Fantasy Football Breakdown: Week 14

Story posted December 9, 2021 in Pope Francis by Matthew Gelhard.

The Buccaneers’ offense had all major players put up good fantasy days as they rolled over the Atlanta Falcons, while Bills key players were not so lucky due to weather and mastermind Bill Belichick.

Our rookie class is in stride and proving that they were worth the investment in this year’s draft. We also learned from the Vikings that you can lose to a winless team and still have fantasy productive players.

Is your lineup going to show up like the Buccaneers or will they come up short like the Bills?

Upgrades:

Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos vs. Detroit Lions

This rookie has impressed in the past few weeks and last week against Kansas City is a prime example. Williams totaled over 100 yards on the ground and added six catches for 76 yards against a Chiefs defense that has been improving.

The matchup this week is against a Lions defense that gave up good fantasy production on the ground and through the air for Alexander Mattison the previous week. Williams benefitted from the absence of Melvin Gordon last week due to a hip injury and Gordon’s status this week is questionable.

Elijah Moore, WR, New York Jets vs. New Orleans Saints

Last week Moore made the downgrade list. This week he makes the upgrade list.

Moore is a talented player but the shadow of Darius Slay made weary of good fantasy production. However, he was not shadowed and had another successful day.

Joe Flacco, Josh Johnson, Zach Wilson and Mike White have all quarterbacked the Jets at some point and Moore still has been consistent. The Saints have been poor in the secondary and with no Corey Davis, as he is out for the year with a core injury, Moore is the top receiver on a team that will be trailing and need to continue its pass heavy offense to survive.

Downgrades:

James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams

With Kyler Murray back in action, in short yardage situations Murray is calling his own number. These situations are where Conner gets his value.

All 12 of Conner’s rushing touchdowns have come in the red zone and nine have been inside the 10-yard line. Conner ranks 19th in rushing yards this season and faces a Rams defense that give up only 3.8 yards per carry and only one rushing touchdown in the past three weeks. This week will be a tough one for Conner to continue his hot streak.

Brandin Cooks, WR, Houston Texans vs. Seattle Seahawks

Let’s not forget that the Seahawks’ defense has been ugly this year, even though they have played better as of recently. But do you know what has been uglier than the Seahawks defense? The Texans offense.

From having Deshaun Watson at quarterback in previous years to having Davis Mills and Tyrod Taylor is a major downgrade. Cooks has not caught more than three passes since Week 9. With quarterback play affecting this stud’s value and improvement of the Seattle secondary, he is not one to trust in with your season on the line.

Waiver Wire

Taysom Hill, QB, New Orleans Saints

When we rank the most productive fantasy football quarterbacks there is always a consideration of rushing upside. Hill is the epitome of rushing upside, and not only did he prove that in the many starts last year but he did it again against the Cowboys.

He produced 101 yards on the ground accompanied by 264 passing yards and two touchdowns. Taysom Hill was a still a top scoring quarterback this week even with four interceptions and a mangled finger.
Hill is a viable quarterback going forward and can be a key piece to your lineup en route to fantasy football glory.

 

Matthew Gelhard is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at mgg5264@psu.edu.