B/R Fantasy Football's Game-by-Game Guide to Winning Week 14
This is it, folks. The end of the line. In most fantasy football leagues, Week 14 is the final week of the regular season. For some fantasy managers, the postseason will begin next week; for others, it's the end of a disappointing year.
For many, though, the playoffs are already kind of here. With a victory in Week 14, the season continues and every lineup decision becomes a huge one from here on out.
To keep their seasons moving, fantasy managers need all the info they can get: Players to start and sit, injury information, important stats.
As it happens, all that is included here for every game of Week 14.
Fantasy points allowed and scored data courtesy of My Fantasy League.
New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers
1 of 15
Key Injuries
Given how badly the New England Patriots have struggled offensively this year, the last thing they need is injuries—so, of course, half the team is banged up.
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson (arguably New England's best offensive player) has a high ankle sprain and isn't playing. Wide receiver Demario Douglas remains in the concussion protocol and is also out. Fellow wideout DeVante Parker (knee) is also out.
The Steelers have injury problems of their own. Mitchell Trubisky will start at quarterback after Kenny Pickett had surgery on his ankle. Running back Najee Harris is also iffy to play due to a knee injury, although there is some optimism he'll play.
Start of the Week
Pittsburgh Steelers Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,100]: Yes, the Steelers just got thumped at home by the Arizona Cardinals. But the Patriots have scored all of 13 points in the last three games combined and have surrendered the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses.
Sit of the Week
Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,000]: After a big game two weeks ago against the Bengals, Freiermuth managed just three catches for 26 yards against Arizona. The Patriots rank 28th in PPR points per game allowed to tight ends in 2023.
Sleeper
DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,100]: With Douglas sidelined Thursday, Parker will serve as New England's No. 1 receiver against the Steelers. Last week, the 30-year-old led the Patriots in targets, receptions and receiving yards.
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
The fantasy "assets" in this game have about as much value as a huge pile of VHS tapes. If you can unload a guy like Steelers running back Jaylen Warren or Pittsburgh wideout George Pickens to a contending dynasty team and get any kind of reasonable return, it's worth considering. These offenses are both a mess—get as far away from them as possible.
Stat to Know
1938. That's the last time an NFL team (the Chicago Cardinals) held an opponent to 10 or fewer points in three straight games and lost all three. The Patriots' 6-0 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers last week duplicated that feat. Bill Belichick may well be the greatest coach in NFL history, but his tenure in New England is ending in farcical fashion.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
2 of 15
Key Injuries
Falcons head coach Arthur Smith appears hellbent on sucking the fantasy value out of every player on the Atlanta offense out of sheer spite. But the team is at least relatively healthy on that side of the ball.
The Buccaneers are also in pretty good shape offensively. However, if you happened to play linebacker in high school or even Pop Warner, give Tampa a call. It may have a spot for you.
Start of the Week
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,700]: The Falcons aren't a favorable fantasy matchup for wide receivers. But no matter the quarterback or matchup, Mike the Machine just keeps racking up catches.
Sit of the Week
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,800]: White may well be the worst top-five fantasy running back in recent memory in terms of NFL effectiveness, but he faces an Atlanta defense that ranks dead last in PPR points per game allowed to his position.
Sleeper
Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,100]: Otton slapped fantasy managers with the dreaded doughnut last week, but there's a chance for redemption Sunday against a Falcons team giving up the fifth-most PPR points per game to tight ends this year.
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
Falcons wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts have both disappointed fantasy managers in 2023, but there could be an opportunity here to acquire high-upside dynasty talent on the cheap. Maybe it's just blind hope, but if the Falcons fire Arthur Smith and hire an offensive-minded head coach, maybe the newcomer will finally start using the considerable talent the team has in the passing game. Stranger things have happened.
Stat to Know
87. That's the number of catches Pitts and London have combined this season, less than three players have by themselves. They also have combined for a whopping three touchdowns, less than 45 players have by themselves.
Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens
3 of 15
Key Injuries
The Baltimore Ravens enter Week 14 tied for the best record in the AFC. They also enter the week in good shape from a health perspective: No offensive players of note are hurt after the bye week, but a bug is making its way through the locker room--wide receiver Rashod Bateman and quarterback Lamar Jackson have both missed practice this week with illness.
The Rams aren't so fortunate. Rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua suffered a sprained AC joint in last week's win over the Cleveland Browns, but he's off the injury report. Veteran tight end Tyler Higbee cleared the NFL's concussion protocol last week but is doubtful for Week 14 with a neck injury.
Start of the Week
Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]: Flowers had a big game last week against the Rams, scoring through the air and on the ground. He has emerged as the clear No. 1 wide receiver for the Ravens as a rookie.
Sit of the Week
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]: Stafford has had his moments in 2023, but another one isn't likely against a Ravens defense that ranks dead last in the league in fantasy points per game surrendered to quarterbacks this season.
Sleeper
Keaton Mitchell, RB, Baltimore Ravens [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,900]: Two weeks ago, Mitchell played more snaps, received more touches and tallied more yardage than Gus Edwards. It appears the pendulum is swinging his way in the Baltimore backfield.
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
Rams running back Kyren Williams has been outstanding in 2023, averaging over five yards per carry and ranking third in PPR points per game among running backs for the season. But Sean McVay has churned through lead backs with regularity as head coach, so the possibility of another backfield shakeup in Los Angeles in 2024 can't be ruled out. That makes Williams an interesting "sell high" candidate for rebuilding dynasty managers.
Stat to Know
9.3. Mitchell's average per carry this season. Granted, that's on all of 29 carries, but there's no denying the rookie has been far more explosive than Edwards or Justice Hill. If Baltimore's last game against the Chargers is any indication, the team appears to be more inclined to increasing Mitchell's snaps as the campaign wears on. There could be a late-season surge coming.
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Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
4 of 15
Key Injuries
The Lions have scuffled a bit of late, especially defensively. But injuries haven't been the issue, at least not on offense. The injury report for the team to start the week is clean at the skill positions.
The same holds true in Chicago. The Bears have had their fair share of offensive injuries in 2023, but the team prepares to host the Lions relatively intact in Week 14.
Start of the Week
Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,800]: As was already mentioned, the Lions have struggled on defense of late. For the season, they have given up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
Sit of the Week
D'Onta Foreman, RB, Chicago Bears [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,200]: Foreman was a full practice participant Wednesday and looks on track to return this week. But his workload in a potential three-way timeshare in a bad matchup makes him a risky fantasy play.
Sleeper
Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,300]: Kmet has quietly been a solid weekly starter this year. He's seventh in PPR points at the position ahead of facing a Lions team allowing the ninth-most PPR points per game to tight ends this season.
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
Last week against the Vikings, Bears running back Roschon Johnson saw a career-best 15 touches, parlaying them into 75 total yards. With Chicago headed nowhere fast, the franchise might as well look to the future and see what it has in the rookie down the stretch. That could make him an interesting "buy low" candidate for forward-thinking fantasy managers.
Stat to Know
79.0. That's the number of rushing yards per game the Bears are allowing, tied for the best in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Lions are fourth in the league in rushing this season, averaging 137.3 yards per contest. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are sure to be in starting lineups this week, but they are going to have to earn their fantasy points this week.
Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals
5 of 15
Key Injuries
The Cincinnati Bengals are down quarterback Joe Burrow, but Jake Browning had the best game of his short career last week, topping 350 passing yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Outside that forced switch, Cincinnati doesn't have any fantasy-relevant injuries beyond reserve running back Chase Brown and wide receiver Tyler Boyd, who were both limited in practice. Brown is off the injury report, but Boyd carries a questionable tag into Week 14.
