Fantasy Football Week 14 Predictions

If you thought the fantasy stakes were high to this point, now it is loser-leaves-town time. That sure makes things tough on fantasy analysts.

If you steer people in the wrong direction, they will never forget...or worse, forgive.

Bleacher Report isn't scared. We go bold and in depth with our crucial Week 14 Predictions slideshow. You get our fearless picks for MVPs (Calvin Johnson), breakouts (Carlos Hyde), busts (C.J. Anderson—yes, really), bounce-back candidates, matchup plays by position and top waiver-wire options.

Unlike Jimmy Graham in fantasy Week 13, we won't let you down.

MVP

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Projected stat line: 10 catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns

This has been a down season for Megatron's fantasy owners, but their patience will pay them back right here. Not only is Johnson coming off a season-best 11 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns, but he has had the extra time since Thanksgiving Day to rest his troublesome ankle.

Oh, and he just happens to be facing an overmatched Bucs secondary that has surrendered the third-most receiving touchdowns to wide receivers (16), according to FFToday.com.

Johnson spent Wednesday resting his ankle during practice and answering questions about this rookie wide receiver class that has give him company among the elite of the fantasy position, including Bucs rookie Mike Evans. Evans has drawn Megatron comparisons for his size (6'5", 231 pounds), according to Paul Pasche of The Oakland Press at DailyTribune.com, who Johnson told about Evans and the rookies:

"

I've seen a couple (highlights). We've played some of the teams that they played, and I've seen him on offense a little bit. He's just going up and making some plays over guys. He's using his size and his ability to get the ball. If he keeps that up he'll be all right.

...This has been a pretty good class of receivers and draft picks overall. Everybody knows that catch (Odell Beckham) made a couple weeks ago was crazy as I've ever seen.

"

Expect the man that all young wideouts are compared to, Johnson, to restate his case as the class of the position this weekend. After all, he has to be sick of being asked about all these guys known as the second coming of himself.

Honorable Mention

• QB Aaron Rodgers/RB Eddie Lacy/WR Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)
• QB Tony Romo/RB DeMarco Murray/WR Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys (at Chicago Bears)
• TE Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints (vs. Carolina Panthers)
• QB Matt Ryan/WR Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons (at Green Bay Packers)
• RB Rashad Jennings, New York Giants (at Tennessee Titans)

Biggest Breakout Star

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers (at Oakland Raiders)

Projected stat line: 75 yards rushing, three catches for 25 yards and two touchdowns

This is a repeat pick in this space. We have kept waiting for Hyde to make a significant fantasy impact in the 49ers running game, but veteran Frank Gore has held on as a starter—barely, of late—and Hyde hasn't rushed for more than 50 yards in a game this season. Heck, he had that single-game total of 50 with a touchdown in his first game and hasn't trumped it since.

So, for this week's breakthrough, we will look to the place where we got last week's huge breakthrough from Tre Mason: the Oakland Raiders run defense. 

The Raiders have given up more than 130 yards rushing per game this season, good for (bad for?) 27th in the NFL. More importantly, they have surrendered the most fantasy points to running backs, per FFToday.com.

We fully expect the 49ers' once-vaunted running game to get healthy this week, even if 31-year-old starter Gore (knee) stays banged up—or, especially if he stays banged up.

Gore knows his age is a factor in being able to keep up, as he told Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News.

"If people just look at stats, they'll think I'm through," Gore said. "But if you watch the film—and know the game—you'll see. When we play other teams, guys come after the game and say, 'Man, how do you do this? You still got it.'"

Gore might be feeling his age, but he should have a solid game before Hyde takes over in the second half of a blowout. Start Hyde with confidence, too, in this pivotal fantasy playoff week.

Honorable Mention

• WR Kendall Wright, Tennessee Titans (vs. New York Giants)
• RB Marion Grice, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
• RB Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans (vs. New York Giants)
• QB Teddy Bridgewater/TE Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings (vs. New York Jets) 

Biggest Bust

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

C.J. Anderson, Denver Broncos (vs. Buffalo Bills)

Projected stat line: 45 yards rushing and no touchdowns

Anderson has become the fantasy monster that Montee Ball (groin) and Ronnie Hillman (foot) were supposed to be, carrying owners into the postseason. You cannot sit him in any format at this point, but that is why he is our bust of the week.

