Fantasy football waiver wire: Best quarterbacks available in Week 14

The fantasy football season is nearing its end. This is either the last week of the regular season, or the first week of the playoffs if you play in a deeper league. Either way, we’re in the stretch run and every move will be critical from here on out as owners fight for the championship.

There are only a few quarterback injury situations to monitor this week. Matthew Stafford suffered a nasty bruise on his throwing hand, but he avoided any bone breaks and might be able to play in Week 14. Tyrod Taylor was carted off with what looked like a season-ending knee injury, but he somehow didn’t suffer any ligament damage. If he misses time, Nathan Peterman is way off the fantasy map, for obvious reasons.

In other news, Aaron Rodgers returned to practice last Saturday and will be eligible to come back in Week 15. That’s a potential ace in the hole if he doesn’t have any setbacks from his collarbone injury. Rodgers is already owned in 75 percent of leagues, so it’s hardly a well-kept secret in fantasy circles.

Without further ado, here are the week’s top quarterback waiver wire options, owned in 50 percent or less of Yahoo! standard leagues.

Winston made his return in Week 13 from a shoulder injury that cost him three games. He looked pretty rusty and made a handful of terrible mistakes that ultimately cost the game, which has been a running theme in a disappointing third season for Winston. He still managed to finish with 270 yards and two touchdowns, putting himself back on the streaming map against the Detroit Lions next week.

The Jets improved to 5-7 after McCown laid waste to a once-great Kansas City Chiefs defense, lighting up the scoreboard with 331 yards and two total touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) on 26-of-36 passing. It’s his second straight 300-yard game and third on the season, as McCown continues playing the best football of his life at age 38. Normally the Denver Broncos would be a tough matchup, but they’re circling the drain at 3-9 and the defense has collapsed. McCown will be a solid QB2 play then.

It’s not often that Bortles has a great game without any equivocation or caveats, but that’s what happened in Week 13. Bortles was excellent, completing 26 of 35 passes for 309 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. It’s the kind of performance you expect against a dismal Indianapolis Colts defense, but at least Bortles paid off for streaming owners. Things should be much more difficult when he faces the Seattle Seahawks, whose defense is still playing well despite losing Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor.

The 49ers finally turned the keys over to Garoppolo, and the early returns are promising. He didn’t manage a touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears, with the 49ers repeatedly stalling in the red zone. But otherwise, Garoppolo looked the part of a franchise quarterback, with 293 yards on 26-of-37 passing. His only interception was stripped away from the receiver by a Bears defender. Leading the 49ers to just their second win of the season, Garoppolo’s trial run is off to a good start. He gets the Houston Texans next.