The Denver Broncos defense looked elite in their 24-7 road win over the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. They put the pressure on right from the start by sacking quarterback Justin Herbert, turning the Chargers over on downs and then intercepting a pass to set up the offense with an easy touchdown for the first score of the game. All in all, they accounted for an interception, a fumble recovery (two forced fumbles), and six sacks while holding the Chargers offense to 283 total yards of offense. It helped that Herbert left with a fractured finger and never returned, forcing backup Easton Stick into action in the second half, but Denver's defense has morphed into a ball-hawking and stingy unit in the second half of the season after they were completely avoidable early in the year. They should be in all starting lineups for a Week 15 game against the Detroit Lions and turnover-happy quarterback Jared Goff.
Dec 11, 2023 12:41 AM EST
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell completed 21 passes on 32 attempts (66%) for 169 yards and an interception in the Week 14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The rookie quarterback struggled throughout this game, scoring zero points. O'Connell struggled against the Vikings defense, throwing for less than 200 yards for the first time since Week 10. The Raiders take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15. O'Connell will likely have a better performance against the porous Chargers secondary. Despite the advantageous matchup, fantasy managers should continue to avoid the Raiders rookie quarterback in Week 15.
Dec 10, 2023 7:32 PM EST
The Los Angeles Rams defense has been much improved since their Week 10 bye. They have allowed just over 16 points per game over the last three and are getting to the quarterback more often than they did to start the season. The defense still offers one of the lowest ceilings of any unit but has made themselves fantasy viable if the matchup is right. This is not one of those weeks where the matchup is right. Los Angeles travels to Baltimore to face the 9-3 Ravens. While they are not an ideal play this week, they have a soft fantasy playoff schedule that is worth taking a look at moving forward.
Dec 10, 2023 3:23 AM EST
The Miami Dolphins defense/special teams has been one of the hottest streaks in the league over the last three games. They've put together fantasy performances of 13 points or more in each one of these games. The latest, in Week 14, they were able to hold the Commanders to 15 points while collecting three sacks and a pick-six. Now, they're going up against a rookie quarterback and an offense that has given up 8.4 fantasy points per game to defenses. This unit can be considered a quality streaming option in Week 14.
Dec 9, 2023 9:27 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was arrested late Friday night and charged with misdemeanor operation of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. He showed signs of impairment and his blood alcohol content tested at 0.10. The legal limit in Minnesota is 0.08. Phillips immediately notified the team and word was given to the league as well. It appears Phillips is allowed to travel with the team for their upcoming contest against the Las Vegas Raiders this weekend. More information on this situation should come at a later time.
Dec 9, 2023 6:33 PM EST
The Houston Texans D/ST is a must-start in fantasy in Week 14 against the New York Jets. Fantasy defenses that have played against the Jets' offense this season are averaging 12.6 fantasy points per game, which makes Houston's defense a great option this weekend. The Texans' defense has also come on in recent weeks. They have at least three sacks in four of the past six games while forcing a turnover in four straight contests. With Zach Wilson back under center, this Texans D/ST should have a high floor and ceiling in fantasy in Week 14.
Dec 9, 2023 6:21 PM EST
Against all odds, the Denver Broncos defense/special teams has been a top-10 fantasy unit in 2023 despite allowing 70 points to the Miami Dolphins in Week 3. They've flipped the script from early in the year and now lead the NFL with 22 takeaways (10 interceptions, 12 fumble recoveries). In their last four games, they've created 10 turnovers and recorded 11 sacks. However, they could disappoint in a Week 14 divisional clash on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers, a team with a capable offense that doesn't turn the ball over much (only 12 giveaways all year). Additionally, the Chargers offense has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game (4.1) to opposing defense/special teams units through 13 weeks. Denver's D has some more good matchups down the road, but you may want to look elsewhere in Week 14.
Dec 9, 2023 2:44 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns defense struggled in Week 13's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, allowing 36 points without recording any sacks or forced turnovers. They will head back home to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14. The Jaguars may be without starter Trevor Lawrence (ankle) who is listed as questionable after having his ankle injured in Week 13. Lawrence is being called a game-time decision ahead of the two teams' 1:00 PM EST start on Sunday, so this is a situation to monitor heading into Sunday. The Cleveland defense can be treated as a top-five option if it is C.J. Beathard but would be more on the low end of the top-12 fantasy defenses in Week 14 if it is Lawrence under center.
Dec 9, 2023 1:15 PM EST
The Baltimore Ravens defense/special teams has been one of the most consistent squads in the league as they've posted seven fantasy outings with double-digit points out of a possible 12 games. They were able to shut down the Chargers in Week 12 while they forced four turnovers and collected three sacks. Matthew Stafford is not a mistake-free quarterback, so this Ravens defense will likely force some turnovers in this contest as well. The matchup isn't necessarily in favor of the defense, but they haven't disappointed yet.
Dec 9, 2023 12:14 PM EST
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson is a fairly consistent, but middling option for fantasy football as the Giants return from their bye week. The second-year wideout earns an average of 4.5 targets per game and hasn't topped five since Week 6. Twice in the last four weeks, Robinson's receiving total landed on 35 yards. Those were the highest marks in that stretch. His average depth of target offers little upside and he doesn't receive enough targets to make up for it in PPR formats. Robinson does not need to be rostered in any re-draft leagues.