Busts come from places you don't see coming. No one expects Anderson to slow down amid this tear he is on. He is the No. 1 running back in fantasy the past three weeks and third in the past five, according to FFToday.com.

It is too easy to forget Anderson was fourth on his own depth chart a couple of months ago, behind Ball, Hillman and even Juwan Thompson.

It might also be easy to overlook the difficulty of this matchup. The Bills have given up the second-fewest touchdowns to fantasy running backs (four), per FFToday.com. The Bills are third overall against fantasy backs and have a top-seven run defense.

Peyton Manning is not looking past it, as he told Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post:

"

They have an excellent defense, and we're still getting to know them; it's an unfamiliar opponent, kind of like Miami, and that's always a challenge. … They're playing really well together, creating a lot of problems for teams on the early downs, getting teams into third-and-longs and just seem to be playing really well together as a unit.

"

You have to start Anderson in all leagues the way he is going, especially because you have to expect Manning to orchestrate a blowout, but this might be a fantasy dud you don't see coming.

Dishonorable Mention

• QB Mark Sanchez/WR Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
• QB Philip Rivers/WR Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers (vs. New England Patriots)
• QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

Biggest Bounce-Back Player

Rogelio Solis/Associated Press

Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints (vs. Carolina Panthers)

Projected stat line: Seven catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns

Fantasy owners want their first-round pick to carry them in the fantasy postseason. Graham nearly choked it away for them last week, being held without a point, reception or even a target against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Graham told Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune an effective formula was used against him:

"

Usually (defenders) wait until I break. (Troy Polamalu and Will Allen) are smart players. I can tell that they're watching a lot of film and looking at tendencies and formations and splits.

…Literally they would just undercut all of my routes. We'll watch film and we'll look at ways we can expose that. That's just how it is.

"

The NFL is a game of adjustments, so expect head coach Sean Payton, quarterback Drew Brees and Graham to have a plan to get the Saints' primary weapon free against the Panthers, who have allowed just three touchdown receptions to tight ends all season (one of which was to Graham in Week 9), per FFToday.com.

Not only is this a vote of confidence for Graham here, but he will rebound to post the biggest fantasy performance for a tight end all season against the Panthers.

Honorable Mention

• QB Tony Romo/RB DeMarco Murray/WR Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys (at Chicago Bears)
• QB Cam Newton/WR Kelvin Benjamin/TE Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (at New Orleans Saints)
• RB LeGarrette Blount, New England Patriots (at San Diego Chargers)
• WR Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills (at Denver Broncos)
• QB Eli Manning, New York Giants (at Tennessee Titans)
• QB Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
• QB Brian Hoyer/RB Isaiah Crowell/TE Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

Top QB Matchup Plays

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy quarterbacks, per FFToday.com:

1. Chicago Bears (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
2. Washington Redskins (vs. St. Louis Rams)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
4. Baltimore Ravens (at Miami Dolphins)
5. New York Giants (at Tennessee Titans)
6. New York Jets (at Minnesota Vikings)
7. New Orleans Saints (vs. Carolina Panthers)
8. Denver Broncos (vs. Buffalo Bills)

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (at New Orleans Saints)

Projected stat line: 300 yards passing, 45 yards rushing and three touchdowns

Newton has just one 300-yard performance all season and has not passed for more than two scores in any game. He was held to a season-low 151 yards and no TDs against the Saints in Week 9.

Welcome to New Orleans and a shootout with Drew Brees. Newton is going to have his best performance of the year in a wide-open game here.

Newton, determined to do so, spent extra time after Wednesday's practice working with quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey, offensive coordinator Mike Shula and rookie wideout Kelvin Benjamin, according to Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer. Head coach Ron Rivera told Jones:

"

They were obviously working on something they wanted to (work on). Again, this is an indication of what our guys are like. This is what has been going on for four years now. It doesn't matter where we are. Guys know there's work to be done, and they stay out and do the extra work.

