Fantasy football managers have to sort out their best pickup options with the playoffs ahead. Fortunately, a pair of potential league-winning performers remain available in most leagues...
Marquise Brown, Mark Andrews' Fantasy Outlook After Lamar Jackson's Injury
Dec 12, 2021
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown runs a route against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Baltimore Ravens have a number of offensive weapons, and it will be up to those playmakers to lead the way after quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered an ankle injury in the first half against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday and was ruled out for the duration of the contest.
Jackson's injury could send shockwaves throughout playoff races in the AFC and fantasy football leagues if he is forced to miss significant time, as Tyler Huntley could be in a position to take crucial snaps.
The backup's presence likely won't change the formula much for the team's running backs from a fantasy perspective.
Baltimore often runs a read-option attack with Jackson, which forces additional defenders into the box to counter the running game. The Louisville product's ability to use his legs is something defenses must account for on every play.
Defenses often stack the box against backup quarterbacks as well in an effort to force them to beat the secondary over the top, so the running backs will be facing loaded fronts.
While Huntley doesn't present the same threat to fake a handoff and keep it, the running backs' overall positioning in fantasy lineups should remain largely the same. Devonta Freeman is still a risky play but still has a flex floor and an RB2 ceiling.
The injury will have a much more direct impact on Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews in the aerial attack.
Brown's speed makes him an intriguing fit in the Ravens offense because he can beat press coverage as defenses aggressively try to stop the run. He wasted little time doing just that with 147 receiving yards and two touchdowns in his first career NFL game during a win over the Miami Dolphins.
That talent and formula doesn't go anywhere with someone else under center, especially if defenses continue to stack the box, but fantasy players would be wise to take a wait-and-see approach when it comes to the receiver producing without Jackson.
Huntley entered the 2021 campaign with three completed passes in his career and threw for just 219 yards and an interception in his first start in November, so fantasy managers shouldn't put Brown in their starting lineup until the new quarterback proves he can operate the offense with his arm as well as his legs.
He's a risky flex proposition at the moment.
The same can be said about Andrews, although he is probably the safer of the two pass-catching options as a safety valve for Huntley.
He proved as much in Huntley's lone start, catching eight passes for 73 yards.
There also isn't as much depth across the league at tight end as there is at wide receiver, so keep Andrews in the starting lineup even if the 2019 Pro Bowler's ceiling is lower without Jackson.
Daily fantasy football players have to pivot away from the most reliable lineup strategy in Week 14. No one can rely on Jonathan Taylor to anchor their roster since the Indianapolis Colts are one of four teams on a bye week...
Well, that Thursday night game ended up being pretty interesting. What seemed like a one-sided, single-pronged Dalvin Cook showcase ended up turning into a near-historic contest with big fantasy scores...
Week 14 will be the last week of the 2021 NFL season in which there will be teams on a bye. It could also mark the final week for some fantasy football managers to play meaningful matchups...
Injuries and COVID-19 protocols continue to keep some big-name NFL players out of action this season. And heading into Week 14, there are quite a few who won't be playing for one reason or another...
D'Andre Swift, Joe Mixon NFL Injury Statuses and Fantasy Impact for Week 14
Dec 10, 2021
Cincinnati Bengals halfback Joe Mixon (28) runs to the outside during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Two of the best running backs in the NFL have different outlooks for playing in Week 14.
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift is out because of the shoulder injury he suffered on Thanksgiving Day, the team announced Friday.
Joe Mixon, meanwhile, is trending toward playing for the Cincinnati Bengals in their clash with the San Francisco 49ers. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters he anticipates his star running back will play.
The Mixon news is significant for fantasy football managers who have benefited from his ground success all season. He enters Week 14 on a nine-game touchdown streak.
The waiver wire is thin on running backs thanks to injuries across the league, which makes Mixon's progress more important to some.
Below is a look at injuries that could affect fantasy football matchups Sunday:
Detroit handled Swift's absence as well as it could in Week 13.
The Lions called on Jamaal Williams for a heavy workload. He carried the ball on 17 occasions for 71 yards and caught one pass for nine yards.
Williams would typically be the easy replacement off the waiver wire for Swift. However, he's been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Jermar Jefferson could be a deep sleeper in fantasy leagues or daily fantasy contests. He backed up Williams with five carries for 18 yards last week.
The options are thin on the waiver wire if you can't pick up one of the Lions backups. Tennessee's D'Onta Foreman and Ty Johnson of the New York Jets have been popular waiver-wire names in the last few weeks because of their increased roles.
The best waiver-wire shot might come from the Seattle Seahawks-Houston Texans game. Rashaad Penny could lead the Seahawks rushing offense against a Houston defense that gives up the most rushing yards in the NFL with Adrian Peterson out due to a lower back injury.
Seattle might go with a running back by committee, but it presents one of the best chances for success for players with a low roster percentage.
Houston's Rex Burkhead could be worth a reach as well. He earned 38 carries over the last three weeks.
Joe Mixon Expected To Start
Joe Mixon has challenged Jonathan Taylor for the title of hottest running back in the NFL over the last month-and-a-half.
The Cincinnati running back can't stop finding the end zone, and Week 13 marked the first time in a month that he did not have multiple touchdowns.
Mixon has nine scores dating back to the Week 8 win over the New York Jets. His last seven visits to the end zone came on the ground.
Mixon's high usage and scoring rate make him one of the few must-start players every week in fantasy leagues and DFS contests.
The Bengals need Mixon in the fold to beat the 49ers and remain in the AFC wild-card hunt. They dropped a key head-to-head tiebreaker to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 13.
If Mixon's status declines before Sunday, Samaje Perine would be the best fantasy replacement since he would be in line to take over Mixon's production.
Some fantasy football managers recycle a shortlist of trustworthy streamer options, which is a shrewd strategy. However, you should always keep your eyes open for new names, especially late in the season...
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce love playing against their respective Week 14 opponents. Prescott is 7-1 in his career against the Washington Football Team...
Fantasy football managers aren't all in the same position this week. For some, there's no pressure for Week 14 as they've already clinched playoff berths in their leagues...
