Week 14 of the 2019 NFL season is here, and for many of you, the fantasy playoffs are either here or just around the corner.
As always, we’re here to help with your weekly decisions with our fantasy lineup advice. Each week, we give you the studs (players with plus matchups due to the defense they’re facing or their team situation), duds (players with tougher matchups or who are in muddled roster situations at the moment) and sleepers (a player you might consider starting who could be in for a big week).
Here are the names we’ve got for Week 14, and as we always say, good luck!!
Studs
QB Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
It’s not just the fact that the matchup with the Raiders is juicy. It’s that he’s been so good since he took over for Marcus Mariota — multiple touchdowns in each of his last six starts, 250-plus yards in three contests, and although it seems like a Derrick Henry game script, I’m confident here.
RBs Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
They’ve both thrived even with Hunt back from suspension. Against the Bengals (the worst run defense in the league), they both should thrive and then some.
WR Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia Eagles
What a way to come back from injury! He had 16 looks and nine catches for 137 yards and a touchdown last week. Now, he gets to face the extremely porous Giants secondary.
TE Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts
From sleeper last week to stud this week — he’s got the full workload that he was previously splitting with Eric Ebron and now he gets to feast on the extremely vulnerable Bucs defense that allows the second-most fantasy points to tight ends.
Duds
QB Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
I didn’t love how he was a dud in a good spot against the Falcons last week, and the Niners are the best team against the pass in the NFL. There are better options out there.
RBs Ronald Jones, Peyton Barber, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s partially because the Colts have the ninth-best defense against the run, but also because we don’t know which of the backs will get the ball this week. Are these guys you want to trust in the postseason? Didn’t think so.
WR Terry McLaurin, Washington Redskins
You would think he and Dwayne Haskins would have chemistry since they played together at Ohio State. But it sure doesn’t seem that way yet. Plus, the Packers present a tough defensive matchup.
TE Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
As always, I’m not saying you should bench a name like him. But you can see his volatility, especially with Dallas Goedert picking up more of a role. Some weeks he’s picking up huge yardage, others he’s catching just two or three passes. The Giants have allowed the fewest passes to opposing tight ends, but part of me wonders if that’s because opponents focus on throwing to their wideouts against the awful secondary. Anyway, this is a long way of saying it could be a dud kind of day for Ertz.
Sleepers
QB Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts
He hasn’t been that great with T.Y. Hilton on the shelf, so I’ll say he’s just a sleeper against a terrible Bucs secondary.
RB Derrius Guice, Washington Redskins
I would assume his huge game against the Panthers (10 carries, 129 yards, two touchdowns) will mean the Skins will give him more carries. Plus, the Packers aren’t great at containing opposing running backs.
WR James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers
He seems to have chemistry with Duck Hodges and has scored in three of his last four. Plus, he faces the Cardinals this week, which helps.
TE Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
The Jets are pretty good at defending vs. tight ends, but Gesicki has two touchdowns in his past couple of contests.
