Week 14 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet

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Each week, the Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet will combine analysis, data and game predictions with a confidence scale to help owners get a definitive answer on who to start in their leagues.

Nice. But what about those numbers all over the place? That's our confidence scale. It slides from 10.0 for an amazing start to 5.0 for an average rating to a 1.0 for a nauseous rating.

Is the confidence scale based on a specific scoring system? It is based on standard leagues but is (mostly) applicable to PPR leagues. You should probably consult our PPR-specific rankings for more detail.

Who is listed below? Everyone that matters, but anyone already starting in 90 percent or more of CBSSports.com leagues is considered an obvious must-start. We're not going to waste your time trying to convince you to start Tom Brady.

What if someone isn't listed below? If someone's missing, it's not an accident. Anyone missing is a definitive must sit, if not a must-cut player. Or they're on bye.

What's the best way to find a specific player on this page? Use your personal search function -- CTRL-F on PCs and Command-F on MACs. If neither of those are options, or if you're on a mobile device, you can search by game. Games are listed by starting times.

But what if I am still unsure who to start or sit after reading this? Ask me! Shoot me a note on Twitter (@daverichard) (I'll keep an eye out for the #CBSFCS hashtag). You can also always consult our rankings, which constantly reflect our feelings on players around the league. They're pretty much updated every day.

Win and advance! Let's make it happen!

Vikings at Cardinals, Thu., 8:25 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Teddy Bridgewater (2.7): The guy has six Fantasy points and zero touchdowns in his last two games. The matchup on the road on a short week is a total nightmare. He shouldn't be on Fantasy rosters.
Carson Palmer (9.4): With 23 or more Fantasy points in five of his last six and a depleted Vikings defense coming to town on a short week, there's no doubting Palmer's ability to lead your Fantasy team.

Running backs
Adrian Peterson (8.5): AP had bounced back from each single-digit Fantasy performance this season with 19 or more touches and 10 or more Fantasy points. This is a challenging matchup but his potential, particularly on a short week, keeps him locked in as a No. 1 option.
David Johnson (9.4): Johnson has another glorious opportunity to run against a defense once considered strong but now is beat up and missing several starters. Each of the last three starting running backs to face the Vikings have had at least 100 rush yards, and two of them scored last week.

Wide receivers
Stefon Diggs (3.7): 7, 7, 12, 7, 4. Those are Diggs' PPR totals over his last give games. If he's going to get covered by Patrick Peterson after dealing with Richard Sherman then the bad numbers will continue.
John Brown (8.3): He has nine or more Fantasy points in six of his last eight with the two bad games coming when his hamstring flared up on him. He's caught 14 of his last 18 targets and lines up everywhere. Brown's big-play ability at home is appealing and I'm not sure there's a Vikings cornerback that can hang with him.
Michael Floyd (7.3): Floyd has quickly become one of Palmer's best receivers -- maybe his best one. He has 10-plus Fantasy points in five of his last six and has garnered eight or more targets in four of those six. His only bad game was the rust-knocker following a hamstring strain. His size/speed combination makes him dangerous.
Larry Fitzgerald (7.1): As Brown and Floyd have come on strong, Fitzgerald's numbers have declined -- but it doesn't make him a bad Fantasy option. He has at least 11 targets in each of his last five games, but he hasn't scored in four straight. Playing out of the slot, like Brown, could be good for him against the Vikings as they've struggled with slot receivers, but he's the easiest receiver for Minnesota to prepare for. Think of him as a No. 2 option with less upside than his teammates.

Tight ends
Kyle Rudolph (4.2): The Cardinals have given up four touchdowns to tight ends over their last five games but the Seahawks did a nice job covering up Rudolph last week. He had just four targets in a blowout loss. He's a risky starter.

Defense/Special teams
Vikings (3.2): Five of the last six DSTs to play the Cardinals have posted nine Fantasy points or less including three straight with six or fewer. With the defense nursing so many injuries Fantasy owners are better off going in another direction. The Lions and 49ers are two good alternatives.
Cardinals (9.7): The Vikings had just 125 total yards of offense last week. Don't expect that, but do expect the Vikings to score 20 or fewer points, which they've done for three straight games, allowing 10 sacks over that span.

Lions at Rams, Sun., 1 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford (7.5): Yes, Stafford has 20 or more Fantasy points in each of his last three games but two of them have been exactly 20 Fantasy points. St. Louis has allowed 25 or more Fantasy points to three of the last four quarterbacks to throw against it but Stafford's recent play suggests he doesn't have a ton of upside. The Rams defense is depleted, which helps, as does a lack of a run game for the Lions. He's a fine starter if you can't come up with Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Fitzpatrick or Jameis Winston for your team.
Case Keenum (2.5): He's barely worth considering in two-quarterback leagues.

Running backs
Ameer Abdullah (4.8) & Theo Riddick (3.8): The Rams run defense has started to crack, but it's been against heavy-touch running backs. Starting either guy from the tandem (or trio if you include Joique Bell) isn't advised, but if you presume the Lions build a lead then Abdullah should be the one with the most carries.
Todd Gurley (7.9): The matchup is horrendous -- in four games since the bye the Lions have allowed 2.5 yards per carry and one score to a back. No rusher has had 10 Fantasy points in that span. It all sounds bad for Gurley but the Rams changed offensive coordinators this week and are sure to lean on Gurley more. That alone should raise hopes for a decent week.

Wide receivers
Calvin Johnson (8.6): Obvious must-start, especially with the Rams secondary banged up.
Golden Tate (4.3): A desperation PPR starting option. That's it. He's had eight-plus targets in each of the Lions last three with six total red-zone targets.
Tavon Austin (5.6): Playing at home gives him a chance, though last week he was at home and had four touches and 24 total yards. Perhaps the change in playcaller duties will help him out too.

Tight ends
Eric Ebron (4.9): There is some appeal here -- the Rams have allowed at least 10 Fantasy points to three of the last four starting tight ends they've faced and the one that didn't was on the tight end minimalist Cardinals last week. If you're in a pinch at tight end you could trot Ebron out there.
Jared Cook (3.2): The matchup says to start Cook as the Lions have allowed a touchdown to a tight end in all but three games (yes, that includes the Hail Mary last week). The eyeball test says using Cook on your Fantasy team is risky business.

