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FANTASY FOOTBALL GEMS & SLEEPERS WEEK 14
By Edwin Camacho
Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback
Fantasy Gem- Matthew Stafford @ Philadelphia Eagles. My fantasy gem at QB this week is Matthew Stafford. He has been on a tear in 2013 and in the past seven games, six of them have yielded 18 or more fantasy points per ESPN. You can always count on the Stafford to Megatron duo to come up big on a weekly basis, especially against a porous Eagles defense who have prone to giving up fantasy points to every fantasy position, QB included.
Fantasy Sleeper-Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Denver Broncos. I know this is going to look crazy when you read this as most of our readers are used to seeing Fitz with Buffalo twice a year; but Ryan Fitzpatrick has been a very solid fantasy QB since taking over for the injured Jake Locker. The Amish Rifle has some good weapons to throw to with Delanie Walker, Kendall Wright, and Nate Washington lining up along with him. If you are an Aaron Rodgers owner or need a quality backup Fitzpatrick is the way to go. Especially against a middle of the pack Broncos defense who even allowed Alex Smith to throw deep last week.
Running Back
Fantasy Gem-Eddie Lacy vs. Atlanta Falcons. Eddie Lacy has been awesome after coming back from his injury earlier this year. AS we saw when the Jets went to Atlanta and got a crucial win, if you have a serviceable running back, they will flourish against a soft Falcons front 7. With Aaron Rodgers out this week with an injury, the Packers will lean on Lacy this week and if he is your RB you have to roll with him.
Fantasy Sleeper- Steven Jackson @ Green Bay Packers Steven Jackson has been miserable this year at running back. If you drafted him early I apologize in advance and I hope you were able to compensate for him with another RB. Despite that, he has been putting up points the past few weeks and if you are in need look for him to put up some points this week and maybe even surprise you. Roddy White had a big game last week with him and Douglas opening up, it should provide some opportunities for some yards.
Wide Receiver
Fantasy Gem- Calvin Johnson @ Philadelphia Eagles. Lets be honest, Megatron is a fantasy stud every week. He should also be started every week as he was probably a mid first round pick. This is an awesome match up for Megatron.
Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Eagles cannot stop a nosebleed already, when you pair that with the physical tools and Matthew Stafford under center, this will be a game which Megatron puts up monster numbers. Hands down the fantasy gem at WR.
Fantasy Sleeper- Keenan Allen vs New York Giants Keenan Allen has had three 100 yard or greater receiving performances in the past five weeks after the San Diego bye week. He has shown he has the speed and hands necessary to become a top receiver in the coming years. The Giants defense has been playing better in the past few weeks. Regardless, Philip Rivers is having one of the best years of his career and Allen should be the beneficiary of this. If you need a good flex or WR2/3 Keenan Allen is a great option.
Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Tight End
Fantasy Gem- Greg Olsen vs New Orleans Saints. New Jersey’s own Greg Olsen has been putting up very solid numbers in his contract year and ensuring he locks up one more big contract before the twilight of his career. The New Orleans Saints defense has improved since Rob Ryan was hired as a defensive coordinator but I believe that Steve Smith and Brandon Lafell will draw plenty of attention leaving openings for Olsen to be a factor in fantasy. Look for Olsen to put up a solid double-digit performance.
Fantasy Sleeper- Delanie Walker @ Denver Broncos. After signing with Tennessee via way of the San Francisco 49ers, Delanie Walker has been a consistent receiving threat at TE for the Titans. The Titans lost Jared Cook this past off-season in free agency and were able to replace him easily with Walker. He seems to have a good rapport with Ryan Fitzpatrick and is a safety for that offense. He also has a favorable match up against the Broncos. If he is cleared to played (concussion protocol), he is a solid fantasy sleeper this week.
Kicker
Fantasy Gem- Justin Tucker vs Minnesota Vikings. The Ravens have not very goo this season on the offensive side of the ball. This weeks match up against Minnesota should be a good one. Ray Rice should finally put together a good game this year after being a huge disappointment. Torrey Smith and Marlon Brown will also go nuts on that weak Minnesota secondary. Tucker will have more than his share of opportunities to put some kicks through the uprights. Tucker is this weeks fantasy studs for Kickers.
Fantasy Sleeper- Garret Hartley vs Carolina Panthers. Garret Hartley has been a perennial fantasy stud in the past few years. I mean how could you not be with Drew Brees as your QB? HE had a pretty bad game last week but he will undoubtedly bounce back this week. They are playing indoors at the Superdome so weather will not be an issue. The Carolina D has played on an elite level this year but Hartley will get more than enough opportunities as his range is extended in the indoor setting.
Defense/Special Teams
Fantasy Gem- Baltimore Ravens vs Minnesota Vikings. Christian Ponder is out with a concussion and Matt Cassel will be starting this game for the Vikngs. Either way that doesn’t make a difference. Neither QB is a real threat. The real threat is Adrian Peterson. With no threat to throw, the Ravens will stack the box to stop AP. In the cases they do throw, the Ravens secondary will be all over it. This is a great match up for the Ravens I look for them to not only shut down the Vikings but get some points off turnovers as well.
Fantasy Sleeper- New York Jets vs Oakland Raiders. The New York Jets defense got torched last week by Miami as I’m sure all of you are aware of. I don’t believe Rex Ryan will let that happened again. He is coaching for his job next year.
Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
The Raiders play terribly when traveling to the east coast to play. Danarius Moore, and Darren McFadden are out this week leaving Rashad Jennings and Rod Streater as the only offensive play makers with Pryor probably coming in as a wildcat QB. The Jets should dominate and put up great numbers this week.