Stars of Week 14

QB: Ben Roethlisberger, PIT: 44-66, 504 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs

RB: Le’Veon Bell, PIT: 13 carries, 48 yards, 2 TDs (9 catches, 77 yards 1 TD) 

WR: DeAndre Hopkins, HOU: 11 catches, 149 yards, 2 TDs

TE: Trey Burton, PHI: 5 catches, 71 yards, 2 TDs

Ben Roethlisberger appears to have taken the widespread criticism directed his way quite seriously, and now he’s ballin’. Roethlisberger cleared the 500 yard mark against the Ravens, while connecting on two TD passes. His performance merits top QB honors for this week. We don’t have to look far for the week’s top RB, as Roethlisberger’s teammate Le’Veon Bell found the end zone thrice this past Sunday. Bell as always did his damage in both the run and the pass game, and he remains the league’s top RB. The top WR of the week comes to us from Houston, Texas, as DeAndre Hopkins continues to show that he’s a top 5 WR, despite who serves as his QB. Hopkins will be a first round pick next year. No Zach Ertz, no problem, as Trey Burton stepped in and caught two of Wentz’s TD passes. Burton’s value ties closely with the absence of Ertz. With Ertz likely to return this week, and with Nick Foles replacing Carson Wentz, Burton will not play a huge factor this coming week.             

Week 14 Takeaways – A Closer Look 

Each week we take a closer look at a handful of performances and sort out what such performances mean going forward.

- DeShone Kizer, QB – CLE: 20-28, 214 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs     

Analysis: DeShone Kizer has had himself a rough rookie season, although that’s not much of a surprise with the complete lack of stability within the Browns’ organization. He’s been in and out of the lineup this year, and hasn’t exactly had much help from his coaches or his teammates. Well, one key variable has changed – star WR Josh Gordon has returned to the team, and Kizer now has a legit target who can win his matchups. While the Browns will likely draft a QB in the early rounds of the 2018 draft, that doesn’t mean that Kizer can’t provide you with QB help if you’re in a massive pinch. Unfortunately he faces a tough pass defense in the Ravens next week, so he’s not an ideal option for week 15. But if you’re in a deep league and are in a bind at QB, know that Kizer will be tossing the ball around regardless next week. For those of you in dynasty leagues, Kizer has shown over the last month that he’s got a chance to be a legit starting QB if he can find himself in the right scenario – so a potential move out of Cleveland could help him. Just worth keeping an eye on him in such leagu

- Mike Davis, RB – SEA: 15 carries, 66 yards, 0 TDs 

Analysis: The Seahawks have finally found themselves another running back who can move the chains, after having finally found themselves a running back you can move the chains early in the season – the former being Chris Carson. Davis helps in both the run and passing game, and also holds his own as a blocker on passing downs. Blocking ability leads to more time on the field on third downs, and as evidenced by Davis’ fifteen carries, he’s the lead back for the Seahawks for the rest of the season. Davis followed up his 64 yard performance last week against the Eagles with 66 yards against the Jaguars, and next week he faces a Rams’ run D which struggles to stop the run. In case Davis remains available in your league, you should snag him immediately. He’ll be an RB2 next week.

- Marquise Goodwin, WR – SF: 6 catches, 106 yards, 0 TDs

Analysis: Marquise Goodwin found his way into the rapid fire pickup list last week, and this week he has earned a featured spot in our analysis. With the ascension of QB Jimmy Garoppolo to the starting lineup, Marquise Goodwin has seized the role of lead WR for the 49ers. Garoppolo targeted Goodwin 12 times this past Sunday against the Texans, connecting on six of the throws for 106 yards. And Goodwin had 8 catches for 99 yards last week in Garoppolo’s first start, so clearly there’s a comfort level between the QB and WR. The 49ers face the Titans next week, and that’s a juicy matchup for wide receivers. In case Goodwin’s available in your league, you should certainly put in a claim for him – likely as your top WR add. He’ll be a solid WR3/flex option next week.

