Fantasy Football Week 14 Review

With just one game left in Week 14 of the fantasy football season, we now look back and reflect on what is the first round of the playoffs for most.

The quarterback position was horrible this week. In fact, the best defense of the week scored more points than any quarterback up to this point.

The one game left is the Baltimore Ravens on the road against the New England Patriots, and that game could have multiple fantasy implications—I know it does for me!

While quarterback was terrible this week, there was one player in particular (hint: the cover photo of this slideshow) who had one of the best fantasy outbursts in recent memory.

Well, without further ado, let's review Week 14 up to this point—a week filled with injuries.

Top Quarterbacks

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Our top quarterback to this point has been the Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan. In a complete demolition of the Los Angeles Rams, the Falcons won 42-14.

In the process, Ryan threw for 237 yards and three scores without wide receivers Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu.

Next week, Ryan and the Falcons will get the San Francisco 49ers. Must I tell you how bad they are?

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

The top two quarterbacks this week had something in common: They both won in blowouts.

However, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers faced a much more difficult opponent—the Seattle Seahawks. In their first game without Earl Thomas, the Seahawks allowed Rodgers to throw for 246 yards and three touchdowns. What made Rodgers fall behind Ryan was his six yards lost running the ball. It was that close.

Rodgers and the Packers are playing better as of late and draw the Chicago Bears in Week 15. Rodgers hasn't thrown an interception in four weeks—he'll remain hot.

Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins

Although he threw for less than 200 yards, Ryan Tannehill did manage to rack up three scores while throwing one interception.

This was perhaps Tannehill's final game of the season, though.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Miami Dolphins fear Tannehill tore his ACL in the team's win over the Arizona Cardinals.

At least he went out on a positive note.

Honorable Mention: Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

If not for his two interceptions, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck could have perhaps been the top quarterback of the week—the bar was pretty low this week.

Good thing he hit wide receiver T.Y. Hilton late, as it saved both of their values.

In Week 15, Luck will go up against a staunch Minnesota Vikings defense.

Yikes.

Top Running Backs

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Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers

Nearly 300 total yards and multiple scores, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell put up over 50 fantasy points in points-per-reception formats.

Unreal.

Bilal Powell, New York Jets

Both running backs in this game are inside the top three at the position (spoiler alert).

After Matt Forte left following an injury, fellow New York Jets running back Bilal Powell took over the primary role, running for 145 yards and two touchdowns while also catching five passes for 34 yards.

With Bryce Petty at quarterback, Powell seems to be a reasonably safe play for the remainder of the season, but don't expect this kind of outburst—obviously.

Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers

He may not have had nearly 300 total yards, but he did have 200.

San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde demolished what was (on paper) a rock-solid Jets run defense to the tune of 193 rushing yards on 17 carries. It seemed like he just kept breaking off big run after big run.

In those 193 yards, Hyde didn't find the end zone, but he did on his lone reception for seven yards following a 49ers interception.

He'll have a chance to perform well again next week against the Atlanta Falcons—unless linebacker Vic Beasley completely destroys the team.

Honorable Mention: Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals

Going up against the Cleveland Browns, we all expected Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill to have a high-scoring game.

Well, he did, running for over 100 yards, finding the end zone and catching three passes for 31 yards.

The Bengals were in control the entire game, thus backup running back Rex Burkhead was able to see more work. Otherwise, this could have been a much bigger game for Hill.

Top Wide Receivers

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Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos

Death, taxes and targets directed toward Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders.

Seeing a season-high 14 targets, Sanders caught 11 of them for exactly 100 yards and found the end zone.

Considering the Broncos scored just 10 points, this is a fantastic stat line for Sanders.

In Week 15, Sanders should draw coverage against New England Patriots cornerback Eric Rowe. While Rowe has played well, he ranks 49th in coverage among all cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. Start Sanders, as he should get double-digit targets once again.

T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts

With right around nine minutes left in the final quarter, Luck hit Hilton for a 35-yard score. However, it would not matter—the Colts lost 22-17 to the Houston Texans.

Hilton is quite obviously Luck's top target, and with fellow wide receiver Donte Moncrief suffering an injury during the game, there could be less competition for targets for the Colts moving forward.

Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos

Any time a player can get 16 targets, you're in business. That's what happened to Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas.

Out of those 16 targets, Thomas caught 10 of them for 126 yards with the lone touchdown for the Broncos going to Sanders.

Going up against the Patriots in Week 15, Thomas should see lots of Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, which could be quite the difficult matchup.

