Week 14 Quarterbacks: Waiver Wire Pickups, Sleepers, Streamers & Rankings

December 2, 2014

Nathan Calderon analyzes Week 14 fantasy football quarterback (QB) sleepers, waiver wire pickups and adds. NFL quarterbacks are a key fantasy football component off the waiver wire.

The fantasy football playoffs are upon us, RotoBallers, and it’s time to prep you on QBs to stream for your playoff matchups if that's what you're looking for.

With no byes from here on out, we'll be able to get the most out of streaming QB options in Week 14. I'm going to run down on your best bets based on matchups for this week, so let’s get started.

Quarterback Streamers & Waiver Wire Options - Week 14

Teddy Bridgewater – Minnesota Vikings (Owned in 20% of leagues on Fleaflicker)

Week 14 Opponent: New York Jets

BALLER MOVE: It seems to be a staple in my streaming options to pick a QB that’s throwing against the Jets porous secondary. This week, the lucky QB is Teddy Bridgewater. If you’re desperate, Bridgewater is a low-end QB1, high-end QB2 this week based on the matchup.

ANALYSIS: The Jets give up the most touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks in the NFL, and they also give up the second-most fantasy points to opposing QBs. It’s a no-brainer to start almost any NFL QB against this group, and that even includes young talent like Bridgewater. Coming off of a respectable Week 13 performance against a mediocre Panthers secondary, I only look for the rookie to improve on his 138-yard, two-touchdown performance. He also has kept his INT total down, only tossing two over his last five games.

The Jets defense makes even the lowest tier NFL QBs look good, so feel free to start Bridgewater this week. There will be other options this week that may be available, but this matchup could be a great one for your fantasy lineups.

Ryan Fitzpatrick – Houston Texans (Owned in 20% of leagues on Fleaflicker)

Week 14 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars

BALLER MOVE: Coming off of an incredible Week 13 performance, Fitzpatrick is primed to have another big day facing a mediocre defense. I am in no way promising another six-touchdown performance from the Harvard product, but Fitzy has some serious starter potential this week, coming in as a low-to-mid QB1.

ANALYSIS: His six-touchdown show was definitely an outlier for Fitzpatrick on the season, but there is no reason he couldn’t have a similarly strong performance in Week 14. With talent on the outside like Deandre Hopkins and Andre Johnson, I can’t think of a better way to showcase his ability than to play against the Jags this week. The Jags D has been extremely mediocre on the year, giving up 275 yards and nearly two TDs per game on average this season to opposing QBs.

I’m not usually one to buy into a lot of hype, but the hype that surrounds Fitzpatrick and the Texans this week is definitely justified. I’m buying a productive week from Fitzy this week, perfect for the playoff push.

Shaun Hill – St. Louis Rams (Owned in 4% of leagues on Fleaflicker)

Week 14 Opponent: Washington Redskins

BALLER MOVE: After giving the very few folks that own him a wonderful fantasy outing in Week 13, including a rushing TD, I look for Shaun Hill to play well again against the struggling Redskins. Hill shakes up my rankings a bit here, as I think he ends up a low-end QB1 this week.

ANALYSIS: Hill impressed me in the Week 13 stomping of the Raiders, and he has the matchup to do something similar this week. Don’t expect another rushing touchdown from the 34-year-old QB, but his arm will definitely do the trick this week. The Redskins defense gives up nearly 250 yards and two touchdowns on average to opposing QBs on the season, so don’t be afraid to turn to the veteran QB this week. Take a look at Hill if you need a streamer, as he looks to put up some solid numbers again.

For those of you in the playoffs, good luck this week, and hopefully in a QB crisis my rankings below will help you make a decision. Don’t overthink it-- go with your gut, and good luck.

@FantasyCalderon’s QB Ranks For Week 14

1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Tom Brady
3. Peyton Manning
4. Ben Roethlisberger
5. Andrew Luck
6. Tony Romo
7. Drew Brees
8. Ryan Tannehill
9. Russell Wilson
10. Kyle Orton
11. Matthew Stafford
12. Andy Dalton
13. Ryan Fitzpatrick
14. Teddy Bridgewater
15. Shaun Hill
16. Eli Manning
17. Jay Cutler
18. Colin Kaepernick
19. Josh McCown
20. Philip Rivers
21. Drew Stanton
22. Joe Flacco
23. Mark Sanchez
24. Alex Smith
25. Matt Ryan
26. Cam Newton
27. Johnny Manziel
28. Blake Bortles
29. Colt McCoy
30. Derek Carr
31. Jake Locker
32. Michael Vick

Agree? Disagree? Let me know @fantasycalderon on Twitter, or if I’m active in chat here on Rotoballer.