The quarterback position will be pivotal in Week 14. Most fantasy playoff runs are starting here and you can’t possibly survive going with a poor quarterback. The position is responsible for such a large percentage of points that you have to make the best decision.
A popular belief among fantasy circles is that you should stick with the players that brought you to the playoffs instead of going for a streamer option. That’s a great argument if it’s discussing an elite player but it shouldn’t apply to inconsistent options. There are three quarterbacks with noteworthy name value that fantasy owners will rely on but should be placed firmly on the bench.
The Atlanta Falcons are a complete mess right now and Matt Ryan is a big reason why they have lost five games in a row. There are twenty-one quarterbacks starting this week with an average of more standard fantasy points per game than Ryan.
That’s not even counting a couple of quarterbacks that are out with injury. Ryan has been horrible and no one should have him in a fantasy lineup this week. The matchup in Carolina against the stellar Panthers defense will be a nightmare for Ryan.
Philip Rivers is another big name quarterback that is trending downwards. Despite a red hot start to the season with a pace to set passing records, the San Diego Chargers quarterback has fallen back down to earth. The injury to stud wide receiver Keenan Allen ruined the streak of stellar Rivers performances.
This week won’t help turn things around as Stevie Johnson will be out and Rivers’ already limited weapons are now smaller. The Kansas City Chiefs showed the ability to shut down Rivers once this season with a dominant defensive performance holding him to just six standard fantasy points.
The third quarterback in for a rough week will be Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders. The rising star has been a pleasant surprise at the position this season but the matchup destroys any hope for him. The Denver Broncos are the best defense in the NFL and you have to second guess starting anyone against them, unless an elite star.
Denver is near the top of every defensive stat including giving up the least fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Carr was held to just under eleven standard fantasy points in his prior game against the Broncos earlier in the season. Stay far away from Carr, Rivers and Ryan in Week 14 if you want to advance in the playoffs.