Fantasy Football Week 14: Top Plays at Every Position

The fantasy postseason is here, and Thursday night's opener between the Texans and the Jaguars proved just how difficult the results can be to predict. Just a couple of weeks ago, the same two teams played to a 13-6 battle of offensive and fantasy futility.

Naturally, Thursday night was almost the exact opposite: a 27-20 battle of defensive futility. It made for some solid performances, like those of Maurice Jones-Drew and fringe tight end Garrett Graham.

Instead of looking back on opportunities missed if you sat those guys, look ahead to what is to come. That is what we do every Friday of the season with Bleacher Report's Top Plays in a six-part, position-by-position slideshow.

Quarterbacks: 49ers-Seahawks Matchup Doesn't Figure to Be Very Fantasy-Friendly

Some teams' quarterback decisions will be made this week, including the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings starters who are dealing with concussion symptoms, but one decision that won't have to wait to be made will be to sit Aaron Rodgers (shoulder) in fantasy.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport tweeted on Thursday afternoon that Rodgers needs a doctor to clear him after a scan before he can play, but no more scans are scheduled this week. Rodgers might not be ruled out for the season for fantasy owners, but they have to hope their season extends beyond this week without him available right now.

Bear Down with McCown

The announcement that Jay Cutler (ankle) will not play on Monday night, as the Chicago Tribune's Rich Campbell tweeted, at least gives fantasy owners a legit starting option in Josh McCown. He has an embarrassment of riches in Marc Trestman's pass-friendly offense with the emergence of Alshon Jeffery—not to mention the Dallas Cowboys have been the worst team in football against fantasy quarterbacks. Dallas is also the second-worst team against the pass. McCown looks like a start in all 12-team leagues this week.

Gold Rush in San Francisco

The Seattle Seahawks have been the second-best team in fantasy against quarterbacks and are No. 1 against the pass. These facts make 2013 disappointment Colin Kaepernick a fairly easy sit in standard leagues. His receiving corps has gotten the injection of Michael Crabtree (Achilles) and Mario Manningham (knee) after a slow start, but the Seahawks just shut down Drew Brees and Co. a week ago.

Like Him More

The Cincinnati Bengals' Andy Dalton might never become an elite fantasy quarterback, but he has been an underrated option as a steady starter this season. He has four games with three touchdown passes or more in the past seven. Although he hasn't thrown for 300 yards since his four-game stretch between Weeks 6 and 9, he has enough targets to be considered a starter in all leagues in crunch time.

Dalton is among the quarterbacks whom we like three spots more than the consensus this week:

1. Andy Dalton
2. Carson Palmer
3. Eli Manning
4. Matt Flynn
5. Chad Henne (already played Thursday night)
6. Kellen Clemens

Like Him Less

Unlike Kaepernick, Russell Wilson hasn't been disappointing for fantasy owners this season. Even if he faces a tough matchup on the road at San Francisco, he warrants being kept active in standard fantasy leagues. We rank him just outside of the top 12, though, because there are fringe quarterbacks with better matchups.

Wilson is among the quarterbacks whom we like less than the masses below:

1. Nick Foles
2. Matt Ryan
3. Russell Wilson
4. Robert Griffin III
5. Case Keenum (already played Thursday night)
6. Colin Kaepernick

Week 14 Quarterbacks Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Quarterbacks	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Peyton Manning	Den	vs. Ten	1	0
2	Matthew Stafford	Det	at Phi	2	0
3	Drew Brees	NO	vs. Car	5	+2
4	Cam Newton	Car	at NO	6	+2
5	Tom Brady	NE	vs. Cle	4	-1
6	Nick Foles	Phi	vs. Det	3	-3
7	Philip Rivers	SD	vs. NYG	9	+2
8	Tony Romo	Dal	at Chi	8	0
9	Josh McCown	Chi	vs. Dal	7	-2
10	Andy Dalton	Cin	vs. Ind	17	+7
11	Carson Palmer	Ari	vs. StL	16	+5
12	Alex Smith	KC	at Was	13	+1
13	Matt Ryan	Atl	at GB	10	-3
14	Russell Wilson	Sea	at SF	11	-3
15	Robert Griffin	Was	vs. KC	12	-3
16	Joe Flacco	Bal	vs. Min	14	-2
17	Ryan Fitzpatrick	Ten	at Den	15	-2
18	Eli Manning	NYG	at SD	22	+4
19	Andrew Luck	Ind	at Cin	18	-1
20	Ben Roethlisberger	Pit	vs. Mia	20	0
21	Mike Glennon	TB	vs. Buf	23	+2
22	Case Keenum	Hou	at Jac	19	-3
23	Ryan Tannehill	Mia	at Pit	24	+1
24	Colin Kaepernick	SF	vs. Sea	21	-3
25	EJ Manuel	Buf	at TB	25	0
26	Matt Flynn	GB	vs. Atl	30	+4
27	Chad Henne	Jac	vs. Hou	33	+6
28	Kellen Clemens	StL	at Ari	35	+7
29	Matt McGloin	Oak	at NYJ	28	-1
30	Jason Campbell	Cle	at NE	32	+2
31	Matt Cassel	Min	at Bal	36	+5
32	Geno Smith	NYJ	vs. Oak	31	-1