- Tyrell Williams, WR – LAC: 4 catches, 132 yards, 1 TD

Analysis: After a very rough start in their new home (cough “go back to San Diego” cough), the Chargers have turned it on over the last several weeks. The team has weapons galore on offense, and this week it was Tyrell Williams’ time to shine. Williams connected with Philip Rivers for a 75 yard TD pass, and caught all four of his targets en route to 132 yards receiving. The third year WR from Western Oregon has solid ability, but tends to get loss among the Chargers’ WR corps – as does every WR other than Keenan Allen. Looking deeper at Williams’ underlying stats, the primary concern lies with his number of targets from Rivers. While having been targeted 6 or more times in three of the first four weeks, Williams has only been targeted 6 or more times once in the last nine games. When you’re only targeted 3-5 times per week, your stats are obviously very reliant on every target resulting in a catch. That’s not possible from week to week. So, while Williams is talented and had a great week, I’d recommend looking elsewhere for a WR unless you are in a very deep league (think 14 teams or more).

Rapid Fire Pickups

Each week we’ll throw out potential free agent pickups from each position for deeper leagues, in each case 1) someone who has NOT been referenced above, and 2) a player available in most leagues.

QB: Jimmy Garoppolo, SF

RB: Theo Riddick, DET

RB: Peyton Barber, TB

WR: Tyler Lockett, SEA

WR: Dede Westbrook, JAX

TE: Eric Ebron, DET

 

Week 15 Rankings

Quarterbacks:

  1. Russell Wilson, SEA (vs. LAR)
  2. Tom Brady, NE (at PIT)
  3. Aaron Rodgers, GB (at CAR)
  4. Cam Newton, CAR (vs. GB)
  5. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (vs. NE)
  6. Philip Rivers, LAC (at KC)
  7. Drew Brees, NO (vs. NYJ)
  8. Dak Prescott, DAL (at OAK)
  9. Matt Ryan, ATL (at TB)
  10. Matthew Stafford, DET (vs. CHI)
  11. Kirk Cousins, WAS (vs. ARZ)
  12. Jimmy Garoppolo, SF (vs. TEN)
  13. Case Keenum, MIN (vs. CIN)
  14. Nick Foles, PHI (at NYG)
  15. Jared Goff, LAR (at SEA)
  16. Blake Bortles, JAX (vs. HOU)
  17. Jameis Winston, TB (vs. ATL)
  18. Alex Smith, KC (vs. LAC)
  19. Marcus Mariota, TEN (at SF)
  20. Derek Carr, OAK (vs. DAL)

Running Backs: 

  1. Le'Veon Bell, PIT (vs. NE)
  2. LeSean McCoy, BUF (vs. MIA)
  3. Todd Gurley, LAR (at SEA)
  4. Mark Ingram, NO (vs. NYJ)
  5. Alvin Kamara, NO (vs. NYJ)
  6. Melvin Gordon, LAC (at KC)
  7. Jordan Howard, CHI (at DET)
  8. Devonta Freeman, ATL (at TB)
  9. Kenyan Drake, MIA (at BUF)
  10. Kareem Hunt, KC (vs. LAC)
  11. Carlos Hyde, SF (vs. TEN)
  12. Marshawn Lynch, OAK (vs. DAL)
  13. Christian McCaffrey, CAR (vs. GB)
  14. Alex Collins, BAL (at CLE)
  15. Jamaal Williams, GB (at CAR)
  16. Lamar Miller, HOU (at JAX)
  17. Alfred Morris, DAL (at OAK)
  18. Jay Ajayi, PHI (at NYG)
  19. Dion Lewis, NE (at PIT)
  20. Latavius Murray, MIN (vs. CIN)
  21. Rex Burkhead, NE (at PIT)
  22. Samaje Perine, WAS (vs. ARZ)
  23. Isaiah Crowell, CLE (vs. BAL)
  24. DeMarco Murray, TEN (at SF)
  25. Theo Riddick, DET (vs. CHI)
  26. Mike Davis, SEA (vs. LAR)
  27. Giovani Bernard, CIN (at MIN)
  28. Jerick McKinnon, MIN (vs. CIN)
  29. Kerwynn Williams, ARZ (at WAS)
  30. Chris Ivory, JAX (vs. HOU)
  31. Derrick Henry, TEN (at SF)
  32. Jonathan Stewart, CAR (vs. GB)
  33. Duke Johnson, CLE (vs. BAL)
  34. Rod Smith, DAL (at OAK)
  35. Bilal Powell, NYJ (at NO)
  36. Orleans Darkwa, NYG (vs. PHI)
  37. TJ Yeldon, JAX (vs. HOU)
  38. Doug Martin, TB (vs. ATL)
  39. LaGarrette Blount, PHI (at NYG)
  40. Danny Woodhead, BAL (at CLE)

