Week 14 was a quiet one in the sleeper streets, though Colby Parkinson gave us a touchdown and Chris Rodriguez Jr. did average 5.2 yards per carry. Let’s move forward.
The bye weeks are finally complete, so I want to be clear about how it’s time to play the hits now, roll out your best guys. But rules and player depth matter from league to league, so perhaps some of these overlooked players can help you in Week 15.
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QB Marcus Mariota at Giants (9%)
Mariota has been credible in his last three starts (QB3, QB9, QB13) and he gets to work with a healed-up Terry McLaurin. The Giants are the third-friendliest opponent for opposing quarterbacks, and Mariota is still useful with his legs.
RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. at Giants (36%)
It’s unfortunate that Rodriguez and Mariota probably can’t score collaboratively — Rodriguez has just one catch on the season. But the New York rushing defense is just as bad as the passing defense, and Rodriguez has double-digit carries in four of his last five starts. Washington’s team total is set for 22.5 points, so a fair amount of scoring is expected.
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WR Ryan Flournoy vs. Vikings (7%)
Flournoy is a mandatory insurance add for CeeDee Lamb managers — Lamb is in the concussion protocol and uncertain for the Sunday night game. Flournoy was terrific in the loss at Detroit (9-115-1), stepping forward after Lamb got hurt, and he had a 114-yard game earlier in the year. The Vikings’ pass defense is a difficult matchup, but Dallas has been able to throw against pretty much everyone.
TE Isaiah Likely at Bengals (13%)
The Ravens extended veteran tight end Mark Andrews last week, a surprise given what the emerging Likely has shown through his career. Maybe that’s a discussion for the offseason. Either way, Likely was outstanding in the loss to Cincinnati two weeks ago (5-95-0), and he had one touchdown and one almost-touchdown (those pesky catch rules) against Pittsburgh last week. Cincinnati’s leaky seam coverage has been exposed all year.
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RB Devin Singletary vs. Commanders (30%)
I’m surprised Singletary’s roster tag has stayed so modest for several weeks, because he’s been better than Tyrone Tracy Jr. in recent games. Someone figures to take advantage of Washington’s poor run defense, and Singletary has earned the first crack in what’s admittedly a hot-hand, committee-driven situation.
QB Shedeur Sanders at Bears (15%)
The Browns managed Sanders carefully in his first two starts, but the reins came off last week and Sanders came through with 34 fantasy points. So many of the passes were suitable for framing, especially the three scoring tosses. Chicago’s pass defense has been below average all year.