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from more than 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Running Backs: A Healthy Running Back Is a Good Thing This Time of Year

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Somehow, DeMarco Murray has avoided serious injury of late, making him a must-start fantasy play.

Fantasy owners have one less variable to worry about with three premium backs this week. Le'Veon Bell (concussion), Knowshon Moreno (ankle) and Zac Stacy (concussion) have all practiced in full, according to the official NFL Injury Report. They are ready to go for Sunday, and all three are reliable starters in all leagues this week.

Cowboys' Murray Has Arrived

Thanksgiving Day gave a good glimpse of what DeMarco Murray is capable of, as he finished with three touchdowns and 63 yards rushing (second in standard scoring among all running backs in Week 13). Now, we place him at the top of the heap this week, as he faces a Bears defense that has been dead last against the run and second to last in fantasy against running backs. Start Murray above all this week, especially if he is a value in weekly salary-cap formats.

Jennings' Status Not as Clear

Despite the fact that Darren McFadden (ankle) did not practice on Thursday, fantasy owners cannot feel great about Rashad Jennings (concussion) this week, either. Jennings was limited in practice on Thursday, but he figures to start and get a heavy workload against the New York Jets. The problem with using him in fantasy is the Jets do one thing well still: Stop the run. They are No. 1 against the run and No. 2 against fantasy running backs.

Like Him More

Fantasy owners can worry all they want about Ray Rice's terrible return on first-round investment, but they should keep him active against the Vikings this week. Minnesota is the third-worst team against fantasy running backs and in the bottom 10 against the run.

Rice is among the backs whom we like more than the consensus below:

1. Ray Rice
2. C.J. Spiller
3. Frank Gore
4. Chris Ivory
5. Rashard Mendenhall

Like Him Less

Lamar Miller (pectoral) held up against the Jets' No. 1-ranked run defense with 72 yards on 22 carries, which was his first full-time workload with Daniel Thomas (ankle) out. He now faces a Pittsburgh defense that was abused by running backs in the early part of the season but has been better of late. Also, the Steelers have allowed only two 100-yard rushers all year.

We expect Miller to be kept under 100 yards and out of the end zone, which is why he is among the backs whom we like less than the masses this week:

1. Ben Tate (already played Thursday night)
2. Andre Brown
3. Maurice Jones-Drew (whoops! Already played Thursday night)
4. Bobby Rainey
5. Fred Jackson
6. Pierre Thomas
7. Bilal Powell

