devin Singletary is a top long-term add if you don’t need Week 14 points. Tyler Allgeier continues to be heavily used inside the five. Bhayshul Tuten is mixing in again and has regained usage after injury. Blake Corum remains involved but is capped unless Kyren Williams sits, and Sean McVay says he won’t.
Bam Knight slides in right behind Mason and Rodriguez despite tough matchups vs LAR and HOU. Chuba Hubbard is worth a stash with a post-bye matchup vs NO.
WRs:
There is confusion in the Tampa Bay WR room. Chris Godwin is the more trustworthy short-term add over Mike Evans, who may still be working back from his concussion/collarbone combo. They have NO, ATL, and CAR the next three weeks.
Isaac TeSlaa played 94% of routes and is a volatile but high-ceiling plug-and-play if Amon-Ra sits. He is the quintessential one-week waiver swing. Dontayvion Wicks continues to produce and can spot start vs CHI, especially if Jayden Reed doesn’t return.
Jayden Higgins remains a strong playoff addition: steady usage, explosive plays, and a great schedule after KC this week (ARI & LV). Adonai Mitchell (12 targets) and John Metchie (8 targets) both remain viable for New York with Miami on deck, though Mitchell offers the bigger playmaking ceiling.
New Orleans traded real capital to acquire Devaughn Vele, who just went 8 for 93 and 1. Kayshon Boutte continues to score and remains a priority stash despite his Week 14 bye. Pat Bryant is ascending post-bye with a clear jump in role and belongs on rosters.
TEs:
Darren Waller is back and immediately relevant. He gets end-zone usage and the best playoff schedule at the position (NYJ, PIT, and CIN). Brenton Strange stays heavily involved but is behind Waller for ceiling.
Harold Fannin offers vertical juice with Shedeur Sanders and a workable schedule. Colston Loveland is talented but stuck in bad matchups with inconsistent usage.
DSTs:
Tampa Bay remains the best multi-week add, as they face NO–ATL–CAR–MIA. New Orleans also projects well for the playoffs with CAR–NYG–TEN. Dallas is a Week 15 smash vs MIN and is widely available.
Week 16 targets: KC (vs TEN), BUF (vs CLE), ATL (vs ARI), NYJ vs NO (either side).
Week 17: NO vs TEN (both), NYG vs LV.
Plan two weeks ahead and don’t be afraid to roster two defenses!
Full Stream Ahead
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Andy’s Pick: Jared Goff vs DAL
One of the easiest streams of the entire season. He’s at home with the highest total of the week, and Dallas has allowed QBs to exceed their points expectation in every game this season. Ford Field games average 53 combined points. Don’t overthink it.
Jason’s Pick: Trevor Lawrence at IND
Lawrence has been a top-12 QB in four of his last five games. He is quietly ascending on a healthy offense, and a 48.5 over-under in a must-score road matchup. The Colts are bottom-five in passing yards allowed and pressure rate.
Jason’s Pick: Tyler Shough at TB
Mike goes with the steel underpants. Tampa Bay is dead last in schedule-adjusted points allowed to QBs since Week 9 and allows heavy passing volume. Shough averages four rush attempts per game for a built-in floor and has already posted multiple startable fantasy lines.
Bonus: Jacoby Brissett is still the ultimate streamer. He plays at home vs LAR. Not the best matchup, but his streak of production is undeniable with a season-long pace of over 5000 yards.
Don’t drop Lamar Jackson, just seriously consider your other options.
Wednesday – Playoff Push! Week 14 Start/Sit + The Ballers Fix Football
Backup Options
Waivers have cleared, so it’s time for backup options. Andy kicked it off with Ollie Gordon, who should be on the bench for the Achane managers. Miami has the second-best RB strength of schedule for the fantasy playoffs; they are number one in rush rate over the last month, and Gordon has already produced in limited work.
Jason highlighted Emmanuel Wilson, bafflingly one of the most-dropped players of the week. For Josh Jacobs managers, this is an absolute must-stash. Jacobs is already limping through injuries, and Wilson has already shown RB2 upside as the full-time replacement.
Mike returned to Andrei Iosivas as a backup WR. Tee Higgins is still not trending toward clearing protocol, and Joe Burrow will keep this offense humming. Despite Mitch Tinsley’s nine targets, Iosivas played 94% of snaps and 88% of routes, cashing in on one of his two targets for a TD. In deeper leagues, both Iosivas and Tinsley are viable dart throws in a 52.5-point projected shootout with the Bills.
