Fantasy Football Week 14: Matt Camp's Week 14 Preview

If you've made it this far into the NFL season, there's a good chance your fantasy playoffs start in Week 14. Congratulations on a wonderful achievement. The work is just beginning.

You may have been lucky enough to survive the loss of Rob Gronkowski and need a tight end to fill the void. That player could come in the form of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Ladarius Green.

Speaking of losing Gronkowski, we saw the New England Patriots attempt to make up for that by featuring rookie wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell more in the last three weeks. He's one of the top options to snag on the waiver wire. 

As you might expect, it will be hard to find running back help this late in the season. If you don't find anyone appealing available in your league, it would be wise to take care of your handcuffs, if you have any of the clear-cut RB1s. Mike Gillislee of the Buffalo Bills could garner attention from fantasy owners who don't even have LeSean McCoy after Gillislee's two-touchdown performance in Week 13. 

The goal is to be back here next week looking for anyone who can help you win your Week 15 playoff matchup. Good luck.

Quarterbacks

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Joe Flacco comes off his best game of the season with an important trip to New England on tap.

Note: At this point in the season, it's not a surprise to see almost every quarterback with any fantasy value owned in at least 50 percent of leagues. Plus, if you've made it this far, you know streaming quarterbacks gets much harder in the fantasy playoffs.

Waiver Wire

Joe Flacco, BAL

Percent Owned: ESPN, 24.7; Yahoo, 23.0

The Baltimore Ravens killed any thoughts of being conservative with their 38-6 drubbing of the Miami Dolphins in Week 13. Flacco had his best game of the season with 381 yards, four touchdowns and one interception on 36-of-47 passing in the victory.

While Flacco's had some shaky outings in beatable matchups this season, hopefully the Ravens keep up the offensive production in a huge showdown with the Patriots in New England on Monday night. Over the last four weeks, the Patriots allowed the 13th-most fantasy points in games with the Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. 

Week 14 Projection: 265-275 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception

The Matchup Men

As a sneak preview of my weekly rankings, these are the players whose matchups help or hurt them. I'll provide additional analysis and projections in Wednesday's Big Board.

Matchup Bumps

• Derek Carr, OAK (at KC)
• Jameis Winston, TB (vs. NO)
• Russell Wilson, SEA (at GB)
• Andy Dalton, CIN (at CLE)
• Kirk Cousins, WAS (at PHI)

Matchup Concerns

• Sam Bradford, MIN (at JAC)
• Marcus Mariota, TEN (vs. DEN)
• Blake Bortles, JAC (vs. MIN)
• Ryan Tannehill, MIA (vs. ARI)

Running Backs

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

It's handcuffing season, so Mike Gillislee is a smart pickup if you have LeSean McCoy.

Note: You'll be hard-pressed to find much running back help on the waiver wire this week. However, if you have one of the top fantasy backs, make sure to grab the handcuff.

Widely Available Handcuffs

Listed in order of importance.

• Dallas Cowboys: Alfred Morris (Ezekiel Elliott)
• Tennessee Titans: Derrick Henry (DeMarco Murray)
• Buffalo Bills: Mike Gillislee (LeSean McCoy)
• Pittsburgh Steelers: DeAngelo Williams (Le'Veon Bell)—if Williams' knee is healthy
• Arizona Cardinals: Andre Ellington (David Johnson)

Waiver Wire

Adrian Peterson, MIN

Percent Owned: ESPN, 44.7; Yahoo, 47.0

Adrian Peterson (knee) remains a stash-and-hope player with four weeks left in the regular season. The Minnesota Vikings sit two games out of first place in the NFC North and one game out of the final wild-card spot. 

According to Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune, Peterson was seen "sprinting on the side of a practice" last week, and head coach Mike Zimmer said Peterson was "probably ahead of schedule, I guess." Vensel notes that money could be a factor in Peterson's decision to return this year, since he's under contract for one more season, but none of the money is guaranteed. 

If you've stashed Peterson, he shouldn't be taking up a spot for someone who's healthy and useful, because there's a chance Peterson won't play for the rest of the season.

Week 14 Projection: To be determined based on status

Ameer Abdullah, DET

Percent Owned: ESPN, 7.6; Yahoo, 10.0

Like Peterson, Ameer Abdullah's status remains up in the air going into the final weeks, and there's no telling if he'll return from the foot injury he suffered in Week 2.

With Abdullah out of action, Theo Riddick is the leading rusher for the Detroit Lions with 357 yards and a touchdown on 92 carries, which comes out to 3.9 yards per attempt. Since coming back from an injury at the end of October, Dwayne Washington has 35 carries for 72 yards.

Abdullah's potential return would be a welcomed one, and it helps that the Lions lead the NFC North, so the team has something to play for, but you can't assume Abdullah will see the field again this year.