Wide Receivers:

  1. Antonio Brown, PIT (vs. NE)
  2. Julio Jones, ATL (at TB)
  3. Keenan Allen, LAC (at KC)
  4. Brandin Cooks, NE (at PIT)
  5. Michael Thomas, NO (vs. NYJ)
  6. DeAndre Hopkins, HOU (at JAX)
  7. Adam Thielen, MIN (vs. CIN)
  8. A.J. Green, CIN (at MIN)
  9. Doug Baldwin, SEA (vs. LAR)
  10. Dez Bryant, DAL (at OAK)
  11. Davante Adams, GB (at CAR)
  12. Larry Fitzgerald, ARZ (at WAS)
  13. Jarvis Landry, MIA (at BUF)
  14. Devin Funchess, CAR (vs. GB)
  15. Tyreek Hill, KC (vs. LAC)
  16. Jordy Nelson, GB (at CAR)
  17. Josh Gordon, CLE (vs. BAL)
  18. Michael Crabtree, OAK (vs. DAL)
  19. Mike Evans, TB (vs. ATL)
  20. Marquise Goodwin, SF (vs. TEN)
  21. Marvin Jones, DET (vs. CHI)
  22. Alshon Jeffery, PHI (at NYG)
  23. Golden Tate, DET (vs. CHI)
  24. Stefon Diggs, MIN (vs. CIN)
  25. Jamison Crowder, WAS (vs. ARZ)
  26. Marqise Lee, JAX (vs. HOU)
  27. JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT (vs. NE)
  28. Cooper Kupp, LAR (at SEA)
  29. Chris Hogan, NE (at PIT)
  30. Dede Westbrook, JAX (vs. HOU)
  31. Robby Anderson, NYJ (at NO)
  32. Mohamed Sanu, ATL (at TB)
  33. Robert Woods, LAR (at SEA)
  34. Sterling Shepard, NYG (vs. PHI)
  35. Paul Richardson, SEA (vs. LAR)
  36. DeSean Jackson, TB (vs. ATL)
  37. Mike Wallace, BAL (at CLE)
  38. Rishard Matthews, TEN (at SF)
  39. Sammy Watkins, LAR (at SEA)
  40. Kenny Stills, MIA (at BUF)

Tight End:

  1. Rob Gronkowski, NE (at PIT)
  2. Travis Kelce, KC (vs. LAC)
  3. Zach Ertz, PHI (at NYG)
  4. Jimmy Graham, SEA (vs. LAR)
  5. Hunter Henry, LAC (at KC)
  6. Delanie Walker, TEN (at SF)
  7. Evan Engram, NYG (vs. PHI)
  8. Kyle Rudolph, MIN (vs. CIN)
  9. Jason Witten, DAL (at OAK)
  10. Jared Cook, OAK (vs. DAL)
  11. Greg Olsen, CAR (vs. GB)
  12. Cameron Brate, TB (vs. ATL)
  13. Eric Ebron, DET (vs. CHI)
  14. Vernon Davis, WAS (vs. ARZ)
  15. Trey Burton, PHI (at NYG)
  16. Charles Clay, BUF (vs. MIA)
  17. Stephen Anderson, HOU (at JAX)
  18. Ricky Seals-Jones, ARZ (at WAS)
  19. O.J. Howard, TB (vs. ATL)
  20. Tyler Kroft, CIN (at MIN)

Defense/Special Teams:

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU)
  2. Baltimore Ravens (at CLE)
  3. New Orleans Saints (vs. NYJ)
  4. Minnesota Vikings (vs. CIN)
  5. Philadelphia Eagles (at NYG)
  6. Buffalo Bills (vs. MIA)
  7. Atlanta Falcons (at TB)
  8. Seattle Seahawks (vs. LAR)
  9. Los Angeles Rams (at SEA)
  10. Los Angeles Chargers (at KC)
  11. Detroit Lions (vs. CHI)
  12. San Francisco 49ers (vs. TEN)
  13. Arizona Cardinals (at WAS)
  14. Washington Redskins (vs. ARZ)
  15. Miami Dolphins (at BUF)