Winston Churchill, in 1942, spoke the following words that have resonated with generations since in a multitude of ways for a multitude of causes…
Yes, my friends, this was, in fact, the end of the beginning for many of us in the world of fantasy football. With week 13 officially in the books, many of us are either in the outside looking in or the inside looking out of the fantasy football playoffs. I’ll delve into what that means in tomorrow’s 4-EYED PREVIEWS for Week 14. For now, I want to discuss, as I always do in my 4-EYED OBSERVATIONS, player performances that jumped out from this past weekend and give you my analysis of what those performances could mean for you down the road…that road now being the fantasy playoffs.
**DISCLAIMER**
As always when discussing fantasy point production we’re referring to 0.5 PPR scoring. IDP fantasy point scoring is solely based on our very own IDP scoring rubric which will be presented to you when we discuss IDPs later on in the article.
Here are my 4-EYED OBSERVATIONS from Week 13!
Quarterback: Josh Allen’s performance on Thanksgiving was something we could all be grateful for
In week 13, Josh Allen posted the following stat line:
- 8th in fantasy points per game among QBs (23.5pts)
- 2nd in rushing yards among QBs (43)
- 2 total TDs
Over the past four weeks, he’s averaged 25.4 fantasy points per game and will now face a Ravens team that is shockingly 20th in run defense. I emphasize run defense because that is where Josh Allen gets a majority of his fantasy value. This matchup versus the Ravens is not one you should stress out about if you are an Allen manager in week 14. START him with confidence going forward.
Running Back: Raheem Mostert and Derrius Guice turned it UP on Sunday
For Raheem Mostert his day looked a little something like this:
- 2nd in rushing yards (146)
- 4th in yards per carry (7.7)
- 4th in fantasy points scored by a RB (22.4)
For Derrius Guice his day looked like this:
- 3rd in rushing yards (129)
- 1st among starting RBs in yards per carry with 12.9
- 2nd in fantasy points scored by a RB (26.7)
Both running backs had tremendous games, yet both kind of came out of nowhere. Everyone and their grandmother thought Tevin Coleman would be the back to roster for the 49ers and despite the plus matchup for Washington, with splitting backfield duties with Adrian Peterson, no one could EVER imagine him having the type of performance on Sunday.
The question is which RB do you have the most faith in going forward into the playoffs?
For week 14 my money is on Guice. The Redskins (HAIL) take on the Green Bay Packers in week 14 and their 27th ranked run defense. If he can have THAT type of performance splitting carries somewhat evenly this past week and still put up a performance like that then imagine what he could do against Green Bay. As far as Mostert is concerned the backfield is and will continue to be a mystery for fantasy managers. Steer clear of him unless both Breida and Coleman are declared inactive for any game……obviously.
Wide Receiver: The James Washington emergence is happening before our very eyes
In week 13, for fantasy managers, James Washington posted the following stat lines:
- 8th in fantasy points scored by WR (19.1 fppg)
- 7th in receiving yards (111)
- Team-leading 27.8 yards per target
The past two weeks Washington has averaged 104.5 receiving yards and 18.2 fantasy points and apparently has made his way to the top of the pecking order of the Steelers wide receiving corps. In week 14 the Steelers take on Arizona Cardinals that rank dead last in the league in terms of pass coverage and have allowed 25.4 fantasy points per game. In 12-team or larger he’s definitely a FLEX candidate during week 14!
Tight End: Jack Doyle played lights out in Week 13
In week 13, Jack Doyle posted:
- 3rd among TEs in fantasy points scored (16.3fpts)
- 1st among TEs in targets (11)
- 6th in receiving yards among TEs (73)
The good times are rolling in Indy between Jacoby Brissett and Jack Doyle. Much like their connection back when Andrew Luck missed an entire season a few years ago, with Eric Ebron now on IR, Doyle has become the #target on that team, especially with T.Y. Hilton sidelined with a calf injury. In week 14 of the fantasy playoffs, he faces a Buccaneers team that is allowing 10.2 fantasy points per game to the position. Insert Doyle into your starting lineup in week 14 with confidence.
Defensive Back: Chuck Clark dominated against San Fran in week 13
In week 13, Chuck Clark posted:
- 7 total tackles (5 solo/ 2 assisted)
- 1 tackle for a loss
- 1 sack
- 8 sack yards
- 1 QB hit
- 1 forced fumble
- 15 fantasy points scored (5th highest among defensive backs)
While mainly inconsistent this season after taking over starting strong safety duties for Tony Jefferson, Clark has come through big when taking on run-heavy offenses. This week Ravens face the Buffalo Bills. Start him in your DB spot in this slugfest of a matchup this week!
Those were my 4-EYED OBSERVATIONS from Week 13!
Be sure to read our 4-EYED WAIVER CLAIMS on Tuesday evening, our 4-EYED PREVIEWS for WEEK 14 on Wednesday, our 4-EYED ASSESSMENT on Thursday, and our HEROES & VILLAINS article from the previous week’s action this week as well!
ALSO, our Week 13 Fantasy Preview podcast will be dropping this Friday evening PLUS a BONUS fantasy playoff primer episode will be dropping on Wednesday
Make sure to follow us Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram as well as reach out to us to get your personalized fantasy football questions answered!
Thanks for visiting Fantasy In Frames!
*Stats provided by FantasyData.com, ProFootballFocus.com, and FantasyPros.com
