It’s Week 14 of the fantasy football seasonm the start of most fantasy football playoffs. If you are looking for an unexpected roster replacement or an inexpensive starter for your daily fantasy lineup, here are players who could help.
These deep sleepers are players flying under the radar whose matchups suggest they could have a big game in Week 14. Just remember, they are risky fantasy plays given the other options likely available.
QB Devlin Hodges, Pittsburgh Steelers
Hodges has been a spark for the Steelers passing offense but his production has hardly been head turning, passing for 330 yards on 19 of 32 passing for two scores, over two games. This week, Hodges plays an Arizona Cardinals pass defense allowing 324 passing yards and a league leading 2.6 touchdowns per game. Playing by far the worst defense in the league, Hodges should put up top twelve numbers even as a rookie.
RB Adrian Peterson, Washington Redskins
Even with Derrius Guice back, Peterson is still splitting touches with the Washington Redskins “star” running back. Despite a 99 yard and one touchdown performance on 11 carries last week, Peterson is still being ignored by fantasy football prognosticators even in a favorable match-up against a Green Bay Packers rush defense allowing 166 all-purpose yards and 1.3 touchdowns per game to running backs. Expect Peterson to continue getting plenty of touches and total 60 to 80 all-purpose yards and a score. He’s a solid RB2 or flex-play in deeper leagues.
WR Darius Slayton, New York Giants
Despite the return of Sterling Shepard, Slayton continues to be one of the top targeted receivers on the team, hauling in 10 receptions on 16 targets for 111 yards over the past two games. While this hasn’t translated to large-scale production on the field, it will this week against a Philadelphia Eagles pass defense, allowing 186 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game to the wide receivers. Slayton is in line for 70 to 90 yards and a score. He’s a great play in PPR leagues.
TE Vance McDonald, Pittsburgh Steelers
McDonald hasn’t been a reliable fantasy football option this season. This week he is against an Arizona Cardinals defense giving up 89 yards and a touchdown per game, the most in the league to tight ends. McDonald is available in over half of the fantasy football leagues.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense/special teams
Over the past two games, the Buccaneers defense has been on fire with 11 sacks, 3 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns while allowing an average of 16.5 points per game. This week’s opponent, the Indianapolis Colts, are seventh in turning the football over with 18 allowed, and three of which were returned for touchdowns. A top ten finish for the Buccaneers defense / special teams would not surprise.
Jim Saranteas, aka "The Fantasy Greek," is a contributing writer for Ourlads.com, part of the USA TODAY Network.