Welcome back, RotoBallers! Below you will find part two of our Week 14 NFL matchups & fantasy football start/sit analysis for the 2016 NFL football season. Pierre Camus (@pfunk00) breaks down the second half of the Week 14 matchups to help you prepare your lineups to win this week. Be sure to also check out part one of this week's matchups analysis by Ben Ruppert (@Ben_Ruppert_21).

Each week of the NFL season, we will be breaking down individual matchups and providing you with some fantasy football advice and lineup recommendations based on matchups that we love, matchups that we hate, and some high-risk/high-reward players, as well. It’s essential to analyze the weekly NFL match-ups to find lineup sleepers and gems, while also avoiding those players who may turn out to be busts.

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Week 13 Recap

Greatest Hits: Jordan Howard (RB, CHI), DeAndre Hopkins (WR, HOU), Malcolm Mitchell (WR, NE)

Howard was sort of a gimme, but he exceeded even the best of projections with three touchdowns. 49ers horrible defense aside, Howard has five 100-yard rushing games in nine starts as a rookie. He is a legit RB1 for the fantasy playoffs. DeAndre Hopkins had enough success to reward those owners patient enough to stick with him last week in snowy Green Bay. Don't be surprised if he produces again this week. Mitchell is emerging as an every-week WR3, even though he failed to reach the end zone. Gronk's surgery just solidifies his role in the Pats offense.

Greatest Misses: Andy Dalton (QB, CIN), Terrance West (RB, BAL), Drew Brees (QB, NO)

The Eagles are falling apart before our very eyes and Andy Dalton took full advantage, even without his best receiving threats. Speaking of falling apart, Terrance West scored twice as the Dolphins defense failed to make even a token attempt to slow down the Ravens. Drew Brees failed everybody in Week 13, most of all fantasy owners in need of a victory to clinch playoff spots. It's unlikely he will repeat a performance like that any time soon.

 

Redskins @ Eagles - Sunday 12/11 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Kirk Cousins (QB, WAS) - The Eagles have been struggling on pass defense during their three-game losing streak. They've given up back-to-back 300 yard passing games to Green Bay and Cincinnati. The last time these teams played each other, the Redskins put up 493 total yards; Cousins came away with 263 yards and two TD. Expect even better numbers this time around as the Redskins offense and Eagles defense are trending in opposite directions.

Pierre Garcon (WR, WAS) - Don't sleep on Garcon as a potential value play this week. He's only scored twice this year, deflating his value in fantasy leagues. However, he is seeing a steady stream of targets, including nine last week. He caught seven passes for 78 yards against the Cardinals in Week 13. He'll face off against Nolan Carroll, who had several lapses last week, including getting beaten on a 50-yard bomb by rookie Cody Core. He is a WR3 in PPR formats with a fairly high ceiling that gets even higher if Reed should happen to miss another game.

Darren Sproles (RB, PHI) - The Eagles' receiving corps is a mess, with Dorial Green-Beckham and Jordan Matthews both questionable after missing practice on Wednesday. The Redskins secondary should have no problem containing whoever is split wide for the Eagles on Sunday, which could mean more targets for Sproles. He has been their best offensive player all season and should be leaned on in a game the Eagles must win in order to retain any hope of reaching the playoffs. The Redskins don't usually give up a ton of receiving yards to RB, but they have been vulnerable the last two weeks to David Johnson and James Starks, both of whom reached the end zone.

Matchups We Hate

Carson Wentz (QB, PHI) - The fact he threw for 308 yards and a touchdown last week might be encouraging if it didn't also come with three picks and a 58.2 QBR on 60 attempts. The Eagles couldn't move the ball to save their lives and nearly all of that yardage came in garbage time of a blowout. His wideouts are still ailing and Josh Norman is waiting on the other side. Wentz has no business on fantasy rosters in this all-important week.

Notable Players

Jordan Reed (TE, WAS) - Reed is questionable while recovering from a separated shoulder that kept him out of last week's action. His participation in Wednesday's practice, albeit limited, bodes well for a return in Week 14. He has been dominant at times this season, including a 95-yard, two-touchdown performance his last time out in Week 12. The Eagles are tough against tight ends, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to them. They held Tyler Eifert to two catches for 25 yards last week, although he managed to score on an improvised play by Andy Dalton after protection broke down. If you own Reed, he is a must-start when healthy.

