It’s that time of year. Playoffs baby. So much happened last week including numerous coaches finding themselves on the hot seat, Tom Brady continuing his major struggles, and most importantly, the Bengals won a game. With week 14 right around the corner let’s get right into it. All point totals are done in the basic ESPN PPR format.

Must Start:

Ryan Tannehill- Quarterback-Tennessee Titans: How can you not start this man. Maybe with the exception of Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, you could argue Tannehill is the hottest QB in football right now. Since becoming the starter he has gone over 19 fantasy points in every start except for one. He has completely transformed this Titan team and is giving them a late playoff push. He is against a Raider team who has allowed the third most FPPG to opposing QBs (22.4 FPPG). The hot hand combined with the easy matchup is too good not to take advantage of.

Devonta Freeman- Running Back- Atlanta Falcons:  Freeman has had a very disappointing season by his standards. The RB23 finds himself with hands down the best fantasy matchup of the entire week. He will face a Panther rush defense who just allowed 27.7 fantasy points to Derrius Guice last week on only 12 total catches. Freeman will see way more touches than that and the Panther rush defense is just dreadful. They have allowed the second most FPPG to RBs and the most rushing TDs to RBs by 6 TDs (They have allowed 19, the next closest is 13). Freeman will have a chance to torch a struggling Panther team who just fired their head coach.

Alshon Jeffery- Wide Receiver- Philadelphia Eagles: Another guy who has been a massive let down this year as he is currently WR39. Jeffery did just have a monster day against, well, the Dolphins. I mean you gotta start somewhere and he will now look to continue off last weeks performance against the Giants who have allowed third most FPPG to WRs and third most receiving TDs. Jeffery, who is one of the only offensive weapons the Eagles have, will have a great chance to shine again this week.

Do Not Start:

Drew Brees- Quarterback- New Orleans Saints: Hear me out on this one. I know he’s a hall of famer and a top 5 QB in the NFL, but just listen. In the four games back since his injury in half those games he’s gone under 12 fantasy points. Both against the Falcons who have a super QB friendly defense. This week he finds himself with a much harder matchup against the 49ers who have allowed the third least FPPG to QBs. Michael Thomas, who accounts for 40% of the Saints pass production, will be working against Richard Sherman and will be helped by the elite 49er linebackers as well. That will make life very difficult for Brees to help try to get to his number 1 target as well. There are definitely better starts this week.

Marlon Mack- Running Back- Indianapolis Colts: Mack is coming off an injury and has a pretty rough matchup against the Buccaneers. The Bucs surprisingly have a great rush defense (probably because their pass defense is so bad teams just pass). They have allowed the third least FPPG to opposing RBs and the second least receptions to RBs as well. Mack will have a rough “welcome back” game after his absence.

The Entire 49er Backfield- There are so many question marks surrounding this backfield. Tevin Coleman has not had a productive game since week 8 and Matt Breida has been injured the past few weeks. That leaves Mostert who had a monst week last week but realistically is RB3 on the depth chart. There is too much talent in this backfield and too many touches to go around especially against the Saints. The Saints have allowed the 4th least FPPG RBs. It’s too rough of a matchup and too many touches are shared in the backfield/

Waiver Wire Pickup

Alexander Mattison- Running Back- Minnesota Vikings: Dalvin Cook has finally received his annual injury, which means it’s Mattison time for at least week 14. The Vikings run offense is so good that Mattison can step in and be a top 10 RB anyone week in this featured role. With playoffs going on right now he is a primary target to roster who could provide tons of bonus points in a possible FLEX role. Only owned in 19.1% of ESPN leagues.

Anthony Miller- Wide Receiver- Chicago Bears: He has been nothing short of spectacular in his last three games. He has totaled at least nine targets in each of those games and has at least 6 catches for 50 yards in each game in that stretch as well. Miller has become a security blanket for a struggling Mitch Trubisky and will continue to heavily produce. He is only owned in 11.8% of ESPN leagues.

Cole Beasley- Wide Receiver- Buffalo Bills: Beasley has quietly been one of the most consistent fantasy plays all year. He has at least nine points in 10 of the 12 games he has played this year and has been a security blanket for Josh Allen who has been nothing short of spectacular. He is only owned in 24.8% of ESPN leagues.