The Colts will again be without running back Jonathan Taylor, who is recovering from thumb surgery. Other than that, the injury report on offense in Indianapolis is relatively clear.
Start of the Week
Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,100]: Mixon's yardage numbers weren't great last week, but he found the end zone twice. The Colts have allowed the fourth-most PPR points per game to running backs this season.
Sit of the Week
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,900]: Higgins was back in Cincinnati's lineup last week, but his numbers this season haven't been what fantasy managers have become accustomed to.
Sleeper
Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,700]: Pierce had his best game of the season last week against Tennessee, catching three passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. Ride the hot hand in a game where the Colts will likely have to throw the ball a fair amount.
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
From all indications, Zack Moss will be Indy's lead running back for the duration of the fantasy football season, and he's shown this year that he can thrive in that role. However, Taylor's contract extension puts an expiration date on Moss' fantasy value, so dynasty managers who aren't in the championship hunt should be looking to unload the 25-year-old.
Stat to Know
9. The number of times this season that Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has caught at least eight passes in a game. However, while he is third in the NFL with 127 targets and fourth in catches with 87, he's just 11th in PPR fantasy points at the position. He is a legitimate fantasy WR1, but his 10.2 yards per reception leaves him at the low end of the spectrum.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns
6 of 15
Key Injuries
OK, take a deep breath: This could take a minute.
The Jaguars were rocked by injuries in Monday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered a nasty-looking high ankle sprain that will probably sideline him Sunday, although he got in a limited practice Thursday. Wide receiver Christian Kirk suffered a core muscle injury that landed him on injured reserve.
Wide receiver Zay Jones and running back D'Ernest Johnson were both limited Wednesday and Thursday, while Travis Etienne's practice reps continue to be capped by sore ribs. Johnson and Etienne are both listed as questionable but expected to play.
Cleveland has already been wracked by injuries this year, and the hits keep coming. The Browns were already without quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Nick Chubb, and now running wide receiver Amari Cooper (concussion) is in danger of missing Week 14. He's listed as questionable.
Start of the Week
Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,500]: The Jaguars aren't a great fantasy matchup for running backs, but with Kareem Hunt (ribs) potentially limited, Ford could see a heavy workload in a game where Cleveland will make every effort to get the run game going.
Sit of the Week
Calvin Ridley, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,400]: The good news is that Ridley should see a load of targets Sunday. The bad news is that they will probably come from C.J. Beathard against the No. 1 pass defense in the NFL.
Sleeper
Elijah Moore, WR, Cleveland Browns [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,500]: With Cooper out last week, Moore became Joe Flacco's top target in the passing game. That could mean big things against a Jaguars team that has given up the seventh-most PPR points per game to wide receivers this season.
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
This isn't an easy game to identify trade targets in, if only because so many prominent players head into it with significant injuries. But Jaguars tight end Evan Engram could be an interesting add for "win now" teams who are a little weak at that position. He has been a decent weekly starter for fantasy managers this season, and Beathard looked his way with regularity after Lawrence got hurt last week.
Stat to Know
2. The number of wins Beathard had in 12 starts with the San Francisco 49ers from 2017 to 2020. For his career, he has completed 59.5 percent of his passes with 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions and a passer rating of 80.8. With the 30-year-old likely to start multiple games and Kirk out indefinitely, Jacksonville's potent offense faces major question marks.
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
7 of 15
Key Injuries
Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst has been sidelined the past few weeks with a concussion and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic amnesia. There's no telling when he might play again, but that hardly seems important right now.
The Saints have several injuries worth monitoring. Tight end Taysom Hill (foot/hand) didn't practice at all this week, nor did wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (thigh). Tight end Juwan Johnson (quad) and quarterback Derek Carr (concussion/shoulder) were limited, although Carr has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol. Wideout Chris Olave missed practice with an illness but is expected to play.
