We are here! They have arrived! It is NFL Week 14 and the fantasy football playoffs are set to commence. Congrats to all those teams that have qualified!
In most formats, the fantasy playoffs will begin this week or Week 15 at the latest.
However, just because you made the playoffs doesn’t mean you’re on easy street from here on out. There is still one more bye week to account for, and that happens to be this week. Injuries never go away either.
We can get through it. We have already made it this far.
My weekly fantasy football sleepers will help you find the best pivots possible to help you win your week and, when it is all said and done, a 2021 fantasy football championship.
Now, here are my Week 14 fantasy football sleepers. Let’s survive and advance.
Week 14 Byes: Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles
Please note that all NFL gameday odds and lines below are current as of 12:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 7.
2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 14: Quarterback
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints @ New York Jets
- Saints-Jets Total: 43.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 43.5 (-110), Under 43.5 (-110)
While Taysom Hill is dealing with a finger injury, reports suggest that he will play through it. As long as Hill is the starter, I feel comfortable firing him up in fantasy. He will do his best work with his legs.
Hill’s finger could create limitations as a passer, but if we’re being honest, Hill isn’t the greatest passer even with a healthy finger. Fantasy managers are reliant on him for his legs and rushing upside, just like the Saints.
Hill went off in Week 13, dropping 27.3 fantasy points on the Cowboys last week (depending on your scoring system). While he threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns with four interceptions, he also rushed for 101 yards on 11 carries. Bang. There’s that rushing upside we were waiting for all year.
Hill will get the Jets this week. Need I say more? They just gave up 21.2 points to Gardner Minshew last week and he was riding the bench all season.
Opposing signal callers have also had their way with New York all season long. The Jets are yielding 21.1 FPPG to quarterbacks, good for ninth-most in the NFL. You’re starting Hill with confidence in Week 14.
Deep QB Week 14 Sleeper: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons
- Falcons-Panthers Total: 42.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 42.5 (-110), Under 42.5 (-110)
Cam Newton has been Jekyll and Hyde in his two starts with the Panthers. We’ve seen him drop 26.2 points on the Football Team in Week 11, then 6.6 on the Dolphins in Week 12. Coming off a Week 13 bye with a new offensive coordinator, Newton will bounce back against the familiar Falcons.
The Falcons are allowing the second-most FPPG (23.5) to quarterbacks this season. Newton has also historically played well against the Falcons. He’s accounted for over 3,200 yards, 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions through the air and 763 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground in 15 career games against Atlanta.
What’s more, the fact that Christian McCaffrey is done for the year with an ankle injury is a plus for Newton. He will surely be busy as a rusher sans CMC. In fact, Newton has scored a rushing touchdown in all three games since re-joining the Panthers back in Week 10.
Newton is playing for a starting job in 2022. He needs to show up in Week 14 and for the duration of the season.
More Week 14 QB Sleepers To Consider
- Taylor Heinicke, Washington Football Team vs Dallas Cowboys
DFS Week 14 Player Props To Play
Check out the best NFL player prop bets this week with our props comparison tool, including projections to help you make the best decisions.
Click “Place Bet" to unlock the associated sportsbook’s welcome offer and place your bet. Select the game you want to highlight.
Learn more about NFL prop bets and the best sportsbooks for prop betting.
2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 14: Running Back
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons
- Falcons-Panthers Total: 42.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 42.5 (-110), Under 42.5 (-110)
With Christian McCaffrey out for the season with an ankle injury, the Panthers’ backfield could be a timeshare between Chuba Hubbard and Ameer Abdullah. However, since Hubbard was the RB1 earlier in the season with CMC on the mend, it is safe to assume they will utilize the rookie back in a similar role.
In five games without McCaffrey from Week 4-to-Week 8, Hubbard popped for 13.5+ PPR points three times, finishing in the single digits in the other two. While Abdullah could cut into Hubbard’s workload as a receiver — Abdullah has drawn 4+ targets in four of his past five games — Hubbard will likely see the bulk of the early-down work, which should be enough to return a high floor with some ceiling if he scores.
Hubbard will get a Falcons defense allowing the sixth-most FPPG (26.5) to opposing running backs. They’ve been gashed by the position all year and that won’t change in Week 14.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos vs Detroit Lions
- Lions-Broncos Total: 42 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 42 (-110), Under 42 (-110)
We don’t know the playing status of Melvin Gordon just yet. Gordon is dealing with a hip injury that kept him out of Sunday night’s loss to the Chiefs. However, even if Gordon is active, Javonte Williams looks to have taken over the Denver backfield.
In his past two games, Williams has shown the world why the Broncos traded up for him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft despite already employing Gordon and signing Mike Boone in free agency.