Defense/Special teams
Lions (7.2): The Rams have Case Keenum back and a change in offensive coordinator but neither should evoke much confidence. The last four DSTs to play the Rams have posted at least 13 Fantasy points thanks to holding them to under 14 points and, in three of the games, under 300 total yards.
Rams (4.2): St. Louis' DST hasn't been good for five straight games. A matchup against the potent Lions offense should clinch a sixth straight downer.

Bills at Eagles, Sun., 1 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Tyrod Taylor (8.3): With back-to-back 30-point games, Taylor's been on a roll. Each of the last three passers to take on the Eagles have posted 30-plus points and each of the last five have been good for at least 20 points. In the last five games the Eagles have given up 18 passing touchdowns. I know it feels risky to go with Taylor but the way he's been playing (and how Sammy Watkins has been playing) combined with the very good matchup makes him a risk worth taking. He's excellent for Daily Fantasy leagues.
Sam Bradford (4.7): The matchup isn't so bad for Bradford -- the Bills have allowed decent quarterbacks to hang 25-plus Fantasy points on them in consecutive weeks. Injuries continue to take a toll on the Buffalo secondary, which could open the door for some decent numbers for Bradford. He's one of those if-you're-desperate quarterbacks.

Running backs
LeSean McCoy (9.6): Obvious must-start.
Ryan Mathews (6.2), DeMarco Murray (5.0) & Darren Sproles (4.0): There's risk in going with any Eagles running back given all the headlines and mix-and-matching, but if you buy into coaching trends and the good ol' eyeball test then you'll buy into Mathews as the Eagles' top back. He's been the most consistent and has looked the best in the backfield, even if he's been absent over the last several weeks. It seems like Murray is in Chip Kelly's dog house after barely playing at New England, and Sproles typically only gets used when on field turf, not natural grass. Whoever ends up being the Eagles best back will face a Bills run defense that has allowed a running back to score in seven of its last eight games and has allowed a back to get 10-plus Fantasy points in nine straight.

Wide receivers
Sammy Watkins (9.0): Obvious must-start.
Robert Woods (3.9): The Eagles have allowed 20 touchdown catches to receivers this year, but usually it's the No. 1 guy hogging them. Woods would be a desperation receiver starter this week.
Jordan Matthews (5.9): It's great that Matthews has touchdowns in two straight games. That's what he'll need to come through for Fantasy owners here since he's not getting the targets, catches and yards you'd really want. It helps that the Bills defense is depleted and has allowed 11-plus Fantasy points to a wideout over its last four games. Think of him as a No. 3 receiver.

Tight ends
Charles Clay (3.4): Don't buy into Clay as a reliable tight end just because he caught a touchdown against busted coverage last week. It was his first touchdown since Week 3. The Eagles typically can handle mediocre tight ends.
Zach Ertz (2.2): Buffalo has allowed a touchdown to a tight end in consecutive games, but Ertz just scored his first touchdown of 2015 last week -- and still didn't exceed six Fantasy points!

Defense/Special teams
Bills (4.4): Expected to play without several starters, the Bills DST is tough to trust. It hasn't exceeded seven Fantasy points in three straight games.
Eagles (4.6): Maybe you'll be drawn to the Eagles DST after last week but the Bills have put up 22-plus points and over 300 yards in five of its last six games.

Saints at Buccaneers, Sun., 1 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Drew Brees (7.0): Yep, the matchup is favorable, but we said the same thing about Matt Ryan last week and it turned out ugly for him. To be fair, Brees has played better of late than Ryan, but he's been under 20 Fantasy points in three road games on natural grass this year including one at Washington, which is also considered an easy matchup. He's not a Top 12 quarterback this week.
Jameis Winston (7.7): Everyone knows that the Saints defense is basically a blank check for quarterbacks to fill out and cash in. They've given out 36 points or more to passers in four of their last five. For Winston to put up numbers like that he'd have to dominate, which he doesn't do often, particularly at home. He just had his first game with 20 Fantasy points at home last week. Based on what he's typically asked to do and how explosive the run game should be, Winston is a good start but not one you should covet.

Running backs
C.J. Spiller (3.0) & Tim Hightower (2.6): The guess is that Spiller will get another opportunity to play after barely playing since the bye week (36 of 182 snaps). But he's known for being a worse player on natural grass than turf -- for him to come through for Fantasy owners he'd need a long play. Hightower's the designated grinder who has played even fewer snaps than Spiller! He'd need a goal-line score to help you out. The Bucs run defense has snared every quality running back it has faced over the last five games, so don't expect much from either guy. The mere fact that the Saints' remaining schedule is all indoors favors Spiller.
Doug Martin (9.7): Obvious must-start.
Charles Sims (4.9): Sims is a sneaky No. 3 rusher if only because of some extra opportunities he could come down with in the event the Bucs pull away with a second-half lead. Figure him good for at least 60 total yards.

Wide receivers
Brandin Cooks (8.0): Now that it looks like there is no concussion issue to sweat, the matchup is all that's left to check out. That's good because a wideout has caught a touchdown in all but one game against the Bucs this year. Cooks also has at least 13 Fantasy points in four of his last five. He's the best bet on the Saints to score -- pair that with the expected amount of targets he'll get (he's averaged 8.7 per game over his last three) and he should be a fixture in lineups.
Willie Snead (4.5): If he's back then that puts the Saints passing offense at full strength (and kicks Brandon Coleman to the curb). Snead doesn't have a lot of appeal for beyond 50-60 yards.
Mike Evans (9.1): Obvious must-start. The Saints allowed four touchdowns to receivers last week!
Vincent Jackson (7.4): Jackson's definitely a touchdown-dependent receiver, which is wonderful considering the matchup. But since coming back from injury he has had at least seven Fantasy points (11 in PPR) per game. That's the starting point as far as expectations go for V-Jax, who has a touchdown or over 100 receiving yards in two of his last three against the Bucs.

Tight ends
Benjamin Watson (5.5): The Bucs haven't allowed a touchdown to a tight end in five straight games with only one tight end getting as many as seven Fantasy points in that span. But given the likelihood that the Saints will trail and throw the ball, Watson has a shot at being the one to buck the trend. Since the bye he has 17 targets and eight receptions in two Saints games. He's good enough to start this week.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (7.0): A tight end has delivered at least 10 Fantasy points in four straight games against the Saints, be it because of touchdowns or yardage. ASJ knocked off the rust last week and is worth taking a chance on this week in seasonal and Daily Fantasy leagues.

Defense/Special teams
Saints (2.4): The Buccaneers offense has a little Jekyll and Hyde in them but they've been above 300 total yards pretty much every week and has averaged 22.6 points per game. More importantly, the Saints defense stinks.
Buccaneers (3.6): Not many DSTs have posted good numbers against the Saints this season, but the Bucs have a shot. In the Saints' three games outdoors this year they've averaged 17.7 points per. Their best game on the road was against the toughest opponent (Carolina) and was without Drew Brees! If you're desperate for a DST, or want a sleeper for Daily Fantasy, give the Bucs a shot. They do have nine-plus Fantasy points in three of their last four.

Seahawks at Ravens, Sun., 1 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Russell Wilson (9.1): Playing behind a much-improved offensive line, Wilson has completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 1,119 yards (9.48 yards per attempt), 12 touchdowns and one interception in four games since his bye. The Ravens pass defense has allowed 24 total scores to quarterbacks this season, one every 19.4 pass attempts and roughly 7.3 yards per pass attempt. With the way Wilson's playing, expect at least 25 Fantasy points in this favorable matchup.
Matt Schaub (2.9): The Seahawks have faced 12 opponents and allowed 11 touchdowns. No one should consider Schaub for Fantasy purposes. But if you have a backyard football game or want to talk Xs and Os with a player, Schaub should be just fine.

Running backs
Thomas Rawls (9.1): Obvious must-start at this point. Lamar Miller just racked up the Ravens run defense last week.
Javorius Allen (6.4): I'd be a little jittery using Allen in what shapes up to be his toughest matchup of the year. The Seahawks have allowed four touchdowns, 3.6 yards per carry and 7.2 yards per catch to running backs all season. Only five have amassed 10-plus Fantasy points. Allen's going to get a lot of the Seahawks' focus given the lack of weapons left in the Ravens offense. He'll have to strike big as a pass-catcher to help Fantasy owners out -- and he just might considering the 21 catches he has in his last three games.

Wide receivers
Doug Baldwin (8.4): His numbers have been phenomenal and his matchup against the Ravens is phenomenal. Baltimore's allowed 19 touchdowns to receivers this season. It's time to buy into Baldwin as a quality No. 2 receiver with obvious potential to be a Top 5 type.
Tyler Lockett (5.8): The rookie rocket isn't consistent but he does offer a lot of potential. He's missed one target over his last three games and seems to be a steady part of the Seahawks offense, particularly now that Graham is done for the year. He's a better option in Daily Fantasy than seasonal Fantasy but the Ravens are giving up 13.4 yards per catch to receivers this season and are ripe for the picking.
Kamar Aiken (4.2): No one should like his chances against Richard Sherman and the Seahawks secondary. He could very easily have a game like what we saw last week (11 targets, six catches, 48 yards).

Defense/Special teams
Seahawks (9.6): Three of the last four DSTs to play the Ravens have come away with at least 10 Fantasy points. Baltimore has put up plenty of yards but the offense has put up just 33 points in the two games since Flacco got hurt. Everyone will use the Seahawks DST.
Ravens (4.8): The last DST to get 10 or more points against the Seahawks? Stunningly, it was the Vikings last week -- thanks to a kick-return for a touchdown. Throw that out and the last DST to do well against the 'Hawks was the Niners on a Week 7 Thursday game. The Ravens have little chance to come through.

Colts at Jaguars, Sun., 1 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Matt Hasselbeck (5.9): I'm not sure anyone would be excited to start Hasselbeck after watching him get knocked around last week. This matchup is way better -- six of the last seven passers to face the Jags have notched 20-plus Fantasy points -- but Hasselbeck had some problems with them back in Week 4 when he had one touchdown and 17 Fantasy points. He's a sleeper for Daily Fantasy but barely a sleeper in seasonal leagues.
Blake Bortles (8.7): He's been a stat machine and the Colts have been like an ATM for quarterbacks. Indy has allowed multiple scores to four of the last five passers it's faced and 8 of 12 on the year. With Robinson playing well, Hurns returning and Thomas emerging as a red-zone threat, Bortles should do better than the 20 points he landed at the Colts back in Week 4.

Running backs
Frank Gore (6.1): Last week's touchdown catch was nice to see but Gore is still slowing down, averaging a gross 2.7 yards per carry over his last five games (96 carries). The Jaguars run defense was kicked around by the Titans last week but should be in position to rebound against Gore. He's at best a low-end No. 2 running back, maybe a little higher if Paul Posluszny is out with a broken hand.
T.J. Yeldon (7.8): The Jaguars finally got the memo and used Yeldon at the goal line last week. It paid off as he had a monster day -- 19 touches, over 130 total yards and the score. Indianapolis' run defense hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown to a back in four straight games but has given up 4.5 yards per carry in that span. Yeldon is a great No. 2 Fantasy running back, pretty much on the border of being a Top 12 option given some tough matchups for other runners this week.

Wide receivers
T.Y. Hilton (7.6): Most everyone recognizes Hilton as a touchdown-dependent receiver at this point -- his best games have come when he scores. Of the 13 touchdowns allowed to wideouts by the Jaguars this season 10 have come in their last seven games. The matchup is pretty much all owners have left to believe in Hilton at this point.
Donte Moncrief (4.8): After getting targeted one time last week (seriously, one time?!) it feels like the 114-yard game Moncrief had versus the Bucs was an anomaly. The good news is that the Jaguars matchup isn't exactly stifling. Keep in mind: Moncrief has one game in eight tries on natural grass that has resulted in more than 10 Fantasy points. He's not even a No. 3 Fantasy choice this week.
Allen Robinson (9.6): Obvious must-start.
Allen Hurns (7.8): After practicing this week it looks like Hurns will return -- and just in time for a good matchup. The Colts gave up four scores to the Steelers last week and have allowed a touchdown to the non-No. 1 receiver in three of their last four. Hurns scalded the Colts for 116 yards and a score in Week 4. He's good enough to rush into lineups as a No. 2 receiver.