 

Cardinals @ Dolphins - Sunday 12/11 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Larry Fitzgerald (WR, ARI) - The Dolphins showed a huge weakness covering the middle of the field last week in Baltimore. Expect the veteran receiver Fitzgerald to abuse Bobby McCain regularly. McCain has allowed receptions on 76.5% of his targets this year. MLB Kiko Alonso is coming off thumb surgery and is a huge question mark for this game.

David Johnson (RB, ARI) - You can throw matchups out the window when it comes to Johnson this season. The only real question surrounding fantasy's best player is whether he can extend his streak and manage to account for 100 total yards in every game this season. It would be hard to imagine a scenario in which he failed to do so against the Dolphins.

Matchups We Hate

DeVante Parker (WR, MIA) - Parker had a gutsy effort last week, playing through back pain and rising up to make a touchdown grab for the Dolphins' only score of the game. This week, he will have to fight through tight coverage from Patrick Peterson. Parker is still not 100% and the Dolphins' flaws were seriously exposed against a tough defense last week. It won't be much easier in this game. Parker will be a TD-dependent WR3.

Notable Players

Jay Ajayi (RB, MIA) - With center Mike Pouncey out of the game, the offensive line simply isn't opening up holes like it did earlier in the season. Ajayi's rushing totals the last four games reflect that (79, 77, 45, 61). He isn't an RB1 any more, especially against a team like Arizona that allows the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. You may not have better options, but play him at your own risk.

 

Jets @ 49ers - Sunday 12/11 @ 4:05 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Matt Forte (RB, NYJ) - The roller coaster ride continues for Forte owners this season. After four really good weeks, he has bombed the last two. He carried the ball nine times for 25 yards last week in a dismal effort against the Colts. The last time he had such low production was Week 9. The following week he carried it 30 times for 100 yards against the Ravens, who have the best run defense in the league. Forte will face the 49ers, who have the absolute worst run defense in the NFL. Starting Forte isn't rolling the dice, it's a no-brainer.

Brandon Marshall (WR, NYJ) - He won't have "his quarterback" throwing to him any more, but Marshall should be just fine catching passes from Bryce Petty this week. The 49ers are barely second in the race to be the worst pass defense against WR this season, but they have allowed the most touchdowns. If there's a week left in this season where you can count on Jets skill players, this is it.

Vance McDonald (TE, SF) - Last week's flop can be attributed to bad weather and bad quarterbacking. This week he will have different circumstances in both cases. Blaine Gabbert doesn't really qualify as an upgrade at QB, but it may help McDonald. Although he wasn't targeted much to start the season, McDonald scored a TD in the first two weeks with Gabbert under center before getting injured in Week 3. He was producing low-end TE1 value the last few weeks and should continue to do so against a Jets team that isn't great at slowing down tight ends. Dwayne Allen can attest to that.

Jeremy Kerley (WR, SF) - Revenge game! Maybe not, but if there is one skill player happy to see Gabbert back at QB, it might be Kerley. In the five games Gabbert started, Kerley posted 26 receptions for 304 yards. In seven games with Kaepernick, he posted 17 receptions for 162 yards. Gabbert will do what he does best, going across the middle to Kerley and McDonald for short chunks of yardage all game long. He doesn't have the highest ceiling, but Kerley could be a WR3/flex value play in PPR formats.

Matchups We Hate

Quincy Enunwa (WR, NYJ) - Don't get carried away starting the entire Jets offense simply because they play the Niners. Enunwa was absolutely invisible in the two games Petty started earlier this year. He caught exactly one pass in each game, one for seven yards, the other for 10. There's always the chance he slips free for a big gain, but there is too much risk here at this point in the season. Avoid if at all possible.

Notable Players

Bryce Petty (QB, NYJ) - It would take an enormous set of... courage to start Bryce Petty in a standard fantasy league this week. Unless you're in the consolation bracket because you missed out on the playoffs and just want to stick it to your opponent. He does have an ideal matchup, but Petty has only completed 54% of his passes this year and threw for 163 and 135 yards in his two starts.

 

Saints @ Bucs - Sunday 12/11 @ 4:25 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Michael Thomas (WR, NO) - A couple of red flags have gone up for the impressive rookie this week. First, he didn't blow up against Detroit's defense and single-handedly carry our fantasy teams into the playoffs last week. Second, he suddenly appeared on the injury report with a foot issue on Wednesday. If he plays, Thomas will have a great chance to put up big numbers against the soft Bucs secondary. Tentatively mark him as a WR2 this week, but check his status before game time.