Start of the Week
Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,600]: The Saints aren't an easy team to run on, but Hubbard has a firm grasp on lead back duties in Carolina and is coming off a two-score game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Sit of the Week
Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,300]: The Thielen ride was fun while it lasted, but his production has fallen off a cliff ahead of a meeting with a Saints defense surrendering the fourth-fewest PPR points per game to wide receivers this season.
Sleeper
New Orleans Saints Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,900]: The Saints' fantasy production has tailed off of late, but the Panthers may be just what it takes to turn things around—they have given up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to defenses this year.
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
It may not be especially likely, but a big game from the likes of Thielen or Hubbard would be a good thing for fantasy managers looking to add draft picks in 2024. The reality is while those players may be startable fantasy assets now, they could have minimal value by next September. If you aren't making a title run this year, get what you can while you can.
Stat to Know
41. Thielen's rank among wide receivers in PPR points since Week 8. That's after the 33-year-old was seventh in PPR points among receivers over the first seven weeks of the season. There's more than one reason for the drop-off, whether it's opponents paying more attention to him or poor quarterback play. But he has gone from a top-10 fantasy option to a marginal flex starter.
Houston Texans at New York Jets
8 of 15
Key Injuries
The Houston Texans will be without wide receiver Nathaniel Dell the rest of the season after he fractured his fibula last week. But wide receiver Noah Brown (knee) and tight end Dalton Schultz (hamstring) returned to practice in a limited capacity. However, Schultz's limited Wednesday was followed by a Thursday no-show, and Brown missed practice Friday. Schultz has been ruled out, while Brown is questionable.
The quarterback carousel in New York continues to spin. After being benched a few weeks ago, Zach Wilson has been reinserted as the Jets' starter. Running back Breece Hall is questionable with an ankle injury but expects to play, and tight end Tyler Conklin was limited with a hamstring issue before being removed from the injury report
Oh, and some guy named Rodgers is practicing, albeit in a limited fashion.
Aaron, I think.
Start of the Week
Houston Texans Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,000]: The Texans aren't a top-flight defense, but the Jets are most assuredly not a top-flight offense, regardless of whoever the team trots out under center.
Sit of the Week
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,600]: Collins is coming off the best game of his career, but the sledding will be much more difficult this week against Sauce Gardner and a Jets defense allowing the fewest PPR points per game to wide receivers in 2023.
Sleeper
Tyler Conklin, TE, New York Jets [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,200]: Assuming Conklin plays, he could be a decent fill-in play for teams with a hole at tight end, as the Texans have surrendered the third-most PPR points per game to the position in 2023.
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
The 2023 season has been a disaster in New York. Add in rumors that the Jets will pursue Davante Adams in the offseason, and Garrett Wilson managers may just be willing to listen to offers for the receiver. If you can get the 23-year-old at any kind of discount, it could be an investment that pays off with Aaron Rodgers running the offense in 2024.
Stat to Know
169.3. That's how many passing yards the Jets have averaged per game this season, dead last in the AFC. It hasn't mattered whether it was Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle or Trevor Siemian under center. The New York passing game has been pathetic, and that has killed Garrett Wilson's fantasy value. Wilson's return isn't likely to save the other Wilson's fantasy bacon. This year is shaping up as a lost season for Gang Green from more than one perspective.
Minnesota Vikings at Las Vegas Raiders
9 of 15
Key Injuries
The predominant injury story with the Vikings is the potential return of star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. He practiced fully Wednesday, and he is expected be out there at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.
The Raiders are coming out of a bye week, and the team used that time as a chance to get healthy. No fantasy-relevant players are on Wednesday's injury report.
Start of the Week
Alexander Mattison, RB, Minnesota Vikings [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,500]: Mattison has only averaged 3.8 yards per carry and hasn't scored a rushing touchdown in 2023, but he could have one of his better games of the season Sunday against a soft Raiders run defense.
