Fantasy Football Week 14: Risers and Fallers

If you're reading this, hopefully you have made it to your league's fantasy football playoffs. If so, congratulations!

Heading into the first round of the playoffs, there are a few notable wide receiver vs. cornerback matchups that are worth monitoring. These could prove to be difficult challenges for these receivers, thus making you sweat a little bit more come Sunday.

Then again, if you're the No. 1 seed in your league, maybe you have a bye week!

As you'll notice, this column is usually called "Risers, Fallers and Trade Candidates," but at this point in the season, you can no longer trade!

For this week, there are three risers and three fallers to watch for in Week 14.

Good luck in Round 1.

Riser: Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Over his last three games, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston has managed to post three consecutive positive grades, according to Pro Football Focus.

Also mixed in there, Winston threw for five touchdown passes against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Additionally, Winston has been the QB11 over his past three games, finishing just one point behind Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer.

The real reason why Winston is a "riser" this week is his matchup—the New Orleans Saints.

Plain and simple: The Saints are bad.

Yes, Delvin Breaux is ranked as the eighth-highest-graded cornerback, but he's also given up a league-high eight touchdowns among the position.

Winston has yet to throw for more than 300 yards in a game, but with the Buccaneers being just a game out of the playoffs if the season ended today, look for Winston to take care of business and slay the Saints (again).

Faller: Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones has a brutal fantasy football playoff schedule.

Kicking it off, the Falcons get to deal with the Carolina Panthers and cornerback Josh Norman.

Now, I get it, Julio Jones is Julio Jones, but Norman is not anyone to take lightly.

In 806 snaps this season, Norman has allowed a league-low 39.9 NFL rating and just one touchdown.

In addition to that, Norman ranks fourth in terms of lowest opponent catch rate at just 47.1 percent—that's the lowest among all corners who have played 800 or more snaps so far this season.

Jones could very well be matchup-proof against Norman and still play well, but with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan not playing so hot and heading to Carolina to take on Norman, beware.

Riser: Seattle Seahawks Defense/Special Teams

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure how much more needs to be said about this than the matchup: the Baltimore Ravens and quarterback Matt Schaub.

Guess what? Schaub threw another pick-six in Week 13.

According to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, Schaub will remain the starting quarterback.

Do not be surprised at all by, like, two pick-sixes this game.

Also, look for me on your television. I'll be at this game, a game in which the Ravens are going to be annihilated.

Faller: Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

I'll probably get some heat for this, but Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson draws some skepticism for me in Week 14.

You're right, Johnson has caught fewer than five balls just two times this season, but this week Johnson gets matched up with a formidable foe in St. Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins.

You'll notice that the Rams allow the third-fewest points to the wide receiver position.

This will also be Johnson's most difficult task since Week 3, when the Lions took on the Denver Broncos.

I'm obviously not saying to sit Johnson, but in Round 1 of the playoffs, hopefully you have a strong enough team to not have to rely completely on Johnson.

He's staying out of the end zone this week.

Riser: Duke Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns

Ron Schwane/Associated Press

If you're in a point-per-reception league, owning Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson has been a ton of fun this season.

Heading into the first round of the fantasy playoffs, Johnson is the RB21 in point-per-reception formats.

To kick off the fantasy playoffs, Johnson is tasked with a San Francisco 49ers team that has allowed the second-most receptions to running backs this season at 76.

Also, the Browns have named Johnny Manziel as the team's quarterback, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.

This could actually be a good thing for Johnson, as during the last two games Manziel has started, Johnson caught one of his two receiving touchdowns.

Johnson should reach double-digit fantasy points in Week 14.

Faller: Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders

Ben Margot/Associated Press

I'm going to use the cliche; it has to be done.

Death, taxes and the Denver Broncos not allowing wide receiver touchdowns are three things during the 2015 NFL season we can always depend on.

As you've probably figured out, the Oakland Raiders and wide receiver Amari Cooper get the "fun" task of taking on the Broncos and a defense that has allowed just one wide receiver touchdown so far this season.

In addition to the lone touchdown, the Broncos have allowed a league-low 109 receptions to the position all season.

Do not expect the rookie phenom to sniff the end zone on Sunday.

All advanced stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Fantasy numbers courtesy of ESPN.com.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.