Welcome to The Heat Index!
For those unfamiliar with the column, every Monday during the NFL season, we dig into the players whose performances through Sunday jumped out to us the most. Along with their stats (half-point PPR scoring) and positional rank for the week, we’ll rank their rest-of-season prospects on a scale of 🔥 to 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. Week 14 concludes the regular season for most fantasy leagues, so we’ll focus on the fantasy playoffs, specifically Weeks 15-17, with our 🔥 rankings below.
Quarterback
- Stat-line: 30 of 42 passing for 368 yards and three TDs, seven yards rushing with a TD
- QB Rank: 1
Analysis: Lawrence lit up the Titans in Week 14, finally breaking through with a monster fantasy performance. He was on the Heat Index after Week 3 also, when we gave him 🔥🔥🔥🔥 for the rest of the season. Lawrence hasn’t quite lived up to that, but he’s been a borderline QB1 this year. His breakout game on Sunday came against one of the worst pass defenses in the league, though, and his schedule for the fantasy playoffs is brutal. The Jaguars host the Cowboys next week and are at the Jets and Texans in Weeks 16 and 17. The Texans don’t sound tough, but their run defense is so bad that there’s no need to throw against them. If you’ve QB-streamed your way to the playoffs, there will likely be better options over the next few weeks.
Heat Index: 🔥
Wide Receiver
- Stat-line: Eight catches off nine targets for 73 yards and three TDs
- WR Rank: 1
Analysis: With Courtland Sutton out with a hamstring injury and the Broncos facing the high-flying Chiefs, the stage was set for Jeudy to have the best game of his career. The Chiefs ran out to a 27-0 lead and then seemingly fell asleep, allowing the Denver offense to put up 21 unanswered points. Jeudy’s two TDs right before half-time got them back in the game, and his third came early in the fourth, just after Russell Wilson left with a concussion. Denver’s schedule over the next three weeks is pretty good as they face the Cardinals, Chargers, and Chiefs again to close out the fantasy season. The matchups look promising for Jeudy; however, we’ll have to wait and see if Wilson is able to return, as Brett Rypien does not inspire confidence. Sutton’s availability could also affect Jeudy’s target share, as the Broncos have yet to show they can produce two fantasy-relevant WRs in a given week this season.
Heat Index: 🔥🔥🔥
- Stat-line: Six receptions off seven targets for 94 yards and a TD
- WR Rank: 5
Analysis: After missing much of the season due to an ankle injury, Chark has put in three solid games in a row. The debut last week of Jameson Williams hasn’t slowed him down, and with the Lions making a late playoff push, his usage should remain steady. Chark and the Lions will face a formidable Jets’ pass defense in Week 15 but get the Panthers and Bears to close out the Fantasy Playoffs. There are currently several pass-catching options on the Lions, which makes it hard to trust Chark. However, he’s playing well enough to warrant flex consideration in deep leagues.
Heat Index: 🔥🔥
Running Back
- Stat-line: Six carries for 22 yards; seven receptions off nine targets for 112 yards and two TDs
- RB Rank: 1
Analysis: McKinnon did nothing substantial on the ground but was the Chiefs leading receiver in Week 14. The veteran back has played well this season, but his usage varies as with most Kansas City players. McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco had emerged as a two-man RB committee for the Chiefs even before Clyde Edwards-Helaire went on the IR a few weeks ago. Both backs are flex options going forward, particularly since they face the two worst run defenses in the league in Weeks 15 and 16 (Houston and Seattle). In PPR leagues, McKinnon is the better option of the two, though Pacheco has more TD equity.
Heat Index: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Stat-line: 15 carries for 120 yards and a TD
- RB Rank: 8
Analysis: Dobbins returned to the lineup after missing six weeks due to a knee injury in style. He looked great against the Steelers but essentially split carries with Gus Edwards. Both backs could be viable in the fantasy playoffs, especially since Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley are injured and thus could lead to a heavy reliance on the RBs. Fortunately for the Ravens and fantasy managers, Baltimore faces Cleveland, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh again over the next three weeks. All three opponents struggle against the run, which puts both Dobbins and Edwards on the flex radar.
Heat Index: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Tight End
- Stat-line: Eleven receptions off 15 targets for 162 yards and two TDs
- TE Rank: 1
Analysis: Engram’s scoring output has been up-and-down in his first season in Jacksonville, but his usage has been promising. Coming into Week 14, Engram ranked tenth in targets among tight ends. After Sunday, his rank should climb a few more notches, as not many tight ends see 15 targets in a game. Engram’s schedule over the fantasy playoffs is pretty good in Weeks 16 and 17, but next week’s matchup against the Cowboys isn’t ideal. Dallas has shut down opposing tight ends for most of the season.
Heat Index: 🔥🔥
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