Sit of the Week
Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,900]: Jacobs hasn't torn it up this season either, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry. But where Mattison gets a top-10 fantasy matchup for running backs this week, Jacobs draws a bottom-10 one with the Vikings.
Sleeper
Brandon Powell, WR, Minnesota Vikings [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,200]: With Jefferson on one side of the field and Jordan Addison on the other, the Raiders may well forget Powell is even on the field. The 28-year-old has received five or more targets three times this season.
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
Jacobs may only be averaging 3.5 yards per carry, but he's ninth among running backs in PPR points thanks to sweet, sweet volume. However, his future in Las Vegas is anything but certain, making the 25-year-old a prime "sell" candidate to teams looking for that final missing piece in a championship puzzle.
Stat to Know
220. That's the number of carries Jacobs has after 12 games, with leads the NFL. He is on pace to post just over 360 touches, which would (barely) keep him clear of a second straight "Curse of 370" campaign. However, he is racking up a lot of mileage over his first five NFL seasons—he'll top 1,300 career carries by year's end. That raises real questions about his fantasy value in the long run.
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
10 of 15
Key Injuries
After thumping the Eagles in Philadelphia, the 49ers are the NFL's hottest team. They are also relatively healthy. Reserve running back Elijah Mitchell missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with a knee injury. and he's doubtful to face the Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks have issues in the backfield. Both Kenneth Walker III (oblique) and Zach Charbonnet (knee) are questionable, although head coach Pete Carroll expressed optimism the latter would play. Quarterback Geno Smith is also a game-time decision after missing practice time with a groin injury.
Start of the Week
San Francisco 49ers Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,700]: The last time these teams met, the 49ers sacked Geno Smith six times, notched a pair of takeaways and surrendered just 13 points on the way to the most fantasy points in the NFC for the week.
Sit of the Week
Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]: Smith looked great last week against the Dallas Cowboys. But when these teams met a couple weeks ago, he failed to throw for 200 yards and didn't throw a touchdown pass.
Sleeper
Jaxson Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,100]: It can be argued that Smith-Njigba has supplanted Tyler Lockett as the No. 2 wideout in Seattle, and the 49ers have allowed the eighth-most PPR points per game to wide receivers this season.
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
Brock Purdy doesn't have a cannon for an arm or 4.3 speed. But the most relevant "Mr. Irrelevant" in NFL history is seventh among quarterbacks in fantasy points and a dynasty asset who can man his position for years to come at the helm of a loaded offense. He should be available via trade at a reasonable cost for a fantasy asset of his caliber.
Stat to Know
220. That's the number of total yards the Seahawks had two weeks ago against the 49ers in a 31-13 loss. In that game, Seattle receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett combined for six catches for 62 yards on 14 targets. Charbonnet gained 47 yards on 14 carries. And the team scored one offensive touchdown. This isn't a good week for fantasy managers of Seahawks players.
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
11 of 15
Key Injuries
The Buffalo Bills come out of the bye week facing their biggest game of the season: A contest that could determine whether they make the playoffs. They also come out of their off week healthy, with no prominent skill-position players on the injury report.
The Chiefs have some issues in the backfield. Jerick McKinnon has missed time with a groin injury and was limited in Wednesday's practice, while Isiah Pacheco has been ruled out with a bad shoulder.
Start of the Week
Gabe Davis, WR, Buffalo Bills [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800]: With Stefon Diggs shadowed by L'Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie in the slot, Davis should have the best coverage matchup of any Bills pass-catcher Sunday. It was the Chiefs Davis lit up for 201 yards and four scores in the 2021 playoffs.
Sit of the Week
James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]: The Chiefs have been surprisingly solid defensively this season, allowing just under 110 yards per game on the ground. If the Bills are going to win this game, it's going to be through the air.
Sleeper
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Kansas City Chiefs [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,000]: Every week, Patrick Mahomes takes a deep shot to Valdes-Scantling; every week, Valdes-Scantling drops that deep shot. This week, he's going to catch it for a touchdown. Just because...