Dec 9, 2023 11:27 AM EST
The Carolina Panthers defense allowed 21 points while notching one sack and forcing one turnover in a 21-18 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13. They will now head on the road to take on the New Orleans Saints in Week 14. The Saints are allowing the 15th-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses in 2023. The Panthers have not been a strong defensive unit this season and can be avoided from a fantasy perspective in Week 14.
Dec 9, 2023 7:05 AM EST
The San Francisco 49ers D/ST squares off against the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara on Sunday. Last week's effort was commendable, with San Francisco holding a very good Philadelphia Eagles offense to 19 points while sacking elusive quarterback Jalen Hurts three times. They weren't able to force a turnover for only the second time this season. Seattle's offense is middle-of-the-pack in points and is 11th-best at avoiding turnovers. On the injury front, DE Arik Armstead (foot, knee) is out, which weakens San Francisco's defense slightly. It's also worth noting that regular kick/punt returner Ray-Ray McCloud (rib) is out as well. Seattle running backs Kenneth Walker III (oblique) and rookie Zach Charbonnet (knee) are both questionable, so consider the 49ers a top option with a boost or fade depending on how that injury situation shakes out.
Dec 9, 2023 4:44 AM EST
The Seattle Seahawks gave up 41 points to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday in Week 13. It was the highest point total they have allowed in 2023 and the fifth time this season they allowed at least 30 points to an opponent. Over the last three weeks, the Seahawks have allowed an average of 29.7 points, third-worst in the league. On Sunday, they face the seemingly unstoppable offense of the San Francisco 49ers for the second time in three weeks. When they met on Thanksgiving night, the Niners hung 31 on the Seahawks on their way to a lopsided victory. Since Seattle hasn't been able to keep points off the board, their road to fantasy relevance has been through sacks and turnovers. Unfortunately, San Francisco is among the league's best at avoiding those mishaps. Seattle's D/ST is an easy sit against an incredibly difficult opponent in Week 14.
Dec 9, 2023 4:19 AM EST
The New York Jets held the Atlanta Falcons to 13 points while recording three sacks and a forced fumble in a Week 13 loss. The defense will be looking to step up at home once again in Week 14 against the Houston Texans. Although Houston is scoring a respectable 23.4 points per contest, the Jets' defense has been stingy in New York, where it is averaging nearly two takeaways per game. The Jets D/ST isn't necessarily a must-start fantasy option this week, but it has been steady against other high-powered offenses and can be trusted in this matchup.
Dec 8, 2023 9:47 PM EST
The Green Bay Packers defense will be tasked with stopping the New York Giants and quarterback Tommy Devito in Week 14 on Monday night. The Packers have held opponents to an average of 21 points over the past month and have generated five turnovers in that span. They have not played bottom-of-the-barrel offense either, holding the likes of the Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions, and Kansas City Chiefs in check. While the Giants rookie quarterback has helped the team to a few wins over the past month, he averages just 174.5 passing yards per game and has had four turnovers. The Giants offense ranks dead last in total points scored this season and is a popular option to stream a defense against in fantasy. Consider the Packers a top-12 option in their prime-time matchup.
Dec 8, 2023 8:36 PM EST
The Dallas Cowboys defense is coming off their worst performance of the season and will look to bounce back in a tough Week 14 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys allowed 35 points and 406 total yards to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13, putting up a standard scoring fantasy score of negative one. It was tied with their Week 5 performance against San Francisco for their worst outing of the season. They will likely fare slightly better in Week 14, although with a high-scoring game likely, they aren't more than a top-15 option at best for this matchup.
Dec 7, 2023 5:54 PM EST
The Los Angeles Chargers defense will have a much harder matchup in a Week 14 game against the Denver Broncos. The Chargers ended up as the second ranked fantasy defense in Week 13, putting up 17 fantasy points for an overall DST2 finish. They allowed zero points, recorded five sacks, and recovered a fumble, but that was all against a very limited Patriots offense. The Broncos don't feature a top-tier offensive unit, but they're streets ahead of the Patriots.
Dec 7, 2023 4:45 PM EST
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (hamstring) was limited in Thursday's practice. The lineman is nursing a hamstring injury suffered in Week 11 that held him out of the Giants' Week 12 game against the New England Patriots. Luckily, New York had a bye last week and the team has an extra day to prepare as their next matchup lands on Monday night. Through the first 11 games of the Giants' schedule, Lawrence has been credited with 41 tackles and four sacks. Without a full practice in the next two days, Lawrence would carry an injury designation into that game against the Green Bay Packers, but his return to the practice field in some capacity is a step in the right direction.
Dec 7, 2023 2:46 PM EST
The New Orleans Saints D/ST has been an inconsistent unit for fantasy purposes and is coming off of a loss to Detroit in which they surrendered 33 points, recorded one sack, and did not tally a turnover. New Orleans is in a prime position to bounce back defensively, with a divisional matchup against the Carolina Panthers on tap for Week 14. On the season, Carolina's offense has been the fifth-best matchup for opposing defenses for fantasy purposes. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young has thrown nine interceptions, matching his total number of passing touchdowns on the season. Fire up the Saints D/ST in a bounce-back opportunity.
Dec 7, 2023 2:34 PM EST
Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said he believes that rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion) is still in the league's concussion protocol and has one more box to check before being cleared. There has been no announcement yet on whether Joe Flacco will make a second straight start in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Even if Thompson-Robinson gets the green light to be active this Sunday, it seems more likely that the Browns will give Flacco another start after he looked decent with over 200 yards and two touchdown passes in the Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. DTR was officially limited in Wednesday's practice and will likely be limited again on Thursday.
Dec 7, 2023 12:08 PM EST
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