Week 14 Running Backs Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Running Backs	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	DeMarco Murray	Dal	at Chi	4	+3
2	Jamaal Charles	KC	at Was	1	-1
3	Adrian Peterson	Min	at Bal	3	0
4	Matt Forte	Chi	vs. Dal	2	-2
5	LeSean McCoy	Phi	vs. Det	9	+4
6	Ray Rice	Bal	vs. Min	17	+11
7	C.J. Spiller	Buf	at TB	22	+15
8	Reggie Bush	Det	at Phi	10	+2
9	Eddie Lacy	GB	vs. Atl	5	-4
10	Knowshon Moreno	Den	vs. Ten	6	-4
11	Marshawn Lynch	Sea	at SF	7	-4
12	Shane Vereen	NE	vs. Cle	16	+4
13	Frank Gore	SF	vs. Sea	20	+7
14	Le'Veon Bell	Pit	vs. Mia	11	-3
15	Alfred Morris	Was	vs. KC	14	-1
16	Chris Johnson	Ten	at Den	13	-3
17	Zac Stacy	StL	at Ari	18	+1
18	Ben Tate	Hou	at Jac	12	-6
19	Andre Brown	NYG	at SD	8	-11
20	Steven Jackson	Atl	at GB	21	+1
21	Giovani Bernard	Cin	vs. Ind	23	+2
22	Chris Ivory	NYJ	vs. Oak	28	+6
23	Rashard Mendenhall	Ari	vs. StL	29	+6
24	Ryan Mathews	SD	vs. NYG	30	+6
25	Danny Woodhead	SD	vs. NYG	31	+6
26	Willis McGahee	Cle	at NE	42	+16
27	Montee Ball	Den	vs. Ten	33	+6
28	Darren Sproles	NO	vs. Car	36	+8
29	Rashad Jennings	Oak	at NYJ	25	-4
30	Donald Brown	Ind	at Cin	27	-3
31	Maurice Jones-Drew	Jac	vs. Hou	15	-16
32	Lamar Miller	Mia	at Pit	26	-6
33	Joique Bell	Det	at Phi	34	+1
34	Bobby Rainey	TB	vs. Buf	19	-15
35	LeGarrette Blount	NE	vs. Cle	38	+3
36	Fred Jackson	Buf	at TB	24	-12
37	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	Cin	vs. Ind	35	-2
38	Chris Ogbonnaya	Cle	at NE	39	+1
39	DeAngelo Williams	Car	at NO	41	+2
40	Mike Tolbert	Car	at NO	44	+4
41	Bernard Pierce	Bal	vs. Min	48	+7
42	James Starks	GB	vs. Atl	59	+17
43	Stevan Ridley	NE	vs. Cle	47	+4
44	Jonathan Stewart	Car	at NO	43	-1
45	Trent Richardson	Ind	at Cin	53	+8
46	Brandon Bolden	NE	vs. Cle	46	0
47	Peyton Hillis	NYG	at SD	55	+8
48	Roy Helu	Was	vs. KC	56	+8
49	Dennis Johnson	Hou	at Jac	51	+2
50	Kendall Hunter	SF	vs. Sea	72	+22
51	Pierre Thomas	NO	vs. Car	32	-19
52	Bilal Powell	NYJ	vs. Oak	40	-12
53	Benny Cunningham	StL	at Ari	54	+1
54	Jacquizz Rodgers	Atl	at GB	50	-4
55	Shonn Greene	Ten	at Den	49	-6
56	Mark Ingram	NO	vs. Car	57	+1
57	Bryce Brown	Phi	vs. Det	61	+4
58	Robert Turbin	Sea	at SF	75	+17
59	Michael Bush	Chi	vs. Dal	63	+4
60	Knile Davis	KC	at Was	65	+5
61	Brian Leonard	TB	vs. Buf	62	+1

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from more than 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Wide Receivers: Seahawks Matchup Leaves 49ers Targets Sleepless in San Francisco

Colin Kaepernick has Michael Crabree (Achilles) back, with Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis healthy, but the toughest secondary in football is coming to San Francisco this week. That makes it difficult to trust Boldin and Crabtree.

Seattle is No. 1 against the pass and No. 3 in fantasy against wide receivers, and it just got done shutting down an all-timer in Drew Brees a week ago. If you thought Kaepernick's targets have been frustrating this season, wait until Sunday's result comes in. Avoid starting Boldin and Crabtree.

Buc Doesn't Stop Here

Vincent Jackson (hamstring) has been limited in practice, but he is expected to play on Sunday. Consider him a solid start, despite the injury, against the Buffalo Bills, who have been the second-worst team in fantasy against wide receivers. The matchup and Jackson's lack of practice reps might be sneaky reasons to consider Tiquan Underwood as a flex option in deeper leagues as well.

Bucking Broncos Against Titans?

Here is where you can throw the fantasy-against data out the window. The Tennessee Titans have a solid secondary—No. 7 against the pass and No. 1 against fantasy wideouts—but you cannot sit any of your Broncos receivers in fantasy crunch time, especially at home. Sure, one of Demaryius Thomas (shoulder), Wes Welker or Eric Decker might prove to be disappointing, but you cannot sit these guys against anyone. Decker proved that at Kansas City a week ago.