Williams has popped for 20.1+ PPR points in back-to-back games. In that two-game period, Williams has totaled 289 yards and two scores while hauling in 9-of-13 targets. Williams is an every-down, all-purpose back. You can only keep him off the field for so long.
In Week 14, Williams will face a Lions defense allowing the third-most FPPG (26.9) to opposing running backs. With or without Gordon active, Williams is a must-start.
Deep RB Week 14 Sleeper: Dontrell Hilliard, Tennessee Titans vs Jacksonville Jaguars
- Jaguars-Titans Total: 44 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 44 (-110), Under 44 (-110)
The Titans are reeling and can’t seem to stay healthy. However, if they have a bright spot on offense that could help fantasy managers, it comes in the form of Dontrell Hilliard, just like we all expected.
In his past two games, Hilliard popped for 16.2+ fantasy points with a 20.3-point ceiling. Hilliard is being utilized as a rusher and as a receiver in the Tennessee offense.
In those two games, Hilliard has totaled 215 yards and a touchdown while corralling 9-of-12 targets. He gained 133 of those yards in Week 12 against the Patriots, with all but two coming via the ground game.
The Titans normally run all over the Jaguars with Derrick Henry. While Hilliard isn’t in the same stratosphere as Henry, the Titans still run the ball well and lean on their rushing attack to move the football.
Hilliard has drawn 31 touches over the past two games. If he gets a similar workload in Week 14, expect a similar output of fantasy production.
More Week 14 RB Sleepers To Consider
- Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Football Team
- Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints @ New York Jets
Find better Week 14 fantasy football players on the waiver wire with our 2021 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Top Pickups.
2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 14: Wide Receiver
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears
- Bears-Packers Total: 43.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 43.5 (-110), Under 43.5 (-110)
Marquez Valdes-Scantling is one of the biggest boom or bust fantasy options in recent memory. While he provides a low floor, his ceiling is sky high. Since returning from injury in Week 9, MVS only has one game with double-digit PPR points, popping for 22.3 in Week 11.
However, looking deeper, Valdes-Scantling has been involved in the offense. MVS has drawn 9+ targets in each of his past two games. One of those games was that Week 11 outing in which he popped for 22.3 against the Vikings, drawing 10 targets that afternoon.
If MVS is going to continue seeing a massive target share, there will be more ceiling games in his future. One of those games could come this week against the Bears. Chicago’s defense is no easy out, but the weakness is the secondary.
What’s more, Aaron Rodgers owns the Bears, which bodes well for MVS’ fantasy outlook for Week 14. If you need a high-ceiling play in the first round of the fantasy playoffs, MVS is your guy.
Elijah Moore, New York Jets vs New Orleans Saints
- Saints-Jets Total: 43.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 43.5 (-110), Under 43.5 (-110)
Elijah Moore has been terrific in his rookie campaign. In seven games since Week 7, Moore has finished with 10.2+ PPR points six times.
During that seven-game stretch, Moore has drawn 6+ targets in all of those outings, including 8+ opportunities in three of his past four. Moore has also scored a touchdown in four of his past five games, six total in that period.
With Corey Davis (core) out for the rest of the season, Moore will operate as the Jets’ No. 1 wideout. In Week 14, Moore gets a terrific matchup with the Saints, whose defense is ceding the fifth most FPPG (40.0) to opposing wide receivers.
This is a matchup in which Moore could go off. New Orleans has struggled to contain wideouts all season long and I don’t see that changing at this point of the season.
Deep WR Week 14 Sleeper: Van Jefferson, Los Angeles Rams @ Arizona Cardinals
- Rams-Cardinals Total: 51.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 51.5 (-110), Under 51.5 (-110)
Even with the addition of Odell Beckham Jr., Van Jefferson has played outstanding football for the Rams since Robert Woods went down with a torn ACL.
Since the Rams’ Week 11 bye, Jefferson has gone for 16.1+ PPR points in consecutive games. While he scored touchdowns in both of those contests, he’s also seen 8+ targets in each game. Jefferson is beginning to emerge as the No. 2 option in the Rams’ passing attack over OBJ.
In Week 14, we could have a shootout at hand on Monday Night Football. The game has a point total of 51.5 at Caesars Sportsbook. The Cardinals’ defense has been terrific in 2021, but it sometimes has issues containing the pass.
The Cards are allowing 32.9 FPPG to opposing wideouts and will get one of the toughest matchups to date in the form of the Rams. In fact, Jefferson dropped a season-high 21 PPR points on the Cardinals back in Week 4. He already knows how to get after Arizona’s secondary.
I am all-in on Jefferson in Week 14.
More Week 14 WR Sleepers To Consider
- Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers
- Marquez Callaway, New Orleans Saints @ New York Jets
New York Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore is a trustworthy fantasy football option again in Week 14. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 14: Tight End
Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams
- Rams-Cardinals Total: 51.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 51.5 (-110), Under 51.5 (-110)
Since the Cardinals traded for Zach Ertz, he’s been, well, underwhelming. Ertz has only returned two games with double-digit PPR points. And while he is coming off of a season-low two target game last week against the Bears, Ertz should get back on track against the Rams in Week 14.
Ertz has drawn 5+ targets in 4-of-6 games as a member of the Cardinals. And while Arizona’s pass-catching group is finally healthy, the Cardinals will match up with a Rams’ secondary that normally stifles DeAndre Hopkins.
Other pass-catchers must step up this week. Ertz will be that guy. This is why Arizona traded for him.
The Rams managed to shut down Josiah Deguara and James O’Shaughnessy in back-to-back games. However, they were gashed by opposing tight ends in the middle of the year. From Week 7-to-Week 10, the Rams allowed five different tight ends to finish with 10+ PPR points against them.
Ertz is a solid play with upside if he scores a touchdown in Week 14.
Deep TE Week 14 Sleeper: Gerald Everett, Seattle Seahawks @ Houston Texans
- Seahawks-Texans Total: 42 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 42 (-110), Under 42 (-110)
It’s taken a while, but Gerald Everett is beginning to get involved in the Seahawks’ offense. Since Seattle’s Week 9 bye, Everett has recorded a season-best 14.3+ PPR points in two of four games. In that time period, Everett has drawn 6+ targets in 3-of-4 including two games with 8+ looks.
In both of the games in which Everett drew 8+ targets, he’s converted them into those 14.3+ PPR-point outings.
Even last week when Everett only logged seven yards, he still caught 4-of-6 targets against a stingy 49ers’ defense. Now, Everett will get a Houston defense surrendering the 10th most FPPG (14.1) to tight ends.
The Texans have played the tight end position better of late following a terrible start to the year, but if Everett gets the opportunity, he will deliver.
Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki, Dallas Goedert, and all the Colts’ tight ends are on byes. You can do a lot worse than Everett if you’re streaming the position this week.
More Week 14 TE Sleepers To Consider
- Evan Engram, New York Giants @ Los Angeles Chargers
- Tyler Conklin, Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers
2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 14: Kicker
Zane Gonzalez, Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons
- Falcons-Panthers Total: 42.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 42.5 (-110), Under 42.5 (-110)
Zane Gonzalez has been erratic this season, but it hasn’t been his fault. He is tied to an offense that can’t stay healthy or figure out the quarterback position. The Panthers also fired over-hyped OC Joe Brady during their Week 13 bye.
The Falcons are a terrific matchup for opposing kickers. Opposing offenses can move the ball easily into Atlanta territory, which sets the kicker up for scoring opportunities. If there is a game Gonzalez can get back on track, even if it is for one week, it is in Week 14 against the Falcons.
More Week 14 PK Sleepers To Consider
- Matt Prater, Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams
- Greg Zuerlein, Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Football Team
2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 14: Defensive Team
Denver Broncos vs Detroit Lions
- Broncos-Lions Total: 42 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 42 (-110), Under 42 (-110)
The Broncos’ defense is in an absolute smash spot this week against the Lions. While the Lions played well against the Vikings and won — Merry Christmas Detroit — division games can be shifty. The Denver defense is outstanding despite the team’s overall record.
Denver’s defense should play well on the road. It has recorded two games with double-digit fantasy points in the past five, while also holding the Chiefs to 22 total points last week. With Bradley Chubb back in the mix, the Broncos should be harassing Jared Goff all afternoon.
As long as game-manager Teddy Bridgewater doesn’t put his defense in bad spots, the Broncos will return a high floor in Week 14.
Other Week 14 D/ST To Consider
- New Orleans Saints @ New York Jets
- Los Angeles Chargers vs New York Giants
NFL Week 14 Injuries to Monitor
- QB Daniel Jones (neck)
- RB Miles Sanders (ankle)
- WR Adam Thielen (ankle)
- WR Keenan Allen (COVID-19)
- TE Logan Thomas (knee)
Anthony’s Accountable: Sleeper Pick Success Rate
This is a recap of my plays from Week 13 (skill position players only). I consider a sleeper a hit if the player scores 10-plus PPR points (15-plus for QBs, 8-plus for D/ST):
Anthony’s Sleepers are 81-73-1 this season.
- QB Derek Carr (12.6)
- QB Carson Wentz (11.2)
- RB Alexander Mattison (21.4)
- RB Myles Gaskin (6.6)
- RB Tony Pollard (15.4)
- WR Van Jefferson (16.1)
- WR Jaylen Waddle (18)
- WR Brandon Aiyuk (8.5)
- TE Logan Thomas (13.8)
- TE Pat Freiermuth (7.6)
- K Ryan Succop (6.0)
- DST Miami Dolphins (9.0)
