Fantasy football lineup advice: Week 14 boom or bust
Wide Receiver
Boom: Amari Cooper, DAL @ CHI
After dropping a goose egg (zero points) in Week 12 against the Patriots, Cooper bounced back with eight catches for 85 yards in the Cowboys’ Turkey Day loss to Buffalo. Even with the Bills yielding the eighth-fewest FPPG to wideouts, Cooper still got it done. He’s been up and down at times this season, but he’s still been a top-eight WR in PPR formats thanks to Dak Prescott’s superb play in Dallas’ high-octane aerial attack.
Similar to last week, Cooper draws another tasking matchup when he and the Cowboys travel to Soldier Field on Thursday night. On the surface, the Bears have been solid at suppressing opposing WRs, ceding the seventh-fewest FPPG to the position. However, their secondary has been proven vulnerable by high-caliber wideouts, most recently allowing Kenny Golladay to go for over 150 yards and a score. I’m trusting the talent to prevail here in a must-win game for Dallas.
Boom: Robby Anderson, NYJ vs. MIA
A player who always seems to get hot late in the year, Anderson has re-emerged as Sam Darnold’s favorite downfield weapon. After a five-game skid of producing less than nine fantasy points in each contest, the 26-year-old burner has posted 100-plus yards or a touchdown in both of his last two outings. He’s taken advantage of a light schedule and should continue doing just that against Miami.
The Dolphins have no one capable of covering Anderson in the open field. Their 39.1 FPPG given up to the position is sixth-most in league. Neither team plays much defense, giving this the looks of a high-scoring shootout. Anderson carries some risk due to his boom-or-bust profile, but this is a matchup where he can continue building his momentum as a result of his budding chemistry with Darnold.
Honorable Mention: Robert Woods (LAR vs. SEA), James Washington (PIT @ ARI)
Bust: Brandin Cooks, LAR vs. SEA
Cooks has been the epitome of disappointment this season, coming into Week 14 as just the overall WR65. He continues to fall further down the pecking order in L.A.’s offense as Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp operate as the team’s top two options. Even though he saw a full complement of snaps in his last game — and possibly the best matchup he’ll see all year — his numbers surely didn’t reflect it (two catches for 22 yards).
While he dealt with concussion issues that held him out a handful of games, this marked the sixth-straight contest he’s failed to top 10 fantasy points. The Seahawks are a middle-of-the-pack team against wide receivers, surrendering the 18th-most points (34.8) to the position. Even in a decent matchup, you won’t be able to count on Cooks to get it done. He shouldn’t be anywhere near your lineups until he begins to show some sort of life.
Bust: Dede Westbrook, JAX vs. LAC
The quarterback carousel for Jacksonville has thrown the offense off its game as of late. Nick Foles’ inept play last week led to his benching, giving Minshew Mania a second go-around. While Minshew may provide a spark for the offense as a whole, Westbrook’s outlook takes a dip with the rookie under center. He’s seen some success in recent weeks, posting a season-high 19 fantasy points in his last game, but his production has fluctuated with Minshew at QB in the past.
In addition, Westbrook’s average depth per target (7.0 yards) puts a cap on his ceiling, something that won’t fly in the fantasy playoffs. The Chargers may have some faults against the run, but their lockdown secondary has limited wideouts to 27.5 FPPG (fourth-fewest in the league). They get an added boost with Derwin James back on the field, giving Westbrook and co. a bleak outlook for their upcoming matchup.
Dishonorable Mention: Jarvis Landry (CLE vs. CIN), Terry McLaurin (WSH @ GB)
Sleeper: Allen Lazard, GB vs. WSH
Last week, the rookie posted the best game of his young career, going for 103 yards and a touchdown against the Giants. He’s looked to have emerged as Aaron Rodgers‘ No. 2 guy outside of Davante Adams, something working in his favor heading into an exploitable matchup (Redskins allowing the 15th-most FPPG to WRs).