News
Tampa Bay will open the 21-day window for Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan, ahead of schedule for Evans after his collarbone and concussion combo. A full WR room could complicate Emeka Egbuka’s late-season target volume.
Omarion Hampton is expected to return Monday night against the Eagles, but it’s a tough matchup, and tough timing for fantasy decisions. The Rams emphasized they want Kyren Williams “fresh for the NFL playoffs,” which is awful timing for fantasy managers.
Tyrone Tracy said he expects to be fine after hip and stinger issues. The Steelers officially signed Adam Thielen, a very Mike Tomlin move. He’s not fantasy-relevant, but could be legitimately helpful for Pittsburgh’s WR room.
TNF Breakdown
6-5-1 DAL at 7-5 DET (DET -3, O/U 54.5)
Dallas plays Detroit in a game with one of the highest projected totals of the season. Both defenses allow heavy production to QBs and WRs, which makes this a strong fantasy environment. Detroit’s offensive line is severely injured, but the Lions should still be forced into an aggressive passing script.
Dak Prescott is a strong play. Javonte Williams remains heavily involved. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are automatic starts. Jared Goff is one of the best QB streamers of the week at home in a dome with a high total.
Jahmyr Gibbs is always in. David Montgomery is playable but carries a lower floor because Dallas has improved against the run, and Detroit’s offensive line is depleted.
Amon-Ra St. Brown is unlikely to play on a short week. If he sits, Jameson Williams is a strong start. Isaac TeSlaa becomes a volatile but high-ceiling flex play with meaningful opportunity. Tom Kennedy is an extremely deep-league pivot, with Kalif Raymond ruled out as well.
Jake Ferguson is startable but not a high-ceiling option. Brenton Strange (JAX) vs Ferguson is one of the most popular TE start/sit questions. The Ballers agree that Strange is a stronger upside play.
Watch/listen to the show to hear the boys dive into mailbag questions, player outlooks, fantasy playoff lineup ethics, a trade deadline discussion, and more.
Thursday – Starts of the Week + Week 14 Breakdown, TESLAA TIME!
News
The Ravens stunned everyone by extending TE Mark Andrews for three years and $39 million with $25 million guaranteed. He is suddenly the long-term plan, likely making Isaiah Likely a trade candidate. Amon-Ra St. Brown is officially questionable for tonight. He has not practiced all week, and expectations remain that he sits. If he somehow plays, he is a risky must-start.
Woody Marks should be good for the Texans. Parker Washington is not expected to play, which boosts Brian Thomas Jr, Brenton Strange, and Jakobi Meyers. Rome Odunze did not practice and remains a question. Jim Harbaugh said Omarion Hampton is on track for Week 14 and gave glowing praise to Kimani Vidal for his physical style of play. Rico Dowdle remains the Cowboys’ primary early down RB.
Trey Benson and Marvin Harrison Jr both missed practice for Arizona. Both players seem doubtful, and if Benson doesn’t play, he is done for the season as his 21-day window closes. Drake London did not practice. Tee Higgins returned as a limited participant, which gives him a chance to play. Dalton Kincaid was limited. Chris Olave did not practice after aggravating his back. Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan were both limited as they continue their return to the field.
Starts of the Week
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Andy
QB Jared Goff: The highest total of the week and a Dallas defense giving up huge QB production make him a strong play even without Amon-Ra.
RB Chase Brown: Buffalo is one of the worst defenses against the run, which gives Brown both volume and efficiency upside.
WR Michael Wilson: Arizona will be forced to throw against the Rams, and Wilson should lead targets again with Marvin Harrison Jr banged up.
TE Dalton Kincaid: Cincinnati consistently gives up big TE games, and Kincaid steps right back into elite usage if active.
Mike
QB Trevor Lawrence: Indy cannot pressure the QB, and Lawrence has been top twelve in four of his last five games.
RB Devin Neal: Neal has locked into an eighty percent workload, and Tampa Bay has quietly struggled against RBs recently.
WR Jameson Williams: With Amon-Ra likely out, Williams gets an expanded opportunity and clear deep shot upside.
TE Kyle Pitts: Seattle is vulnerable to TEs, and Pitts should see a strong target share if Drake London sits.
Jason
QB Matthew Stafford: Stafford leads the league in passing TDs and draws an ideal dome matchup against a low-pressure Cardinals defense.