That's what we've had. We've had guys that do these things, and it's been paying off for some of these guys. It's a whole new group of guys compared to last year.

"

Newton is no longer a must-start fantasy option, but you might want to keep your eggs in his basket here.

Honorable Mention

• Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (at Chicago Bears)
• Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
• Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
• Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (at Philadelphia Eagles)
• Eli Manning, New York Giants (at Tennessee Titans)

Top RB Matchup Plays

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy running backs, per FFToday.com:

1. Oakland Raiders (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
2. Tennessee Titans (vs. New York Giants)
3. Atlanta Falcons (at Green Bay Packers)
4. New Orleans Saints (vs. Carolina Panthers)
5. New York Giants (at Tennessee Titans)
6. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
7. Indianapolis Colts (at Cleveland Browns)
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Houston Texans)

Rashad Jennings, New York Giants (vs. Tennessee Titans)

Projected stat line: 65 yards rushing, 35 yards receiving and two touchdowns

As much as the Titans were ripped for six touchdowns against Ryan Fitzpatrick this past Sunday, they are still a team that is second-worst in fantasy against running backs, according to FFToday.com. Even if they fix their secondary woes, the Giants will be determined to pound the ball.

Jennings is dealing with an ankle issue that is keeping him out of practice, but he told Nick Powell of NJ.com, "I think it should be good."

If you are worried about Jennings, you should definitely consider rookie Andre Williams as a potential starting option in fantasy crunch time. Williams is getting the first-team reps with Jennings being unable to practice, according to Powell.

But for now, expect Jennings to get the bulk of the fantasy production in this favorable matchup.

Honorable Mention

• Frank Gore/Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers (at Oakland Raiders)
• Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints (vs. Carolina Panthers)
• Isaiah Crowell/Terrance West, Cleveland Browns (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
• Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans (vs. New York Giants)
• Chris Ivory/Chris Johnson, New York Jets (at Minnesota Vikings)

Top WR Matchup Plays

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy wide receivers, per FFToday.com: 

1. Baltimore Ravens (at Miami Dolphins)
2. Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
4. New Orleans Saints (vs. Carolina Panthers)
5. Atlanta Falcons (at Green Bay Packers)
6. Washington Redskins (vs. St. Louis Rams)
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Detroit Lions)
8. Chicago Bears (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

Jarvis Landry, Miami Dolphins (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

Projected stat line: Seven catches for 85 yards and a touchdown

We just cannot get enough of the rookie wide receivers this season, especially the Dolphins' Jarvis Landry of late. Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins cannot either.

Landry has emerged midseason as the Dolphins' go-to man for Tannehill, ranking 16th among wideouts in targets the past three weeks and tying for 10th in receptions (20—tied with none other than Calvin Johnson, mind you), according to FFToday.com.

Landry now draws the Ravens defense that has given up the most fantasy points to wideouts all season. That lines up perfectly for him.

He is still available in more than 70 percent of ESPN.com leagues. That just should not be. He is worth starting in all formats right now, as he is getting targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns with the best of them.

Honorable Mention

• Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills (at Denver Broncos)
• Golden Tate, Detroit Lions (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
• Odell Beckham/Rueben Randle, New York Giants (at Tennessee Titans)
• Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Chicago Bears)
• Doug Baldwin/Jermaine Kearse, Seattle Seahawks (at Philadelphia Eagles)
• Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)
• Stedman Bailey, St. Louis Rams (at Washington Redskins)

Top TE Matchup Plays

USA TODAY Sports

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy tight ends, per FFToday.com:

1. Chicago Bears (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
2. New York Jets (at Minnesota Vikings)
3. Indianapolis Colts (at Cleveland Browns)
4. Dallas Cowboys (at Chicago Bears)
5. Washington Redskins (vs. St. Louis Rams)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (at Cincinnati Bengals)
7. Arizona Cardinals (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
8. Denver Broncos (vs. Buffalo Bills)

Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns (vs. Indianapolis Colts) 

Projected stat line: Five catches for 65 yards and a touchdown

Jordan Cameron has been one of the biggest busts of fantasy this season, but he can prove to be one of the MVPs of the postseason here. Assuming he is finally cleared by the NFL's concussion protocol after a five-game absence, he'll return just in time to face a Colts defense that has given up the third-most points to fantasy tight ends.

