Fantasy Football Week 14: Soft Defenses For Your Stars To Exploit
Fantasy football Week 14 is officially upon us. We've already discussed the importance of this week's game in earlier pieces: For just about everyone, this is either the start of the playoffs (crucial because no one wants to go home early) or the final week of the season (crucial because a win gets many teams into the playoffs).
In other words, for most fantasy owners, there's never been a better time to stop and have a cupcake. And with all 32 NFL teams in action this weekend, you'd better believe there are going to be plenty of soft defenses ripe to be exploited and taken advantage of.
Don't feel bad playing a guy just because his matchup is good; after all, that's what they're there for, and some teams just can't hack it defensively. In particular, the defenses faced by these five rushers and five receivers will be soft enough to ensure a nice, big week for you this week.
Passing Cupcake Eater 5: Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
1 of 10
Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: This speedster is the best wideout in Pittsburgh right now, and he's showed it by posting six double-digit scoring games on the year. The majority of those have come against teams who rank in the bottom half of the league in points allowed to wideouts.
Who’s the Cupcake: Cincinnati ranks 28th in the NFL against opposing receivers, and Wallace burned the Bengals for 110 yards and a score in Week 9.
Cupcake Meter: 6.5/10. Wallace doesn't always get the ball (even when he should, like against Buffalo), but with a soft matchup he's exploited once this season, don't be surprised to see him do it again this week.
Rushing Cupcake Eater 5: LeGarrette Blount, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2 of 10
Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Blount's bruisingly explosive running style is conducive to posting big numbers, and as the featured back in Tampa, you can expect him to get ample opportunity to show what he can do. Blow-ups against Arizona (22 points) and Carolina (15 points), and a great game against Atlanta last week (16 points) showed us what he can do when a defense is softer.
Who’s the Cupcake: The Washington Redskins rank 26th in the NFL against the run, and they've allowed nine 100-yard rushers, and 10 touchdowns in 12 games this season.
Cupcake Meter: 7/10. With such a lovely matchup, expect Blount to get plenty of work this week, but remember that the Redskins' lousy secondary could tempt the Bucs into taking to the skies more than usual.
Passing Cupcake Eater 4: Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers
3 of 10
Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Crabtree has been downright maddening to own in 2010, thanks to an offense that oftentimes forgets he's there entirely. He failed to make an impact in the first four weeks of the year, but has posted five double-digit scoring outings in his last eight contests. When the Niners look for him in the red zone, good things tend to happen.
Who’s the Cupcake: Seattle ranks second-to-last in the NFL against opposing wideouts, and not counting Carolina's anemic passing game in Week 13, the Panthers have allowed at least 14 catches and no fewer than 200 yards and at least one touchdown in their last four games.
Cupcake Meter: 7.5/10. As long as the Niners look Crabtree's way in this one, he'll find his way into the end zone one way or another, and the Seahawks defense is soft enough to let him put up excellent numbers.
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Rushing Cupcake Eater 4: Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
4 of 10
Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: For the first 11 weeks of 2010, Johnson was one of the best running backs in football. But his production has nosedived in the last two games, as the Titans opted not to hand him the ball much in either game. Still, with big games against subpar defenses in Washington, Jacksonville, and Oakland, he's fully capable of devouring a cupcake.
Who’s the Cupcake: Indianapolis' diminutive front seven rank 23rd in the NFL against running backs, and just got gashed by the Dallas Cowboys' anemic rushing game. Johnson should have a field day.
Cupcake Meter: 7.5/10. It's possible head coach Jeff Fisher's recent bout of amnesia continues in this one, and he doesn't give Johnson his due. But, with such a tasty matchup, he might not need many carries to have a big day.
Passing Cupcake Eater 3: Anquan Boldin, WR, Baltimore Ravens
5 of 10
Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Boldin is the most talented wideout in Baltimore and has had a strong connection with quarterback Joe Flacco on occasion this season. He flashed his cupcake-eating credentials early in the season with a great game against the Browns, and is coming off a stellar performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Who’s the Cupcake: Houston's secondary is as porous as they come in 2010, and ranks 29th against opposing wideouts. It's almost impossible for a team not to find success against the Texans' pass defense.
Cupcake Meter: 8/10. Boldin's got a lovely matchup this week, and should capitalize as long as Flacco throws him the ball.
Rushing Cupcake Eater 3: Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons
6 of 10
Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Turner has been on fire in recent weeks, posting four 100 yard rushing games, and four games with more than 15 points, in his last six contests. He's fresh off an 88 yard, one touchdown drubbing of the Buccaneers, and he's shown a proclivity for punishing the league's worst defenses.
Who’s the Cupcake: Carolina ranks 29th in the NFL against opposing running backs, and have allowed six touchdowns to the position in the last two weeks.
Cupcake Meter: 8/10. Turner's rolling, Carolina's reeling, and if you have him, you'll be thrilled with his production this week.
Passing Cupcake Eater 2: Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers
7 of 10
Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Jennings got off to a slow start, but took off like a shot in Week 5. Since then, he hasn't caught fewer than five passes, nor has he tallied less than 74 yards. He's put up 100 yard receiving games in each of his last three contests, and has torched the softest defenses in the league.
Who’s the Cupcake: Detroit ranks 21st in the NFL against opposing wideouts, but don't let that fool you. Their secondary is much worse than that.
Cupcake Meter: 9/10. Jennings will continue his recent run of stellar play, given the Lions' inability to contain the pass, this could be his best game yet.
Rushing Cupcake Eater 2: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos
8 of 10
Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Now that he's healthy, Moreno is showing the league why he was a breakout candidate heading into this season. He's posted at least 15 points in each of his last four games, and is fresh of a 23 carry, 161 yard demolishing of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Who’s the Cupcake: Arizona now holds the distinction of being the league's worst run defense in 2010 having allowed 159 yards and two touchdowns to the Chiefs, 242 yards and two touchdowns to the 49ers, and 112 yards and a score to the Rams over their last three contests.
Cupcake Meter: 9/10. With a defense this soft, expect Moreno's recent run of stellar play to continue, as the Cards are incapable of stopping the run.
Passing Cupcake Eater 1: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
9 of 10
Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Maclin splits time with DeSean Jackson as the Eagles' go-to wideout, and his results show as much. Still, he's found serious success against soft defenses, blasting the Falcons for 159 yards and two touchdowns earlier this year.
Who’s the Cupcake: Guess which team is the league's worst against opposing wideouts? If you said the Dallas Cowboys, you win! Dallas has allowed 19 touchdowns to opposing receivers this year, and hasn't given up fewer than 20 points to the position since Week 1.
Cupcake Meter: 10/10. With a defense this soft, there will be plenty of passes to go around for Maclin and Jackson. However, look for Maclin to have a slightly better game overall.
Rushing Cupcake Eater 1: Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns
10 of 10
Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Hillis has been a juggernaut in 2010, racking up huge games against tough opponents (Baltimore), and weak ones (Cincinnati, Carolina, New England, Jacksonville). He's a skilled pass catcher, and with his power and speed, he's almost impossible to tackle.
Who’s the Cupcake: That would be the Buffalo Bills, whose 30th ranked run defense plays host to one of the most dangerous backs in all of football.
Cupcake Meter: 10/10. If you have Peyton Hillis, you should be very, very happy with his production this week. He'll be tough to stop, and should have a huge day.
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