Get your winning edge! Join Fantasy Football expert Frank Ober for Week 14 tips, trade targets, and predictions. Stay ahead on LKNConnect.com!
RB Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers has been placed on injured reserve again. The first pick in most fantasy drafts has been a major disappointment for team owners and has potentially cost them a playoff spot. This is not the first time McCaffrey has missed most of the season due to injury after being projected as the number one fantasy player. In addition, RB Jordan Mason has a high ankle sprain and has also been placed on injured reserve. This means that rookie RB Isaac Guerendo will be the starter. If available, he needs to be picked up. At 6 foot 221 pounds, Guerendo has great size, but he also has speed as he ran the 40-yard dash at the combine in 4.33 seconds. If you have a need at RB, especially with six teams on a bye, he is a worthy start.
As anticipated, RB Chuba Hubbard of the Carolina Panthers remains the lead back, but rookie RB Jonathan Brooks has cut into his playing time. In week 13, Hubbard carried the ball 12 times for 43 yards and had no targets in the passing game. Brooks carried the ball 6 times for 18 yards and had 3 receptions for 23 yards. Continue to play Hubbard if you do not have a better option but temper your expectations.
The Los Angeles Chargers had a surprisingly tough game at the Atlanta Falcons. The Chargers won because of their defense as the offense generated only 187 yards. Gus Edwards led the rushing attack with only 6 carries and 32 yards. As a team, the Chargers ran the ball only 17 times with QB Justin Herbert accounting for 5 of those carries. Gus Edwards is still a viable option although he may be TD dependent. This week the Chargers have a tough road matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs so use him only if your options are limited.
Backup RB Sincere McCormick had a nice game complimenting Ameer Abdullah for the Las Vegas Raiders with both Alexander Mattison and Zamir White out with injuries. McCormick is worth a flyer if Mattison and White remain out.
QB: Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) 186 total yards, 2 TDs, 0 Int
Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) 298 total yards, 1 TD, 2 Int
RB: Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints) 4 receptions, 119 total yards, 0 TDs
Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 3 receptions, 185 total yards, 1 TD
WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks) 4 receptions, 74 total yards, 0 TDs
Calvin Ridley (Tennessee Titans) 2 receptions, 45 total yards, 0 TDs
TE: T.J. Hockenson (Minnesota Vikings) 3 receptions, 28 total yards, 0 TDs
Hunter Henry (New England Patriots) 7 receptions, 75 total yards, 0 TDs
PK: Chase McLaughlin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 14 points, 2 PATs, 4 FGs
Jake Bates (Detroit Lions) 11 points, 2 PATs, 3 FGs
DF: Houston Texans: 20 points against, 373 total yards allowed, 0 sacks, 1 takeaway
Denver Broncos: 32 points against, 552 total yards allowed, 3 sacks, 3 takeaways, 2 TDs
QB: Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets)
Sam Darnold (Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons)
RB: Rico Dowdle (Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals)
Sleeper: Isaac Guerendo (San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears)
WR: Khalil Shakir (Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams)
Tee Higgins (Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys)
TE: Mike Gesicki (Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys)
Cade Otton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
PK: Tyler Bass (Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams)
Jake Elliott (Philadelphia Eagles vs. Carolina Panthers)
DF: Minnesota Vikings (vs. Atlanta Falcons)
New Orleans Saints (at New York Giants)
Green Bay Packers (-3.0) vs. Miami Dolphins Final Score: GB 30 Mia. 17
Buffalo Bills (-7.0) vs. San Francisco 49ers Final Score: Buf. 35 SF 10
Denver Broncos (-5.5) vs. Cleveland Browns Final Score: Den. 41 Cle. 32
Week 13 Record: 3 – 0 Season Record: 20 – 19
Detroit Lions (-3.0) vs. Green Bay Packers
The Packers trail the Lions by two games in the division, so this is a huge game for both teams. The Packers play well against losing teams but struggle against teams with a winning record. The Lions feature a diverse running attack complemented by multiple weapons when passing the ball. My only concern is the number of Lions defensive players lost to injury. Take the Lions at home giving the points.
The Chargers struggled in Atlanta last week and may not have WR Ladd McConkey available. This would be a huge loss as he has been their main offensive weapon. The Chiefs are just getting by each week, but they know how to win. This is an important divisional game, so I expect the Chiefs to play at their best. This should be a low scoring game, but the Chiefs have too many weapons and a solid defense. Take the Chiefs and give the points.
The Bengals can score on anyone, and QB Joe Burrow is having a phenomenal season. However, the defense cannot stop anyone. The Cowboys have shown life with QB Cooper Rush and an improved running game. This should be a high scoring game, but I have more faith in Joe Burrow. Take the visitors and give the points.
