There are only three weeks left in the fantasy football season (if you play in one of the smart leagues that ends in Week 16). And in most deeper leagues, the playoffs start in Week 14, so matchups are more critical than ever as owners try to chase fantasy glory.
Fantasy football waiver wire: 5 quarterbacks to target for Week 14
The fantasy playoffs have arrived in some leagues.
But even if you’re not in playoff contention, there are still plenty of ways to scratch that fantasy itch, whether it be in DFS or looking toward the future in dynasty leagues. So with the season reaching its climax, here are some potential waiver wire options at quarterback for Week 14. All players are owned in 50 percent or less of Yahoo! leagues.
Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans (44 percent)
Mariota had yet another brilliant game in a season that’s quietly becoming filled with brilliant games. He torched the Jacksonville Jaguars for 268 yards and three touchdowns on 20-of-29 passing. He also had a highlight-reel 87-yard touchdown run, and his only interception was a tipped pass that bounced off the hands of Dorial Green-Beckham. Mariota will have a more difficult test against the New York Jets defense this week, but he should remain on the QB2 radar, particularly if Darrelle Revis has to miss another week.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets (44 percent)
Fitzpatrick had one of his best games of the year in Sunday’s overtime win over the New York Giants, throwing for 390 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions on 36-of-50 passing. Fitzpatrick is as comfortable as ever in Chan Gailey’s offense, hitting Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker with a steady dose of targets while Chris Ivory does the dirty work on the ground. He’s one of the bigger reasons why the Jets are 7-5 and in the hunt for a Wild Card spot. Fitzpatrick has QB1 upside against a Titans defense that got carved up by Blake Bortles.
Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (40 percent)
The big debate of the 2015 NFL Draft was whether Winston or Mariota would have a better career. It turns out that both of them are pretty good so far. Winston had another spirited performance Sunday in leading the Bucs over the Atlanta Falcons, putting them at 6-6 and right in the middle of the playoff race. His stats don’t jump off the page -- just 227 yards, one touchdown and an interception -- but Winston should be one of this week’s top streaming options against the New Orleans Saints’ historically bad defense.
Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills (36 percent)
Taylor doesn’t throw the ball a lot in Greg Roman’s run-first offense, which is always going to keep his fantasy ceiling capped. However, when he does throw, he makes it count. Against the Houston Texans’ resurgent defense, Taylor turned 21 passing attempts in to 211 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions, while running for 28 yards. He’s been one of the league’s most efficient quarterbacks with 8 yards per attempt and a 17-4 touchdown-interception ratio on the season. Taylor is a solid fantasy starter against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14.
Blaine Gabbert, San Francisco 49ers (three percent)
Is Gabbert actually good? Are we ready to accept this reality? He didn’t put up big numbers against the Chicago Bears, throwing for just 196 yards, but Gabbert played a big role in the 49ers’ comeback win, running for a 44-yard touchdown and throwing the walkoff score to Torrey Smith in overtime.
We don’t suggest you start Gabbert this week, even though he has a good matchup with the Cleveland Browns defense. But if the 49ers decide to give him a longer look in 2016, keeper/dynasty owners might want to take a flyer on him.
