Streaming Quarterbacks: Week 14 Targets

Dec 02, 2014

C.D. Carter

Two of our four Week 13 streaming plays teamed up to create a nightmare game script that undermined each signal caller's fantasy production. Here's to you, Josh McCown and Andy Dalton.

While streaming plays like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Shaun Hill went nuclear against a couple of the NFL's worst defenses, streamers highlighted last week in this space largely tanked, with Mark Sanchez and his 21.6 points proving the lone exception.

Alex Smith, an option I trumpeted as a volume play against a Broncos' defense seeing more offensive snaps against them than almost any team in the league, was the exact opposite. Denver went ultra run heavy against Kansas City, effectively bleeding the clock and limiting the Chiefs to 47 offensive plays.

That's almost 20 offensive snaps fewer than teams usually have against Denver. Needless to say, Smith was a borderline disaster.

Our streaming plays, after 13 weeks, are averaging 16.3 fantasy points per contest -- QB10 numbers -- with optimal plays notching 21.6 points per game, or QB3 numbers.

Let's get into Week 14 streaming options, targeting quarterbacks available in at least 40 percent of Yahoo fantasy leagues.

Johnny Manziel (CLE) vs. Indianapolis Colts

Yes, JFF needs to secure the Browns' starting gig before we roll with him in Week 14. If (when) he's anointed starter, he has a matchup that should make streamers drool.

Indy isn't exactly stout against the pass at home, but on the road they're a complete debacle, allowing 313.1 passing yards -- the worst, by far, in the NFL. Whereas they allow a paltry 6.2 yards per pass attempt at home, the Colts give up 8.2 yards per pass in road games.

The Colts' stud cornerback Vontae Davis could miss this week's tilt after leaving Week 13's contest with a concussion. That would be a not-inconsiderable boon to Manziel's Week 14 fantasy prospects, Josh Gordon being what he is.

JFF's ability -- and willingness -- to run the ball gives him a tremendous fantasy floor. In a game against a Colts team seeing 36.4 pass attempts on average, I think Manziel's ceiling could be scary high.

He's available in 87 percent of Yahoo leagues.