NFL Week 14: Fantasy Football Matchups To Watch

If you're reading this, then I've got some good news and some bad news.

The good news is that you've made it to your fantasy football playoffs. Congratulations! You're better than about half of your league.

The bad news is that you need to win this week in order to keep playing, and you need all the help you can get.

Luckily, that's what this list is for. With winter upon us and the end of the season near, these match-ups are more important, and more difficult to predict than ever.

Here are five match-ups you should keep a close eye on during Sunday's slate of games, and what you can expect to happen.

Chad Ochocinco Vs. Pittsburgh Defense

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 14: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals reaches for a pass during the Bengals 23-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/

The Steelers pass defense is not particularly good, ranking 23rd in the NFL while giving up 239.3 yards/game. Last week Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 266 yards and a touchdown in a closely contested game that Pittsburgh won.

The Ravens passing offense is pretty average, but that still doesn't mean the Bengals will be able to put up those kinds of numbers against the Steelers. The last time these two teams met, Carson Palmer only managed 248 yards passing and two touchdowns in a losing effort.

Ochocino was a complete non-factor in that game, catching only one pass for 17 yards despite being targeted seven times. Stay away from him the second time around.

Terrell Owens is the go-to receiver for this team (10 receptions, 141 yards, 2 touchdowns against the Steelers last time).

Anquan Boldin Vs. Houston Defense

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Wide receiver Anquan Boldin #81 of the Baltimore Ravens catches a pass to score a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Texans have the worst passing defense in the NFL, giving up 287.4 yards/game. That's good news for Boldin and the Ravens, who face them Sunday night.

Boldin is coming off a five-reception game with 118 yards receiving and a touchdown last week against the Steelers. He should be able to at least match that against the hapless Texans.

Steven Jackson Vs. New Orleans Defense

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams carries the ball during the game against the Arizona Cardinals on December 30, 2007 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals won 48-19. (Photo by Stephen D

There were some doubts about whether Stephen Jackson was still an elite fantasy running back. He went four straight weeks without getting above 81 rushing yards and only got into the end zone once.

But that all changed last week against the Arizona Cardinals with the type of breakthrough performance Jackson owners have been waiting to see. He carried the ball 28 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. 

Those numbers should continue against the Saints, a team with a good defense, but one that isn't the best at stopping the run.

Last week, New Orleans surrendered two rushing touchdowns to Cedric Benson, and the week before that the Cowboys' ground attack tallied 144 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Start Jackson, feeling safe that he will perform.

Eli Manning Vs. Minnesota Defense

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants in action against the Washington Redskins during their game on December 5, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Vikings have tightened up their defense since firing Brad Childress, giving up 14 points to the Bills last week and 13 points to the Redskins the week before that.

The Giants have a more prolific passing attack than either Washington or Buffalo, but this is still a game to avoid.

Eli Manning had a forgettable game last week against the Redskins, throwing for only 161 yards and zero touchdowns.

That trend should continue against the Vikings, who have only surrendered one passing touchdowns in the last two games and have held opposing quarterbacks to under 200 passing yards for two consecutive weeks.

Steve Smith may be back, but Manning is not a strong play here. Sit him and look for a more favorable match-up.

Tom Brady Vs. Chicago Defense

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Tom Brady may be the NFL MVP, but this is a dangerous game for the Patriots.

The Bears have a great defensive team and are winners of five straight. The Patriots may be the best team in the NFL but will struggle to maintain their performance level after a picture-perfect pounding of the New York Jets last week.

The weather for this game in Chicago is expected to be brutal, which means that it will be played on the ground.

The Patriots are also without linebacker Brandon Spikes after he violated the league's drug policy, which means the defense will have even more trouble getting the offense the ball.

Brady is still Brady, but don't expect big numbers from the quarterback in this one.