Fantasy Player Breakdown – Week 14

By: Kevin

Be sure to check out our Start/Sit column for some solid calls this week, and if you’re searching for a gem to help you out with line-up issues, take a second to look over this week’s Waiver Wire Pick-ups.

Read on for player match-ups and some quick notes:

New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons

QB Drew Brees: Falcons defense isn’t very good, so no worries here. *****
RB Pierre Thomas: Should carve Atlanta’s weak run defense all day. *****
RB Mike Bell: Still has a nice role, but yards per carry stinks. ***
RB Reggie Bush: Small role, so barely a Flex play. **
WR Marques Colston: Always a good start, and nice match-up helps. ****
WR Devery Henderson: Very inconsistent, but loads of potential. ***
WR Robert Meachem: Is red-hot right now, so quality WR3. ****
TE Jeremy Shockey: Has been weak, but Atlanta can’t cover tight ends. ****

QB Matt Ryan: Looks like he has a chance to play, but check status. ***
QB Chris Redman: Solid one week, awful the next. Not a lock to play this week. **
RB Michael Turner: Is trying to get back, and New Orleans run defense is awful. ****
RB Jerious Norwood: Hasn’t done much and is playing hurt. **
RB Jason Snelling: Role could increase if Turner doesn’t return. **
WR Roddy White: Has been very active and Ryan return could boost value. *****
WR Michael Jenkins: Inconsistent, so not a great play. **
TE Tony Gonzalez: Saints aren’t amazing against tight end, so has a shot. ****

Detroit Lions @ Baltimore Ravens

QB Matthew Stafford: Not playing this week.
QB Daunte Culpepper: Ravens pass defense stinks, but he’s still Culpepper. **
RB Kevin Smith: Tough run defense, but he’ll get touches. ***
WR Calvin Johnson: Can still work the deep ball, and that’s all Culpepper is good at. ****
WR Bryant Johnson: Wildly inconsistent, but they should have to pass. **

QB Joe Flacco: Ravens will run all day, but Lions are woeful against pass. ****
RB Ray Rice: Could have career day, and should get a ton of touches. *****
RB Willis McGahee: Role is decent again, so could be a quality Flex this week. ***
WR Derrick Mason: Shouldn’t have any issues getting open this week. ****
WR Mark Clayton: Hit-or-miss, but match-up leaning toward a “hit”. ***
TE Todd Heap: Has been beyond mediocre all season, so don’t bite. **

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

QB Aaron Rodgers: Bears pass defense is horrible and Rodgers can’t be stopped. *****
RB Ryan Grant: Will have difficulty, but should get solid touches. ***
WR Greg Jennings: Ended the game on a high note last time around; expect the same. ****
WR Donald Driver: Always active, and usually plays well against Chicago. ****
WR James Jones: Has been fairly active, so worth using in deeper leagues. **
TE Jermichael Finley: Extremely active last week, and that shouldn’t change. ****

QB Jay Cutler: Has been sluggish, and Packers defense won’t make it easy. **
RB Matt Forte: Not much room to run in this match-up, so stay away. **
WR Devin Hester: Doesn’t look like he’ll play this week, and has been cold. *
WR Earl Bennett: Could stand to see extra targets, but mostly in garbage time. ***
WR Johnny Knox: Always a threat for the deep ball, but match-up is tough. ***
TE Greg Olsen: Packers stop the tight end well, so not a safe play. **

Seattle Seahawks @ Houston Texans

QB Matt Hasselbeck: Pass protection is inconsistent, and so is he. **
RB Julius Jones: Should keep getting most of the carries, but not a terrific match-up. **
RB Justin Forsett: Role not what it was, but still offers Flex value. ***
WR Nate Burleson: Is still getting it done, but not at the level he should be. ***
WR TJ Houshmandzadeh: Not a bad match-up, but he hasn’t shown us a lot. ***
TE John Carlson: The connection with Hasselbeck just isn’t there. **

QB Matt Schaub: Seattle can’t stop the pass, and he’s due. *****
RB Steve Slaton: He’s on IR, so drop him.
RB Ryan Moats: Is the starter, so should have RB2 value. ****
RB Chris Brown: Still getting goal-line carries, so could be a Flex. ***
WR Andre Johnson: Had 17 targets last week, so do the math. *****
WR Kevin Walter: Targets are solid WR3 projections, but nothing compared to AJ. ***
TE James Casey: Didn’t catch a ball last week and should be off your radar. *

Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts

QB Kyle Orton: Colts not unbeatable through the air, but not an easy match-up. **
RB Knowshon Moreno: Colts can be run on, and he’s looked good. ***
RB Correll Buckhalter: Sharing the load big time, and has been impressive. ***
WR Brandon Marshall: Still their top guy, but that’s not saying much. ***
WR Eddie Royal: More involved recently, but not very reliable. **

QB Peyton Manning: Tough match-up, but he’s risen over all obstacles so far. ****
RB Joseph Addai: It won’t be easy for him this week, but you can’t bet against him. ***
RB Donald Brown: Small role, so not worth a starting spot. *
WR Reggie Wayne: Should bounce back after being contained last week. ****
WR Pierre Garcon: Huge game last week, but faces a tough match-up. ***
WR Austin Collie: Role has been OK, but yardage nothing special. **
TE Dallas Clark: A must-start every week, and he can beat these linebackers. *****

Miami Dolphins @ Jacksonville Jaguars

QB Chad Henne: Jas can definitely be passed on, and he’s getting better. ***
RB Ricky Williams: Is feeling the weight of the extra carries, but looks great. *****
RB Lex Hilliard: Should get a few more carries, but barely a Flex play. **
WR Davone Bess: Stepped up last week, so potential is sky high. ****
WR Brian Hartline: Has made plays and knows how to get open. **
WR Ted Ginn: A complete afterthought, so drop him. *

QB David Garrard: If MSW is out, his value drops way down. ***
RB Maurice Jones-Drew: Should have a huge day against weak run defense. *****
WR Mike Sims-Walker: Is questionable, but match-up bodes well. ****
WR Torry Holt: Hasn’t scored all season and yardage is dipping. **
TE Marcedes Lewis: Barely a TE2. *

Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: Looked awful last week, but could shine in great match-up. ****
RB Fred Jackson: Bills keep switching things up with their backs, and match-up only OK. ***
RB Marshawn Lynch: Is getting touches again, but you can’t trust him. **
WR Terrell Owens: Could have a huge day against slow, smaller corners. ****
WR Lee Evans: Ditto. ***

QB Matt Cassel: Has looked awful and Bills have strong pass defense. *
RB Jamaal Charles: Bills can’t stop run, so he should get a lot of touches. *****
WR Chris Chambers: Should still be active, but not safe with Cassel struggling. ***
WR Lance Long: Gets two catches a game, but that’s about it. *

Cincinnati Bengals @ Minnesota Vikings

QB Carson Palmer: Match-up supposedly is good, but he just hasn’t been on. ***
RB Cedric Benson: Will get the carries, but average was done last week and match-up stinks. ***
RB Larry Johnson: Has a minor role, but match-up should kill any value. *
RB Bernard Scott: Is dealing with an injury and role is almost completely gone. *
WR Chad Ochocinco: Has guaranteed to score this week, and we believe him. *****
WR Laveranues Coles: Has looked better lately, but ceiling always remains low. **

QB Brett Favre: Bengals are solid against pass, but he should bounce back. ***
RB Adrian Peterson: Cincy can be run on, and he’ll be determined to have a big game. ****
RB Chester Taylor: Is active on third downs, so has Flex potential. **
WR Sidney Rice: Is always targeted a ton, so could have a big game. ****
WR Percy Harvin: Dealing with migraines, so questionable this week. ***
WR Bernard Berrian: Still getting solid looks, so not a horrible WR3. **
TE Vianthe Schiancoe: A red-zone beast all season, so a solid TE1. ***

Carolina Panthers @ New England Patriots

QB Matt Moore: Is almost guaranteed to start, and Patriots have been weak against pass. **
RB DeAngelo Williams: Should be back and touching the ball a ton. *****
RB Jonathan Stewart: Role will go back to normal, but still a solid Flex. ***
WR Steve Smith: Moore gives him hope, but Patriots top corner will mask him all day. ***
WR Muhsin Muhammad: Can’t rely on him at all. **

QB Tom Brady: Carolina is very aggressive against pass, so could have tough day. ***
RB Laurence Maroney: Should be active against porous run defense. ****
WR Randy Moss: Won’t be shut-down, just merely contained. ***
WR Wes Welker: You can’t contain this guy. Expect usual ridiculous numbers. *****
WR Sam Aiken: Not a big role at all, but has some good skills. **
TE Benjamin Watson: Hasn’t done anything in weeks, so stay away. *

New York Jets @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

QB Mark Sanchez: Wants to play, but is reportedly out this week.
QB Kellen Clemens: Great match-up, but Jets will run all day. **
RB Thomas Jones: See above and play him with full confidence. *****
RB Shonn Greene: Should see a lot of touches and fill-in as a solid Flex. ***
WR Jerricho Cotchery: Won’t see a ton of passes, but still a worthy WR3. ***
WR Braylon Edwards: Drops too many passes and just isn’t a great play. **
TE Dustin Keller: Inconsistent, but Clemens will likely dump it off to him enough. ***

QB Josh Freeman: Jets can make young quarterbacks cry, and he looked awful last week. *
RB Carnell Williams: Is getting the bulk of the carries, and Jets can be run on. ***
RB Derrick Ward: Gets enough work to be considered for a Flex play. **
RB Earnest Graham: Had one touch last week, so has zero value.
WR Antonio Bryant: Will be shutdown this week by Darrelle Revis. *
TE Kellen Winslow: Should be extremely active underneath. ****

