Decking halls and smashing starts, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. Coming into the fantasy playoffs, fantasy start sit decisions are more important than ever. Whether you are dragging your team into the playoffs or riding high, the fantasy playoffs are a different beast.
- Waiver Wire Picks
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Last week, we had a Thanksgiving special with eight players. We selected RJ Harvey (RB4), Ashton Jeanty (RB34), Cam Ward ( QB28), Breece Hall (RB16), Christian Watson (WR12), Rashee Rice (WR3), Ja’Marr Chase (WR16) and DeVonta Smith (WR39). Overall, not a bad week. However, we can do better. My name is Ellis Johnson, and these are your Week 14 Smash Starts.
Fantasy Football Smash Starts: Week 14
CeeDee Lamb (WR – DAL) & George Pickens (WR – DAL)
I hope you’re ready for back-to-back Thursday feasts, because we have a barn burner to start Week 14. I don’t usually select players from Thursday Night Football; however, this matchup is too good. The Lions are slowly losing the race to the top of the NFC North mountain, while the Cowboys are living on thin ice trying to hang onto playoff hopes.
Since trading for Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson, the Cowboys have managed to turn their defense around and stack two wins against last year’s Super Bowl teams. Even with a better defense, most of the heavy lifting has been done through Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. This bodes well in this matchup as the Lions are averaging the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs, but the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers.
On the other side, the Cowboys are allowing the most fantasy points to receivers, setting the table for a true fantasy feast this Thursday. Both Pickens and Lamb are in line for massive games, and I have them both ranked inside the top eight at the position for the week.
Chase Brown (RB – CIN)
The third year back out of London, Ontario, has six straight 100-yard games. Not only is this a Bengals franchise record, but Chase Brown has also been a top-15 back in five straight games. Arguably, what is most impressive is that he has done this while only scoring three times on the season. With Joe Burrow back under center, scoring opportunities should come more frequently for this entire offense.
This week, the Bengals face the Bills in a must-win game for their playoff hopes. The Bills are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points, the third-most rushing yards and the most rushing touchdowns to the running back position on the season. Josh Allen against the Bengals’ defense is not suitable for all audiences. As a result, Burrow and company will need to pull out all the tricks to keep them in this game. As a result, Brown should be heavily featured and primed to find the end zone for only the fourth time this season.
James Cook (RB – BUF)
Let’s look at the other back in this matchup. Both of these run defenses are among the worst in the league. In fact, the Bengals are the worst defense against running backs. Per game, the Bengals are allowing the most rushing yards (128.2), the most 100-yard games, the second-most receiving yards and the most receiving touchdowns to the position.
On top of this, James Cook is having a phenomenal season. He is second in the league in both rushing attempts and rushing yards. He also has at least three receptions in each of his last four games. Overall, Cook has been a great rusher on one of the league’s best offenses. Considering they gave him 32 rush attempts last week against the Steelers, the team has no issue giving him a huge workload. Cook is primed for a huge game this week and could finish within the top five at the position if he can find the end zone.
Tyler Warren (TE – IND)
Tyler Warren has been having a great rookie season for fantasy. Even with the Colts taking a step back, he has continued to be a solid fantasy play. With only two weeks below seven fantasy points, he has been one of the most stable options at the position.
Over the last three weeks, Warren has played three of the top six defenses against the position. However, over the next four weeks, the Colts play the Jaguars twice, the Seahawks and the 49ers. Those teams are allowing, respectively, the second-most, seventh-most and ninth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
The Jaguars are a perfect matchup, as they aren’t only bad against fantasy tight ends, but they have also allowed the fewest rushing yards to opposing running backs over the last five weeks. Holding running backs to an average of 54.2 rushing yards per game, the Colts may be forced to pass the ball all game. Especially with Daniel Jones playing with a broken leg, Warren should be a go-to target all game.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
