RADIO
It's playoff time in fantasyland, and while the playoffs generally mean fewer owners streaming quarterbacks, those that do stream will need to be even more diligent in their research. While owners shouldn't adjust their strategies too much between the regular season and playoffs, it's important to understand that even one dud can cost you your season. An extra degree of risk aversion may be necessary for those streaming this week, though unfortunately those who need a streamer may not be able to afford that luxury. Regardless, there are plenty of viable options out there for owners in need.
It can be difficult to turn away from a reliable starter in playoff time, but owners of Dak Prescott (@ CHI), Josh Allen (vs. BAL), and Jared Goff (vs. SEA) should at least weigh their options before setting a lineup this week.
In this article, we're looking at quarterbacks owned in fewer than 65% of fantasy leagues, while throwing in a few deep-league options who are owned in fewer than 20% of leagues. Ownership is based on Yahoo leagues and is current as of 12/1/2019.
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Week 14 Quarterback Waiver Wire Options
Ryan Tannehill (TEN): 39% Owned @ OAK
Tannehill is coming off his worst fantasy performance since becoming Tennessee’s starter, putting up a meager 13.78 points in the Titans’ road win over the Colts. Even with that underwhelming game, Tannehill is averaging a solid 21.62 points in his six weeks as a starter, and now draws an excellent matchup against the Raiders. Oakland has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and have allowed at least 26 points to their opponent in five of their last six games, with just the lowly Bengals unable to eclipse that mark.
The Raiders have been quite vulnerable to deep passes, have allowed the third-most yards per attempt along with an above average completion rate on passes greater than 20 yards downfield. Tannehill’s 10.3 aDOT is tied for the fourth-highest mark in the league (min. 50 attempts), meaning he not only excels at throwing it deep, but he does it often enough to have big upside. Tannehill follows up his Week 14 matchup with Oakland with games against Houston and New Orleans, giving him good matchups throughout the playoffs. Those in a pinch could find some stability with Tannehill during these final three weeks.
Jacoby Brissett (IND): 38% Owned @ TB
Brissett has been underperforming ever since he suffered an MCL sprain back in Week 8. Since then, he’s averaged just 14.65 points per game, a paltry number for a quarterback. However, Week 14 would be the perfect opportunity for Brissett to rebound, as he faces the notoriously soft Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season, and have surrendered more than 27 points in nine of 12 games this season.
In addition to their three defensive backs on injured reserve, the Buccaneers also have two cornerbacks (Jamal Dean and MJ Stewart) banged up, thinning out an already weak unit. Obviously, we’d love to have T.Y. Hilton back for this game, but even without Hilton the emergence of young weapons such as Zach Pascal and a reliable target in Jack Doyle give Brissett enough to work with should Hilton sit again. Brissett has three games coming up against NFC South opponents (@ TB, @ NO, vs. CAR) to finish the fantasy season, giving him three plus matchups through the fantasy playoffs. Tannehill is the preferred option if streaming through the playoffs, but Brissett isn’t a bad alternative.
Kyle Allen (CAR): 19% Owned @ ATL
While his real-football abilities deserve great scrutiny, Allen put up his second-straight good fantasy game, dropping 278 yards and three total touchdowns in Carolina’s embarrassing home loss to Washington. From an advanced metrics perspective, it’s hard to make a case for Allen. His 61.5% completion rate, 24.4% bad pass rate, and 8.3 aDOT leave much to be desired. However, Allen has put up the numbers despite the metrics, and draws a juicy matchup in Week 14 as the Panthers travel to Atlanta for a divisional tangle with the Falcons.
The Falcons have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and are tied for the second-most passing touchdowns allowed. Allen has delivered in most of his good matchups this season, scoring at least 17 fantasy points against Arizona, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, and Washington earlier this season. He laid an egg against these Falcons back in Week 11 however, tossing four picks in a brutal 29-3 home loss. Allen’s talent is questionable, but the solid matchup makes him a worthy gamble in leagues where Tannehill and Brissett are unavailable. Don’t trust him beyond Week 14, as he faces Seattle and Indianapolis to close out the fantasy season.
Two-QB League Pickups and Stashes
Ryan Fitzpatrick (MIA): 10% Owned @ NYJ
The annual Ryan Fitzpatrick hot streak has come a little late this year, but the journeyman quarterback is at it again, with two consecutive games of 25 fantasy points or more. It helps that Miami has no choice but to throw, with Fitzpatrick averaging 41 pass attempts over his last three games. It’s hard to blame them in this one, as the Dolphins lost Kalen Ballage early and were left with undrafted rookie Patrick Laird as their top running back. Miami will ride high into this one off the heels of their upset victory over the Eagles, while the Jets are certainly reeling from a loss to the previously-winless Bengals, a crushing blow to their meager playoffs hopes.
The Jets are middle-of-the-road against quarterbacks, allowing the 16th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, however, their secondary took a big blow on Sunday. Star safety Jamal Adams was in walking boot after suffering a foot injury against the Bengals. Adams is the third ranked safety by PFF at 89.9, while his replacement Matthais Farley is the absolute worst with a pathetic 26.2 rating. This would be a huge talent swing should Adams miss this week’s game. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Jets also lost starting cornerback Arthur Maulet this week. It was a tough week all around for Adam Gase’s squad, but this secondary is in shambles given these two injuries. Know that the FitzMagic could run out at any time, but Fitzpatrick gives us great upside for a quarterback available in 90% of leagues.
Andy Dalton (CIN): 8% Owned @ CLE
Desperate for their first win of the year, Cincinnati turned back to the red rifle, and the veteran helped make easy work of the visiting New York Jets en route to victory. Even though Dalton was benched following Week 8, he wasn’t performing horribly from a fantasy standpoint. The longtime Bengal had scored at least 17 fantasy points in six of eight games, and his only true stinker came in a Monday night showdown with Pittsburgh. Luckily, we don’t have to worry about primetime Andy Dalton anymore this season, as it’s one o’clock starts from here on out for the Bengals.
The Browns have been slightly below average against quarterbacks this season, allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks thus far. They’ve been able to improve that mark over the last few weeks by facing the likes of Devlin Hodges, Mason Rudolph, and Brandon Allen in three of their last four games. Dalton is no superstar, but he’s certainly a notch above that group. Few quarterbacks in this ownership range have the track-record of Andy Dalton, and if your digging this deep he’s the closest thing to safe we can find.
Devlin Hodges (PIT): 2% Owned @ ARI
Using Hodges in the playoffs would require rather specific circumstances, however the undrafted rookie could have sneaky value in a Week 14 matchup with Arizona. When ownership levels dip this low, it becomes almost solely about matchup, and the Cardinals have been kind to opposing quarterbacks this year. The Cardinals have allowed the most passing yards, passing touchdowns, and fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season.
Jared Goff scored more points against them this week (24.96) than in his previous three games combined. And if Jared Goff can have a good game against the Cardinals, why couldn’t Hodges? He showed good chemistry with James Washington in Week 13, as the pair connected for 111 yards and a touchdown in a victory over Cleveland. It would help Hodges if JuJu Smith-Schuster and/or James Conner can return this week, but even without them, he's a good two-QB or desperation play in Week 14.
More Waiver Wire Pickups and Advice
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
