Fantasy football projections, Week 14: Cowboys-Giants featuring Dez Bryant, Ezekiel Elliott, Odell Beckham, more

The Week 14 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants features two of the hottest teams in the NFL going head-to-head. We’ve got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.

The Minnesota Vikings have been able to hold many star receivers to limited fantasy production throughout the 2016 season. They were not able to contain Dez Bryant last week. Bryant caught only four passes in the game but he managed to turn them into 84 yards and a touchdown. He’s now scored four times in the last four weeks. The New York Giants rank in the bottom third of the NFL when it comes to limiting fantasy production at the wide receiver position. Things are looking up for Bryant. Nobody can stop the Dallas Cowboys and even though the team has clinched a playoff spot already, Bryant will be in top form during the fantasy postseason.

Of course the most astute fantasy owners know that Dallas’ offense really goes through running back and super rookie Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott carried the ball 20 times for 86 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota last week. He’s now been held under 100 yards rushing in five of the last six games. It should be noted however that Elliott contributed regularly in the passing game as well and his 86 yards against the Vikings represents his lowest total since Week 2. Elliott should continue to impress and thus top his projections as the playoffs get underway.

For fantasy owners who locked up a playoff spot by capturing a victory in Week 13, a top-notch performance from wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was just what the doctor ordered. Beckham caught 10 of his 16 targets against the Pittsburgh Steelers for exactly 100 yards. He now has three 100-yard games on the season and he’s seen at least 10 targets in for the last five games. Even in a home game, defeating the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14 is going to be a top task. Quarterback Eli Manning should look to Beckham early and often to try to keep up. Even if the team ends up on the wrong side of the scoreboard, Beckham will therefore produce. He’s the one Giants player most likely to surpass his projections on Sunday night.

Just because Beckham is the most talented and consistent fantasy option for the Giants, it doesn’t mean Manning won’t have to do something special in order to top the Cowboys. The need to win at this time of the season just might propel him over his projections, so he might be a worthy starter in Week 14. Although it’s a little bit disheartening that Manning has been held under 200 passing yards in each of the last two games, the Cowboys rank in the bottom five in terms of fantasy points allowed to the quarterback position. If there was any time for an upset, like this week for the Giants. Manning will get a lot closer it is projected totals the most people think in a huge game. He’s a big-time player.