Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.
These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.
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Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 14
Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 14.
Caleb Williams (QB – CHI) vs. Green Bay Packers
Chicago’s run offense has become one of the best in the NFL lately. Unfortunately, that has hurt Williams’ fantasy value after an excellent start to the year. Furthermore, the former USC star has struggled lately, completing 50.5% of his pass attempts for 195.3 yards, 1.3 touchdowns, and 13.8 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, totaling one or fewer score and under 10.3 fantasy points twice. Last week, Williams completed 47.2% of his pass attempts for 154 yards and 9.5 fantasy points, setting season lows in every category.
While Jared Goff had 256 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 20.6 fantasy points against the Packers last week, Green Bay’s pass defense has been outstanding lately. The Packers held quarterbacks to 143.3 passing yards and 6.6 fantasy points per game over their previous four contests, allowing under 202 yards and 12.1 fantasy points in every outing. Furthermore, they gave up only one passing touchdown to quarterbacks during that stretch. Expect Ben Johnson to lean on his run game and defense, limiting Williams’ fantasy upside in a poor matchup.
Javonte Williams (RB – DAL) vs. Detroit Lions
You can likely call Williams the fantasy MVP based on draft cost this season. Despite being a double-digit round pick in most drafts, he is the RB7 for the year, averaging 16.3 PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, the veteran has cooled off after an excellent start, averaging 11.7 fantasy points per game over the past four contests, totaling more than 12.1 only once. Furthermore, Williams has zero rushing touchdowns and only one receiving score during the past five weeks after totaling eight and one over the first eight games.
Thursday night’s matchup between the Cowboys and Lions has massive NFL playoff implications. It also has significant playoff impact for many fantasy players. Unfortunately, Williams has his toughest matchup for the season on Thursday night against Detroit. The Lions have had arguably the top run defense in the league this year. They have surrendered 16.4 fantasy points per game to running backs, the fewest in the NFL. Detroit has given up only one rushing touchdown to running backs since Week 4, allowing 15.2 fantasy points per game during the stretch.
Woody Marks (RB – HOU) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
It seemed like Marks was on track to be a league winner a few weeks ago after totaling 111 scrimmage yards and 15.1 PPR fantasy points per game against the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, the rookie’s production has fallen off a cliff, especially in the passing game. He has averaged 15.4 rushing attempts for 54.4 yards and 8.1 fantasy points per game over the past five weeks, totaling 7.9 or fewer in all but one contest. Furthermore, Marks has five receptions for 23 receiving yards over the past five weeks.
By comparison, he had four receptions for 49 receiving yards in the matchup against the 49ers. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have given up 18.7 fantasy points per game to running backs, the sixth-fewest in the NFL this season. Last week, they surrendered 106 rushing yards, a touchdown, and 27.7 fantasy points to the Dallas Cowboys backfield. However, Kansas City had held running backs to 61.1 rushing yards and 14.3 fantasy points per game over the previous eight weeks, allowing only two rushing touchdowns and over 15.6 fantasy points twice.
Khalil Shakir (WR – BUF) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Typically, fantasy players put Shakir in their lineup and feel confident that the veteran will have a solid performance every week. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case lately. Despite Keon Coleman being a healthy scratch two of the past three contests, Shakir has struggled, averaging 3.3 receptions on 5.7 targets for 37.3 receiving yards, zero touchdowns, and 6.4 PPR fantasy points per game. He had only one reception on four or fewer targets for under six receiving yards and less than 1.6 fantasy points in two of those contests.
One of those games came last week despite the fantasy-friendly matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, as Shakir had four targets, one fewer than Ty Johnson (five). Meanwhile, the Bengals’ pass defense isn’t as bad as advertised. They’ve held wide receivers to 27.1 fantasy points per game this year, the sixth-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, Cincinnati’s defense has been outstanding since their bye week, surrendering 6.3 receptions for 74 receiving yards, zero touchdowns, and 13.5 fantasy points per game to wide receivers despite facing Drake Maye and Lamar Jackson-led offenses.
Xavier Worthy (WR – KC) vs. Houston Texans
Last week, Worthy was an undervalued fantasy wide receiver because of the Thanksgiving matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The former Texas star was productive, totaling four receptions on six targets for 61 receiving yards and 11.4 PPR fantasy points in the loss. Unfortunately, Worthy has been borderline droppable since Rashee Rice returned from his suspension. He has averaged 3.7 receptions on 6.2 targets for 42.7 receiving yards, zero touchdowns, and 8.5 fantasy points per game with Rice playing, totaling single-digits in all but two contests, including last week’s outing.
More importantly, Worthy faces arguably the NFL’s best defense on Sunday night. The Texans have held wide receivers to 26 fantasy points per game, the third-fewest in the league. Furthermore, Houston has shut down opposing outside wide receivers. According to Fantasy Points Data, they surrendered 73 receiving yards and 15.6 fantasy points per game to outside receivers, ranking in the bottom three in both categories. Meanwhile, Worthy ranks first among qualifying Chiefs pass catchers in routes run out wide. Unfortunately, fantasy players shouldn’t expect much from the former Texas star.
Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI) vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Goedert was the TE6 over the first eight weeks, averaging 4.3 receptions on 5.6 targets for 41.3 receiving yards, and 14.4 PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 10.3 or more in all but one contest. However, he was a touchdown machine, scoring seven times during that stretch, finding the end zone at least once in all but two of those contests. Unfortunately, Goedert’s touchdown luck has disappeared, as has his fantasy appeal. He is the TE27 over the past month, averaging 5.4 fantasy points per game, totaling zero receiving touchdowns.
Furthermore, Goedert has 11 targets over the past three weeks, totaling 4.7 or fewer fantasy points in every game. Meanwhile, he will likely continue to struggle against the Chargers on Monday night. Last week, Brock Bowers had 22.3 fantasy points against Los Angeles. However, the former Georgia star is arguably the best tight end in the league and had two touchdowns on only four targets. By comparison, the Chargers have surrendered 3.5 receptions for 35.3 receiving yards and nine fantasy points per game to all other tight ends this season.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