Like Him More

Speaking of fantasy must-start receivers in bad matchups, Antonio Brown is facing the Miami Dolphins, who have been No. 9 against the pass and No. 2 in fantasy against wideouts. He has been a steady force all season as Ben Roethlisberger's go-to receiver, especially at home. Brown's three best weeks this season have come in Pittsburgh.

Brown is among the receivers whom we like more than the masses below:

1. Antonio Brown
2. Eric Decker
3. Mike Wallace
4. Marques Colston
5. Dwayne Bowe

Like Him Less

We don't quite understand the continued love for Riley Cooper right now. He has been subpar for the past two weeks, posting three catches for 37 yards and three catches for 48 yards. Sure, the Lions matchup is favorable—they are the third-worst team in fantasy against wide receivers—but the recent production hurts his case to start this week.

Cooper is among the wide receivers whom we like less than the consensus here:

1. Pierre Garcon
2. Keenan Allen
3. Harry Douglas
4. Riley Cooper
5. Cecil Shorts (already played Thursday night)
6. Nate Burleson

Week 14 Wide Receivers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Wide Receivers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Calvin Johnson	Det	at Phi	1	0
2	A.J. Green	Cin	vs. Ind	2	0
3	Dez Bryant	Dal	at Chi	4	+1
4	Josh Gordon	Cle	at NE	5	+1
5	Demaryius Thomas	Den	vs. Ten	9	+4
6	Antonio Brown	Pit	vs. Mia	12	+6
7	Brandon Marshall	Chi	vs. Dal	3	-4
8	Larry Fitzgerald	Ari	vs. StL	13	+5
9	Alshon Jeffery	Chi	vs. Dal	6	-3
10	DeSean Jackson	Phi	vs. Det	8	-2
11	Eric Decker	Den	vs. Ten	20	+9
12	Andre Johnson	Hou	at Jac	7	-5
13	Victor Cruz	NYG	at SD	16	+3
14	Wes Welker	Den	vs. Ten	17	+3
15	Vincent Jackson	TB	vs. Buf	10	-5
16	Torrey Smith	Bal	vs. Min	11	-5
17	Michael Floyd	Ari	vs. StL	21	+4
18	Mike Wallace	Mia	at Pit	26	+8
19	Roddy White	Atl	at GB	24	+5
20	Jordy Nelson	GB	vs. Atl	19	-1
21	Marques Colston	NO	vs. Car	30	+9
22	Dwayne Bowe	KC	at Was	29	+7
23	Pierre Garcon	Was	vs. KC	14	-9
24	Kendall Wright	Ten	at Den	23	-1
25	Julian Edelman	NE	vs. Cle	27	+2
26	Steve Smith	Car	at NO	32	+6
27	James Jones	GB	vs. Atl	36	+9
28	Anquan Boldin	SF	vs. Sea	35	+7
29	Keenan Allen	SD	vs. NYG	15	-14
30	Steve Johnson	Buf	at TB	31	+1
31	T.Y. Hilton	Ind	at Cin	28	-3
32	Rueben Randle	NYG	at SD	42	+10
33	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	at SD	38	+5
34	Harry Douglas	Atl	at GB	22	-12
35	Riley Cooper	Phi	vs. Det	18	-17
36	Cecil Shorts	Jac	vs. Hou	25	-11
37	Brian Hartline	Mia	at Pit	33	-4
38	DeAndre Hopkins	Hou	at Jac	49	+11
39	Mohamed Sanu	Cin	vs. Ind	74	+35
40	Dexter McCluster	KC	at Was	62	+22
41	Danny Amendola	NE	vs. Cle	43	+2
42	Emmanuel Sanders	Pit	vs. Mia	39	-3
43	Jarrett Boykin	GB	vs. Atl	41	-2
44	Nate Burleson	Det	at Phi	34	-10
45	Denarius Moore	Oak	at NYJ	44	-1
46	Miles Austin	Dal	at Chi	70	+24
47	Rod Streater	Oak	at NYJ	40	-7
48	Robert Woods	Buf	at TB	58	+10
49	Kenbrell Thompkins	NE	vs. Cle	53	+4
50	Michael Crabtree	SF	vs. Sea	46	-4
51	Brandon LaFell	Car	at NO	51	0
52	Justin Hunter	Ten	at Den	68	+16
53	Marlon Brown	Bal	vs. Min	59	+6
54	Santonio Holmes	NYJ	vs. Oak	64	+10
55	Terrance Williams	Dal	at Chi	61	+6
56	Golden Tate	Sea	at SF	37	-19
57	Donnie Avery	KC	at Was	71	+14
58	Greg Jennings	Min	at Bal	56	-2
59	Chris Givens	StL	at Ari	83	+24
60	Marvin Jones	Cin	vs. Ind	65	+5
61	Ted Ginn	Car	at NO	72	+11
62	Tiquan Underwood	TB	vs. Buf	48	-14
63	Cordarrelle Patterson	Min	at Bal	55	-8
64	Tavon Austin	StL	at Ari	57	-7
65	Jeremy Kerley	NYJ	vs. Oak	77	+12
66	Lance Moore	NO	vs. Car	76	+10
67	Doug Baldwin	Sea	at SF	47	-20
68	Darrius Heyward-Bey	Ind	at Cin	88	+20
69	Lavon Brazill	Ind	at Cin	84	+15
70	Ace Sanders	Jac	vs. Hou	60	-10
71	Mike Brown	Jac	vs. Hou	73	+2
72	Stephen Hill	NYJ	vs. Oak	102	+30
73	Santana Moss	Was	vs. KC	106	+33
74	Kenny Stills	NO	vs. Car	75	+1
75	Andre Roberts	Ari	vs. StL	81	+6
76	Rishard Matthews	Mia	at Pit	66	-10
77	Vincent Brown	SD	vs. NYG	85	+8
78	Jason Avant	Phi	vs. Det	79	+1
79	Greg Little	Cle	at NE	86	+7
80	Nate Washington	Ten	at Den	52	-28
81	Kris Durham	Det	at Phi	54	-27

