The Sideline Sage w/ Frank Ober Week 14

Week 14 is the final week before the playoffs start in most fantasy leagues.  Hopefully, you have already secured a playoff spot.  If not, this is not the time to panic.  You already know who your must-start players are so plug them in.  As far as the rest of your lineup is concerned, consider who is hot and the matchup.  If necessary, use the waiver wire.

In the league I’m in, I currently hold the final playoff spot but I’m fighting with 5 teams for the final 4 playoff spots.  My QBs are Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Drake Maye of the New England Patriots.  I would love to play Drake Maye since Patrick Mahomes is facing the top defense in the Houston Texans but Maye is on a bye this week.  There is no viable option on the waiver wire so I’ll stick with Mahomes.

My starting RBs are Josh Jacobs of the Green Bay Packers and TreVeyon Henderson of the New England Patriots.  Henderson is on a bye this week.  My current backups are Jordan Mason of the Minnesota Vikings and Emanuel Wilson of the Green Bay Packers, my handcuff to Jacobs.  Jordan Mason is a viable starter if Aaron Jones misses the game due to a shoulder injury.  If not, I’m not thrilled about playing Mason in a time share.  Therefore, I submitted a waiver claim to pick up Chris Rodriguez of the Washington Commanders who has been their top RB of late.  I was awarded Rodriguez, so I’ll make a game time decision on who to play between him and Mason.  Ironically, the Commanders face the Vikings this week.

I am set at WR with CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys and Devonta Smith of the Philadelphia Eagles.  This league does not require starting a TE.

My flex position options come down to WRs Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals and Khalil Shakir of the Buffalo Bills whom I just picked up on waivers last week for insurance.  Harrison may miss the week 14 game against the Los Angeles Rams due to a heel injury and this is not a favorable matchup as the Rams have had the Cardinals’ number under coach Sean McVay.  Although Shakir had a down game in week 13, he is still the Bills number one WR and has a favorable matchup at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.  Therefore, I’m starting Shakir.

I’m set at PK with Brandon Aubrey of the Dallas Cowboys.

I have two defenses: the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Chargers.  Ironically, they play each other this week.  I am going to start the Eagles for a few reasons.  One is that QB Justin Herbert just had surgery on his non-throwing hand.  If he plays, that hand could be a factor in handling snaps and holding onto the ball.  If he doesn’t play, Trey Lance is the backup.  A definite drop off.  Secondly, the Chargers offensive line is injured missing both their starting tackles.  And thirdly, the Eagles defense will be fired up after getting gashed on the ground by the Bears.

I hope the above provides insight into the thought process in setting your lineup for a potentially critical matchup in week 14.  

A late note.  The Indianapolis Colts waived PK Michael Badgley and are holding auditions for a new PK.  Currently, the winner appears to be Blake Grupe recently of the New Orleans Saints.

Week 13 Results

QB: Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals):  269 total yards, 2 TDs, 0 Int

Sleeper – Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins):  161 total yards, 0 TDs, 1 Int

RB: RJ Harvey (Denver Broncos):  3 receptions, 62total yards, 2 TDs

Jaylen Warren (Pittsburgh Steelers):  2 receptions, 44 total yards, 1 TD

WR: Michael Wilson (Arizona Cardinals):  3 receptions, 36 total yards, 0 TDs

Jaylen Waddle (Miami Dolphins):  3 receptions, 40 total yards, 0 TDs

TE: Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens):  4 receptions, 47 total yards, 0 TDs

Brenton Strange (Jacksonville Jaguars):  3 receptions, 45 total yards, 1 TD

PK: Cam Little (Jacksonville Jaguars):  5 points, 2 PATs, 1 FG

Sleeper – Harrison Mevis (Los Angeles Rams):  4 points, 4 PATs, 0 FGs

DF: Philadelphia Eagles:  24 points against, 425 total yards allowed, 2 sacks, 1 takeaway

Los Angeles Chargers:  14 points against, 156 total yards allowed, 5 sacks, 1 takeaway

Players to Start Week 14

QB: Bo Nix (Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders)

Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints)

RB: Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills)

Quinshon Judkins (Cleveland Browns vs. Tennessee Titans)

WR: Terry McLaurin (Washington Commanders at Minnesota Vikings)

Jakobi Meyers (Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts)

TE: Jake Ferguson (Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions)

Sleeper – Isaiah Likely (Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

PK: Wil Lutz (Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders)

Brandon McManus (Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears)

DF: Los Angeles Rams (at Arizona Cardinals)

Baltimore Ravens (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

Week 13 Selections vs. the Point Spread

Detroit Lions (-2.5) vs. Green Bay Packers Final Score: GB 31  Det. 24

Denver Broncos (-6.5) at Washington Commanders Final Score: Den. 27  Wash. 26 OT

New York Giants (+7.5) at New England Patriots Final Score: NE 33  NYG 15

Week 13 Record:  0 – 3 Season Record:  22 – 17

Week 14 Selections vs. the Point Spread

Dallas Cowboys (+3.0) at Detroit Lions

Although the Cowboys don’t put up the same offensive numbers on the road as they do at home, this offense is hot right now.  Additionally, the addition of DT Quinnen Williams, among others, has significantly improved the defense.  The Lions are struggling and they’re without TE Sam LaPorta and probably will be missing WR Amon-Ra St. Brown.  Not good.  Take the visitors with the points.

Houston Texans (+3.5) at Kansas City Chiefs

This is a critical game for both teams.  The Texans are fighting for first place in their division while the Chiefs’ playoffs hope will be on life support if they lose this game.  The Texans are the number one defense in football and just held the high-scoring Colts to 16 points.  The Chiefs have injuries on the offensive line, and their defense hasn’t been playing up to their normal standard.  Take the visitors with the points in a close battle.

Philadelphia Eagles (-3.0) at Los Angeles Chargers

As discussed earlier, the Chargers have issues going into this game including an injury to QB Justin Herbert and injuries across the offensive line.  The Chargers’ best hope is to run the ball like the Bears did against the Eagles last week.  However, the Bears may have the best rushing attack in the NFL, and the Eagles defense does not want to be embarrassed again.  Once again, I’m picking the visitors but, in this case, giving the points.