Week 14 Projection: To be determined based on status

The Matchup Men 

Matchup Bumps

• Matt Forte/Bilal Powell, NYJ (at SF)
• Spencer Ware, KC (vs. OAK)
• Devonta Freeman, ATL (at LA)
• Thomas Rawls, SEA (at GB)
• Jeremy Hill, CIN (at CLE)
• DeMarco Murray, TEN (vs. DEN)

Matchup Concerns

• Jay Ajayi, MIA (vs. ARI)
• LeGarrette Blount, NE (vs. BAL)
• Frank Gore, IND (vs. HOU)
• Rashad Jennings, NYG (vs. DAL)

Wide Receivers

Norm Hall/Getty Images

Pierre Garcon has come through as a reliable fantasy option over the last month.

Waiver Wire 

Malcolm Mitchell, NE

Percent Owned: ESPN, 19.9; Yahoo, 30.0

For the third straight game, Malcolm Mitchell delivered for fantasy players with eight receptions for 82 yards on 10 targets in 85 percent of New England's snaps in a victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

In the last three games, Mitchell racked up 17 receptions for 222 yards and three touchdowns on 22 targets. With Rob Gronkowski (back surgery) out for the season, Mitchell's role increased. His Week 13 snap percentage nearly equaled the 86 percent he played in Week 11, a game that also didn't have Gronkowski or Chris Hogan. 

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Danny Amendola has a high-ankle sprain and the "plan is to make sure he's ready for the playoffs." With yet another injury to New England's receiving corps, Mitchell's role in the offense looks like it could be an active one down the stretch.

Week 14 Projection: 6 receptions, 78 yards

Dontrelle Inman, SD

Percent Owned: ESPN, 19.8; Yahoo, 20.0

Even though Tyrell Williams played though his shoulder injury, Dontrelle Inman still came through with two receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Inman and Williams tied with 96 percent of the snaps, while Travis Benjamin (two receptions, 24 yards, four targets) lagged behind at 78 percent.

Williams remains the top option in San Diego's offense, but with a high snap count and double-digit fantasy points in his last two games, Inman remains a viable WR in PPR formats heading into a good matchup with the Carolina Panthers in Week 14. 

Week 14 Projection: 5 receptions, 70 yards

Pierre Garcon, WAS

Percent Owned: ESPN, 44.4; Yahoo, 32.0

While the best fantasy wide receiver in Washington has been Jamison Crowder, Pierre Garcon isn't too far behind. With seven receptions for 78 yards on nine targets in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Garcon now has at least 12 fantasy points in four of the last five games in PPR formats.

He leads the team in targets (87), is tied with Jordan Reed and one ahead of Crowder in receptions (59-58), is second to Crowder in yards (767-714) and has two touchdowns. With Reed out because of his shoulder injury, per the team, Garcon looks like he could have another solid performance against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14. He got them for six receptions and 77 yards on 11 targets in Week 6. 

Week 14 Projection: 6 receptions, 80 yards

Brandon LaFell, CIN

Percent Owned: ESPN, 16.9; Yahoo, 17.0

The Cincinnati Bengals were without A.J. Green (hamstring) for the second straight game, but they had no problems dominating the Philadelphia Eagles. Brandon LaFell led the way with five receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown on seven targets in the victory. 

According to Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer, on Dec. 2, Green said he "suffered a grade 2 hamstring tear" but is working to come back this year "even if it's Week 17." Obviously, Green's status will be one to monitor, but LaFell should get a start with or without Green in an attractive matchup with the Cleveland Browns. LaFell posted four receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown on five targets in their first meeting back in Week 7. 

Week 14 Projection: To be determined based on Green's status

The Matchup Men

Matchup Bumps 

• Demaryius Thomas/Emmanuel Sanders, DEN (at TEN)
• Jamison Crowder/Pierre Garcon/DeSean Jackson, WAS (at PHI)
• Amari Cooper/Michael Crabtree, OAK (at KC)
• Odell Beckham Jr./Sterling Shepard, NYG (vs. DAL)
• Mike Evans, TB (vs. NO)
• Tyrell Williams/Dontrelle Inman, SD (at CAR) 

Matchup Concerns

• Stefon Diggs, MIN (at JAC)
• Rishard Matthews, TEN (vs. DEN)
• Allen Robinson, JAC (vs. MIN)

Tight Ends

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Dennis Pitta-Joe Flacco connection returned in a big way in Week 13.

Waiver Wire

Ladarius Green, PIT

Percent Owned: ESPN, 11.8; Yahoo, 24.0

I included Ladarius Green both as a sleeper and part of my late-week waiver wire for Week 13, and he came through in a big way with a huge game against the New York Giants. He was the leading receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers with six receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets while playing 48 percent of his team's snaps. 

Green nearly doubled the 26 percent of snaps he played in Week 12, while teammate and fellow tight end Jesse James saw his snap percentage fall for the second straight game—down to 62 percent after playing 99 percent in Week 11. 

