December 7, 2016

Ben Ruppert's Thursday Night Football (TNF) matchups analysis and lineup starts/sits for Week 14 of the 2016 NFL season. Players to target or avoid for fantasy football lineups.

It's time for the Week 14 installment of Thursday night matchups with my start/sit recommendations. This week, divisional foes meet as the Raiders travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs.

Each week of the NFL season, we will be breaking down every game and providing you with some fantasy football advice and lineup recommendations based on matchups that we love, matchups that we hate, and injury information as well. Later this week, you will find parts one and two of our Week 14 NFL matchups, which should help you prepare your lineups to win this week. It’s essential to analyze the weekly NFL matchups to find lineup sleepers and gems, while also avoiding those players who may turn out to be busts.

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Raiders @ Chiefs - Thursday 12/8 @ 8:25 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Spencer Ware (RB, KC)

Even though Ware only gained 52 yards total last week in a plus matchup with the Falcons, he should still be trusted heading into this game with Oakland. Last week, Ware rushed 14 times for 29 yards with a three-yard TD in the first quarter. He also caught three passes for 23 yards, and another TD on a three-yard reception in the second quarter. He will likely be able to find the red zone again against Oakland, who have given up the fourth most fantasy points to the RB position. They have given up the third most rushing yards, and the seventh most TD to opposing RB this season (11). Not to mention, that Ware’s only 100-yard game this season came against Oakland back in Week 6. Even coming off of a down week in the yardage category, Ware is a strong play this week in all formats.

Amari Cooper (WR, OAK)

Amari Cooper only had four targets last week (season-low) against the Bills, but was able to haul two of them in for 59 yards, including a 37-yard TD in the fourth quarter. Even though he has seen his targets dip a bit since the bye week (16 total over the past three weeks), he has scored a TD in two of the past three weeks to keep his value afloat. The Chiefs have given up the most fantasy points to the WR position this season, while giving up the most receiving yards and the third most receptions to opposing WR. Last time he went up against the Chiefs, Cooper caught 10 passes for 129 yards.  In the first week of your fantasy playoffs, you can feel confident about Cooper.

Matchups We Hate

Michael Crabtree (WR, OAK)

After two straight mediocre games, Crabtree has turned it back on over the past two weeks. He has caught a combined 15 passes for 184 yards and a TD against the Bills and Panthers. Since the Raiders bye week, he leads the team in targets with 31, which is 15 more than Amari Cooper. Even though the Chiefs have given up the most fantasy points to opposing WR this season, this matchup may be difficult for Crabtree. They have been stingy against WR2 this season; the last time Crabtree faced them he was held to two catches for 10 yards. Due to his spike in targets he still is worth a play unless you have strong backup options, but keep expectations in check against a Chiefs defense playing some good football of late.

Notable Players

Latavius Murray (RB, OAK)

Ever since Week 7 when he returned from injury, Latavius Murray has been an absolute touchdown machine. He has eight touchdowns over those six games, averaging about 20 touches per game. Since the bye week, he has received 14 targets from Derek Carr, the most he has seen over a three-game stretch this season. As he becomes entrenched in the RB1 spot and his role in the offense grows, there becomes more of a surety in playing him than there wasn’t when the season began. He should be a fine play this week, but the Chiefs defense has been good at stopping the run. Since their Week 5 bye they have only allowed two rushing scores - both to Devonta Freeman last week. With the Chiefs defense playing well of late, it could limit Murray’s TD potential.

Tyreek Hill (WR, KC)

Tyreek Hill once again led all WR on the Chiefs in targets last week with six, catching five passes for 53 yards. Outside of Travis Kelce he has been the most targeted player on the team since the bye week. Hill would be a strong start the rest of the season, but Jeremy Maclin is set to return this week from injury. Hill has been the most effective WR this season for the Chiefs, so his role should be safe. However, with targets already limited if he takes two or three away from Hill it would diminish both players value. Unless you have to play him, this would be a good week to sit Hill and see how that situation plays out in the passing game.

Travis Kelce (TE, KC)

Travis Kelce has been on an absolute roll for Kansas City over the past three weeks. He has recorded three straight 100-yard games, tallying 32 receptions for 349 yards. Unfortunately, he has not scored any touchdowns since Week 8, limiting his fantasy impact. Oakland has done well against opposing TE this season, and limited Kelce to only three receptions for 32 yards last time these teams met. As the focal point of the passing attack, expect an improved performance from his last time against Oakland. However, it will be tough to keep his 100-yard streak up against a defense that stops opposing TE fairly well.