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
Patrick Mahomes is the greatest quarterback of his generation. He'd be a Hall-of-Famer if he retired tomorrow. But since Week 8, he is also 19th in fantasy points among signal-callers. The idea of trading away the NFL's best quarterback may seem like anathema to some, but depending on the other QBs on your roster and the potential haul from such a deal, it might be worth considering.
Stat to Know
28.5. The number of rushing yards Bills quarterback Josh Allen is averaging per game this season. It's the second-lowest average of his career and almost 20 fewer yards per game than the 27-year-old averaged a season ago. It hasn't had that adverse an effect on his fantasy production, as he's the highest-scoring player at his position. But managers would no doubt like to see him tuck it in and take off with a little more regularity down the stretch.
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers
12 of 15
Key Injuries
The Los Angeles Chargers have been decimated by injuries at wide receiver this season. But help could be coming soon. Joshua Palmer remains on injured reserve, but he was a limited participant in his return to practice Wednesday.
The Broncos head into this critical AFC West showdown relatively healthy. Rookie receiver Marvin Mims was limited in practice Wednesday with a rib issue, but the team is in good shape outside of that and Mims is off the injury report.
Start of the Week
Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,100]: Sutton has been Denver's No. 1 wideout this season, and he could threaten for top-10 numbers among all wide receivers against a Chargers pass defense that ranks dead last in the AFC.
Sit of the Week
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,700]: Frankly, this is a "start 'em if you got 'em" sort of fantasy matchup with two bad defenses. But at this point in 2023, I've lost all faith in Jeudy as a viable fantasy starter or even a flex.
Sleeper
Gerald Everett, TE. Los Angeles Chargers [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,400]: All the injuries to wide receivers in Los Angeles have meant more targets for Everett and Donald Parham. Only one team has allowed more PPR points per game to tight ends this year than the Broncos.
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
By just about any objective measure, Jeudy's fourth season in Denver has been a miserable one. He'll all but certainly be continuing his professional career somewhere else in 2024. If you believe in his talent anywhere near as much as the Broncos did when they drafted him in the first round, then he's worth pursuing, especially when you consider an asking price that will probably fall in the mid-round rookie pick range.
Stat to Know
385.3. That's the number of yards per game the Broncos defense has allowed this season, which ranks 31st in the NFL. However, that number is at least somewhat misleading—inflated by the 70-point shellacking the team endured earlier in the season. Denver has won five of six in large part because that defense has improved considerably, but it's still going to have its hands full with Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen et al this week.
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
13 of 15
Key Injuries
Well, there's one thing you can say about Sunday night's massive NFC East showdown: Injuries won't play a major role.
The only offensive skill-position player on either team who is nicked up is Philadelphia Eagles tight end Jack Stoll, who was limited Wednesday. And with Dallas Goedert back at practice, that doesn't really matter, either.
Start of the Week
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,400]: Prescott has been as prolific as any quarterback in the NFL over the season's second half, and he threw for 374 yards with three touchdowns in the first meeting with the Eagles in Week 9.
Sit of the Week
Tony Pollard, QB, Dallas Cowboys [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,000]: Christian McCaffrey had a big game against Philadelphia last week, but Tony Pollard isn't McCaffrey—and the Eagles are giving up the second-fewest PPR points per game to running backs this season.
Sleeper
Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,000]: Calling the ninth-ranked wide receiver in fantasy over the past month a "sleeper" is stretching it, but Cooks is a bargain at this DFS salary in a fantastic fantasy matchup with the Eagles.
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
Prescott has been playing out of his skin lately. Since Week 6, he has been the most productive quarterback in fantasy football by a sizable margin. But this is his fantasy ceiling. The 30-year-old's fantasy value will never be higher than it is right now. So, if you're a rebuilding dynasty team with a viable Plan B under center such as C.J. Stroud of the Texans, now is the time to shop Prescott.
