Week 14 of fantasy football has arrived, with managers required to make difficult lineup decisions. Sometimes, players who are viewed as fringe starters can produce unexpectedly big performances. These can often make or break fantasy football matchups. Below is a list of players, one from each position, who carry upside this week and can be placed in fantasy starting lineups.
Week 13 Upside Plays was fairly successful. Russell Wilson and Rico Dowdle crushed their weekly projections, finishing as the QB4 and RB5 respectively. However, Michael Pittman Jr. was underwhelming again and Will Dissly didn’t have a single catch (first time this season), with Justin Herbert completing only 16 passes.
Week 14 Fantasy Football – Upside Plays of the Week
Quarterback – Aidan O’Connell
Aiden O’Connell shocked the NFL in Week 13 against the Chiefs. The Raiders‘ signal caller threw for a whopping 340 yards and two touchdowns in what should’ve been an upset win over their division rivals. O’Connell and the Raiders face the Buccaneers in Week 14. The Buccaneers are allowing the second-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks this season. With both wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers also playing at an elite level, O’Connell could have another successful fantasy outing. O’Connell has a solid chance to outperform his QB20 consensus ranking this week.
Running-Back – D’Andre Swift
D’Andre Swift has struggled lately, finishing outside of the top 24 RBs in the last two games. While he has had a tough schedule, Swift and the Bears will face the depleted 49ers in Week 14. The 49ers defense is conceding the fifth-most FPPG to running-backs, as Josh Jacobs and James Cook both ran for over 100 yards against them over the last two weeks. Additionally, backup Roschon Johnson is still dealing with a concussion, allowing more opportunities for Swift as the lead back. Fantasy managers should expect a bounce-back performance from Swift, as he should get going on the ground in Week 14.
Wide Receiver – Jordan Addison
Jordan Addison has been heating up recently. The Vikings receiver has recorded at least 50 receiving yards in each of the past three weeks, scoring a touchdown in two of those games. Addison will face the Falcons in Week 14, who have been struggling lately against opposing wideouts. The Falcons are allowing the sixth-most FPPG to wide receivers this season, as Addison should see plenty of volume again this week. With nearly a 26% target share over the past three weeks, fantasy managers should consider Addison a high upside flex option in Week 14.
Tight End – Pat Freiermuth
Pat Freiermuth has been a solid streaming option over the past two weeks. The Steelers tight end finished as the TE4 in Week 13, catching six passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. Freiermuth will face the Browns again in Week 14, who he also found some success against two weeks ago. The Browns have been weak against the pass all season and Russell Wilson has truly found his groove in this Steelers offense, throwing for 414 yards in Week 13. With six teams on bye, Freiermuth could be a solid deep-league start during this crucial week of the fantasy season.
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