RB Quinshon Judkins: He owns every Cleveland goal-line touch and now gets a favorable script against a soft Tennessee run defense.
WR Justin Jefferson: A pivot from Arizona’s Michael Wilson, just to remind managers to trust the superstar, at least for one more week.
TE Brenton Strange: He has back-to-back top-five finishes and faces an Indy defense that allows heavy production to TEs.
Fantasy Forecast
9-3 SEA at 4-8 ATL (SEA -7, O/U 44.5)
Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet are both usable with Seattle expected to control the game, while JSN should bounce back after last week’s quiet outing. Atlanta remains centered on Bijan Robinson, while Drake London is a start if active, and Kyle Pitts carries streaming value in a soft TE matchup.
4-8 CIN at 8-4 BUF (BUF -5.5, O/U 53.5)
You start all primary Bengals and Bills with the high total and potential shootout environment, while Tee Higgins has a real chance to return and reestablish the offense. James Cook should thrive if the weather forces more ground work, and Dalton Kincaid is an immediate full confidence play if active.
1-11 TEN at 3-9 CLE (CLE -4.5, O/U 33.5)
Cleveland’s defense is the only must-start, as Tennessee’s offense is essentially unplayable in this matchup. Quinshon Judkins remains the lone Cleveland skill player with bankable usage, while TE Fannin is a desperation option only.
3-9 WAS at 4-8 MIN (MIN -2.5, O/U 42.5)
This is a critical get-right spot for JJ McCarthy, who faces one of the softest defenses in football, which locks Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison into lineups. Marcus Mariota keeps Terry McLaurin viable while the Minnesota backfield depends fully on injury reports before locking in a starter.
5-7 MIA at 3-9 NYJ (MIA -2.5, O/U 41.5)
De’Von Achane remains the engine of Miami’s offense, with Jaylen Waddle still startable despite inefficiency and low passing volume. For the Jets, Adonai Mitchell carries the best ceiling among the WRs, and Darren Waller is the strongest overall play because of the matchup and role.
2-10 NO at 7-5 TB (TB -8.5, O/U 42.5)
Chris Olave is a start if active, while Devaughn Vele becomes a real option if Olave sits, as he now plays a full-time role with steady targets. Tampa Bay leans fully on Bucky Irving, who remains a locked-in starter, while Emeka Egbuka is playable but no longer automatic.
Friday – Week 14 Matchups + Wheel of Shame, TNF Reactions
TNF Reaction
A slow start had everyone terrified the 53.5 total was a trap, but the Lions and Cowboys erupted into a 74–point show where somehow only two passing TDs were scored. Amon-Ra St Brown played through the doubtful tag, finishing six for 92, and was certainly not a decoy. Jahmyr Gibbs stole the night with three total TDs and seven receptions, Jameson Williams led Detroit in receiving with seven for 96, and even David Montgomery managers walked away happy despite only six carries. For the Cowboys, Javonte Williams was solid, and Ryan Flournoy emerged as the surprise hero with nine for 115 and a TD.
The only real dud was George Pickens, who managed five for 37 in a game where CeeDee Lamb shone before exiting with a concussion. Pickens drew heavy criticism for his effort on multiple plays, though Dallas’s late double coverage and offensive collapse did not help. Lamb’s early injury could have been a season-tilter, but the silver lining is the Thursday timeline gives him a chance to clear protocol before Week 15.
News
Tee Higgins got the upgrade everyone wanted, logging a full practice and looking fully on track to return. Dalton Kincaid stayed limited with a knee issue, which keeps his Sunday status in limbo but far from ruled out. Chris Olave’s limited session is a positive sign, while Alvin Kamara missing practice again is absolutely not. Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan stayed limited, business as usual, and Jayden Daniels appears on schedule to reclaim the starting job.
Lamar Jackson sat with a foot injury, yet is still expected to play, though his fantasy floor has never felt shakier. Rome Odunze missed another practice and remains a real concern. Marvin Harrison Jr missed practice as well and has now been officially ruled out, along with Greg Dortch – wheels up for Michael Wilson. Davante Adams, at least, brought good news by returning in full.