Tight ends
Coby Fleener (5.7): Using Fleener in Fantasy could be flawed, but you may find him to be phenomenal. The Jaguars have allowed multiple touchdowns to tight ends in three of their last four games and at least 10 Fantasy points to a tight end in each of their last four. Better yet, Fleener had 12 targets, nine catches, 83 yards and a touchdown from Hasselbeck versus the Jaguars back in Week 4 and has a touchdown in each of two career games at Jacksonville. If you're going to take a chance with your tight end and can't get Seferian-Jenkins, Fleener should be next on your hit list.
Julius Thomas (8.2): The dude has scored in three straight and the Colts have allowed a tight end to score on them in five of their last seven games. This is a match made in Fantasy Football heaven.

Defense/Special teams
Colts (2.8): Bortles will throw a pick-six here and there, but short of that there isn't a special reason to start them. Losing key reserve linebacker Nate Irving won't help things.
Jaguars (3.8): Jacksonville's pass rush has started to improve, handing out 10 sacks over its last three games. But the Colts should be good for 21 points and over 300 yards, particularly after tanking last week. The Jaguars aren't a good choice.

Steelers at Bengals, Sun., 1 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Ben Roethlisberger (9.6): Typically Roethlisberger plays the Bengals well but he was rusty coming off an injury in the last meeting. Last year he had multiple touchdowns and over 300 yards in both matchups against Cincy. That's the expectation this time around.
Andy Dalton (8.9): The Steelers defense has done well against weak competition lately but struggled against quality passers. There's no doubting Dalton as a quality passer at this point and he should rebound after tossing a couple of picks at Pittsburgh back in Week 8. Before then he had at least two touchdowns in each of his three against them.

Running backs
DeAngelo Williams (9.0): Obvious must-start. He had 110 total yards against the Bengals on 13 touches following an injury to Le'Veon Bell back in Week 8. His involvement makes him impossible to bench.
Jeremy Hill (6.3) & Giovani Bernard (5.5): Over the last two weeks we've seen Hill dominate touches and production. Unless the Bengals fall woefully behind, that will probably continue to be the case. The Steelers' run defense has been great one week, faulty the next, and often it's dependent on the opponent. The safe thing to so is use Hill as a No. 2 running back if you have no other reliable options, while Bernard shouldn't be trusted beyond flex spots.

Wide receivers
Antonio Brown (9.5): Obvious must-start.
Martavis Bryant (8.8): With 13-plus Fantasy points in each of his last three games and nine-plus points in all but one game this season, there's no good reason whatsoever to sit Bryant. Oh, except his one stinker game this season came at home against the Bengals. Still, there's too much potential with Bryant to put him on the bench.
A.J. Green (9.4): Obvious must-start.
Marvin Jones (5.1): Jones' targets didn't rise when he played a game without Tyler Eifert last week, but he did score on a 21-yard bullet from Dalton. Jones can't be counted on for his yardage, just his touchdowns. The Steelers have given up eight of their 14 touchdowns to receivers over their last four games and tend to struggle against big-time passing offenses. Jones is worth taking a chance on as a No. 3 receiver.

Tight ends
Tyler Eifert (8.9): Maybe there's some concern about Eifert coming off of an injury, but the chances of him having a big game are too big to ignore. Last week versus the Colts was the first time in four weeks where the Steelers were able to fully contain tight ends.

Defense/Special teams
Steelers (5.4): Four of the last five DSTs to take on the Bengals have predictably had single-digit Fantasy points. It's unlikely the Steelers find 10 or more points against the Bengals in what should be a pretty high-scoring game.
Bengals (5.0): The Steelers have put up at least 30 points and 450 total yards in four straight games. Steer clear of the Bengals DST this week but hang on to them for their Week 15 game at San Francisco.

Falcons at Panthers, Sun., 1 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan (3.3): He's completely untrustworthy. He's been above 18 Fantasy points just once in his last four games and five times all season. He's playing outdoors where he's struggled over his career and the Panthers have allowed just three quarterbacks to top 20 Fantasy points all season long (and only one in Carolina).
Cam Newton (9.5): Obvious must-start.

Running backs
Devonta Freeman (8.2): Freeman has too much potential to be left on the bench, though it does depend on who else you have. The Panthers run defense is plenty capable of slowing him down, rarely allowing a back to get over 100 total yards and giving up nine total scores to the position. But with a big dose of targets and catches expected to keep coming his way, Freeman will get enough work to piece together a game worthy of being at least a safe No. 2 rusher.
Jonathan Stewart (9.8): Obvious must-start. He's had at least 20 carries in every game since his Week 5 bye and 12-plus Fantasy points in six of those eight games. Each of the last two starting running backs to play the Falcons had at least 100 total yards and a touchdown.

Wide receivers
Julio Jones (7.5): Last year Jones was locked up by the Panthers, falling under 60 yards in both games without a touchdown despite 19 combined targets. Josh Norman basically lined up on Jones on nearly every outside play but rarely followed him into the slot, though usually when Jones was in the slot the Panthers played zone defense and Norman wound up near him eventually. The bottom line is the Panthers have allowed a touchdown to a receiver in five of their last six games, but none were allowed by Norman. Jones' expectations should be downgraded not only because of the anticipated coverage but because Matt Ryan has played poorly as of late. He's a No. 2 Fantasy receiver.
Ted Ginn (4.0) & Devin Funchess (3.5): Neither Panthers receiver warrants much confidence given the Falcons' quality pass defense. Both scored last week and in the case of Ginn came away with ridiculous numbers, but that was against a poor Saints defense. Don't expect big stats.

Tight ends
Jacob Tamme (4.7): He's not a bad tight end option given the matchup, but he's not an exciting option either. He's been good for six Fantasy points or less in each of his last four.
Greg Olsen (8.7): Obvious must-start.

