Streaming Quarterbacks: Week 14 Targets

Dec 03, 2019

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The Eagles lost to the Dolphins in a game totaling 68 points.

The Panthers lost to Washington in a game totaling 50 points.

The Jets lost to the winless Bengals.

The time of the season doesn’t matter. While we’re gearing up for the playoffs, the players continue to give us highlight-reel performances. Some expected, some not. It’s part of why we watch and enjoy fantasy football. The allure of security in elite players along with the swings in high-ceiling plays, create a tantalizing combination. Regardless, as we enter playoff #szn, matchup and player evaluation become critical skills.

Other Week 14 Streaming Articles: TE | K | D/ST

Congratulations if you’ve made it to the playoffs. Navigating a 13-week gauntlet of injuries, bad weather, low-output performances, and bye weeks is a feat on its own. Along with your own intuition, I hope each week’s column has provided enough information to get you to this point. With that, let’s dive into the latest news from Week 13 and look to what’s ahead.

Week 13 Review

Disastrous results. Our streak of finding at least one QB1 continues, but the top recommendations didn’t throw a single touchdown. Here’s how the scores ended up with key takeaways below:

Sam Darnold – 10.46 points (QB28)
Nick Foles – -1.98 points (QB41)
Ryan Tannehill – 13.78 points (QB19)
Kyle Allen – 23.32 points (QB9)

An imbalanced offensive plan ruined what should have been a positive matchup for the Jets. Darnold had been efficient at a 50.8% passing rate over their last three games. Against the Bengals, a team allowing 136 rushing yards per game over the same time period, Adam Gase opted to run the ball 16 times (10 attempts for Le’Veon Bell) leaving the offense to Darnold’s arm. Their 75% passing rate was a season-high and Darnold hit a new career-high in pass attempts. While increased volume typically helps quarterbacks, taking advantage of opponent’s weaknesses also helps in moving the ball into scoring position. More was expected as the Bengals notched their first win of the season.

And then there’s Nick Foles. The forecast indicated high winds causing some speculation on both passing games. Maybe that was a sign. Either that or Foles’ declining play as 41.9% of his passing yards over the previous two games came in the fourth quarter. With three more turnovers, there was no choice but to go back to Gardner Minshew. The chance of being benched midgame wasn’t anticipated, but neither were multiple turnovers in a single half of play against Tampa Bay’s secondary. The matchup and quarterback were slightly overrated, but we do have other metrics to weigh for future matchups. Hopefully, you survived and can dig into the playoffs with more information available on the upcoming week of games.

Adjusted Fantasy Points Allowed

The season continues on and the rankings change yet again after another wild week of games. 4for4’s Schedule-Adjusted Fantasy Points Allowed ranks have been updated through Week 13 with notable changes including:

PHI down 9 spots to #13 (14.1 aFPA)
DAL down 4 spots to #10 (13.5 aFPA)
DEN down 3 spots to #8 (13.5 aFPA)
CHI up 5 spots to #5 (12.5 aFPA)
TB up 5 spots to #26 (20.7 aFPA)
NO up 7 spots to # 7 (13.0 aFPA)

Key Defensive Injuries

Finally, we’ll review injuries along with the guidelines that will be used each week to find viable options on the waiver wire:

Ownership levels in the playoffs have been relaxed to 60%. Anyone with a positive matchup now becomes viable.
Ancillary metrics and game conditions (e.g. defensive ranking, weather) will be factored into the analysis.
Positive matchups for all pass catchers to be considered.
4for4 rankings should always be consulted for league-specific decisions.

Adoree’ Jackson (Titans, Knee) – The Titans’ starting CB was seen having his right foot/ankle wrapped in ice after being at the bottom of the pile. Malcolm Butler and LeShaun Sims were already injured leaving the Titans shorthanded in their secondary. They were still able to post a win (Jacoby Brissett still threw for 319 yards), but their weakened squad has to travel across the country to face the ailing Raiders eager for a bounce-back in Week 14.

Jaquiski Tartt (49ers, Ribs) – Tartt, along with Richard Sherman, both left their matchup against the Ravens with injuries. However, only Sherman returned to action. Tartt had three tackles on the day before exiting, but his replacement (Marcell Harris) was the one who forced Lamar Jackson’s first lost fumble of the season. Kyle Shanahan had no further information on the Safety’s status as the team prepares for the trip to New Orleans in Week 14.

D.J. Hayden (Jaguars, Neck) – The Jaguars’ slot corner was injured shortly after recovering a sack-fumble earlier in the game. He was able to get up but didn’t return to the game. His replacement, Breon Borders, didn’t provide much of an impact as Jameis Winston was still able to connect on 63.6% of his passes. Jacksonville’s interior issues are now extending to their secondary with injuries, but play host to the turnover-prone Philip Rivers (8 interceptions over the last 3 weeks) in Week 14.

Other Notable Injuries: Jerome Baker (Eagles, Chest), Kenny Moore (Colts, Ankle), Jamel Dean (Buccaneers, Shoulder), Daren Bates (Titans, Shoulder), D.J. Jones (49ers, Ankle), Cory Ballantine (Giants, Concussion), Tyler Lancaster (Packers, Neck), Montez Sweat (Washington, Quad), Jeremiah Attaochu (Broncos, Leg), Frank Clark (Chiefs, Shoulder), Rashad Fenton (Raiders, Hamstring)