Fantasy Forecast
8-4 IND at 8-4 JAX (IND -1.5, O/U 47.5)
Jacksonville has won three straight and feels like the team with momentum, health, and home-field advantage. Trevor Lawrence is a viable start in this environment. Jonathan Taylor is locked in. Despite Bhayshul Tuten’s usage trending up, Etienne remains a strong play against a defense ranked 24th vs RBs in the past six weeks. The Brian Thomas Jr debate continues: he has the talent, the role, and the matchup against Indy. Jakobi Meyers might just be the better player right now. Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce are safer weekly options with Daniel Jones, who is limited by a leg injury.
6-6 PIT at 6-6 BAL (BAL -5.5, O/U 42.5)
A classic AFC North dog fight is incoming. Lamar is terrifying but still in the QB10–QB11 range purely due to ceiling. Derrick Henry becomes the focal point against a Steelers defense ranked 30th vs RBs after adjustments. Zay Flowers has become a weekly middling play with low ceiling. Jaylen Warren remains the only Pittsburgh player worth trusting. The Steelers have not completed a 20+ air yard pass since Week 8. This game could be painful for nearly everyone.
10-2 DEN at 2-10 LV (DEN -7.5, O/U 40.5)
Denver has won nine straight with the smallest four-game margin of victory in NFL history. The numbers say regression, but the schedule says another win is coming. Courtland Sutton is the only Bronco you can confidently start. Monitor Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin usage. Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers remain every-week plays for Vegas because volume has to go somewhere. Bo Nix remains volatile, and RJ Harvey is on the rise.
9-3 CHI at 8-3-1 GB (GB -6.5, O/U 44.5)
A sub-25-degree game with no major wind or snow means the cold itself should not dramatically impact passing. Jordan Love and Christian Watson remain viable starts in a plus matchup where Chicago regularly bleeds QB and WR production. Josh Jacobs’ managers continue to live on the edge with every carry feeling like a medical emergency. DJ Moore remains a strong start, and Luther Burden has sneaky appeal if targets consolidate with Odunze sidelined.
9-3 LAR at 3-9 ARI (LAR -8.5, O/U 47.5)
The Cardinals’ season has collapsed, with Kyler Murray now expected to miss the rest of the year. Marvin Harrison Jr was ruled out, Trey Benson was ruled out, Greg Dortch was ruled out, and suddenly, it is Michael Wilson season yet again. Jacoby Brissett continues to produce QB1 numbers regardless of context. For the Rams, Matthew Stafford is a smash start, and both Puka Nacua and Davante Adams remain locked in. Blake Corum is a deep flex only in case of a blowout, and the Rams rest Kyren Williams. Bam Knight is a desperation RB3.
7-5 HOU at 6-6 KC (KC -3.5, O/U 41.5)
The Texans’ defense is a nightmare matchup: top three vs every position. Nico Collins is an auto-start and should sneak into the top 12 again. Rashee Rice remains the only Chiefs WR you can trust. Woody Marks is a prayer play. Everyone else in this matchup is a landmine aside from the stars. Patrick Mahomes was number one last week, but Houston has not allowed a top-12 QB all year.
8-4 PHI at 8-4 LAC (PHI -2.5, O/U 41.5)
The Eagles’ offense has been stuck in the mud since the bye, scoring 10, 16, 21, and 15 points. Jalen Carter being ruled out opens the door for Omarion Hampton to have legitimate flex appeal. Kimani Vidal also stays in play if the Chargers use a committee, although the red-light green-light rule says he’ll struggle. Justin Herbert returning one week after hand surgery is a major concern. Ladd McConkey is the steadiest Chargers WR option. A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith remain mandatory plays even in a low-total environment.
Fantasy Faceoff
Mike’s Picks
QB Josh Allen: More than 19 completions
WR Alec Pierce: More than 2.5 receptions
RB Chase Brown: More than 12.5 rushing attempts
TE Trey McBride: More than 7.5 receptions
Andy’s Picks
QB Marcus Mariota or Jayden Daniels (whoever starts): More than 211 passing yards
WR Terry McLaurin: More than 3.5 receptions
RB Chase Brown: More than 12.5 yards longest rush
TE Darren Waller: More than 28.5 receiving yards
Jason’s Picks
QB Jacoby Brissett: More than 248.5 passing yards
WR Christian Watson: More than 3.5 receptions
RB Bucky Irving: More than 2.5 receptions
TE Gunnar Helm: More than 1.5 receptions
Join Mike this week for Sunday Live to get all of your last-minute lineup decisions answered.
Good luck in Week 14, FootClan!