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from more than 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Tight Ends: Julius Thomas Returns to Practice, Fantasy Lineups in Week 14

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Julius Thomas has been down for two weeks, but he appears ready to get back up in Week 14 for fantasy owners.

Fantasy owners figure to finally get one of their key cogs back in lineups this week with the news that "Orange Julius" has been allowed to finally practice in full, according to The Denver Post's Mike Klis. Julius Thomas has missed back-to-back games, but if he's active for the Broncos as expected, he is a third choice behind Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham at the position.

Heck, if not for the Broncos having three elite fantasy wideouts, Thomas might be above Graham and Gronk going forward.

He Went to Jared

Were you left wondering how you missed out on Zach Ertz and Brent Celek's combined three touchdowns a week ago? Well, the Arizona Cardinals have been woeful against tight ends this season, allowing a league-high 73 receptions, 939 yards and 13 touchdowns to the position. That sets the St. Louis Rams' Jared Cook up as a must-start option in all leagues this week.

Getting a Good Reed Versus the Chiefs?

Early-season surprise tight end Jordan Reed (concussion) is a much more difficult play. He has missed back-to-back games as well. He returned to practice but merely on a limited basis, according to the official NFL Injury Report. What's worse, even if he were healthy, he would be facing a Kansas City Chiefs team that is No. 1 in fantasy against tight ends. You need another option.

Like Him More

Speaking of those aforementioned Philadelphia Eagles tight ends, they have moved up the fantasy food chain with those Week 13 performances. While they are facing the fourth-best team in fantasy against tight ends in Detroit, the Lions are still in the bottom 10 against the pass.

That is the reason why we still rank Ertz and Celek higher than the masses this week:

1. Jared Cook
2. Rob Housler
3. Brandon Myers
4. Zach Ertz
5. Brent Celek

Like Him Less

The Ravens are still hopeful Dennis Pitta (hip) can return this week to face the Vikings. Minnesota is the sixth-worst team in fantasy against tight ends, but Percy Harvin's hip woes are an example in fantasy of preaching caution, at least initially.

