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Welcome to Week 14 RotoBallers! The season has been flying by, and it is now crucial to make the optimal lineup decisions on a weekly basis. As we are well into the most important part of the season, it is essential to get wins at this time of the year to secure a spot in the postseason.
Heading into the fourteenth week of action, we are almost into the fantasy playoffs, the most crucial point of the year, as fantasy managers will look to keep their dreams of winning a fantasy championship alive.
Here are some players I think will be in for a challenging game in Week 14 and could disappoint their fantasy managers. However, there could be some managers out there who aren't in any position to bench these players given that we must deal with bye weeks and injuries to notable players. Here are some players that fantasy managers need to temper their expectations for.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
Should I Bench Tom Brady In Week 14?
After an improbable comeback win over the Saints where he couldn't get anything going for just about the entire game, Brady draws another nightmare matchup with the 49ers' defense who have allowed the eighth-fewest passing yards this season.
They just gave MVP candidate Tua Tagovailoa the toughest test of his season last week, as one big 75-yard play accounted for most of his production in Week 13. Based on what we've seen from the Tampa Bay offense, it wouldn't be a surprise if they give Brady all he can handle on Sunday.
It is hard to trust him in this one, especially considering how much touchdown regression he has seen this season. The veteran has thrown for one or zero touchdowns in eight games this season and has thrown for more than two just once.
When we consider the 49ers only allow 208 passing yards per game, fantasy managers likely need to count on touchdown production in order for Brady to salvage his fantasy production. Based on what we've seen this season, this doesn't seem like a good bet to make.
Should I Bench Leonard Fournette/Rachaad White In Week 14?
It shouldn't be a surprise to see these two on this list as we have seen just how elite the 49ers' run defense is as well. They have allowed a league-low 907 rushing yards this season, which doesn't seem like a good mix for the league’s worst rushing attack.
The 49ers vs RBs:
56.9 Rush YDS per game (1st)
3.22 Yards per carry (1st)
16.2 Fantasy PPG (1st)
4.08 Yards per TGT (1st)2nd in Rush DVOA
T-3rd in Rush EPATake the Under on Rachaad White and Leonard Fournette's rushing yardage props.
— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) December 7, 2022
The Bucs backfield has combined for just 879 rushing yards this season, which is by far the league’s lowest total. Their involvement as pass-catchers somewhat improves their outlook in PPR formats, as the two combined for 12 catches on 15 targets in Week 13.
Fournette slightly out-touched white 16 to 15 last week, so it is safe to say we could see another even split in this one given that Fournette could still be feeling the effects of his hip ailment that sidelined him in Week 12.
Both Fournette and White can be valued as FLEX options this week, as the presence of one another greatly reduces their respective ceilings in terms of fantasy production. Fantasy managers can likely find better options to plug into lineups this week.
Should I Bench Najee Harris In Week 14?
Harris has started to improve his production over the past month, but he draws a brutal matchup with the Ravens who have allowed the second-fewest rushing yards this season.
The sophomore has averaged just 3.8 yards per carry this season, which isn't exactly an encouraging sign when considering the Ravens also allow just 3.8 yards per carry. Against some solid run defenses this season, Harris has posted stat lines such as 11 carries for 20 yards, 15 carries for 49 yards, as well as 10 carries for 35 yards.
He will almost certainly need a touchdown to provide fantasy managers with a solid game of production, as he has found the end zone just six times through 12 games this season. Not to mention, the Ravens have allowed just nine rushing touchdowns to this point. Fantasy managers can likely look elsewhere for other starting options, but Harris figures to be a low-end RB2 in this one as his upside is extremely capped given the matchup.
Should I Bench Gabe Davis In Week 14?
With a matchup against the Jets' elite secondary, the volatile Davis is a very risky play this week. In their last matchup back in Week 9, the deep threat caught just two passes for 33 yards. Fantasy managers have seen this story play out quite often this season, as Davis has caught three or fewer passes on seven occasions, which makes his PPR value take a tremendous hit if he isn't able to find the end zone.
His target volume has hovered around six or seven for most of the year, which could prove to be problematic when going up against a secondary that has allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards this season.
Stefon Diggs is the clear alpha in this offense, so fantasy managers shouldn't get too excited about the outlook for Davis in this one. With James Cook and Devin Singletary being leaned on in the run game more often, there may not be enough to go around for everyone in the Bills' offense.
Weeks you probably started Gabe Davis
Week 1 - 18.8
Week 3 - 6.7
Week 4 - 2.3
Week 6 - 16.4
Week 8 - 5.5
Week 11 - 11.8
Week 12 - 7.8
Average = 𝟵.𝟵
Median = 7.8Weeks you probably didn’t
Week 5 - 32.1
Week 9 - 5.3
Week 10 - 21.3
Week 13 - 9.5
Average = 𝟭𝟳.𝟭
Median = 15.4— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) December 2, 2022
Should I Bench Darius Slayton In Week 14?
Slayton is on a recent hot streak as he has provided fantasy managers with a stretch of games that include stat lines like six catches for 90 yards, three catches for 93 yards and a touchdown in the past month.
However, he draws a nightmare matchup against the Eagles' secondary who have allowed the fewest passing yards up to this point. Allowing just 178.5 passing yards per game, Slayton will have his work cut out for him with Darius Slay lining up against him.
Daniel Jones has leaned on him during this recent stretch of games, but a limited passing volume offense and the matchup make Slayton a borderline must-bench option here as we head into some of the most important weeks of fantasy football.
The Giants may be forced to throw the ball more as they will likely be playing from behind, but we have seen them be not afraid to keep running the ball when trailing games. Slayton is at best a low-end FLEX option in Week 14.
Should I Bench Tyler Conklin In Week 14?
Conklin struggled with some drops against his former team in Week 13 as he caught just two passes for nine yards. He will now face a tough matchup against the Bills' defense, who have allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points to tight ends this season.
In Conklin’s last game against the Bills, he caught just one pass for seven yards on two targets. He saw seven targets last week and turned it into a dud despite playing against a very weak opposing pass defense, so it is hard to get excited about his outlook on the road against Buffalo in Week 14.
Mike White targeted him just three times in his first start this season, so there is the possibility that Conklin isn't a big part of the game plan this week. Not to mention, the Bills haven't exactly been a scary matchup for opposing WRs over the past few weeks, which could mean Garrett Wilson and Elijah Moore are in for a big game.
There may not be enough to go around for everyone in this Jets offense, and Conklin is the best bet to get the short end of the stick. He is at best a low-end TE1 this week.
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