It's hard for defenses to give a lot of attention to Green when he shares the field with Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell, so hopefully his performance in Week 13 gives Ben Roethlisberger plenty of trust in Green to keep him involved. 

Week 14 Projection: 5 receptions, 79 yards

Dennis Pitta, BAL

Percent Owned: ESPN, 47.0; Yahoo, 33.0

Dennis Pitta burst back on the fantasy scene with nine receptions for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 11 targets in Baltimore's dominant victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 13. Pitta had gone without a touchdown all season and hadn't had double-digit fantasy points in PPR formats since Week 5. It was only the third time this season he had more than 50 yards in a game. 

Because he's been tough to trust for most of the year, it's understandable if you have second thoughts about adding him at such an important time. Hopefully the Ravens stick with Pitta when they head to New England. 

Week 14 Projection: 5 receptions, 50 yards

The Matchup Men 

Matchup Bumps

• Jimmy Graham, SEA (at GB)
• Jason Witten, DAL (at NYG)
• Greg Olsen, CAR (vs. SD)

Matchup Concerns

• Delanie Walker, TEN (vs. DEN)
• Kyle Rudolph, JAC (vs. MIN)

Defenses

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Cincinnati Bengals draw the Cleveland Browns this weekend, so you know their defense is a viable streamer.

This focuses on the best streaming options widely available in both ESPN and Yahoo leagues based on the matchups.

Cincinnati Bengals (at CLE)

Percent Owned: ESPN, 50.7; Yahoo, 32.0

Following the Cleveland Browns has been a great way to pick a fantasy defense for most of the season and especially the last four weeks. No team allowed more fantasy points to opposing defenses during that span thanks to 19 sacks, three interceptions, five fumble recoveries and two touchdowns. 

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, "there's a real chance" Robert Griffin III will start this week for the first time since injuring his shoulder in Week 1. But according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer, head coach Hue Jackson said on Monday it's "too soon" to make a call. No matter who starts for the Browns, the Bengals are a good streaming defense. 

Week 14 Projection: 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 16-19 points allowed

Washington Redskins (at PHI)

Percent Owned: ESPN, 6.4; Yahoo, 12.0

The Philadelphia Eagles have fallen apart in recent weeks, so it might be a good time to take a chance on the Redskins defense. Last week, Carson Wentz threw three interceptions and was sacked once while the team put up just 14 points in an ugly loss to the Bengals.

Practice will determine how many starters will be on the field for the Eagles in Week 14. Jordan Matthews (ankle) and Ryan Mathews (knee) were inactive for Week 13, and Dorial Green-Beckham suffered an oblique injury. Wentz can't afford to go out there with a skeleton crew of skill players and put up a fight against the Redskins. Washington can take advantage of those potential struggles.

Week 14 Projection: 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, 15-18 points allowed

Kickers

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Sebastian Janikowski is a good kicker on a great team, which is the right combination for fantasy productivity.

Kickers on the rise or those entering favorable matchups with a lot of points forecasted are featured in this section.

Sebastian Janikowski, OAK

Percent Owned: ESPN, 43.6; Yahoo, 23.0

Sebastian Janikowski has been one of the hottest fantasy kickers in the league over the last month, yet his ownership percentages aren't nearly as high as they should be considering he's on a good team that gives him plenty of opportunities. 

He has three extra points in each of his last six games and hasn't missed any of his 32 extra-point attempts this year. He's also made his last seven field-goal attempts and 10 of his last 11 in the last four games. Janikowski should remain busy and productive in Week 14 and beyond.

Camp's Corner

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Just because you drafted Allen Robinson early doesn't mean he has to be in your fantasy playoff lineup.

If you remain in contention for a fantasy championship despite selecting Allen Robinson with one of your first two picks, my hat's off to you and the job you've done with the rest of your team. Obviously, Robinson hasn't been a reliable contributor, or at least not anywhere near what was expected from him.

The same can be said for those who spent first-round picks on Todd Gurley or DeAndre Hopkins. They've underachieved all season, though they've done enough to stick on rosters even after all that disappointment. 

Don't fall into the trap of giving any of those players the benefit of the doubt when it comes to making lineup decisions in the fantasy playoffs. Last week, someone told me they were having second thoughts about benching Robinson because he was a first-round pick and it would be tough to sit such a high selection with the season on the line.

Robinson wound up with three receptions for 31 yards, continuing an awful campaign.

Throw any early-season expectations out the window. If you have better options than someone like Gurley in Week 14, don't be afraid to bench him. Production, not hope, is what got you this far. Be smart.

Stats provided by FantasyPros and NFL.com. Snap counts provided by Pro Football Focus. ESPN and Yahoo ownership percentages are accurate as of Tuesday morning.

Do you have a fantasy football question? Follow @TheMattCamp.