Admin December 3, 2024
Bills secure AFC East, Ravens continue with self-inflicted wounds
Mackenzie Salmon breaks down the top storylines from Week 13 in the NFL.
Sports Seriously
The fantasy football regular season comes down to one final game. For many fantasy managers, this week is the ultimate must-win.
It doesn’t help matters that the NFL schedule-makers have chosen to have six teams on bye in Week 14, but we have to play the hand we’re dealt.
ON BYE: Baltimore, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, New England, Washington
So if you’re still battling for a playoff spot, matchups this week are the top priority for waiver wire claims. If you’re already comfortably in the postseason, you can take a longer-term view and solidify your roster for a sustained championship run.
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Fantasy football players to add for Week 14
Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here are in the lowest to highest availability rates in Fantrax leagues, which may or not match rates on other platforms. (Suggested bid values based on $100 free agent acquisition budget for the season.)
RB Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers (73% available)
We’re going a bit out of order this week to highlight Guerendo’s outsized importance among all potential free agents. If you can pick him up, do so. It’s that simple.
Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) both suffered injuries on Sunday that will land them on injured reserve, leaving Guerendo and Patrick Taylor as the only running backs left on the active roster. The speedy Guerendo – who ran for 99 yards in Week 6 and 85 with a touchdown in Week 8 – could be a league-winning pickup since he should continue to be the Niners’ lead back the rest of the way. FAAB bid: Everything.
RB Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (38%)
Ford outsnapped starter Nick Chubb 55-29 on Monday night, gaining 62 total yards on nine carries and one reception. It may have just been a matter of game flow as QB Jameis Winston threw for 497 yards, but Ford looked good when he did have the opportunity. The only drawback to adding him is a tough upcoming schedule at Pittsburgh this week and vs. Kansas City in Week 15. FAAB bid: $10.
WR Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers (39%)
The Panthers have been much more competitive in QB Bryce Young’s second stint as a starter. As a result, Thielen and teammate Xavier Legette (26%) have been putting up decent numbers over the past few weeks. The veteran is coming off season highs in targets (10), receptions (8) and yards (99) while also getting into the end zone vs. the Buccaneers, but faces a tough matchup at Philadelphia this week. FAAB bid: $8.
RB Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers (42%)
The Chargers’ running game has suffered greatly with the loss of J.K. Dobbins. Gus Edwards only had six carries for 32 yards vs. Atlanta. The rookie sixth-rounder saw his first action since Week 9, with four carries for 20 yards. He could be a decent speculative pickup once the Chargers get past this week’s matchup with Kansas City. FAAB bid: $4.
Wilson’s stats don’t really jump off the page, but he’s a constant presence on the field as the Cardinals No. 2 wide receiver and his seven targets last week were his second-highest of the season. Wilson caught five of those for 55 yards and has three TDs on the season. A fairly decent playoff schedule awaits. FAAB bid: $6.
If you’re looking for upside going forward, Cooks just might be the best of the available receivers. Until this past week, the Cowboys have been pummeled repeatedly, forcing QB Cooper Rush to air it out repeatedly. Cooks just returned after missing seven games with a knee injury – netting just 16 yards on three receptions, but one of them was for a touchdown. He should regain his role as the Cowboys’ No. 2 receiver, and the upcoming schedule looks promising. FAAB bid: $15.
Speaking of that remarkable 497-yard, four-TD performance, Winston isn’t shy about trying to make the big play. He made enough of them to be the week’s highest-scoring quarterback, despite throwing a pair of pick-sixes. Starting Winston with a playoff spot on the line is the fantasy equivalent of a Hail Mary, but on a week with a number of top QBs not playing, he’s still better than other streaming options such as Derrek Carr (46%), Will Levis (55%), Bryce Young (56%) or Aidan O’Connell (76%). FAAB bid: $6
“All he does is catch touchdowns!” (h/t vintage Chris Berman) Westbrook-Ikhine had three catches Sunday, with two of them for scores – giving him eight TD receptions on the season out of just 20 total. That’s unsustainable, but he’s scored in seven of eight weeks since the Titans’ bye. He matches up against the porous Jaguars defense this week, and again in the championship round of Week 17. FAAB bid: $11.
WR Andrei Iosivas, Cincinnati Bengals (74%)
The Bengals and QB Joe Burrow have the most prolific passing offense in the league, so why not try to grab a piece of the pie? Iosivas has been a consistent part of the offense and hauled in his fifth TD reception of the season last week. If anything should happen to Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins … FAAB bid: $7.
Washington was the No. 4 wide receiver in Week 13 on the strength of his six receptions for 103 yards and a score. That came despite the injury to starting QB Trevor Lawrence. In fact, Washington caught a 22-yard TD pass from Jones and also hooked up with him on a successful 2-point conversion. No matter who takes snaps this week against the Titans, Washington should be a solid start. FAAB bid: $10.
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