You made it! Either you defeated your opponent in Week 14 or you were sitting pretty with a first round playoff bye. I was hoping to have two teams still with a pulse but Russell Wilson with the help of OBJ and Benny Smell Jr. demolishes that idea. I was lucky enough to claim a bye in one league like many of you have or today would have been cry baby soup. We play fantasy and own teams to make our normal everyday life more interesting and enjoyable.  NFL athletes prepare all season long for the opportunity to compete in the Super Bowl. Some of these players have known weeks ago that their season was over and others were helping their team’s chances to make the big show. On Sunday, the following players went down in their contests and we are hoping they all mend and are back on the field as soon as possible. Triage report below.

Most likely or done for year: Mike Evans (hamstring), Derrius Guice (MCL), Rashaad Penny (torn ACL), DJ Chark (ankle sprain), Calvin Ridley (abdomen).

Important players you need to keep tabs on: Jameis Winston (thumb), Patrick Mahomes (hand), Lamar Jackson (quad), Tom Brady (elbow), Odell Beckham Jr. (sports hernia), Alshon Jeffery (foot), Auden Tate (knee), Mark Andrews (knee), Ryan Griffin (ankle), Noah Fant (foot).

Concussions: DeVante Parker, Jared Cook, Vance McDonald.

Guys who have been banged up but could be back in Week 15: James Conner, Josh Jacobs, Jordan Howard, TY Hilton, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Adam Thielen, Evan Engram.

The Ravens are on a short week as the Jets land on Thursday night. Lamar didn’t practice on Monday and owners should at least have a back-up plan just in case. OBJ pops up with a mysterious sports hernia or it could be a pride strain (what a wasted 2nd round selection in ’19 fantasy drafts). With players like Evans, Chark & Ridley highlighting the damaged goods, some owners are scrambling to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

Week Two of Fantasy Playoffs obviously is a must win scenario. Know your roster up and down and study each match-up with precision. You will also need to know your opponents roster like the lyrics to Old Town Road. If your opponent lost one of the big guys from Week 14, why not try to block their next move? Beat them to the pick-up punch when waivers process. See the glaring roster weaknesses that shine and pour some salt on the wound. Every edge is needed to claim your prize and you most accumulate as many points as possible to wear the belt. Look at what defenses are looming to assist your journey or potentially your foes. Do not leave players available that could be used against you and that is why you must know your enemy better than Zack de la Rocha. Your fantasy football team needs you now more than ever to make essential adjustments for ruling over the land of unicorns. Below are some players that have popped up on the Waiverland tracking system but stay on your toes, things are very fluid in the news and you must be on high alert. Crucial roster additions could just win or lose your season. Triumph over all and meet me back here next week!

Quarterbacks – Look if you made it this far are you really trusting a waiver QB to find glory? Not sure of what scenario you could pick up and play a quarterback in such a crucial spot. If you are a Lamar owner, this might be you so keep tabs on him big time. If you are this unfortunate GM looking for a QB, you must study each and every available option and come to a educated solution for your exact needs. I have no suggestions from the guys owned in less than 40% of leagues, hope you were a better GM than that.

Running Backs
DeAndre Washington (OAK)
Ownership: 10% ESPN, 7% Yahoo
Week 14 Snap Percentage: 63%

Week 14: 14 rushes for 53 yards and a touchdown. Caught all but one of his seven targets for 43 yards.

Josh Jacobs shoulder fracture kept him from playing this past Sunday against Tennessee and could extend longer. Poor kid took tried to go after receiving a shot to ease the pain, but was in tears when told he was gonna sit. Opportunity knocks for DeAndre and the Raiders last game in Oakland. Washington saw 20 touches and should stay this active if Jacobs is forced to be out. Pick up and play in fantasy playoffs, yes please.

Boston Scott (PHI)
Ownership: 0% ESPN, 1% Yahoo
Week 14 Snap Percentage: (will update when available)

Week 14: Ten rushes for 59 yards and a touchdown. Snagged all six targets for 69 yards.

Jordan Howard has now missed four in a row and many thought that it would be the Miles Sanders show on Monday Night Football. Enter Scott to ease the load from Sanders and double up the scoring to be RB5 for Week 14. It would be very difficult to start him with any trust in your time of need, but I would hate to see my opponent fling him up as a dart throw. Needs to be rostered.

Patrick Laird (MIA)
Ownership: 11% ESPN, 20% Yahoo
Week 14 Snap Percentage: 82%

Week 14: 15 rushes for 48 yards. Reeled in four of five targets for 38 yards.

