What Are the Comfort Levels for Fantasy Studs Heading into Week 14?

Hopefully you're all good and ready for Week 14, because we've reached the fantasy football playoffs.

This is the time that, more than ever, your lineup decisions will matter. There's almost no margin for error.

If you lose, you're done. Simple as that.

That's why, over the next three or four weeks or so, the analysis on these fantasy studs are even more important. I'm here to help you hold up that fantasy Lombardi and reach the promised land.

Let's not waste any more time—let's look at seven studs this week and what to do with them.

Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Going up against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14, one would think that this could be a tough week for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.

Sure, it still could be, but the Ravens will be missing a key piece on defense when these two teams square off.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, not only has Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith been suspended for four games after testing positive for PEDs, but he's also out for the season with a torn Achilles.

That's almost the epitome of adding insult to injury.

Replacing Smith will be a combination of two fellow cornerbacks: Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Carr.

Sure, the Ravens defense is still strong, but losing Smith is a huge loss that cannot be understated.

As a result, Brown should have an easier time doing damage against the purple birds from the Charm City.

Buckle up.

Comfort Level: Like when I'm laying back on a Sunday evening watching The Walking Dead.

Brandin Cooks, WR, New England Patriots

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Just a few weeks ago, the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins squared in Foxborough.

In that game, Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks put up a line of six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown.

Cooks will look to repeat that success again in Week 14.

Oh wait, almost forgot—that's right! Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has been suspended for one game following his altercation with Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White in Week 13, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

As Rapoport also notes, Gronk is, of course, appealing the suspension.

Without Gronk, that will open up plenty of extra volume for Cooks.

If I were you, I wouldn't expect anything less than multiple catches for over 100 yards in this one.

Cooks is going to have a top-three wide receiver performance.

Comfort Level: Similar to how I feel on this new bed I just got—fantastic.

Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

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One of these weeks we're going to get Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt right.

Tackling Hunt for Week 14 is important; that's why he's on the list.

In case you're not keeping track, Hunt hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 3.

Week. Freakin'. Three.

Since then, Hunt has only three games with more than 20 carries and has three games with fewer than 10 carries.

Fortunately, Hunt's pass-catching ability has been able to make up for his lack of running production somewhat, as Hunt has only gone over 50 yards rushing once since Week 8.

The Chiefs played the Raiders earlier this season and Hunt had 117 total yards on 22 touches.

Of course, no touchdown.

If you play in a PPR league, that is adequate—it equates to approximately 15.70 points.

This is probably what to expect from Hunt in this one.

However, the Chiefs did make a play-calling change, going from head coach Andy Reid to offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, so we'll see how that goes.

Hunt is a borderline RB1 in PPR leagues this week and there is plenty of cause for concern.

Will he break the scoreless streak this week? We'll see.

Tread lightly.

Comfort Level: Similar to that feeling in life when you know things will get better, but you're just not sure when.

Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

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There has been a consistent theme surrounding Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones in 2017.

He hardly ever produces against a tough defense.

Well, in Week 14 on Thursday Night Football, Jones will have to do just that when he takes on the New Orleans Saints.

With that said, that stance could shift mightily should the Saints be without cornerback Marshon Lattimore for the second week in a row.

None of that is known yet, though.

If Lattimore plays, Jones is currently my WR15 in PPR leagues.

We saw what he did in Week 13 against the Vikings, and to be honest, I'm scared here, too.

Cannot believe I'm saying this, but Jones might be benchable in Week 14, depending on your roster.

Comfort Level: Taking a cold shower in the dark.

Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

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With offensive coordinator Matt Nagy taking over the play-calling in Week 13, we saw an awakening from Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

Against the Jets, Kelce put up nearly 100 yards and two touchdowns.

In Week 14, Kelce and the Chiefs will go up against an Oakland Raiders secondary that is mediocre at best.

Sure, wide receiver Tyreek Hill will be on the field as well and that make take away from Kelce, but Hill also had a couple of touchdowns and nearly 200 yards receiving in Week 13, so that should dispel any trepidation on that front.

Case in point: Kelce is like starting another wide receiver. He'll get plenty of action against a not-so-good defense with a new guy calling the shots in terms of play-calling.

Get on board the Kelce bandwagon.

Comfort Level: Like getting a manicure and pedicure. 

Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

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It's been noted time and time again about the deficiencies in Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's game since running back Ezekiel Elliott got put on the sidelines with his suspension, but there's some upside with Prescott this week.

Week 13 showed that Prescott still has a pulse as he finally threw a touchdown for the first time since Week 9.

It's been some time since Prescott last played the Giants. We're talking about Week 1 here. In that game, Prescott did OK, but nothing tremendous—268 passing yards and a touchdown.

However, since then, a lot of things have happened with the Giants internally and they're not the same team we perceived them to be heading into the season. Shoot, they're much worse than Week 1, too.

The Giants are weak in multiple areas, especially in allowing the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

There are plenty of holes on this Giants defense that Prescott should be able to take advantage of.

I'm not saying he'll be able to put up crazy numbers or anything, but he should get you around 15 points or so.

Of course, if you have better options, great. If not, don't stress over it.

Comfort Level: Waking up in the morning with a headache, but it goes away a few hours later.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks

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When you talk about the MVP race in the National Football League, there are a few players that come to mind, including Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

With almost literally no running game, Wilson has willed this team to an 8-4 record.

Over the last three weeks, Wilson has scored three total touchdowns in each and has just three games this season with one or fewer total touchdowns.

Unfortunately, Week 14 is looking like a period that might add to the statistic in the latter.

He's going up against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

They surrender the least fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and allow just 189 passing yards per game.

That's almost unheard of.

With no running game, the Jaguars will be able to lay back and just wait for the pass. They'll almost give up the run to the Seahawks because they know they can't do it.

Wilson is going to be put in a position that he cannot win.

If you own Wilson, you might want to look for another option, because this is more than likely going to be a tough one for him.

Comfort Level: Not showering for three days.

Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference.