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Fantasy Football Week 14 Rankings: Last-Minute Outlook for Flex Players

Fantasy Football
December 13, 2015

Game time is approaching. As the minutes tick away, antsy fantasy football managers keep fiddling their lineup. An optimal switch can make the difference between elimination and victory, but making the wrong move at the final hour will cause months of regret.

Such pressure boils to the surface during the fantasy playoffs. Even if the stakes amount to nothing more than bragging rights and a plastic trophy, losing always manages to feel far more significant.

Take one last look at the matchups. Scour the injury reports, and monitor Twitter for any last-minute news. Also take a gander at these Week 14 flex rankings, updated for standard and point-per-reception (PPR) leagues.

 

Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons 

Julio Jones is a stud with permanent real estate in all starting lineups. Along with amassing a league-high 1,338 receiving yards, he’s the only wideout to hit the triple-digit reception mark. Besides gamers playing in four- or six-team leagues, nobody is giving serious thought to benching him on Sunday.

Yet managers entrenched in a playoff matchup must fear their cornerstone coming up short when it matters most. The Atlanta Falcons will play the Carolina Panthers, which means he’ll get acquainted with star cornerback Josh Norman.

Pro Football Focus’s Sam Monson examined their head-to-head battles last year:

Norman should shadow Jones, but that doesn’t mean they’ll clash every play. During those two meetings last year, Jones recorded 10 catches for 117 yards. That looks more like one typical game for the star receiver, but five catches for 60 yards would hardly signify doom.

Devoid of other choices, Matt Ryan has targeted Jones 13.25 times per game. A deeper offense can steer clear of a top defensive back, but Atlanta doesn’t have that luxury. Usually in line for the No. 1 flex spot, he’s instead a lower-end No. 1 wideout.

 

Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware, RBs, Kansas City Chiefs

If the Kansas City Chiefs weren’t utilizing the dreaded running-back committee, their starter would vault up the rankings against the San Diego Chargers. Their AFC West foes, whom they trounced three weeks ago, allow 4.7 yards per carry.

Entering their Week 11 meeting, Charcandrick West compiled 412 yards and four touchdowns over his previous three games. He was widely considered a top-10 running back and popular daily fantasy option, but the anticipated outburst never materialized. He gained 64 yards on 13 touches before leaving with a hamstring injury.

Adding insult to injury, Spencer Ware tagged in to produce 96 rushing yards and two scores. The matchup homework paid off, but not for the expected guy. Now both are healthy and hankering for handoffs against a vulnerable opponent.

Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson‘s message of sharing will warm the hearts of kindergarten teachers, but not fantasy gamers. Per ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher, he expects to again split the workload between both backs.  

“I think you have to use them both,’’ Pederson said. “Charcandrick is more of that slasher, quick-cut guy and here comes Ware, a big physical type who can hit you downhill. It’s a little bit of a change of pace for a defense. It’s great to give both of those guys equal opportunity.’’

Although Ware parlayed a key goal-line carry into a touchdown, West received two more touches than his teammate. As noted by 4for4football’s Chris Raybon, he also logged a majority of Kansas City’s snaps:

More playing time makes West the safer bet, but Ware will at least remain heavily involved inside the red zone. As a result, both are solid options against a poor rushing defense and team the Chiefs previously beat by 30 points.

 

Jarvis Landry, WR, Miami Dolphins

Jarvis Landry went from his best game of the season to his worst. After setting career highs in receptions (13), targets (16) and receiving yards (165) against the New York Jets in Week 12, he registered two catches for five yards against the Baltimore Ravens.

Both extremes are unusual for the 23-year-old wideout, who previously exceeded 100 yards once while never dipping below 50 total yards this season. Although he’s not expected to miss Monday night’s game versus the New York Giants, the Miami Dolphins still have him on their injury report with a knee injury.

If active, trust Landry to bounce back. The Giants have surrendered a league-high 314.5 passing yards per game. According to NFL.com, they have also yielded the second-most receptions (179) to opposing wideouts behind the Philadelphia Eagles. This is the perfect matchup for a possession receiver who thrives on volume.

After weeks of overlooking the ground game, Miami went too far in the other direction against Baltimore. Ryan Tannehill handed the ball off 25 times and threw 19 passes, five to Landry. Pro Football Focus’ Mike Clay doesn’t see this contest going the same way:

Against a depleted Ravens offense, the Dolphins had an excuse to keep running during an ugly 15-13 victory. While the Giants aren’t an offensive juggernaut, they’re solid enough to move the ball against Miami’s No. 27 defense. Landry’s old LSU, Odell Beckham Jr., will force Miami to turn back to the passing game in a high-scoring affair, making Landry a high-level PPR play.

Read more Fantasy Football news on NerdyFootball.com

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