Defense/Special teams
Falcons (3.4): Two DSTs have posted 10 or more Fantasy points on the Panthers in the past three weeks thanks to touchdowns, raising the total of DSTs with 10-plus against Carolina to a whopping three. The Falcons would need a score in order to reach that same mark.
Panthers (8.5): The Panthers will take on a Falcons offense that's averaged 16.0 points per game in its last six and scored 19 or fewer points in two games against Carolina last year. They're automatic.

49ers at Browns, Sun., 1 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Blaine Gabbert (6.1): Stud quarterbacks have done a number on the Browns defense, but what about sub par passers? Matt Schaub had 18 points against them two weeks ago -- do they come more sub par than that? Gabbert has at least 17 Fantasy points in each of four starts and should fall in line with at least that many against the Browns. He's not a bad tournament play in Daily Fantasy formats.
Johnny Manziel (3.1): Think the matchup against the 49ers is easy? Think again -- five of the last six quarterbacks to play San Francisco have put up 18 Fantasy points or less, including Carson Palmer and Jay Cutler in consecutive weeks. Manziel shouldn't be anywhere near a Fantasy lineup.

Running backs
Shaun Draughn (7.6): Over four starts Draughn has averaged 19.5 touches and 86.3 total yards per game, adding his first touchdown last week. Each of the last two starting running backs to face the Browns have posted a minimum of 13 Fantasy points. Don't be surprised if Draughn keeps the trend going.
Isaiah Crowell (4.6) & Duke Johnson (4.2): The matchup says to start one or both of these guys -- the Niners have allowed a score to a running back in all but two games this season. But trusting either one can be incredibly tough to do. Crowell hasn't had more than 11 carries or six Fantasy points in a game since Week 5. Johnson has been similarly poor, owning one game in his last five with 10 or more touches. Neither one is any better than a No. 3 rusher.

Wide receivers
Anquan Boldin (6.3): In three games with Gabbert, Boldin has caught 18 of 31 targets for 223 yards. Expect plenty of passes to head his way against a bad Browns pass defense, particularly if Vance McDonald doesn't end up playing. The Browns have allowed 71 percent of passes thrown to receivers to be completed.
Torrey Smith (5.5): Guess who leads the league in 40-plus-yard passes allowed? Yep, the Browns (14). Four have come over their last three games. Don't be surprised to see the Niners take a shot or two deep with Smith, giving him volatile boom-or-bust appeal as a low-end third receiver. You're better off risking it with him in Daily Fantasy leagues.
Travis Benjamin (5.0): Would you believe the Niners have gotten a little better against the pass? They haven't allowed a 100-yard receiver in three straight and have held wideouts without a touchdown in three of their last four. Benjamin is a risky proposition not only because of the matchup but because of the risky quarterback the Browns are starting.
Brian Hartline (3.6): Desperate PPR owners might be interested in Hartline, who has at least 10 targets in each of his last four games and at least six catches and 70 yards in each of his last three.

Tight ends
Gary Barnidge (6.9): The last time Manziel started, Barnidge caught 6 of 8 targets for 65 yards and a touchdown. He's remained an integral part of the offense regardless of quarterback. Bank on that continuing, but the Niners' defense against tight ends (no touchdowns allowed in seven straight games) could keep his stats lower than you might think.

Defense/Special teams
49ers (6.2): A sleeper unit for Week 14 against the Manziel-led Browns. Each of the last seven DSTs to take on Cleveland have notched at least 11 Fantasy points. Expect a couple of sacks and takeaways.
Browns (2.0): We have all seen enough from the Browns defense to know better than to start them. Gabbert's played well, Draughn has played well and the offensive line is doing its part. Don't get cute with the Browns DST.

Chargers at Chiefs, Sun., 1 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers (3.7): Rivers is forcing things behind a patchwork offensive line, throwing to a very, very depleted receiving corps. It would be stunning to see him post one of his better games this week even though the Chiefs pass defense has been stunted for five passing touchdowns over the last two weeks.
Alex Smith (4.5): It would take a major philosophical shift in the Chiefs' offensive braintrust for Smith to have a great game statistically. Either that or a better-than-expected game from the Chargers offense. Smith usually comes up with good numbers when he's forced to make plays, like in each of his last two games. A game like he had in a blowout win at San Diego earlier this year -- 253 yards and no touchdowns -- is a distinct possibility.

Running backs
Danny Woodhead (3.3) & Melvin Gordon (3.6): Neither back has done anything lately to make you want to start them. It's too bad because the Chiefs run defense has allowed 4.1 yards per carry, 6.8 yards per catch and two touchdowns to backs over the last two weeks. Both are risky plays.
Charcandrick West (6.6) & Spencer Ware (5.8): West had everything go his way last week -- touches, yards, snaps -- except for touchdowns. Ware had one but both played in goal-to-go situations. The good news is this week there might be enough work to go around for both backs to be productive against a Chargers run defense giving up 4.9 yards per carry and 10.7 yards per catch on the season. Versatility and quickness makes West the safer of the two.

Wide receivers
Jeremy Maclin (6.1): No. 1 receivers have scored in consecutive weeks against the Chargers, and Maclin himself has scored in back-to-back weeks. But if the Chiefs find themselves able to run the ball well, Maclin's targets will be low, just as they were in Week 11 (six of them for three catches and 29 yards). The volatility makes Maclin no better than a No. 3 Fantasy receiver.

Tight ends
Antonio Gates (4.4): The Chiefs have been outstanding against tight ends and covering Gates, who basically is Rivers' top (only?) target, will be an easy task. No tight end has had more than six Fantasy points against the Chiefs since Virgil Green in Week 2 -- he had seven.
Travis Kelce (6.4): Let's play everyone's favorite game -- Will Kelce Score This Week?! (Sponsored by Jack Stack BBQ.) Kelce has proven to be touchdown dependent and the Chargers are giving to the position, allowing eight tight end touchdowns on the year. Kelce came up empty back in Week 11 and might not score in Week 14 if the Chiefs run their way to victory.

Defense/Special teams
Chargers (2.2): Only three DSTs have found 10 or more Fantasy points against the Chiefs this season. It's unlikely the Chargers' shaky unit will be the fourth.
Chiefs (8.2): When these teams met three weeks ago in San Diego, the Chargers amassed three points. Last week the Chargers amassed three points. In both of those games the DSTs scored 20-plus points. Expect the Chiefs to get close to that total in Week 14.

