Fantasy living
Studs, duds, sleepers and more fantasy football advice for Week 14 in NFL,
It’s fantasy playoff week, so make sure you get the right players in your lineup. Use these tips to help you survive and advance.
STUDS
QB Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers; The Carolina Panthers defense just isn’t the same without Luke Kuechly patrolling the middle. Without him matching wits with Rivers, the veteran signal-caller will put up a lot of fantasy points in what could be a high-scoring game. WR Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos: The Tennessee Titans have had trouble slowing down opponents’ No. 2 receivers, yielding 73 yards per game to them. That figure ranks last in the league by a wide margin, per Football Outsiders. Sanders should have a big day. TE Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals: Eifert finally looks like the player he was last year before an injury in the Pro Bowl delayed his 2016 season. He’s caught a touchdown pass in each of his last two games. This week he takes on a Cleveland Browns defense that has given up nine touchdowns to tight ends this season. That’s tied for most in the league.
DUDS
QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: Rodgers has thrown six touchdown passes in six career games against the Seahawks. Even with Earl Thomas out, Seattle’s defense remains dangerous. Sit Rodgers if you have a viable option on the bench. RB LeGarrette Blount, New England Patriots: This Baltimore Ravens run defense is downright scary. No team has al- lowed fewer yards on the ground, and only four running backs have found the end zone against them. If Blount doesn’t score a touchdown, he won’t be very useful this week. TE Dwayne Allen, Indian
apolis Colts: Don’t be fooled by Allen’s monster game against the New York Jets. Their secondary is a mess, and this week the Colts are taking on the Houston Texans, who have given up more than 10 fantasy points to a tight end only twice all season. WR Allen Robinson, Jack
sonville Jaguars: Stay away from the entire Jaguars offense this week. The Minnesota Vikings defense has bounced back after a slight downturn, and the Jags offense hasn’t been right all season. CB Xavier Rhodes should draw Robinson in coverage, and he’s had no problem shutting down top receivers.
SLEEPERS
WR Robby Anderson, New York Jets: Anderson is coming off his busiest and most successful day as a pro. He was targeted 12 times against the Colts on Monday night and made the most of those opportunities. That should continue as the Jets look to feature younger players more now that their season is done. Facing the San Francisco 49ers defense makes Anderson an intriguing option in Week 14. QB Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams: The Rams will go into Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons as heavy underdogs, which means there will likely be plenty of garbage-time opportunities for the rookie. And Goff is facing the defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. RB Mike Gillislee, Buffalo Bills: Yes, LeSean McCoy is the top back in Buffalo, but Gillislee is getting his fair share of carries, especially in the red zone. He has carried the ball an average of 10.5 times a game and has scored four times during the last month. TE Hunter Henry, San Diego Chargers: Henry has five touchdown receptions in his last eight games. The Panthers have had a difficult time covering tight ends — even before Kuechly went out — so don’t be surprised if Rivers hits him for his sixth this weekend.