Mike Evans (WR, TB) - Evans is as good a bet as anyone to put up game-breaking numbers this weekend. The universal WR1 faces off against the Saints in a home game. Although their defense is improving, New Orleans is still allowing the fifth-highest yardage to wide receivers this year. These division foes haven't played yet, oddly enough, but it's a great chance for Evans to put the icing on the cake for his magnificent 2016 season. After last week's season-low 38 yard output, he will be motivated to make up for it as the Bucs fight to stay in the playoff race.

Cameron Brate (TE, TB) - You are about to witness Brateness. The third-year tight end is enjoying a breakout season, which should continue in Week 14. He has scored a TD in four of the last six games and continues to serve as Jameis Winston's secondary target, behind only Evans. Given the number of injuries and lack of impact performers at the tight end position, Brate can be started as a TE1 even in shallow leagues.

Matchups We Hate

Doug Martin (RB, TB) - Martin has played four games since returning from injury, so we have a large enough sample size to say that his 3.0 Y/A on the season is troubling. He couldn't muster anything on the ground against the Chargers last week (45 yards on 17 rush attempts) and it took him 23 carries to muster 87 yards against Seattle the week before, both season highs. Believe it or not, the Saints are holding opposing runners under four yards per carry and are in the lower half of rushing yards allowed. In a game that could turn into a good old-fashioned shootout, Martin isn't a shoo-in for quality stats. He is a fringe RB2, especially with Jacquizz Rodgers and possibly even Charles Sims back to eat into the backfield snap share.

Notable Players

Willie Snead (WR, NO) - Snead should have had an easy time last week, but he keeps breaking our hearts. Snead still hasn't surpassed 60 yards in a game since Week 7 and has only scored in one game since Week 2. He faces rookie Vernon Hargreaves this week, so there is some hope. It would be tough to recommend sitting another quality receiver in favor of Snead, though.

 

Seahawks @ Packers - Sunday 12/11 @ 4:25 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Doug Baldwin (WR, SEA) - The messy conditions in Green Bay may limit the vertical game somewhat, but Baldwin should still work his magic underneath. Baldwin hasn't impressed fantasy owners lately, but he did catch seven passes in each of the last two games. The big drop-off from last season has come in the touchdown category. Luckily, Green Bay has allowed more touchdowns to wide receivers than any team other than San Francisco. He has a good chance to reclaim some of his WR2 status this week.

Jimmy Graham (TE, SEA) - Only the Bengals have allowed more receiving yards to tight ends this season than Green Bay. Graham has been steady, if not explosive, the last four weeks. He has scored in three of the last five weeks and has a good chance to do so again. Slot him as a top-five TE based on his tremendous upside.

Matchups We Hate

Aaron Rodgers (QB, GB) - For the first time in a while, Rodgers could be considered a risky start. Not only has the Seattle defense shut down opposing QBs all year, they have shut down Rodgers in his career. In six games against the Hawks, Rodgers has thrown six touchdowns and averages 184.3 yards per game. Playing in the snowy conditions at Lambeau won't help either - Rodgers only managed 209 yards and two TD last week against Houston. It would be a tough call to sit him this week, but if you have a quality QB on your bench with higher upside (Dalton, Winston, Cousins) then don't be afraid to make the switch.

James Starks (RB, GB) - You can't justifiably start Christine Michael this week anyway, but if you're in a PPR league then Starks could be a consideration for a flex spot. Consider otherwise. Seattle isn't just a top-five run defense, they are one of the best at limiting receiving yards to running backs and haven't allowed a receiving TD to an RB all year. Starks does not have the type of ceiling to warrant starting if you don't think he's going to score.

Tyler Lockett (WR, SEA) - Lockett's burst many a fantasy owner's bubble early on.  He has endured a season-long slump, disappointing at every turn. Lockett has only exceeded 70 receiving yards twice all year, hasn't caught a touchdown pass all year, and has only exceeded three receptions on three occasions. He came alive last week with a 75 yard rushing score and a punt return for a TD. However, don't jump back on the bandwagon, as the snowy conditions will sap the speedster of his greatest asset. Also, this isn't a struggling Panthers team suffering from post-Super Bowl hangover.

Notable Players

Jordy Nelson (WR, GB) - Nelson is a good enough player to avoid being benched against the Seahawks. He's been on fire the last six weeks, hauling in at least 90 yards in five of those games and seven or more receptions in four of them. He is always a threat to score, having done so 10 times this season. He may slide down to WR2 status based on matchup, but either way you're playing him.

