This is not your typical Week 14. This is usually a week to start your studs and let the chips fall where they may. But injuries and off-field transgressions have left the running back position in a state of flux. On the bright side, this gives us plenty of Week 14 streamers to discuss. As always in this column, I select one player per position who is widely available and has considerable upside. But, since running backs are the biggest story heading into this week, I managed to sneak in a couple of extra options as well. (Teaser alert!) Having said that, here are my Week 14 streamers.
Week 14 Streamers
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Quarterback
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills v. New York Jets
Josh Allen has quietly put up the most fantasy points of any quarterback over the last two weeks thanks in large part to some incredible rushing numbers. Allen has rushed for 234 yards over the last two weeks. That is the third highest total in the entire NFL behind Phillip Lindsay and Lamar Miller. Allen’s rushing production boosts his floor and makes him a much more attractive option in fantasy. This week, the rookie should be able to keep his recent hot stretch going when he hosts the New York Jets.
New York’s defense has tried to keep them competitive, but they do not create enough sacks or turnovers to fear them in this matchup. They have also been susceptible to the deep ball in recent weeks, which plays into Allen’s strengths. The Jets utilize a lot of man-to-man principles, which also increases the likelihood of Allen finding running lanes if his pocket breaks down. No matter how you slice it, this is a plus matchup for Allen. Allen has yet to surpass 245 passing yards in any game, so those in leagues with yardage thresholds and bonuses may have better options. But I think Allen is a QB1 in standard scoring leagues this week. It may not always be aesthetically pleasing, but Allen will put up plenty of fantasy points in this matchup.
Running Back
Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers v. Cincinnati Bengals
The recent stretch of injuries to some of the league’s top running backs has thrown a monkey wrench into the plans of many a fantasy manager as we head into the fantasy playoffs. There is no shortage of potential Week 14 streamers at the running back position. I am going to select Justin Jackson of the Los Angeles Chargers. You may recall that Jackson was my Extra Point last week. That pick was not looking so great in the early stages of last Sunday night’s game, as Jackson was the clear-cut backup to Austin Ekeler. However, Jackson finally got his chance to shine, and he delivered. Jackson finished as a top-10 fantasy running back last week despite getting just nine touches. He should earn a much bigger portion of the work this week when the Chargers host the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincinnati is merely playing out the string at this point in the season. Their run defense has truly been abysmal as of late. In the last four weeks, the Bengals have allowed 669 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs. Both of those totals are the worst in the league. With Melvin Gordon expected to sit out another week with a sprained MCL, Jackson should be the primary beneficiary of Cincinnati’s generosity. Los Angeles is the biggest favorite on the board this week, only adding another reason to invest. The rookie out of Northwestern is rostered in just 36 percent of leagues and is active in just 13 percent. Those numbers are criminally low considering the likelihood that Jackson smashes in this pristine matchup. He can easily be an RB1 again this week.
Wide Receiver
Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns
Curtis Samuel is slowly but surely making the transition from gadget player to consistent fantasy commodity. He has posted six top-30 fantasy finishes in nine games this season. That number is especially impressive when considering that prior to Week 12 Samuel was on the field for just 26 percent of offensive snaps. Over the last two weeks, however, Samuel has been much more involved. He has been on the field for 87 percent of snaps during that time. Last week, he had career-high marks in receptions (8), targets (11), and receiving yards (88). The second-year pro will look to build on that performance when Carolina heads to Cleveland to face the Browns.
Samuel has an interesting individual matchup in the slot against Briean Boddy-Calhoun. Boddy-Calhoun has taken a step back this season, but he had arguably his best game of the year last week against Houston. Still, Samuel has the speed to separate from anyone and is utilized in space enough for me to like his chances here. His upside is generally limited by Carolina’s other options, but the injury to tight end Greg Olsen should open up a couple of added looks. Samuel is available in 53 percent of leagues and is only active in 23 percent. I would not expect a top-20 performance, but Samuel makes for a very viable WR3/Flex option this week.
