Fantasy Football: Top 5 sleeper picks heading into Week 14

Fantasy football is all about taking risks. Add one of this week’s top sleepers to your winning playoff team!

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Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) drops back to pass during the first quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

The fantasy football playoffs have finally arrived. Unfortunately, this is where things get a little tricky. When setting your weekly lineups, there’s more to take into consideration. Firstly, there are no more bye weeks.

Must Read: Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 14: WR Brandon Marshall

Second, as teams continue to clinch the playoffs, starting players are playing less and less; nobody wants a burnt out or injured player before the playoffs.

Lastly, most leagues have now closed out trading options, wire waivers or adding and dropping players. What does this mean for fantasy football owners? No more endless options! But, it’s okay. There are still a handful of players that you may have on your bench that are expected to have big games this week.

So, if you want to change your lineup or gamble with fate, sleepers are the way to go! And this week’s sleepers are either available in leagues that who haven’t set deadlines or, can be found on your bench.

Based on this week’s matchups, playoff contenders, and past performances, I have identified the top five sleepers of Week 14. Take a chance with one of these players to fully maximize your roster!

Next: 5. This quarterback was benched mid-game last week

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5. Colin Kaepernick, QB – San Francisco 49ers

When the season began, Colin Kaepernick was a joke. With his game day shenanigans and vocalized opinions, Kaepernick was in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

However, when he got his start in Week 5, he proved he could be the Super Bowl champion we remember. Kaepernick has now earned double-digit points in six of his last seven games.

In all but one of those six outings, he earned 20 or more fantasy football points per game. He even had a week where he earned over 40. Unfortunately, he was a huge upset in last week’s game. After only completing four receiving yards and 20 rushing yards, he was benched for the fourth quarter; he literally earned one fantasy point.

But, Kaepernick has been named this week’s starting quarterback as the San Francisco take on the New York Jets. Although the Jets rank 13^th in defending quarterbacks, they have surrendered 575 receiving yards and six touchdowns in their last two games.

Kaepernick has an ideal matchup this week. If he can’t outperform the Jets defense he doesn’t deserve to be in the NFL; even Josh McCown earned over 25 fantasy points against them!

Next: 4. His opponents rank 25th against the position

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Nov 27, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) is tackled by New Orleans Saints cornerback B.W. Webb (28) in the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

4. Kenny Britt, WR – Los Angeles Rams

Kenny Britt hasn’t been the most consistent of reliable fantasy football wide receivers. However, he has earned double-digit points in at least half of his weekly games.

Last week, Britt managed to earn about 15 points against a stout New England Patriots defense. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter Britt had any production.

He completed just 2-of-6 targets for a little under 70 yards. He also had the team’s only touchdown; it was only a one-yarder.

It was the second week in a row Britt earned a touchdown. He looks to make it three in a row in his Week14 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons secondary has struggled a bit and currently ranks 25^th in production allowed to the position. If there was ever a week to chance it with Britt, it’s Week 14.

Next: 3. You can finally trust a member of the Browns

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Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) runs the ball against the New York Giants during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Giants won 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

3. Isaiah Crowell, RB – Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns still haven’t won a game this season. Most fantasy owners aren’t filling their rosters with Browns, however, if you must choose one, I’d suggest Isaiah Crowell.

Crowell has now earned double-digit fantasy football points in at least half of his matchups this season. Although that doesn’t seem great, he has consistently been an RB3 bringing in some valuable points depending on his matchup.

This week, Crowell has two things going for him. Quarterback Robert Griffin III is the Browns starting quarterback heading into this week’s matchup. The Browns have found success in their running and passing game with Griffin front and center.

Crowell is also coming off a Week 13 bye. Not only is he well rested but, he has had two weeks to prepare for his Cincinnati Bengals game. Although the Bengals have held the position to 87 or fewer yards per game in their last five outings, keep in mind this is the sleeper list! Put your faith in Crowell this week.

Next: 2. You would never know he suffered an injury

2. Ladarius Green, TE – Pittsburgh Steelers

We haven’t seen much of Ladarius Green this season. But, over the last four weeks, Green has received an increased role.

Week after week, Green has not only progressed but, he has become one of Ben Roethlisberger’s main targets. It was like he never missed any game due to an injury.

Last week, he had his best game after a long dreadful injury. He came face-to-face with the New York Giants who couldn’t contain Green in last week’s matchup.

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Green not only played about half of the snaps but, he completed 6-of-11 passes for 110 yards; a career high. He also had a third quarter touchdown. With this production, we can assume his targets and play time will increase. This week, the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Buffalo Bills. In their last five games, the Bills have surrendered three touchdowns to the position.

With an increased role and his weekly matchup, Green enters Week 14 a TE1. Get him while you can, his fantasy football ownership has increased 33 percent over the last week.

Next: 1. This D/ST faces a struggling rookie quarterback

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Nov 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) makes a 43-yard field goal during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Falcons, 24-15. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

1. Atlanta Falcons D/ST

The Atlanta Falcons aren’t a top fantasy football D/ST. However, given the right matchup ,they have the power to earn big.

The Falcons D/ST has earned double-digit points in more than half of their weekly games. Although they aren’t offering huge numbers like the Denver Broncos or Minnesota Vikings, they have had their fair share of 20 plus point weeks.

This week the Falcons take on the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams have been struggling offensively lately with Jared Goff front and center. Last week, the New England Patriots held Goff to 10 points. They sacked him four times and had two interceptions.

The week before that, the New Orleans Saints sacked Goff three times, intercepted once and had a fumble recovery. Both teams earned 20 or more fantasy football points.

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You shouldn’t need any more convincing after the Saints D/ST defeated Goff. The Falcons D/ST are heading into an ideal situation in Week 14. They are a must start this week.