Redskins at Bears, Sun., 1 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins (4.3): Cousins has not been good on the road this season (16 Fantasy points or less) and the Bears defense has played mostly well against quarterbacks since Week 3. It's not a good week to chance it.
Jay Cutler (6.9): Only four quarterbacks have failed to put up two touchdowns on the Redskins this season. And yet, only half of the quarterbacks to play Washington have delivered 20 or more Fantasy points. His numbers have cratered over the last three weeks but the hunch is he puts together at least an efficient game over the Redskins. He could come through for 18 Fantasy points in a standard league.

Running backs
Matt Jones (4.5) & Alfred Morris (3.9): Let's start with the matchup -- in their last six games the Bears have allowed 4.7 yards per rush, 8.8 yards per grab and four total touchdowns to running backs. Washington will notice, but which back is the better choice? The hunch is Jones, who has been the better-looking player and the one hogging up goal-line work. He's a low-end No. 3 running back.
Matt Forte (9.5): Obvious must-start.

Wide receivers
DeSean Jackson (7.0): It's pretty cool to see Jackson show off some consistency, scoring in three straight and deliver 12 to 14 Fantasy points per game. In the last five weeks the Bears have given up just two 10-plus-point games to receivers and one of them needed a deep pass in overtime to be effective. They're good against the pass, which is all the more reason to be nervous about starting Jackson.
Alshon Jeffery (8.7): The last couple of weeks have been decent but not great for Jeffery, failing to score despite racking up 11 targets and at least 85 yards in both games. The Redskins entered last week's game allowing 11 touchdowns to receivers over their last six games before the Cowboys bumbled their opportunity. Bank on the Bears dialing up a bunch of plays to Jeffery, and expect him to come through.

Tight ends
Jordan Reed (5.6): The Bears haven't allowed a touchdown to a tight end in six straight games, holding each tight end they've faced to six Fantasy points or fewer. Reed is a better start than most of the guys you'll find on waivers but expectations should be lowered.
Zach Miller (5.0): We'll see if the season-ending injury to Martellus Bennett opens the door for Miller to have some big games. He did previously, even when Bennett was active. The problem is that Washington has been very good covering tight ends all season long, even holding Rob Gronkowski to low numbers. Miller's a low-end Fantasy starter.

Defense/Special teams
Redskins (5.8): The unit has posted at least 10 Fantasy points in each of its last four games, holding three opponents to under 21 points. But all three of those games were at home -- on the road the unit isn't quite as good. Only one DST all year has posted 10-plus Fantasy points on the Bears without scoring a touchdown. Washington's streak could come to a halt.
Bears (6.8): Just about any defense taking on Cousins on the road is worth a shot. Washington has averaged 17.2 points in five road games this season, all losses.

Titans at Jets, Sun., 1 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Marcus Mariota (6.7): The facts are that the Jets allowed one touchdown last week and have held three of four quarterbacks to under 20 Fantasy points. The gut says Mariota can find ways to put up some decent numbers against the Jets, even if Darrelle Revis plays. I wouldn't be afraid to start him.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (8.1): Don't doubt the beard! He's had multiple touchdowns in all but two games this year and the Titans have given up 25 passing touchdowns (five last week!).

Running backs
Antonio Andrews (3.7): Andrews did well with a tough matchup last week but this one's even worse. The Jets haven't allowed a rushing touchdown to a running back in nine games and have held opposing rushers to 3.0 yards per carry in their last three. Gulp.
Chris Ivory (7.5): The matchup seems pretty tough but Ivory's a tough back. If the Jets build a lead, they'll give him a good dose of work. That's good news -- he's had 10-plus Fantasy points in all seven of the games he's had at least 17 carries in.
Bilal Powell (4.7): Powell's involvement over the last three weeks is pretty clear -- at least half the snaps per game. In those three games he's averaged 5.3 carries, 5.0 catches and 77.3 total yards per game. That's right about what you should expect against the Titans, who have allowed right about nine yards per catch to backs this season.

Wide receivers
Dorial Green-Beckham (5.2): You can see the promise in Green-Beckham, particularly in his gargantuan size. But his touchdown last week was kind of an accident and unless something changes, his targets won't help him increase productivity. He would be a nice goal-line alternative for the Titans this week, and the Jets have allowed 11 touchdowns to receivers in their last six games, but you can't hang your hat on that, especially with Revis potentially shadowing him.
Brandon Marshall (9.2): Obvious must-start.
Eric Decker (8.5): Decker has double-digit Fantasy points in five of his last six games. He has at least five catches in six of his last seven games. He has a groovy beard.

Tight ends
Delanie Walker (8.3): At a time when good tight ends are hard to find, Walker steps up as a quality, consistent option. Bombarded with targets in four of his last five (and likely to keep being targeted by Mariota), he's on the brink of being a sure-fire Fantasy starter. The Jets' stats against tight ends look good (only two touchdowns allowed) but they haven't faced many quality opponents at the position.

Defense/Special teams
Titans (2.6): Three of the last four DSTs to play the Jets amassed 13-plus Fantasy points. The Titans DST hasn't scored 13 points in eight straight, but they've been close in a handful of matchups. Put 'em in the "if-you're-desperate" pile.
Jets (6.6): I know three of the last four DSTs to play the Titans posted 12-plus Fantasy points, and that only three DSTs haven't gotten 12 or more points against Tennessee all year, but this feels a little bit like a trap game for the Jets. You'll start them and hopefully they won't sting you.

Raiders at Broncos, Sun., 4:05 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Derek Carr (4.9): The matchup is rough for Carr, and he's coming off a rough game, and the last time he played the Broncos he was rough. Sitting him is an easy decision.
Brock Osweiler (3.9): Each of the last three and six of the last seven quarterbacks to take on the Raiders have posted at least 20 Fantasy points (five had 24-plus). Their secondary just hasn't been up to snuff and it's not asking Osweiler too much to play cautiously and let his receivers make plays after the catch. He's worth taking a chance on in Daily Fantasy but not exactly a reliable choice in the late weeks of seasonal Fantasy.

