Still Better than Field Yates, Week 14 Fantasy Football picks

It’s that time of the year again, the time of the year where all the hard work and effort put in for the past thirteen weeks becomes apparent and the realization that you are that close to winning a fantasy football championship sinks in, this is where legends are born and everyday fantasy players become immortal: the playoffs.

Must Start QBs

Matthew Stafford, Detroit: The Detroit Lions leader and 8th year quarterback out of Georgia has stepped up immensely so far this season quietly becoming one of the best in the NFL. With 21 touchdowns and over 3,200 yards in his first 12 games this season, Stafford is proving to be an elite fantasy quarterback more and more each and every week. Including last week in a very crucial game for Stafford and his team the Detroit Lions against the always dangerous New Orleans Saints he threw for 341 yards and 2 touchdowns and helped his team get a huge win. This week Stafford plays the Chicago Bears, who as a team cannot stop any quarterback, wide receiver, or running back this season and seemingly get scorched by at least one or even all three every game. So if you are a Stafford owner and have found a way into the playoffs this season I think it’s only right you let Stafford lead you to glory and success as he has been doing for you throughout the season.

Andrew Luck, Indianapolis: Some say Andrew Luck got ‘lucky’ last week in a game where he spanked the New York Jets and was a big reason why they put up a total of 41 points. He ended up throwing for 278 yards and a total of 4 touchdowns that game. Luck has consistently put up QB1 numbers throughout the 2016 campaign with 23 touchdowns and 3,105 yards already thrown. Luck, being the leader and most important part of this year’s Indianapolis Colts team, has an extremely important task ahead of him this week as he prepares to lead his team into a divisional battle at home against the Houston Texans. A game that has huge implications for the playoffs and the rest of the season for both teams as they are both currently in a dead tie for first place in the division along with the Tennessee Titans. The last time Luck played the Houston Texans this season it turned out to be one of his better games of the young season as he put up 23 fantasy points in a heartbreaking overtime loss. Luck always seems to come up big for his team when necessary and with this week looking like the biggest game of the season for Luck and the Colts, I am expecting another monster game out of Luck.

Must Start RBs

LeSean McCoy, Buffalo: It pains me to say it being a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan but LeSean McCoy is one of the best running backs this league has seen in some time. If not for the menace that is Chip Kelly, there is a very good chance Shady would still be in Philly and obliterating defenses every Sunday but instead he is now doing his thing in Buffalo and hasn’t looked back one bit since joining the Bills. So far this season, Shady has already scored 10 touchdowns ( 9 rushing and 1 receiving) and has ran for 949 yards in 12 total games. This week he plays one of the weaker run defenses in the NFL the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game carrying big implications for the playoffs. McCoy has really looked like he is in the zone of late as well after last week’s 130 yards and totaling 103 with 2 touchdowns the week prior. Shady looks like he is in the driver seat for another big game and is a must start in all leagues and formats this wildcard weekend.

Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati: If you weren’t already aware this week Jeremy Hill gets the pleasure of playing the Cleveland Browns. Reminder in Week 7 of this season, Hill played the Browns and went off for 192 yards and a score. Keep in mind this was also when Giovani Bernard was healthy and a presence in the Bengals offense (17 carries, Week 7 against Browns). The Browns are the worst team in football and are still winless 13 weeks into the season and each and every week they get harassed and terrorized by whatever running back is playing them. Things don’t seem likely to change this week, so if you are fortunate enough to own Jeremy Hill and have a important wild card matchup awaiting this weekend make sure Hill finds a way into your lineup or you are going to regret it.

Must Start WRs

Golden Tate, Detroit: One of the hottest receivers in the NFL in the past few weeks Golden Tate has begun to excel since the departure of Calvin Johnson in Detroit. In 3 of his last 4 games Golden Tate has at least 75 receiving yards, including last week’s game against the New Orleans Saints where he had 8 catches, 145 yards, and a touchdown. He is quietly becoming one of the best options at receiver in ppr leagues due to his boat load of targets each game and the trust Stafford has in him. This week he plays the Chicago Bears at home in a matchup that needs to be noted. The Bears throughout the season have been getting torched by receivers each week and with Tate and Stafford both on fire right now Sunday could be a very big day for the Lions and if you own either of them a big day for you and your fantasy team.

Kenny Britt, Los Angeles: Kenny Britt has been one of the biggest surprises in all of fantasy this season. Going undrafted in most leagues heading into this season most people didn’t think to high on Britt or any Rams receiver for that matter. But Britt has shown he is no joke as he is having a great season and surprising the NFL each and every week. In the last two games Britt has scored a touchdown and seems to break off a big play at least once every week. This week he plays the Atlanta Falcons in a game that should consist of a lot of offense from both teams as the Falcons are one of the worst defenses in the league. It would not be surprising to see Britt find the end zone for the third straight week this Sunday and he deserves a spot in your lineup this wildcard weekend.

Must Start TEs

Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay: In the past few weeks, Cameron Brate has become one of the most intriguing tight ends in all of fantasy and has been putting up some very big games for the Buccaneers. Brate scored a touchdown each week from Week 8 to Week 10 and had a huge day against the San Diego Chargers last week when he had 6 catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. It seems like Brate has become the next best option in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense after Mike Evans and Winston seems to look Brate’s way quite a bit, especially in the redzone. It seems like Brate tends to excel in fast paced high scoring games as well which could very well be the case this Sunday as Brate plays the one and only New Orleans Saints. The Saints get torn apart by the pass seemingly every week and I don’t see that changing anytime soon so start Brate with confidence this week.

Ladarius Green, Pittsburgh: It may be surprising to see Ladarius Green on my list this week for my must starts since he is on the Steelers who are loaded with fantasy star power (Bell, Big Ben, Antonio Brown). But this week Green is suddenly looking like a very solid start against a Bills team that has been very kind to say the least against opposing tight ends. And with last week’s standout performance where Green caught 6 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown he seems to be playing well and ready to have a big game Sunday. I think Green is one of the best tight ends in all of fantasy this week and needs to be started.

Sneaky Streamer Start

Dontrelle Inman, San Diego: After the Chargers lost star wide receiver Keenan Allen in the first game of the season it was evident they were going to need some veterans and lesser known guys to step it up for the rest of the season to help fill the void left. Dontrelle Inman has been a huge part of their success in doing this along with Tyrell Williams. Inman has really come alive recently down the strength when the Chargers needed him the most. In the last two weeks Inman has 8 catches, 168 yards, and 2 touchdowns and now gets a fantastic matchup against the struggling Carolina Panthers possibly without Chargers number one receiver Tyrell Williams who is a game decision to suit up Sunday. Everything is pointing towards Inman being a very solid play this week and I think he is deserving of a start and could be a big part of your playoff push down the stretch.