Week 14 Fantasy Football Rankings for Playoffs: Standard and PPR Leagues

Week 14 and Fantasy Football Playoffs Rankings

Today we are bringing you our Week 14 fantasy football rankings to help prepare you for your playoff matchups, for both PPR and standard leagues, brought to you by authors Zach Wilkens (@LopsidedTrades) and Ryan Rufe (@RyanRufe) along with some Week 14 rankings analysis by Ryan Rufe.

The NFL season is just about 80% of the way through ladies and gents, and fantasy seasons are fast approaching do-or-die time if you're vying for the playoffs. You should be familiar with the routine by now, but just in case you weren’t sure, every week fellow RotoBaller Zach Wilkens and I will be posting our weekly fantasy football rankings and rankings analysis, based on team matchups and expected player performances for the week.

We are done with the byes in Week 14, and thankfully we're past those weeks where you have to start your entire bench because 3-4 of your players are on byes. Good luck with your lineups, and your playoff matchups RotoBallers.


2014 Fantasy Football Rankings powered by FantasyPros
 
 

Week 14 Quarterback Rankings Analysis

As a Browns fan, I was just as surprised as you were when Mike Pettine announced Brian Hoyer would remain the starting quarterback for Week 14 against the Colts. I was definitely one of people who put in a waiver claim for "Johnny Football," hoping to start him over Andy Dalton in my home league playoffs, but alas, it looks like I'll be forced to stick with the Bengals' signal caller.

Hoyer was awful in November, but I trust Coach Pettine's judgement as Cleveland battles for a playoff spot. You better believe the hometown hero will be doing everything possible to not only retain his job, but lead the team he grew up watching to an upset win over Indianapolis. I'm not saying the Browns will win, but I like Hoyer more than most experts this week, especially if Vontae Davis sits this game out. Others I like more than most this week include Eli Manning and Joe Flacco.
 

Week 14 Running Back Rankings Analysis

Sticking with the Browns, Isaiah Crowell is dealing with a hip injury and appears to be questionable as of this writing for Sunday's game.

Coach Pettine hasn't had anything good to say about Terrance West and his ball security issues as of late, so we could see an even timeshare with third-stringer Glenn Winston if Crowell is unable to suit up. I also think LeGarrette Blount is a good bet to score a touchdown or two this week against San Diego.
 

Week 14 Wide Receiver Rankings Analysis

It's fairly easy to rank the elite wideouts each week, but once we get to the 20-50 range is where it gets difficult. Torrey Smith continues to be undervalued despite scoring TDs on a near weekly basis. Keenan Allen has finally come alive and Brandon LaFell has turned into a reliable WR2 in New England this season.

Reggie Wayne has a favorable matchup this week against the scrappy but unspectacular Buster Skrine, with Joe Haden presumably on T.Y. Hilton (hence his downgrade at the position this week). Haden has been playing at an All Pro level for the past 5+ weeks.

One guy I haven't given up on yet is Cecil Shorts, who saw eight targets against the Giants last week. I've been using him as a WR3 in a couple leagues, perhaps rather stupidly, hoping for one of his monster 14-target games.
 

Week 14 Tight End Rankings Analysis

Dwayne Allen is back this week for the Colts and is a good bet to score against the Browns, who are without their leader in the middle Karlos Dansby.

Coby Fleener performed extremely well in his absence, but Allen is the better fantasy bet in standard scoring leagues. Heath Miller and Tim Wright are some lower-end TE options who could come up big this week too.