As Week 14 wraps up, fantasy managers are either celebrating unexpected heroes or lamenting underwhelming performances.
Week 14 of the fantasy football season was a rollercoaster, delivering unexpected breakout performances while leaving some big-name stars stranded in disappointment. With playoff spots on the line, managers saw unlikely heroes step up and trusted studs falter, reshaping matchups in dramatic fashion.
This week brought plenty of drama as fantasy managers scrambled to secure postseason berths. Surprises included lesser-known pass catchers and quarterbacks who turned waiver-wire pickups into playoff-saving performances, while defenses and sleepers provided unexpected boosts.
Let’s break down the biggest surprises and disappointments from this week’s action in Week 14.
Surprises of Week 14
- Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
Fantasy Points: 28.1 – PPR
Why It’s Surprising: Wow, this came out of nowhere, as veteran Tony Pollard was barely a flex option most of the season and had his biggest game of the year against a tough Browns defense. He was even in waivers for shallower leagues, as he had 25 carries, 161 yards on the ground, and two touchdowns. It was all in the run game, as Pollard didn’t have a target in the receiving game for the Titans.
Fantasy Impact:Â While this could be a blimp on the radar this late in the year, Pollard does have to be added or potentially started at the very least in all leagues as a starting running back in Tennessee.
- Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Fantasy Points: 26.1 – PPR
Why It’s Surprising: The Blake Corum breakout was trending this way the past few weeks, but against the Cardinals, the dam broke completely against Arizona The backup has back-to-back 80+ rushing yards, but this time, Corum had 12 carries compared to 7 the previous week and had 128 rushing yards compared to 81, but had two touchdowns (Week 13- had one TD) in Week 14 for the Rams.
Fantasy Impact: Although Kyren Williams also got there, this could be a split backfield given the matchup, and Corum becomes an elite handcuff or even started in the flex (if you are in a pinch) moving forward.
- Bonus Surprises: Michael Wilson (WR) Arizona Cardinals, Tee Higgins (WR) Cincinnati Bengals, Harold Fannin Jr. (TE) and Shedeur Sanders (QB) Cleveland Browns, Christian Watson (WR) Green Bay Packers, D.K. Metcalf (WR) Pittsburgh Steelers, Zay Flowers (WR) and Lamar Jackson (QB) Baltimore Ravens
Disappointments of Week 14
- D.J. Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
Fantasy Points: 0.6 -PPR
Why It’s Disappointing: Once Rome Odunze was ruled out, you would think it would be the veteran to step up, but instead, it was the rookies, Luther Burden and Colston Loveland for the Bears offense, along with Olamide Zaccheus. This was his worst outing this year in Green Bay, and he is basically just used as a gadget guy and not a focal point in Ben Johnson’s offense.
Fantasy Impact: Even with a few boom games this year, you can’t start D.J. Moore moving forward, as he has to be on the bench over other more consistent options, and even with his ceiling, it’s not worth the start with his pretty low floor. Although Odunze could be out again, Chicago is spreading this offense out with Caleb Williams and the passing game, while leaning heavily on the run with D’Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai.
- Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Fantasy Points: 1.9 – PPR
Why It’s Disappointing: Just one week after he got paid, veteran Mark Andrews was overshadowed by Isaiah Likely’s costly “mistake” or ref’s blunder this week, after what happened against the Bengals the week before.
Andrews had a single catch for 9 yards, and previously had just 4 receptions, and then just one catch, while Likely has had a few “almost” touchdowns and a few big plays despite his errors. It is clear that the vet tight end, once the safety valve for Lamar Jackson, can’t be trusted in lineups, most of the time.
Fantasy Impact: While it is a risk, Andrews goes from a favorable matchup where he performed poorly against the Steelers (bad vs. tight ends) to the worst defense against the position (Cincinnati). Either him or Likely should be in line to score in a must-win game, but I recognize the bar and floor of the Ravens’ passing offense is very low.
- Bonus Busts: Justin Jefferson (WR) Minnesota Vikings, Emeka Egbuka (WR) Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tyler Warren (TE) Indianapolis Colts, Kenneth Walker III (RB) Seattle Seahawks, Breece Hall (RB) New York Jets, Ashton Jeanty (RB) Las Vegas Raiders, Chris Olave (WR) New Orleans Saints