Running backs
Latavius Murray (5.7): Heavy workload backs (18-plus touches) tend to fare better against the Broncos than guys who split. The difference is that the Raiders have proven to get away from Murray if the game gets out of hand. But will this one? Because we can't say for sure, Murray is best as a No. 3 Fantasy back. If he doesn't score, it could be ugly.
Ronnie Hillman (6.7): Hillman looks like he'll be ready to start and C.J. Anderson might not be ready to play. That would open up the door for Hillman to see a little more work than normal. The tough news is that the Raiders haven't allowed 10 Fantasy points to a single rusher in three consecutive weeks. However, if Hillman's up and Anderson's out then the workload should create enough volume for Hillman to be a candidate for over 100 total yards.

Wide receivers
Amari Cooper (5.7): There's double trouble for Cooper. One, he has seven or fewer Fantasy points in three of his last four games. He might be hitting a rookie wall. Two, the matchup against Denver is a nightmare for outside receivers. There's no doubt the Broncos will blanket him with tight coverage, potentially with Chris Harris on him all game long. Try to sit him if you can.
Michael Crabtree (4.4): Let's see if Crab celebrates his new contract with a huge game against the Broncos. Or if he ends up getting zipped up like he did the last time these teams met. The Broncos haven't allowed a touchdown to a receiver since Week 4!
Demaryius Thomas (7.9): Maybe expectations are down for Thomas, especially in standard leagues, but he has a pair of scores in three games with Osweiler. The Raiders defense was real sloppy last week against top target Jeremy Maclin.
Emmanuel Sanders (6.5): Sanders had a good game at Oakland in Week 4 and has a shot to do it again this week thanks to his ability to run after the catch. Most folks will be okay with starting Sanders as a No. 2 receiver, though the Raiders have allowed big games to two receivers in the same game just once all season.

Tight ends
Owen Daniels (3.6): Daniels was part of the red-zone game plan when these teams met in Week 4 but the Broncos passing game was a mess then. This time around they're more efficient and the Raiders are still lousy against opposing tight ends. In a pinch, Daniels will do fine.

Defense/Special teams
Raiders (4.0): It's not like the Broncos are putting up tons of points anymore, but the DSTs that face them aren't putting up numbers either. The Raiders shouldn't be in lineups.
Broncos (7.7): As good of a start as any DST this week. Oakland's typically played worse on the road and concerns about the matchup for its offense keep things looking good for the Broncos. If DeMarcus Ware manages to play a few third-down snaps then it'll make the unit even stronger.

Cowboys at Packers, Sun., 4:25 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Matt Cassel (3.5): Everyone saw the nightmare that was Cassel on Monday. Playing on a short week at Green Bay is a very tall order. No one should consider him.
Aaron Rodgers (8.5): Obvious must-start.

Running backs
Darren McFadden (6.5): The workload we've counted on hasn't been there the past two weeks, and neither has the Fantasy production. No running back has had more than 10 Fantasy points against the Packers over the last five weeks, and that could very well continue on this week given McFadden's slump.
Eddie Lacy (6.8): The Packers haven't come right out and said it but it looks like last week's benching was an isolated incident. If so then we can't forget about the 20-plus touches and 10-plus Fantasy points Lacy had in consecutive games before the benching. That's good work. The matchup isn't easy -- Dallas has given up 3.4 yards per carry, 6.7 yards per catch and no touchdowns to running backs in its last four games. But Lacy could fall into numbers and wind up as a No. 2 Fantasy running back, if only because it's tough to see the Packers winning this game without a contribution from their run game.

Wide receivers
Dez Bryant (6.4): Bryant has seen his targets dip over his last four games, and his Fantasy point totals have been nasty. But last week we saw him vent over not getting enough looks from Cassel and this week it's been talked about a lot. Expect an increase there, but it doesn't change the matchup from being tough. With a mostly healthy secondary the Packers have allowed two touchdowns and zero 100-yard games to receivers over their last four. It feels like Bryant's upside isn't very high, which is why he should be treated as a decent No. 3 receiver in standard leagues and a borderline No. 2/3 wideout in PPR.
Randall Cobb (5.3): With eight Fantasy points or less in each of his last four games (13 in PPR), Cobb's just not giving you the same boost as you had hoped. Outside receivers have fared better than slot guys against the Cowboys, which is more evidence suggesting to sit Cobb this week if you can.
Davante Adams (4.9) & James Jones (2.7): Considering the Cowboys outside cornerbacks, their matchups are actually slightly more favorable than that of Cobb's. But it's not like they're cupcakes, nor have Adams or Jones put up numbers to suggest they're reliable starters. Adams has four straight games with eight or fewer Fantasy points, Jones had the one great game at Minnesota for 18 Fantasy points in Week 11 but has had 19 yards in two games since.

Tight ends
Jason Witten (2.8): The Packers have given up a touchdown to a tight end in five straight games. Witten has put up four Fantasy points or less in six straight games. Maybe he shakes his touchdown skid with one this week, or maybe someone like Gavin Escobar steals one. Witten shouldn't be trusted.
Richard Rodgers (4.6): The Cowboys have held down tight ends like Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham and Greg Olsen and Jordan Reed the past two weeks. Rodgers was a hero last week and could get more targets his way moving forward, but this isn't a good week to trust him unless you're okay with, say, seven Fantasy points.

Defense/Special teams
Cowboys (3.0): Going up against the Packers offense at Lambeau is pretty much a no-no. Two DSTs have managed 10 or more points against the Pack at home. Even with the headlines screaming that the Packers offense is a mess, they're still finding ways to put up plenty of yards. The Cowboys are holding opponents to 23.1 points per game, a number the Packers should hit.
Packers (7.0): In each of five games with Cassel under center opposing DSTs have notched at least 11 Fantasy points. That's all you need to know about whether or not you should count on Green Bay's DST.

Patriots at Texans, Sun., 8:30 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Tom Brady (9.2): Obvious must-start.
Brian Hoyer (7.9): In six straight games with at least 30 pass attempts Hoyer has found a minimum of 21 Fantasy points. All but one quarterback this season has attempted 30 passes against New England. Hoyer should continue to produce against a Pats pass defense that hasn't been as good on the road, allowing 25-plus Fantasy points to three of five quarterbacks away from Foxboro.