 

Falcons @ Rams - Sunday 12/11 @ 4:25 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Devonta Freeman (RB, ATL) - Freeman will try to make it three weeks in a row scoring multiple touchdowns as he faces a reeling Rams team. Los Angeles has allowed the sixth-most rushing yards this season, which certainly favors Freeman over Coleman. If Julio Jones happens to miss out, expect even more ground and pound from the Falcons.

Kenny Britt (WR, LA) - Britt hasn't slowed down since the arrival of Jared Goff at QB. He continues to produce WR2 value, even if it took two last-minute garbage time catches to get there last week. The Falcons are still shuffling bodies in the secondary and the Rams figure to be behind in the second half. Game script sounds like it will work in the favor of the lanky wideout once again.

Matchups We Hate

Matt Ryan (QB, ATL) - If you take away the Saints' dismantling of them in order to show up defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, the Rams have actually been tough against quarterbacks recently. In their other four games since the bye, L.A. has surrendered a total of four passing touchdowns. Frankly, game script shouldn't require the Falcons to pass very often anyway. Ryan should put up decent numbers, but not nearly the type fantasy owners got used to in the first half of the year. He could be sat in favor of another QB with a higher ceiling if you have that luxury.

Todd Gurley (RB, LA) - Atlanta allows the third-most fantasy points to RB. That won't work in Gurley's favor, though. Most of that has come in the receiving game, which is not Gurley's forte. Atlanta actually has surrendered less rushing yards than all but four teams this year. The Falcons are able to limit opposing runners in large part because they jump out to big leads so often. Game flow could work against the Rams and Gurley once again. He will need to take a plunge into the end zone to come away with fantasy value this week.

Notable Players

Julio Jones (WR, ATL) - The leading receiver in the NFL is looking like a dicey boom-bust pick this week. Not because of matchup, but injury. Mohamed Sanu is already out, which could mean a bigger week for Jones. However, his bothersome turf toe has held him out of practice, and could be a problem even if he does suit up. Check his status very closely up until game time to make sure he's in the lineup and hope for the best.

 

Cowboys @ Giants - Sunday 12/11 @ 8:30 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Jason Witten (TE, DAL) - The Giants are tough against wide receivers, but not so much against tight ends. Witten started the trend by catching nine passes for 66 yards in the first matchup between these teams. He has burned the Giants throughout his career, scoring far more TD against them (13) than any other team (eight vs. Eagles and Redskins). Witten isn't a shoo-in to score this week, but he is worth starting over far less consistent tight ends out there.

Victor Cruz (WR, NYG) - The squeaky wheel gets the grease. In this case, Cruz has been squeaking all week about not being targeted at all last week. He only caught one pass in each of the three weeks before then. Cruz hasn't been fantasy relevant most of the season, but could be a sneaky flex play in deeper leagues. His only touchdown of the season came against these Cowboys in Week 1. Plus, the Cowboys will be without Morris Claiborne and Orlando Scandrick.

Eli Manning (QB, NYG) - In an all-important division rivalry, Manning will put the ball in the air plenty. The Cowboys present a choice matchup for QBs, boasting a tough run defense but much softer pass defense. Without two of their top cornerbacks, the 'boys are even more susceptible. Manning's passing yardage hasn't been impressive lately, coming in under 200 yards the last two weeks, but he has totaled 14 TD in the last five games, throwing at least two in each contest. He is a low-end QB1 in Week 14.

Matchups We Hate

Dak Prescott (QB, DAL) - Prescott, like most mobile quarterbacks, will retain a high enough floor to be worth playing because he always has the ability to make plays with his legs. That said, he also isn't the type of QB that has a lot of designed runs called for him. Prescott's passing numbers are down the last two weeks; he managed just 195 yards with one TD in Week 12 and 139 yards with one TD in Week 13. He salvaged Week 12 with a rushing score, but against Minnesota he let his owners down. The Giants are statistically identical to Minnesota in fantasy points allowed to QBs, so there is good reason to expect a similar letdown. Remember, when these teams met back in Week 1, Prescott didn't account for a single score and the Cowboys suffered their only loss of the season. The rookie could be starting to hit the proverbial wall, at least for fantasy purposes.

Notable Players

Dez Bryant (WR, DAL) - Bryant will see a lot of Janoris Jenkins on Sunday night, which could cut into his recent WR1 production. Still, he's a stud receiver that belongs in fantasy lineups regardless of matchup, especially in playoffs. He has six touchdowns in nine games this season and could reach the end zone at any time.

Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!