Having Andrew Luck on the other side of the field also helps Cameron's potential production, as it can create a high-scoring game. Also, the attention that wideout Josh Gordon draws should open up Cameron down the seam, particularly in the red zone.

We are boldly projecting Cameron to play here and star for fantasy owners. Pick him up in the 65-plus percent of leagues he is available at ESPN.com. A full participation in practice by Friday would put him on the right side of a game-time decision and perhaps make it too late for you to get him off waivers.

Honorable Mention

• Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys (at Chicago Bears)
• Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
• Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings (vs. New York Jets)
• Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (at Arizona Cardinals)

Top D/ST Matchup Plays

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy defense/special teams, per FFToday.com:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Houston Texans)
2. St. Louis Rams (at Washington Redskins)
3. Washington Redskins (vs. St. Louis Rams)
4. Carolina Panthers (at New Orleans Saints)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Detroit Lions)
6. Chicago Bears (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
7. New York Giants (at Tennessee Titans)
8. New York Jets (at Minnesota Vikings)

San Francisco 49ers (at Oakland Raiders)

Projected stat line: Two sacks, three turnovers, a touchdown and a shutout

The 49ers might be down, but they are not out. A trip across the Bay should help in many ways. If the St. Louis Rams can shut out the Raiders 52-0, you have to love the 49ers' prospects for a rebound here.

The Raiders started the season protecting rookie Derek Carr well, but as the season has moved on, the pressure and mistakes have piled up. Expect the 49ers to force them in bunches and prove to be worthy of the No. 1 ranking we bestowed upon this defensive unit in Bleacher Report's Week 14 Big Board.

This is the must-start unit of the week.

Honorable Mention

• Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
• St. Louis Rams (at Washington Redskins)
• Minnesota Vikings (vs. New York Jets)
• New York Giants (at Tennessee Titans)

Top Waiver-Wire Options

Every week in this slide, we look at the top 10 most-added players in CBSSports.com leagues and then dig even deeper to highlight three of the best sleeper plays at each position that are owned by less than 60 percent of fantasy teams.

1. TE Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins—He proved healthy and productive with Colt McCoy last week.
2. WR Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts—The rookie is talented, but you won't get consistency out of him in crunch time.
3. K Connor Barth, Denver Broncos—He has emerged as a must-have kicker in all leagues.
4. RB Marion Grice, Arizona Cardinals—Andre Ellington (hip) is far less than 100 percent, if he even plays. Grice will get into the end zone this week.
5. WR Stedman Bailey, St. Louis Rams—He has something working with Shaun Hill, including a favorable matchup this week.
6. WR Kenny Stills, New Orleans Saints—The loss of Brandin Cooks has been bountiful for Stills in a pass-happy offense.
7. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Houston Texans—He is going to be overrated off that once-in-a-lifetime, six-touchdown performance.
8. RB Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers—He has a nice matchup this week, but no one can trust him in the fantasy postseason.
9. QB Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns—You have to expect the Browns to need him, particularly if the Indianapolis Colts blow this one out as many expect.
10. RB Dan Herron, Indianapolis Colts—You might be too late to the party here, but Trent Richardson still has goal-line potential.

Quarterbacks

1. Kyle Orton, Buffalo Bills (at Denver Broncos)
2. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
3. Colt McCoy, Washington Redskins (vs. St. Louis Rams)

Running Backs

1. Marion Grice, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
2. James Starks, Green Bay Packer (vs. Atlanta Falcons)
3. Charles Sims, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Detroit Lions)

Wide Receivers

1. Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Houston Texans)
2. Stedman Bailey, St. Louis Rams (at Washington Redskins)
3. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)

Tight Ends

1. Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
2. Tim Wright, New England Patriots (at San Diego Chargers)
3. Owen Daniels, Baltimore Ravens (at Miami Dolphins)

Defensive/Special Teams

1. Minnesota Vikings (vs. New York Jets)
2. New York Giants (at Tennessee Titans)
3. Dallas Cowboys (at Chicago Bears) 

Follow @EricMackFantasy

Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. 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.