Stat to Know
698. The number of yards of total offense when these teams met in Philadelphia in Week 9. Prescott's big game that week was already mentioned, but he was hardly the only player who shined that afternoon. A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, DeVonta Smith and even Dallas tight end Jake Ferguson all caught touchdown passes. The Cowboys and Eagles both possess defensive talent galore, but this game has all the makings of a shootout.
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins
14 of 15
Key Injuries
The good news for the Tennessee Titans is that running back Derrick Henry is not in the concussion protocol. The bad news is that he was still listed as questionable on Wednesday's injury report, although he has since been removed.
Unfortunately for the Titans, the Miami Dolphins have no offensive players of note in danger of missing Monday's game. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill (ankle) and running back Raheem Mostert (knee) missed practice Thursday and were limited Friday, but despite questionable tags both are expected to play.
Start of the Week
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,700]: Fantasy managers should probably start Tyreek Hill, but Waddle could be in a smash spot as well against a Tennessee defense allowing the sixth-most PPR points per game to wide receivers in 2023.
Sit of the Week
Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,900]: Sitting Henry isn't an easy ask, but the Dolphins are 27th in the league in PPR points per game given up to running backs. Miami also tends to force opponents to abandon the run game.
Sleeper
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,600]: There's a flip side to the Henry call: If the Titans have to go pass-heavy and play catch up, Spears could see a ton of short dump-offs in the second half and/or garbage time.
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
Henry will go down in the annals of fantasy football history as a superstar, but he's also going to be 30 years old next season and all but certainly playing for a new team. Unless he can help you win a championship in 2023, you should look to trade him to a team where he can.
Stat to Know
2,098. That's the number of receiving yards Hill is in pace to tally in 2023. Yes, Calvin Johnson's yardage record was set in a 16-game season, but becoming the first 2,000-yard receiver in NFL history would be truly historic. Hill has been the most dominant player in the league this year, the most productive wideout in fantasy (by a margin of almost 40 fantasy points) and a legitimate MVP candidate.
Green Bay Packers at New York Giants
15 of 15
Key Injuries
The New York Giants came out of the bye as healthy as they have been in some time. Of course, given that the team is still without the likes of quarterback Daniel Jones and tight end Darren Waller, "healthy" is a relative term.
Meanwhile, the Packers could be without a pair of offensive stars Monday night. Running back Aaron Jones remains sidelined by an MCL sprain, although both he and fellow back A.J. Dillon got in limited practices Thursday. Wide receiver Christian Watson is also iffy at best after suffering a hamstring injury in last week's win over the Chiefs. He didn't practice Thursday.
Start of the Week
A.J. Dillon, RB, Green Bay Packers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,300]: Dillon was solid last week against the Chiefs, and he now draws a Giants defense that has surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Sit of the Week
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,100]: Love isn't necessarily a bad start against the Giants, but between a middling matchup and the possibility of the Packers playing from ahead, he may not need to do a lot statistically against them.
Sleeper
Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,700]: Reed has already exceeded most expectations as a rookie. Now, with Watson potentially sidelined, he could see an even larger target share against the NFL's 20th-ranked pass defense.
Trade Block Buy Low/Sell High
At the risk of overworking a theme, Dillon is another running back who is an excellent "sell" candidate for dynasty managers whose regular season is about to end. He's not going to land the haul that some of the bigger names mentioned will, but that lower price may make him more attractive to contenders looking to patch a hole ahead of the postseason.
Stat to Know
513. The number of receiving yards Reed has, the most on Green Bay's roster over the first 13 weeks of the season. He is also averaging 12.8 yards a catch, has five receiving touchdowns (tied for second on the team) and has carried the ball seven times for 81 yards. He's been one of the more pleasant surprises among first-year receivers and a bargain for dynasty squads that picked him in the second or third round of rookie drafts.
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Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on Twitter, @IDPSharks.
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