Fantasy Football: Week 14 final news and notes

With Week 14 Sunday games just under 24 hours away, there are some news and notes for your fantasy football team before setting your final lineup.

The first week of the fantasy football playoffs officially underway after the Bears defeated the Cowboys. With nine games in the early slate, four games in the late window and the Sunday night game, there’s a lot of news and notes to get to in order to better prepare you for the matchup.

We already know about some players being ruled out and others getting benched. But what about the players listed as questionable or with a not-so-favorable matchup? You don’t want your championship hopes relying on those players.

This piece will focus on the injured players, matchups and low-owned players with the potential to break out this week. In a win-now mode, fantasy owners are looking for any edge they can get.

Early Slate

With Matthew Stafford and Jeff Driskel on the IR, David Blough gets his second start at quarterback for the Lions. He performed well against the Bears last week, putting up 17.3 fantasy points. This week, Blough faces the 13th-ranked Vikings defense. They’ve allowed an opposing quarterback to score over 20 points just three times this season. Find another quarterback if you need to.

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On the other side of the ball, Vikings running back Dalvin Cook looks to be 100 percent heading into this week. He was limited in practice with a chest injury. The matchup against Seattle proves to be a good one as the Seahawks rank 30th against running backs. As a top-three running back, you start your stars in the playoffs.

T.Y. Hilton and A.J. Green have been ruled out. Marquise Brown, Will Fuller, Dante Pettis and Demaryius Thomas are all questionable. Brown and Thomas are expected to play with their injuries. Fuller and Pettis, on the other hand, may be game-time decisions. If you have viable alternatives, I’d start them.

Sleeper Pick: Zach Pascal has been a reliable receiver for the Colts. With Hilton ruled out, Pascal becomes the top receiver for Jacoby Brissett.

Late Afternoon

The Patriots offense hasn’t been the juggernaut we’ve seen in years past. James White was the team’s top scorer last week with 37.7 points. Julian Edelman was behind him with 21.9. However, Edelman and Mohamed Sanu are listed as questionable. The Chiefs secondary has been lights out since week 1. Sony Michel and White are must-starts. Looking at the rest of receiving corps, Edelman is the only startable player.

Keenan Allen, Tyreek Hill and DJ Chark all have tough matchups. Yet, they are the 11th, 34th and ninth ranked wide receivers this season. Allen faces the Jaguars. With Philip Rivers under center, you never know what kind of performance you’re going to get. Hill will go against the Patriots and Chark gets the Chargers.

Like with Cook, you don’t get cute in the fantasy playoffs.

Sleeper Pick: Benny Snell Jr. Snell got the majority of Pittsburgh’s carries last week, even with Jaylen Samuels back in the lineup. With a favorable matchup against Arizona, he could have another big game.

Sunday Night

The Seahawks/Rams matchup is a good one on paper. Two solid quarterbacks, two good running backs and top-10 receiving corps. Even without the fantasy football impact, this will be a fun game to watch.

For Seattle, Russell Wilson and DK Metcalf should be in everyone’s starting lineup. Tyler Lockett has been a confusing fantasy player this season. He can score 40 one week and zero the next. If you start him, be warned. Even with Rashaad Penny‘s recent usage, both he and Chris Carson are startable. The Rams rank 11th against the run.

As for LA, Jared Goff had a bad three games before scoring 27 points against the Cardinals. In what will likely be a shootout, he has a good chance to put up 20 again. Todd Gurley is getting most of the carries for the Rams. Don’t worry about Darrell Henderson or Malcolm Brown. Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks and even Tyler Higbee will get their fair share of targets in this game. Start them with confidence.

This week features a good slate of games, which is a good sign for the start of the fantasy playoffs. Don’t overthink anything. Play your studs, find the right matchups and don’t be afraid to take a risk on a sleeper. Good luck this week.