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It is Week 14 which means we had a one week break from the nastiness of five teams on bye.  That was nice.  But, that means we are now faced with an even tougher schedule during Byemageddon 2.0 with six teams taking the week off.  I hope you are fighting for a playoff spot or have one already locked up.  Last week I gave you Tua and ARich at QB (both went over 25 points); Bucky (RB1 for the week) and Tracy Jr. (14 PPR points) at RB; BTJr (18 PPR points) which all clearly worked out.  I also missed slightly with Waddle (11) at WR and my two TE picks Schoonmaker (8) and Theo Johnson (10; left with injury and now placed on IR).  I think that is a solid list considering Schoonmaker was the biggest ‘miss’.  Watching the Dallas game, the young TE was killing in the first quarter and was ser up for a great game and then the play calling ignored him for the final three quarters.  Thanks a lot Mike McCarthy!  As this week will prove to be more stressful than last week, we cannot get comfortable.  We need to win each week.  Leave no doubt!  This is what we live for.  The trials and tribulations of an up and down fantasy football season.  We are skilled fantasy managers and with that comes a responsibility to embolden our lineups with players that give us the best chance to win.  Also, this when some fantasy analysts/writers and players become burned out.  Not us here @Razzball and not YOU!  We are here all year and even cover for each other if something comes up.  Remember, I do not provide chalky names in this column.  I dig deeper to help you with the harder roster assignments.  Here we go again…onto my Week 14 Start recommendations. 

 Be sure to check out Razzball Football’s updated rankings: Top 150 | QB | RB | WR TE | DEF | Rookie 

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Start These Players:

  • Position: QB
  • Player: Tua Tagovaiola
  • Week 12 Opponent: versus the New York Jets

I went against conventional fantasy analysis and recommended Tua in the cold at Green Bay.  I am doubling down on the Miami QB this week against a NYJ defense ranked as the 5th worst for opposing QBs.  I think the Jets are a mess and nearing mailing the season in.  Look for Tua to throw early and often while returning another 20+ point performance.   Sneaky Play: Will Levis has an elite matchup this week.  In fact, on paper, he has the best QB versus pass defense on the docket.  The Jaguars are the worst defense against the QB position and Levis has a Calvin Ridley on the outside and new fantasy darling Nick Westbrook-Ikhine snatching TDs every week (eight TDs over the last eight weeks).

  • Position: RB
  • Player: Bucky Irving
  • Week 11 Opponent: versus the Las Vegas Raiders

Unless Irving’s hip is an issue Sunday morning, he is a must start in all formats. I will continue to run him out there every week regardless of opponent.  He is paramount to the Buccaneers offense and gets looks in both the run and pass game.  The former Ducks standout is shaping up to be a league winner.  Enter the Raiders who have nothing to play for at this point making for a smash play for Bucky.  Double digits are a lock, and I am planning on 20+ PPR points from the rookie RB.  Sneaky Play: Division games always hit different, and I think the Seahawks at Cardinals will provide more fireworks (scoring) than did their Week 12 matchup that ended 16-6 in Seattle’s favor.   Enter James Conner who has produced two lackluster weeks in a row but who also carries a snap share over 75% each week this season.  This is a get right game for Conner at home with both teams in the hunt for a Wild Card spot.  Look for Conner to get at least 15 rushes and 3-5 receptions placing him in line for 17+ PPR points.

  • Position: WR
  • Player: Brian Thomas Jr.
  • Week 11 Opponent: at the Tennessee Titans

Again, I am doubling down on a player with a minus matchup.  Even without Trevor Lawrence finishing the game last week, BTJr handed us 18 PPR points.  He was, in fact, in line for a monster game and, with better passing, could have gone for 6-250-2.  Alas, he has no choice who his QB will be and will have to deal with Mac Jones (who?) under center.  His ten targets were his highest all season.  I look for him to be option #1 for Jones placing him in a good position to reward gutsy fantasy managers with 15+ PPR points.    Sneaky Play:  Elijah Moore sure had some fun on MNF football against a stout Denver defense.  While Jerry Jeudy was grabbing all the revenge game press, Moore saw 14 targets turning those into eight catches for 111 yards.  Many managers shy away from starting players against the Steelers, but the Bengals proved Pittsburgh can be beat through the air.  Look for Jameis to throw a ton while Jeudy takes on the top defensive back leaving Moore to run wild.

  • Position: TE
  • Player: Juwan Johnson
  • Week 11 Opponent:  at the New York Giants

Juwan Johnson would not be in this column had Taysom Hill not been placed on IR.  Juwan Johnson would not be on this list if either Chris Olave or Rashid Shaheed were not on the IR.  Juwan Johnson is just a guy.  But he is a guy with an opportunity to step in for the starting TE for an offense lacking viable WRs.  Johnson saw seven targets in Week 13 and should see that number matched, if not eclipsed in Week 14.  Take the volume here while going against the grain as the NYG are a top two defense against TEs this season.  Sneaky Play: Dawson Knox used to be a thing in fantasy football.  That is not the case over the last two seasons until now!  With Dalton Kincaid down, and Khalil Shakir being the only consistent WR for the Bills, why not fire up the former TD machine in Knox?  Somehow, he led the team in yardage last week, in the snow, with 56 yards on only two receptions.  Buffalo travels to Los Angeles to face the Rams indoors so there should be more opportunity for Josh Allen to throw the ball around.  The Rams are a bottom ten defense against TEs so throw Knox a bone in the deepest of deep leagues.

 

Since you are here, check out more fantasy goodness at Razzball. Follow me on Twitter/X @Stiles08. Don’t forget to drop a comment or question down below.  Looking forward to seeing you during our Sunday Start/Sit Show on YouTube @RazzballFantasy two hours before kickoff where we answer all your questions live on the air!

-Stiles-