Honorable Mention: Kenny Stills, Miami Dolphins

In the Week 14 preview, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills was the favorite value/sleeper play at the wide receiver position, and boy, did he deliver. It was as expected—exploiting Cardinals cornerback Marcus Cooper. Catching six passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, Stills might have trouble producing down the stretch with Tannehill out.

After getting Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson incredibly incorrect, it was nice to get this right.

Top Tight Ends and Defense

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Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals

It felt like Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert scored really fast in Week 14. Wait, he did: He scored just over two-and-a-half minutes into the game.

With Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green out, Eifert is the No. 1 pass-catching option.

Keep firing him up after a two-touchdown performance in Week 14.

Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles 

Even with wide receiver Jordan Matthews back in the lineup, Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz continued his run of double-digit targets, reaching that milestone in three of his last four games.

In Week 14, Ertz saw 13 targets and caught 10 for 112 yards.

Unfortunately for Ertz, he'll go up against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15, who rank first in Football Outsiders' DVOA against tight ends.

It's going to be tough to start him confidently in the semifinals.

Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings

What helped Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford elevate to the QB5 spot this week was his late touchdown to tight end Kyle Rudolph.

On his eight targets, Rudolph caught half of them for 60 yards, including his late score. Without his score, Rudolph would have caught just three passes for 57 yards.

In Week 15, the Vikings will face the Colts, who were 32nd in DVOA against tight ends heading into Week 14.

Another good spot for Rudolph.

Honorable Mention: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

He's gone over 100 yards receiving in four straight games. You know him and love him. He's Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

This time, he went for 101 on five receptions.

Regardless of where the Chiefs' Week 15 opponent (Tennessee Titans) ranks in DVOA against tight ends, Kelce is way too hot to turn a blind eye to at this point.

Top D/ST: Atlanta Falcons

This team brutalized the Los Angeles Rams and rookie quarterback Jared Goff.

Here's what this group managed to do: three sacks, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries, two defensive scores, 14 points allowed.

The Falcons get the San Francisco 49ers in Week 15, so they're bound for another double-digit fantasy output.

Hopefully you owned the Falcons defense this week.

Week 14 Fantasy Duds

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

I'm never going to peg Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson correctly. In Week 12, I picked him as one of the top quarterback options of the week, and he earned dud honors. Here we are again in Week 14.

While Wilson was terrible, at least he didn't score negative points.

Who was it? Let's find out.

Quarterback: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

In my Week 14 preview, Wilson was my top quarterback for the week. He was the QB26. It was just a dreadful performance. Yeah, Wilson may have had a touchdown, but he also threw five interceptions. Yeah, five.

What a hugely terrible performance.

Hosting the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, hopefully Wilson can rebound. With that said, the Seahawks should be up early and often against L.A., so they could turn to the running game and running back Thomas Rawls.

Running Back: Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons

Normally I'd put San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon here, but he suffered an injury. So as a result, we turn to Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman.

What happened with Freeman is that fellow running back Tevin Coleman soaked up all the production in a complete domination over the Rams.

Freeman had just six carries for six yards. Going up against the 49ers in Week 15, Freeman should be as sure a bet for 100 rushing yards as any. He'll rebound.

Wide Receiver: Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys

This is perhaps the weirdest stat line I've ever seen: nine targets, one reception, 10 yards and a lost fumble.

Add it all up, and you get negative fantasy points for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant. Look, the New York Giants defense is tough, but negative points?

Good news: It cannot get worse for Bryant in Week 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tight End: Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks

To be fair to Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham, it's tough for any pass-catcher to be productive on a team where the quarterback throws five interceptions.

Graham almost had one hell of a game, though. At one point, he was wide-open for what would have been a 58-yard touchdown, but Wilson overthrew him by a lot.

With the Rams ranking 18th in DVOA against tight ends, Graham should be in a much better spot next week.

Week 14 Injuries

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Unless I missed someone, there were 12 notable fantasy-related injuries this week. While the status of most of these are not yet known, they could have ended many fantasy players' seasons, or they could have made it difficult for the next round of the playoffs—unless, of course, you're one of the lucky ones who plays against a team with some of these injuries.

Here are all 12.

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins

As already mentioned, Tannehill has likely torn his ACL.

With Tannehill out, backup quarterback Matt Moore should start for the remainder of the season. This is a tough break for a Dolphins team that seemed poised to make a legitimate run at the postseason.

With Moore under center, this lowers the value of every Dolphins skill-position player.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Rodgers suffered a calf injury in the Packers' route of the Seahawks.

Rodgers had been dealing with a hamstring heading into the game, so this injury could be the product of overcompensating other parts of his leg to take pressure off the hamstring.

It's late in the season, and players are beat-up. Rodgers should be fine, but it's worth monitoring.

Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego Chargers

According to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, early indications on the injured hip of Chargers running back Melvin Gordon are good.

With that said, Gordon will have an MRI Monday to confirm his injury status. Stay tuned.

Matt Forte, RB, New York Jets

"Cracking and popping" in a knee doesn't sound good.

According to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, that is exactly how you'd describe Jets running back Matt Forte's knee.

On Monday, Forte will have an MRI after a hyperextension.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions

He won't miss any time, but Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford messed up his hand in the Lions' 20-17 win over the Bears in Week 14.

According to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com, Stafford dislocated and tore some ligaments in one of his fingers on his throwing hand.

Like Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, Stafford will wear a glove on his hand for the reminder of the season.

Darren Sproles, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

When I saw this hit, it instantly made me say, "Oh, my God."

While there are no official updates on his status, Eagles running back Darren Sproles suffered a definite concussion after getting drilled on a punt return.

How do I know it's a concussion? Well, just look at the hit and judge it. He got leveled.

Shane Vereen, RB, New York Giants

Welcome back, Giants running back Shane Vereen.

Well, for a little while, anyway.

In the Giants' Week 14 win over the Cowboys, Vereen suffered a concussion that forced him from the game.

It wouldn't surprise me if the Giants just sat Vereen for the remainder of the year, but let's see how this unfolds.

Torrey Smith, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Going up for a contested catch, 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith came down and landed on what appeared the neck/head area.

After hitting the ground, Smith did not move at all, making me think he was knocked unconscious.

With the 49ers having lost all but one game this season, they could sit Smith for the remainder of the year and get more run from their younger players.

Vance McDonald, TE, San Francisco 49ers

Smith wasn't the only 49ers player to get hurt; the newest $35 million man did as well—tight end Vance McDonald.

The only news we have so far on McDonald is that he suffered a shoulder injury.

Stay tuned for updates on his status, as he's a key component to whatever it is you'd define as the 49ers' passing game.

C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Houston Texans

Houston Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz also has a possible concussion. Before leaving the game, Fiedorowicz had three receptions for 32 yards.

If he plays, Fiedorowicz is always a nice streaming tight end since Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler is afraid to throw the ball more than two yards.

We'll monitor this throughout the week.

Wendell Smallwood, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, another Eagles running back suffered an injury: Wendell Smallwood. What's scary is that Smallwood's injury was to his right knee.

Not sure about you, but knee injuries scare me.

If Sproles and Smallwood were to miss time, Ryan Mathews would be the unquestioned lead back.

Donte Moncrief, WR, Indianapolis Colts

In the fourth quarter of the Colts' loss to the Texans, wide receiver Donte Moncrief appeared to reaggravate a hamstring injury that has been nagging him for weeks now.

Hamstrings and soft-tissue injuries are worrisome with their unpredictability, so we'll need to keep an eye on Moncrief, the touchdown machine.

Waiver-Wire Pickups

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

With all the injuries this week, the waiver wire could be your best friend. Here we'll look at the top pickup of the week at each position.

Let's use these parameters: 35 percent or less ownership in Yahoo leagues.

Quarterback: Trevor Siemian, Denver Broncos

Throwing a season-high 51 times in Week 14, Trevor Siemian has a chance to match that in Week 15 against the Patriots—he'll need to throw a ton.

Even if it's not pretty, what matters in the end is fantasy points.

If you're a Stafford owner, I'd be more comfortable gong with Siemian in Week 15. His projected pass attempts should equate to a high amount of yardage.

Running Back: Kenneth Farrow, San Diego Chargers

With Gordon injuring his hip, it's only natural to look toward the next man up: fellow running back Kenneth Farrow.

In Gordon's absence, Farrow totaled 78 yards on 22 touches.

Set to take on the Raiders in Week 15, Farrow (if Gordon sits) should see 20 or more touches against a bad defense.

Wide Receiver: Cameron Meredith, Chicago Bears

Even with the Bears sporting quarterback Matt Barkley, it's not hindering wide receiver Cameron Meredith's production.

Scoring in his first game since Week 10, Meredith has a chance to do it again in garbage time in Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers.

Averaging seven targets per game over the last three, Meredith is Barkley's No. 1 option.

Tight End: Will Tye, New York Giants

If Bears tight end Daniel Brown can catch six passes for 42 yards against the Lions, Giants tight end Will Tye should be able to do that and more.

Yeah, Tye showed nothing in Week 14 to give us any more confidence in him, but this is strictly a matchup-based pickup recommendation.

If you're a tight end streamer, look at Tye this week.

Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Football Outsiders.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.