What You Need to Know From Week 14

Photo: Andrew Nelles, USA Today Sports

NE @ PIT

• Bailey Zappe had a good half and could support a pass-catcher or two down the stretch. In this game, it was Hunter Henry with two touchdowns.
• Ezekiel Elliott got as much as he could handle, especially in the passing game. He's a strong RB2 start in the fantasy playoffs with little competition for touches unless Rhamondre Stevenson rallies from his high ankle sprain soon.
• Mitch Trubisky is sucking the life out of the Steelers offense. All of their top skill players are only what-the-heck flexes against the Colts, and Pat Freiermuth's return to fantasy relevance was short-lived. Mason Rudolph could start before the season is over; take note in deep 2QB/Superflex leagues.

HOU @ NYJ

• Nico Collins going out early with a calf injury, plus a lively Jets defensive performance, made this a miserable day for the Texans offense. C.J. Stroud also left the game and is in concussion protocol. If Davis Mills starts against the Titans, no Texans pass-catchers should be in fantasy lineups.
• Xavier Hutchinson replaced Collins, and John Metchie III also got more looks after Collins left. Both are worth waiver pickups in very deep leagues, along with tight end Brevin Jordan, who led the team in receiving yards. Monitor the status of Stroud, Collins, and Dalton Schultz to determine the Texans' offensive outlook for Week 15.
• Devin Singletary was back atop the backfield pecking order and scored the Texans' only touchdown. He's a what-the-heck flex against the Titans, and we should assume that the Texans have finally settled on him as the #1 back. Dameon Pierce is droppable for a more promising injury upside backup.
• Zach Wilson played one of the best games of his career and boosted the values of Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. Garrett Wilson and Hall are back to being no-brainer starts, and Zach Wilson has some value in 2QB/Superflex vs. Miami.
• Tyler Conklin has some desperation play value with improved quarterback play, but Jeremy Ruckert is sharing the tight end role and should be stashed in tight end premium dynasty leagues if bench size allows.

LAR @ BAL

• Matthew Stafford was in top form despite the rain and tough defensive matchup. He's a strong QB1 against Washington and a viable play in the fantasy playoffs.
• Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are safe starts now with Stafford peaking. Even rookie tight Davis Allen was a solid play and could have value in very deep leagues if Tyler Higbee misses more time.
• Lamar Jackson was able to throw two long scores against busted coverage in the first half to Odell Beckham and Isaiah Likely, and he threw 43 times compared to 15 running back rush attempts coming out of the bye as the Ravens' pass offense appears to be finally spreading its wings. Beckham is a high-ceiling WR3/Flex, Likely is a TE1, and Zay Flowers, who caught the late go-ahead score, is also a WR3/Flex for the fantasy playoffs.
• Keaton Mitchell got more touches than Gus Edwards and Justice Hill is still involved in this offense, so we don't have a clear running back start from this backfield. Consider Mitchell and Edwards both what-the-heck flex plays against the Jaguars.

CAR @ NO

• Adam Thielen was back to fantasy relevance in this one, but his ceiling is much lower than earlier this year. As long as he doesn't face A.J. Terrell too often, Thielen will be a WR3/Flex against the Falcons.
• Miles Sanders showed some signs of life with a long run, but Chuba Hubbard is still the lead back, running well, and worth an RB2/Flex start against Atlanta.
• Derek Carr and the pass offense was modest with the Saints controlling this game, but Chris Olave at least got a short score late. Olave's ceiling should be lowered in a matchup against a resurgent Giants defense in Week 15, especially with the possibility of Rashid Shaheed returning to the lineup.
• With Taysom Hill out, Jamaal Williams got more work in the backfield. It appears Alvin Kamara's ceiling is capped even if Hill can't play again in Week 15.

IND @ CIN

• Zack Moss was a fantasy dud again in Week 14. Even if Jonathan Taylor is still sidelined against the Steelers in Week 15, Moss isn't an automatic start and more what-the-heck flex than RB2 despite getting most of the touches in the backfield.
• Gardner Minshew cooled off in the downfield passing game, and it appears he'll only be able to support Michael Pittman's value in the fantasy playoffs.
• Jake Browning stayed red hot, and he is worth starting consideration in 1QB leagues if you don't have an obvious play.
• Joe Mixon scored and got another big gain on a screen pass. He's a strong RB2 against the Vikings in Week 15, even though Chase Brown's role is growing.
• Brown scored on a long catch and run (another screen pass), showing he has what-the-heck flex value in addition to Mixon injury upside in the fantasy playoffs.
• Ja'Marr Chase's value came crashing down after a strong Week 13. He has to be in lineups, but the floor and ceiling are very far apart.

TB @ ATL

• Baker Mayfield was ineffective for most of the game, with Mike Evans blanketed by A.J. Terrell, but came through with a 12-play, 70-yard drive to post the game-winning score to Cade Otton, which put the Bucs in the division lead. Evans' value should bounce back against the Packers in Week 15.
• Desmond Ridder had an outstanding day as a passer and even found Kyle Pitts for a long score. Drake London also posted elite production. The Panthers have been a tough matchup for opposing quarterbacks, but Ridder is still a QB2/Superflex consideration, with Pitts back in lineup consideration, too.

JAX @ CLE

• Trevor Lawrence wasn't moving the offense well in the first half but posted a solid fantasy game with a comeback push in the second half. He should be in even better shape against the Ravens, putting him back in QB1 consideration for Week 15.
• Zay Jones didn't post a big stat line but led the team in targets and should be a WR3/Flex option against Baltimore, along with Calvin Ridley. Parker Washington scored and should be a what-the-heck flex option. The Ravens' strong pass defense had trouble slowing down the Rams in Week 14.
• Evan Engram caught two scores and was the top option for Lawrence. Even with Lawrence being more mobile and able to drive the ball downfield next week, Engram is a must-start.
• Joe Flacco has taken over the Browns quarterback job, and he has revived the value of Amari Cooper and David Njoku. Cooper and Njoku should be in Week 15 lineups against the Bears, and Flacco has some QB2/Superflex value for the fantasy playoffs.
• Jerome Ford's PPR value is up with Flacco, and Kareem Hunt's short-yardage role gives him what-the-heck flex value in an improved Browns offense.