Running backs
James White (5.1) & LeGarrette Blount (3.5): It'll take a goal-line score or a Pats blowout win for Blount to come through with a big game. He's been running at a 3.6 yard average over his last three and the Texans haven't allowed a touchdown to a running back in five straight. The outlook for White is better, particularly after earning some of the Patriots' trust in a 10-catch effort last week. He's worth taking the chance on as a deep flex in standard leagues and a quality No. 3 option in PPR formats.
Chris Polk (4.4): Two weeks ago, Alfred Blue led the Texans run game. Last week it was Polk. Reading between the lines from what the coaches have said, it sounds like Polk can keep the job and even earn more work if he can stay healthy and run effectively. New England has allowed four running backs to get to nine Fantasy points over its last three games. You'd have to be desperate to roll with Polk, particularly since we all know he won't dominate carries, but he could be useful as a low-end No. 3 running back.

Wide receivers
Danny Amendola (7.2): Fantasy owners should feel settled into starting Amendola and expecting at least seven catches with 10-plus Fantasy points. That's what he's done in his last two games. He'll be a challenging matchup for the Texans pass defense.
Brandon LaFell (4.6): He's stunk, period. Trustin him is borderline impossible at this point, even against a Texans defense that's allowed three touchdowns to big-play outside receivers in its last three games.
DeAndre Hopkins (9.3): Obvious must-start.
Cecil Shorts (5.4): As the Texans played from behind last week, Shorts had 10 targets and caught six of them for 91 yards. But more importantly, three of the four touchdowns the Patriots have allowed receivers over their last four games have gone to slot receivers in the red zone with three different cornerbacks struggling in coverage. Shorts is a sneaky play in seasonal and Daily Fantasy.

Tight ends
Scott Chandler (8.5): If Rob Gronkowski ends up playing then Chandler is off limits. But if Gronk remains out then Chandler should continue to be a regular target for Brady to lean on. The Texans have been solid against tight ends but blew coverage against Charles Clay last week and struggled against some better tight ends earlier in the season.
Ryan Griffin (4.0): Griffin has touchdowns in consecutive games, though last week's was basically a gift from the Bills. The Texans figure to pass a lot and the Patriots' coverage will focus on Hopkins, opening the door for Griffin to be a red-zone asset capable of bringing home six or seven Fantasy points.

Defense/Special teams
Patriots (6.4): Only four DSTs to play the Texans have finished with 10-plus Fantasy points all season. That spells bad news for a DST that hasn't produced away from Foxboro much.
Texans (6.0): The Texans defense will be all kinds of psyched for the chance to hand the Patriots a loss but it's hard to envision them doing it. Only DSTs that have scored touchdowns have managed to post 10-plus points against the Patriots this season.

Giants at Dolphins, Mon., 8:30 p.m. ET

Quarterbacks
Eli Manning (6.3): Manning had a pretty good matchup fall through his fingers last week and now must overcome a depleted offensive line and a Dolphins pass defense that has allowed one quarterback to notch more than 19 Fantasy points over the last five weeks. Granted, many of those quarterbacks were either not that good or didn't have to throw much but Manning and his receiving corps have left a lot to be desired. He's a risky starter.
Ryan Tannehill (4.1): After bumbling his way through what was supposed to be a favorable matchup, Tannehill will face a Giants pass defense that has struggled against great quarterbacks but done well against the mediocre ones. Nonetheless, each of the last three passers to play the Giants has hit at least 21 Fantasy points. After last week, trusting Tannehill is the biggest problem, so if you don't have to, don't.

Running backs
Rashad Jennings (3.4) & Shane Vereen (2.9): Jennings actually has the most carries of Giants running backs the last two weeks, with Vereen leading the way in receptions, but neither one is trustworthy against the Dolphins, even if Javorius Allen just ripped them for 170 total yards and a touchdown catch.
Lamar Miller (8.1): Big Blue's run defense has played moderately well over the last three weeks, giving up an average of 3.3 yards per rush. But it's also giving up 10.3 yards per catch to backs in that same time frame, and Miller's ability to catch passes gives him an edge over everyone else in the Dolphins offense. After committing to him last week it would be silly for the Dolphins to get away from using him. He's a No. 1 rusher by default.

Wide receivers
Odell Beckham (9.7): Obvious must-start.
Rueben Randle (3.0) & Dwayne Harris (2.6): You can't trust either one. Randle admitted he was frustrated with his role and Tom Coughlin basically laid the smack down and told Randle to worry about taking advantage of the opportunities he did have. Harris hasn't taken over as anything more than a slot receiver with minimal targets in two games since the bye. The Dolphins gave up six touchdowns to receivers in two games before snarling the punchless Ravens offense last week, which would suggest one of these guys could be effective, but trusting either of them is a mistake.
DeVante Parker (6.8): Four outside receivers have posted 10-plus Fantasy points against the Giants over their last four games. Given the Giants' bend-but-don't-break attitude on defense, there's a shot Parker comes up with some nice plays on more targets on Monday. He's a solid No. 3 receiver in standard leagues and a low-end No. 2 option in PPR.
Jarvis Landry (6.7): The majority of the receivers to have success against the Giants have been outside guys, not slot players like Landry. But after last week's five-target mess you have to figure the Dolphins will attempt to get him back involved. Against a Giants defense that has allowed over 200 yards to receivers in four of its last five games, that should mean some pretty good yardage for Landry. He's great as a No. 3 receiver, especially in a standard league.

Tight ends
Will Tye (3.8): With at least 70 yards in consecutive games and at least six targets in three of his last four, Tye could see more plays work out for him given the lack of production from other Giants receivers. If you're desperate at tight end, consider him.

Defense/Special teams
Giants (5.6): In their last four instances of getting 10-plus Fantasy points the G-Men needed touchdowns to get there. That's not a great sign for a unit, even if they're facing a Miami team that has allowed six straight DSTs to post 10-plus Fantasy points against them.
Dolphins (5.2): The Giants offense might not be as explosive of late as we might have expected but it foesn't means opposing DSTs are doing well against them. Moreover, the Dolphins DST hasn't been consistent. That makes for a bad starting option.