Pick up Pitta as a stretch-run flier, but he is among the tight ends whom we like less than the consensus below:

1. Garrett Graham (whoops! Already played Thursday night)
2. Jordan Reed
3. Marcedes Lewis (whoops! Already played Thursday night)
4. Scott Chandler
5. Dennis Pitta (hip)

Week 14 Tight Ends Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Tight Ends	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Rob Gronkowski	NE	vs. Cle	1	0
2	Jimmy Graham	NO	vs. Car	2	0
3	Julius Thomas	Den	vs. Ten	6	+3
4	Jason Witten	Dal	at Chi	3	-1
5	Jared Cook	StL	at Ari	13	+8
6	Vernon Davis	SF	vs. Sea	4	-2
7	Greg Olsen	Car	at NO	7	0
8	Tony Gonzalez	Atl	at GB	5	-3
9	Antonio Gates	SD	vs. NYG	8	-1
10	Jordan Cameron	Cle	at NE	12	+2
11	Coby Fleener	Ind	at Cin	10	-1
12	Martellus Bennett	Chi	vs. Dal	15	+3
13	Delanie Walker	Ten	at Den	14	+1
14	Heath Miller	Pit	vs. Mia	17	+3
15	Ladarius Green	SD	vs. NYG	16	+1
16	Rob Housler	Ari	vs. StL	21	+5
17	Garrett Graham	Hou	at Jac	9	-8
18	Jordan Reed	Was	vs. KC	11	-7
19	Tim Wright	TB	vs. Buf	19	0
20	Brandon Myers	NYG	at SD	25	+5
21	Zach Ertz	Phi	vs. Det	28	+7
22	Brent Celek	Phi	vs. Det	34	+12
23	Brandon Pettigrew	Det	at Phi	31	+8
24	Jermaine Gresham	Cin	vs. Ind	35	+11
25	Zach Miller	Sea	at SF	33	+8
26	Tyler Eifert	Cin	vs. Ind	27	+1
27	John Carlson	Min	at Bal	24	-3
28	Marcedes Lewis	Jac	vs. Hou	22	-6
29	Scott Chandler	Buf	at TB	23	-6
30	Dennis Pitta	Bal	vs. Min	26	-4

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from more than 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Defense/Special Teams: Jets Are Bad but Not Bad Enough to Start Oakland's D/ST

We have said all season you have to match up your defense against the shaky quarterbacks. With the Browns and Vikings having cloudy quarterback situations, it makes the Patriots and Ravens defenses great streaming plays in fantasy leagues this week.

Sure, you might consider taking a shot in the dark on the Oakland Raiders because they are facing the Jets and error-prone quarterback Geno Smith, but we wouldn't trust a subpar defensive unit on the road in crunch time, no matter how juicy the matchup.

Re-Charging Their Playoff Hopes

The San Diego Chargers are on the outside looking in with regard to the final wild-card spot in the AFC, but a home matchup against the disappointing New York Giants might be just what they need right now. The Giants have been the worst team in fantasy against defense/special teams, so if you're digging deep for a unit this week, consider the Chargers, particularly at home.

Saint No Way

It is going to be tough to trust the Saints defense in any fantasy league after that performance in Seattle on Monday night. They do return home, but the matchup is still bad. The Panthers have been the second-best team in fantasy against defense/special teams. There is no way you can start the Saints in standard leagues this week.

Like Them More

The Panthers, meanwhile, are heading to one of the toughest places to play in football. Seattle and Kansas City are difficult in terms of noise, but there is nothing like the Superdome in a big game. It can get rocking. The Panthers might not look like a great play in those conditions, but defense wins big games.

We still rank the Panthers as a starting unit in all leagues and one of those we like more than the consensus below:

1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Carolina Panthers
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. San Diego Chargers

Like Them Less

You might think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a favorable matchup for an opposing defense, but that just has not been the case this season. Despite starting a rookie quarterback and losing their starting running back to injury for the season, the Bucs have been in the top eight against fantasy defense/special teams.

It makes the Bills defense a bad play on the road and one of the units that we like less than the masses this week:

1. New England Patriots
2. Arizona Cardinals
3. Miami Dolphins
4. New Orleans Saints
5. Buffalo Bills

Week 14 Defenses and Special Teams Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Defenses and Special Teams	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Baltimore Ravens	Bal	vs. Min	5	+4
2	Kansas City Chiefs	KC	at Was	2	0
3	Seattle Seahawks	Sea	at SF	3	0
4	New England Patriots	NE	vs. Cle	1	-3
5	Carolina Panthers	Car	at NO	8	+3
6	Cincinnati Bengals	Cin	vs. Ind	9	+3
7	San Francisco 49ers	SF	vs. Sea	11	+4
8	St. Louis Rams	StL	at Ari	7	-1
9	Arizona Cardinals	Ari	vs. StL	6	-3
10	San Diego Chargers	SD	vs. NYG	13	+3
11	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	TB	vs. Buf	17	+6
12	Denver Broncos	Den	vs. Ten	12	0
13	Detroit Lions	Det	at Phi	28	+15
14	Dallas Cowboys	Dal	at Chi	23	+9
15	Green Bay Packers	GB	vs. Atl	20	+5
16	Chicago Bears	Chi	vs. Dal	21	+5
17	New York Jets	NYJ	vs. Oak	19	+2
18	Pittsburgh Steelers	Pit	vs. Mia	18	0
19	Miami Dolphins	Mia	at Pit	16	-3
20	New Orleans Saints	NO	vs. Car	14	-6
21	Philadelphia Eagles	Phi	vs. Det	27	+6
22	Buffalo Bills	Buf	at TB	15	-7

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from more than 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Kickers: Strong Running Games Can Make It a Kicker's Duel in San Francisco

This week's example of why you probably shouldn't pay attention to the minutia at your kicker position in crunch time: the Seahawks at the 49ers. The two best teams in fantasy against kickers are facing each other, but it shouldn't be enough for you to sit the likes of Steven Hauschka or Phil Dawson.

Sure, there are ample alternatives to be had off waivers, but both teams' running games are strong enough to make this a battle of field goals. You shouldn't worry about having Hauschka or Dawson active in any fantasy league.

Green (Bay) with Envy

Mason Crosby has struggled as the Packers offense has without Aaron Rodgers (shoulder), but the running game should be there this week against the Falcons. Also, Atlanta has been the worst team in fantasy against kickers this season. You should feel confident in keeping Crosby active.

Bengals a Bad Matchup for Vinatieri

Cincy has one of the bigger home-field advantages this season. The Bengals haven't lost at home, with all four of their losses coming on the road. They also are in the top 10 of fantasy against kickers. The Colts' Adam Vinatieri is a tougher play outdoors. We rank him out of the top 20 this week.

Like Him More

Mike Nugent isn't at the top of many fantasy owners' priority lists, but we figure December, a home game and the Colts matchup will be kind to him this week. We expect a three-plus-field-goal performance, and Nugent is among the kickers whom we like better than the consensus:

1. Mason Crosby
2. Phil Dawson
3. Mike Nugent
4. Ryan Succop
5. Nick Novak

Like Him Less

The Saints' Garrett Hartley gets to kick in the dome this week, but the Panthers figure to limit the Saints better than almost any team in football can. We still rank Hartley among the starting fantasy options, but he is among the kickers whom we like less than the masses this week:

1. Garrett Hartley
2. Matt Bryant
3. Robbie Gould
4. Alex Henery
5. Blair Walsh

Week 14 Kickers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Kickers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Justin Tucker	Bal	vs. Min	2	+1
2	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	vs. Cle	1	-1
3	Matt Prater	Den	vs. Ten	3	0
4	Mason Crosby	GB	vs. Atl	9	+5
5	Steven Hauschka	Sea	at SF	5	0
6	Phil Dawson	SF	vs. Sea	13	+7
7	Mike Nugent	Cin	vs. Ind	21	+14
8	Dan Bailey	Dal	at Chi	8	0
9	Ryan Succop	KC	at Was	12	+3
10	Garrett Hartley	NO	vs. Car	4	-6
11	Nick Novak	SD	vs. NYG	14	+3
12	Matt Bryant	Atl	at GB	10	-2
13	David Akers	Det	at Phi	18	+5
14	Robbie Gould	Chi	vs. Dal	11	-3
15	Alex Henery	Phi	vs. Det	6	-9
16	Nick Folk	NYJ	vs. Oak	30	+14
17	Greg Zuerlein	StL	at Ari	28	+11
18	Blair Walsh	Min	at Bal	16	-2
19	Dan Carpenter	Buf	at TB	26	+7
20	Jay Feely	Ari	vs. StL	20	0
21	Adam Vinatieri	Ind	at Cin	7	-14
22	Sebastian Janikowski	Oak	at NYJ	24	+2

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from more than 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Follow @EricMackFantasy

Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report this season. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game. You can also listen to him on his podcast that he deprecatingly dubbed the Fantasy FatCast.