Tight End
Jaylen Samuels, Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders
Remember when I said there were several Week 14 streamers at the running back position? Well only one of them also qualifies at tight end. And that man is Jaylen Samuels of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hey, I don’t make the rules. But I do know that this is a situation that should be exploited wherever possible. Samuels was utilized at several positions in college, including tight end. Thus, he was granted unique dual-eligibility. With James Conner already ruled out for Week 14, Samuels is in position to earn a significant number of carries this week. It certainly does not hurt that he gets to face the Oakland Raiders, who have surrendered the most rushing yards in the NFL to opposing running backs.
Despite the matchup, I am not as bullish on Samuels this week as most. (More on that in a minute.) But in leagues where he is eligible at tight end, he tops all Week 14 streamers. Conner has averaged over 18 fantasy points per game this season. Travis Kelce leads all tight ends with just over 13 fantasy points per game, and only three tight ends average more than 10 fantasy points per game. If Samuels is just half as productive as Conner, we are talking about a likely top-five fantasy tight end. Samuels is rostered in just 45 percent of leagues and is active in just 16 percent. He should be active in just about every single league this week and is a bonafide starter at multiple positions, making him one of the more intriguing streamer options we have seen all season long.
Kicker
Michael Badgley, Los Angeles Chargers v. Cincinnati Bengals
Michael Badgley is a popular pick in these parts, and he should continue to thrive this week. He has been a top-13 kicker in three of four weeks since permanently replacing the ineffective Caleb Sturgis. The Chargers have an implied weekly total of 31 points against the lowly Bengals. Badgley should have plenty of chances to put points on the scoreboard. The rookie out of Miami is widely available (rostered in just 22 percent of leagues) and attached to one of the best offenses in the league. He should be among the leading scorers this week and makes for an easy add for those streaming kickers.
Defense
Buffalo Bills v. New York Jets
The Buffalo Bills have played stout defense in spurts this season, and they are currently in the midst of one of those runs. They have held two of their last three opponents to under 200 yards of total offense. One of those opponents was the New York Jets, who Buffalo will host in Week 14. When these two AFC East foes first met in Week 10, Buffalo finished the week as the second-highest scoring fantasy defense. They had three sacks, forced two turnovers, and allowed just 10 points in a 41-10 rout.
While I do not expect another blowout, there is little reason to expect the Jets to put up much offense in this game. New York has been anemic as of late. They have scored just three offensive touchdowns in their last five games. That is truly pathetic considering the offensive explosions we have seen around the league this year. Rookie quarterback Sam Darnold is expected back following a three-game absence, but he cannot lift this bunch alone. Buffalo’s D/ST unit is still available in over half of Fantrax leagues and is currently being started in just 29 percent. They should once again be an elite fantasy defense in this matchup.
Extra Point
Stevan Ridley, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders
Jaylen Samuels is the flavor of the week among the fantasy community, and with good reason. As mentioned earlier, he is the likely lead back against a very weak Oakland Raiders run defense. But I think most are wrongly surmising that he will just assume Conner’s role in the offense. Samuels has all of 12 NFL carries to his credit, and Mike Tomlin has already stated that Pittsburgh will employ a committee approach in the wake of Conner’s absence. Enter Stevan Ridley.
Ridley may not have much left in the tank, but he is a veteran who understands his role and will not try to do too much. He also has proven he can handle a large workload. In Week 17 of last season, Ridley carried the ball 17 times for 80 yards and a score while replacing Le’Veon Bell. I do not expect that much work out of Ridley this week, but I also think it is entirely possible he gets double-digit carries and may even vulture a goal-line touch or two.
Samuels is by far the superior pass catcher and is probably the better runner as well. I just do not think that Pittsburgh is going to subject him to the 21 touches per game that Conner has averaged. Ridley should get enough work to warrant fantasy consideration given the relatively easy matchup. He is currently available in 94 percent of leagues. For those who may have recently missed out on the likes of Spencer Ware, Justin Jackson, Jeffery Wilson, and Samuels, Ridley is worth adding this week and potentially spot-starting depending on your other running back options.
Mick Ciallela has been writing for FantraxHQ since July 2017. He has also written for Bleacher Report. He is a lifelong sports fan and has been an avid fantasy sports player for many years. Mick was the Overall Champion of both the 2016 Football Challenge – Roto and 2017 Play 3 Football contests hosted by CDM Sports. Mick was born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York and currently resides in New London, Connecticut.
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