The NFL clearly doesn’t care that most fantasy leagues have the final week of their regular season in Week 14. In yet another example of the inequity of the bye-week system (and how easily solvable the issue is), we will see six teams on bye in Week 14 (Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, and Washington Commanders).
With the exception of the Patriots, the other five teams not only have multiple regular fantasy starters, the list includes a lot of fantasy MVPs for the teams that will be missing them this week. C’mon, NFL. You’re better than this.
Fantasy football risers
San Francisco 49ers RB Isaac Guerendo – With both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason headed to injured reserve, Guerendo is the only healthy running back on the roster. Despite their struggles, until the 49ers are eliminated they will continue to try to defend their division title, and Guerendo is sliding into a position that has been extremely productive all season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving – The only thing preventing Irving from being an every-week flex player in fantasy lineups was a timeshare with Rachaad White leaving Irving as the No. 2 guy. That has changed. In his last three games, Irving has rushed for 313 yards, scored a touchdown in each game and put up weekly numbers of 17.7, 27.2, and 27.4. He’s become unbenchable.
New Orleans Saints WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling – A journeyman in search of a home, he has become fantasy-viable with the Saints without Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed done. In his last three games, MVS has caught just seven passes but piled up 232 yards and four TDs – weekly totals of 25.9, 16.7 and 11.6. For someone in need of a Hail Mary, he could be your guy.
Dallas Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle – With Dak Prescott done and CeeDee Lamb banged up, the Cowboys have turned to Dowdle. In the last two games, he has rushed the ball 41 times and put up weekly numbers of 12.8 and 21.3, respectively, and has a stranglehold on the backfield gig.
Washington Commanders TE Zach Ertz – Anyone with Ertz on their roster does so not with Travis Kelce-style expectations. Touchdowns are required. In the last three games, Ertz has put up weeks of 16.7, 15.8, and 12.5. Touchdowns are involved in all of them, and it appears Jayden Daniels has himself a red zone go-to guy.
Fantasy football fallers
New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson – The Jets are a dumpster fire of epic proportions and perhaps nobody has suffered more than Wilson for the failed Aaron Rodgers experiment. He was drafted to be a WR1. Over the last three depressing games, Wilson has 14 catches for just 100 yards and no touchdowns. It’s time to pull the plug on hopes that Wilson can outperform players on the fantasy bench.
San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel – Deebo has scored one touchdown since Week 1 and, over the last three games, posted weekly totals of 6.1, 3.2, and 6.0. The last time the 49ers were without running backs, Samuel became a two-way player. Those who roll the dice on repeating that may take a loss at the worst time.
Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne – A season-long disappointment, Etienne has been pathetic in four games since coming back from injury with weekly totals of 5.0, 5.3, 6.3, and 8.8. The numbers are improving, but is anyone willing to put their season on the line in hopes of a last-resort 30-touch game for 100 total yards?
Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins – Cousins is a one-dimensional QB who needs his passing numbers to do the talking. In his last three games, he has thrown for 724 yards with no touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s heading back to Minnesota this week. If you have him on your roster, get someone else.
Baltimore Ravens PK Justin Tucker – Tucker was not only the most accurate kicker in NFL history, when he made field goals, they were right down the middle. However, over the last two years, Tucker has missed nine of 14 attempts for 50 yards or more. In the last four games, Tucker has missed four of eight field-goal attempts and two extra points. I’ve made sure Tucker was on my roster for years, but I’m cutting him loose for his bye week and making no effort to bring him back.