St. Louis Rams @ Tennessee Titans

QB Kyle Boller: Titans defense is good on both ends, so he won’t do well. *
RB Steven Jackson: Will get the ball a ton as usual, so a good play. ****
WR Donnie Avery: Playing well, but his quarterback stinks, as does the match-up. **
WR Brandon Gibson: Too inconsistent. *
WR Danny Amendola: Helps out as a low-end WR3 in return leagues. **

QB Vince Young: Re-injured his knee in practice, but he won’t miss this match-up. ***
RB Chris Johnson: Seriously? *****
RB Lendale White: Has complained about role, and could see late action in garbage time. **
WR Kenny Britt: If Young is out, he’s a risk, but otherwise has looked great. ****
WR Nate Washington: Could score this week with great match-up. **
TE Bo Scaife: Has looked decent, but don’t expect TE1 numbers. **

Washington Redskins @ Oakland Raiders

QB Jason Campbell: Has been looking good, but Raiders eat up quarterbacks. **
RB Rock Cartwright: No longer the starter, so dump him. *
RB Quinton Ganther: New starter, and Raiders can be run on. ***
RB Clinton Portis: Season is officially over, so get rid of him.
WR Santana Moss: Very tough match-up, so don’t chance it. *
WR Devin Thomas: Very solid last week, and could be active with Moss contained. **
TE Fred Davis: Campbell likes him, so the potential is there. ***

QB Bruce Gradkowski: Redskins haven’t been so hot against pass, and he’s looked good. ***
RB Darren McFadden: Role still minor and match-up stinks. **
RB Michael Bush: Ditto. *
RB Justin Fargas: Ditto. *
WR Louis Murphy: Looked great last week, but can he keep avoiding the drops? **
WR Chaz Schilens: Is a nice, big target, so decent potential. **
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey: Gradkowski gives him a boost, but not by much. *
TE Zach Miller: Could be very active against Redskins linebackers. ***

San Diego Chargers @ Dallas Cowboys

QB Phillip Rivers: Cowboys play solid defense, but he’s on fire. ***
RB LaDanian Tomlinson: Not an easy match-up, but he’s been scoring a lot. ***
RB Darren Sproles: No longer in on short-yardage duties, so value drops. **
WR Vincent Jackson: Always a threat, and this is a big game. ***
WR Malcom Floyd: Despite being a starter, just doesn’t get it done. **
TE Antonio Gates: Has been playing like an elite tight end, so play him. ****

QB Tony Romo: Chargers can be passed on without Eric Weddle, so play him. ****
RB Marion Barber: Not a bad match-up, but where’s the commitment to the run? ***
RB Felix Jones: Gets enough touches to be a spot Flex play. **
RB Tashard Choice: Role isn’t good enough. *
WR Miles Austin: Should be very active in huge game. ****
WR Roy Williams: Too inconsistent to rely on. **
TE Jason Witten: Topped 100 yards in two straight, so why stop now? ****

Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants

QB Donovan McNabb: Giants got torched last week, and McNabb’s weapons are healthy. ****
RB LeSean McCoy: Still the starter, and Giants aren’t great against run. ***
RB Leonard Weaver: Has a decent role and Flex value until Westbrook returns. **
WR DeSean Jackson: Should be back and could burn the Giants with ease. ***
WR Jeremy Maclin: Very consistent, so always a solid WR3. ***
WR Jason Avant: Will be the fourth option again, so low ceiling. **
TE Brent Celek: McNabb loves him, and he’s been playing well. ****

QB Eli Manning: Manning has been sketchy and the Eagles are good against pass. ***
RB Brandon Jacobs: Philly stop the run well, too, but at least the touches will be there. ***
RB Ahmad Bradshaw: Role is too small to rely on anymore. **
WR Steve Smith: Always a Solid WR2, but better to use him as a WR3 this week. ***
WR Hakeem Nicks: Role constantly changing, but scored last week. **
WR Mario Manningham: Tough match-up, and pretty inconsistent. **
TE Kevin Boss: If he doesn’t score, his value is near the bottom. **

Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers

QB Kurt Warner: 49ers can play tough at times, but he’s looking unstoppable. ****
RB Tim Hightower: Doesn’t get the touches to be a RB1, but can fill-in as a RB2 if needed. ***
RB Chris Wells: Has decent touches, but production just isn’t there right now. **
WR Larry Fitzgerald: You can’t sit him. *****
WR Anquan Boldin: Is really coming around, so a must-start. *****
WR Steve Breaston: Is healthy and shifty as ever, so a solid play. ***

QB Alex Smith: Has looked pretty good, and Cards usually can be passed on. ***
RB Frank Gore: Always does something against them, so play him. ***
WR Michael Crabtree: Should be active, and he can handle Cards physical play. ***
WR Josh Morgan: Unreliable, especially in a potentially tough match-up. **
TE Vernon Davis: Always a good play, and Smith loves him. *****