The Rundown: Week 14

Dec 06, 2019

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The fantasy playoffs for many leagues are here. For those who made it, the best of luck (as long as you're not playing against me). For those who didn't, hopefully, you had a great season of fun and friendship. I recommend staying involved from a knowledge perspective through the end of the year because even if you can't pick up players or don't set lineups, the breakouts that will occur between now and Week 17 could have ramifications for 2020.

There should be some key games this week, both positive and negative, that will impact even the elite fantasy options so read carefully. As always, the Thursday preview along with stats to know is already available and this will focus on the rest of the slate including start/sit recommendations.

Fantasy Rating Key

(5) - Elite option. Must start.
(4) - Strong option. Likely start.
(3) - Good option. Low-end starter to high-end backup.
(2) - Weak option. Possible flex or desperation play.
(1) - Bad option. Bench in nearly all cases.
(0) - Not an option. Injured, bench, or waivers.

Colts @ Buccaneers

Spread: Buccaneers -3 | Total: 47.5

A pair of teams that have largely been in the muddy middle this season. The Colts are churning through their roster for running back help to fuel their top-five rushing attack. They are struggling with turnovers over the past month as well so they need to desperately find some consistency. The Buccaneers have given up plenty of turnovers and just don’t care anymore. They are willing to take the risk to propel their top-five passing offense. This could be a shootout if both offenses are clicking.

Indianapolis Colts

Best guess would see the Colts throwing against a suspect Bucs pass defense. Unfortunately, they are losing options every week. Jack Doyle and maybe Zach Pascal are the most likely recipients of the volume. This is a hard one to predict.

Team Trends That Matter

Multiple offensive turnovers in four of their last five games.
Fourth slowest pace (32.41 seconds) on offense when accounting for situation and score.
Has allowed multiple touchdown passes to their last three opponents.

Fantasy Rating and a Stat to Know

QB Jacoby Brissett (2) - Five straight games under 16 fantasy points
RB Jordan Wilkins (2) - Saw 2019 highs in snaps (32) and total touches (13) in Week 13
RB Nyhiem Hines (2) - Four straight games with eight or more PPR points
WR Zach Pascal (3) - Season highs in snaps (72) and targets (10) in Week 13
TE Jack Doyle (4) - Season highs in snaps (68) and targets (11) in Week 13

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers clearly do not trust their rushing attack. Last week saw them bench Ronald Jones for bad pass protection, a major issue for this type of offense. Just bet on the passing game and avoid everything related to the run.

Team Trends That Matter

Fastest offensive pace (25.59 seconds) when leading by seven or more points.
Five straight games with an opposing wide receiver scoring 19 or more PPR points.
Tied for first with 149 offensive drives this season.

Fantasy Rating and a Stat to Know

QB Jameis Winston (4) - Week 13 was his first game this season without a passing touchdown
RB Ronald Jones (2) - Six of 12 games under 10 PPR points
RB Peyton Barber (1) - Week 13 was just his second game over 15 rushing attempts
WR Chris Godwin (5) - Has yet to finish a game under 40 receiving yards
WR Mike Evans (5) - Four straight games under five receptions
TE O.J. Howard (1) - Week 13 was just his second game this season with more than five targets