Fifteen plus touches in back to back weeks and now travels to MetLife Stadium to take on the G-Men who allow close to 100 yards rushing per game. The Giants also give up over five receptions per game to opposing running backs. PPR flex consideration if you are desperate. Laird only averages 2.7 yards per carry and if DeVante Parker is out, the offense is very one dimensional.

Wide Receivers
Russell Gage (ATL)
Ownership: 6% ESPN, 9% Yahoo
Week 14 Snap Percentage: 51%

Week 14: Caught two of four targets for 17 yards.

Calvin Ridley declared himself done for the season and Gage should become the second option in the receiving core to Julio. But temper your expectations. Austin Hooper will be getting his share of the looks from Matty Ice but up next is the 49ers and they allow less than 120 yards per game on average to opposing wide receivers.

AJ Brown (TEN)
Ownership: 31% ESPN, 26% Yahoo
Week 14 Snap Percentage: 84%

Week 14: Caught five of seven targets for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Rushed one time for thirteen yards.

AJ finished as the second best receiver in Week 14 and in Week 12 was WR7. Tannehill looks his way in big spots and the Texans come to town after giving up 38 points at home to the Broncos.  Big NFL game for both 8-5 teams as the winner will be at the top of the AFC South. I would feel totally comfortable adding him off of waivers and right into your starting WR2 or flex spot.

Anthony Miller (CHI)
Ownership: 19% ESPN, 20% Yahoo
Week 14 Snap Percentage: 89%

Week 14: Caught three of four targets for 42 yards and a touchdown.

In the three games prior, Miller was averaging eleven targets per game from Trubisky. That number dropped in Week 14, but the production was there and the touchdown accounted for the lost action. Double digit production in each of his last four games. Flex play plus if your searching for an option.

Cole Beasley (BUF)
Ownership: 31% ESPN, 38% Yahoo
Week 14 Snap Percentage: 97%

Week 14: Caught four of seven targets for 29 yards and a touchdown.

Seven plus targets in each of last three games and has reached pay dirt in each of those tilts. Since the Week Six bye, Beas has averaged over 13.5 fantasy points per game. Bumble Beas over the course of the season has accumulated more points than OBJ, Davante Adams, Michael Gallup, Tyreek Hill and DK Metcalf. You start those guys week in and week out. Only problem now is the match ups are both on the road and against tough defenses (@PIT, @NE).

Zach Pascal (IND)
Ownership: 31% ESPN, 35% Yahoo
Week 14 Snap Percentage: 100%

Week 14: Snagged five of nine targets for 74 yards and a touchdown.

If Hilton misses Week 15, then Zach should be fired up everywhere. With TY out over the past two games, Pascal has seen at least nine targets. In every week where Hilton has missed, six plus targets were flung his way. Colts head to The Big Easy to take on the Brees and Company in Week 15. The Saints just allowed Jimmy G to pass for 349 yards and four touchdowns. WR2 or flex option ONLY if Hilton is out.

Tight Ends
OJ Howard (TB)
Ownership: 39% ESPN, 32% Yahoo
Week 14 Snap Percentage: 87%

Week 14: Caught four of five targets for 73 yards.

That is now back to back contests where OJ has caught four or more catches and has eclipsed the 60 yard mark in receiving. Could Howard be the Fantasy Sloth to bring home the bacon? Mike Evans is out and OJ will leak all over the Lions? Sticky situation for sure… but do you have the gall to throw him out there?

Tyler Higbee (LAR)
Ownership: 11% ESPN, 21% Yahoo
Week 14 Snap Percentage: 97%

Week 14: Hauled in seven of eleven targets for 116 yards.

So it wasn’t just the lowly Cardinals that sparked his fantasy value. That is now two weeks in a row over the century mark in yards receiving. However, it was the two worst teams defending the tight end position. Six plus targets in each of last three which shows volume is here in a position that is so hard to gauge. I would feel confident starting him with my fantasy life on the line.

Ian Thomas (CAR)
Ownership: 1% ESPN, 1% Yahoo
Week 14 Snap Percentage: 86%

Week 14: Caught half of his ten targets for 57 yards and a touchdown.

Double digit targets for a tight end on the wire! If Greg Olsen sits again, Ian has a great match-up against the aforementioned Seattle defense. This play would hinge on Olsen’s availability ONLY. Snag him now and watch the news to see if he can help you to the championship. Must start if Greg is out!

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I have one team left with the chance to shine. Us here at The Fantasy Fix wish you the best of luck and we are pulling for you. Being a champion is something that everyone should have the chance to experience. It is a great bonus to the holiday season and bragging rights are so under appreciated. We hope you get your bonus and it is not the Jelly of the Month Club… even though Cousin Eddie would be stoked.

Todd D Clark – Fantasy Bro

Follow me on Twitter @Lunchmade