2014 Week 14 Fantasy Advice

Here come the fantasy football playoffs, and it's crunch time. Every decision could end up being make or break for your season, and every crumb of news is equally important. So, this column is even more important than before. Hopefully, I can be of service in this time of need.

Who to Start:

QB Ryan Tannehill (MIA) vs. BAL: He has been incredibly underrated this season, both in fantasy and real terms, but he's been even better at home. He really is a better QB at Sun Life Stadium. The Ravens secondary has been decimated by injuries, and also is not that good away from home. This is a perfect combination for Tannehill.

RB Rashad Jennings (NYG) vs. TEN: What did I say about Jennings last week? Before he injured his ankle, he was dominant. If he goes against the Titans on Sunday, he'll have another fantastic game because the Titans defense has been absolutely woeful. If he can't go, Andre Williams is a decent sleeper pick.

WR Josh Gordon (CLE) vs. IND: The Colts defense has certainly been susceptible all season, especially away from home. Even as they are going through the inevitable QB questions that bringing on that Manziel fella invites, Gordon is still a must-start on Sunday.

WR Alshon Jeffrey (CHI) vs. DAL THU: Sure the Bears have been pretty poor at home this season and yes the Bears overall are not the same team from a year ago. Yet, Dallas' defense is starting to revert to the form many expected of them before the season, which means Jeffrey could have a monster game Thursday night.

TE Antonio Gates (SD) vs. NE: While the Patriots defense has been overall very impressive, it hasn't quite been as so against opposing Tight Ends. This bodes well for Gates, who has hit a dip in form but is a hard sit with a somewhat favorable matchup.

DEF New Orleans vs. CAR: They have been truly terrible this season on this side of the ball, but with the sieve that is Carolina's offensive line on the other side, and with Cam Newton's lack of weapons, the Saints defense is actually a nice play for Sunday.

Who to Sit:

QB Mark Sanchez (PHI) vs. SEA: Great offensive scheme + going against poor defenses (Houston, Carolina, Tennessee and Dallas all have bad defenses guys), has meant that Sanchez has become amazing to watch. But, the Seahawks have been absolutely dominant defensively recently, only allowing 6 total points. Watch out.

RB Trent Richardson (IND) vs. CLE: Isn't Cleveland terrible against the run, you might be asking? Well, they're playing better, Daniel Herron is vulturing carries away from Richardson, and oh by the way, Richardson is really bad.

WR Keenan Allen (SD) vs. NE: It is tough to bench him, but the Patriots have been pretty stingy against top receivers recently, and their defense has been incredibly stingy overall.

WR Michael Crabtree (SF) vs. OAK: He's been a fantasy no-show for most of this season, and that's putting it nicely. Even though the matchup against the Raiders is quite favorable, take almost any other skill position for San Francisco ahead of him.

TE Greg Olsen (CAR) vs. NO: Even though he's been one of the best fantasy tight ends all season, he's never had... hope you're sitting down... more than 45 yards in any game of his career against New Orleans. Welp.

DEF Buffalo vs. DEN: This should be pretty obvious, even as Buffalo has one of the more consistent fantasy defenses around, and was pretty dominant last week against Cleveland. But of course, Denver is a different animal entirely.

3 Super Sleepers:

DEF Minnesota vs. NYJ: It's the Jets. Come on now.

QB Colin Kaepernick (SF) vs. OAK: Even though he's been incredibly unreliable in fantasy land this season, have you seen the Raiders defense?

RB Joique Ball (DET) vs. TB: He's been inconsistent all season, but he at least warrants some flex-consideration because the Bucs rush defense has been absolutely awful this season.

Buyer Beware:

RB Steven Jackson (ATL) vs. GB MON: He had a 100 yard rushing game last week for the Falcons, which is kind of like seeing the white whale. It's not really a favorable matchup anyway, but Jackson is going to be important regardless if the Falcons are to pull off the massive upset. It's probably unlikely.

Good Luck in Week 14!