NFL
NFL Fantasy Picks: Watch out for Wilson against Houston
Week 14 is full of juicy match ups that could lead to big points for your fantasy teams. We break down this week's best fantasy bets for each position.
Depending on how your fantasy league is structured, it's either the final week of the regular season or the first week of the playoffs.
Regardless of which category you fall in, if you're still in contention for the title, it is crunch time.
There's no room for error, and those line-up selections must be right.
Stats Perform is here with a helping hand once again, identifying four offensive players and a defense worthy of starter consideration in Week 14.
Quarterback: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks @ Houston Texans
After a shaky start, Wilson looked more like himself in the Seahawks' surprise win over the San Francisco 49ers last week.
There was a big-play connection with D.K. Metcalf and he also found Tyler Lockett for what proved the game-winning touchdown to keep Seattle's faint playoff hopes alive.
Having prevailed despite three turnovers from the Seahawks' offense, Wilson gets to try to continue his upward momentum against a Texans defense ranked 24th in the NFL by yards per play allowed.
Running Back: Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos vs. Detroit Lions
Williams was a workhorse for the Broncos against the Kansas City Chiefs in the absence of backfield mate Melvin Gordon.
He carried the ball 23 times for 102 yards while also catching six passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in Denver's loss at Arrowhead Stadium.
With Gordon back in practice ahead of Week 14, the same share of the touches appears unlikely for Williams.
But for a rookie running back averaging 4.8 yards per attempt, that may not matter against a Lions defense that has given up 42 rushes of 10 yards or more, tied for seventh-most in the league.
Wide Receiver: Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers @ Minnesota Vikings
Trusting the Steelers' offense has been a difficult thing to do in what is expected to be the final year with an evidently declining Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback.
Yet one Steelers player fantasy managers, especially those in points per reception leagues, have had no problem believing in is wide receiver Johnson.
Johnson has double-digit targets and at least seven catches and 80 yards in each of his last four games. His 51 targets over that span are the most in the NFL.
He has topped 100 yards in two of those games and caught a pair of touchdowns in last week's win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Only six teams have given up more passing touchdowns in 2021 than the Vikings (21). If their pass coverage is as soft as it was on the final drive of their shock loss to Detroit, Johnson should thrive.
Tight End: T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions @ Denver Broncos
Back to those aforementioned Lions, for whom the pressure is off after they finally claimed that elusive first win in Week 13.
That extra freedom might see them look to open up the passing game against Denver, and Hockenson would likely be a beneficiary of such an approach.
He has a touchdown in each of his last two games and at least eight targets in five of his last seven. That could be enough for a productive fantasy outing even against a stingy Denver defense.
Defense: New Orleans Saints @ New York Jets
Injuries look like being too much to overcome for Sean Payton and the 5-7 Saints, but the Jets are an ideal opponent to face for teams looking to stay in the mix.
Even if quarterback Taysom Hill continues to struggle throwing the ball, the Saints can win this one on the defensive side.
Their defense has forced a turnover in three successive games while no offense has committed more giveaways than the 25 racked up by the Jets.
This one is simple. If you own the Saints defense or are in a position to pick it up on the waiver wire, slot this group into your starting line-up.