If you’re reading this, it means you probably have made it to your fantasy playoffs, or you’re in the last week of the regular season and you’re on the cusp of making the postseason. Or maybe you’re in last place and just playing for pride at this point. Either way, a blown matchup call can kill your season at this point, which is why you should avoid these three quarterbacks in Week 14.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
One of the most consistent quarterbacks all season, Wilson has been a very valuable player to owners this season. Unfortunately, he gets a tough matchup this week just as the fantasy playoffs are starting. The last time Wilson faced the San Francisco 49ers (Week 2) he had this second worst fantasy performance of the season. In that game, Wilson completed only eight passes for 142 yards, a touchdown and one interception. The 49ers have gone on to allow the fourth fewest points to quarterbacks this season, holding Robert Griffin III to four points in Week 12 and Cam Newton to five points in Week 10. Wilson is usually a top guy to start, but in Week 14, the Nick Foles or Joe Flacco’s of the world are a better option.
Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
Well, since we’re already talking about this matchup, we might as well stay here. Kaepernick has finally been playing up to his fantasy potential in the last three games, putting up 26 fantasy points against the Redskins after scoring 10 or less points in four of his first nine games. But like Wilson, Kaepernick struggled the last time these two teams met. In Week 2, Kaepernick followed up his 31-point Week 1 performance with an incredibly disappointing three points, throwing three interceptions in a loss to the Seahawks. Kaepernick gets most of his fantasy value from running the ball, but Seattle hasn’t given up a rushing touchdown to a quarterback yet this year. Don’t buy too much into his last three games, Kaepernick has been disappointing this season as both a fantasy and a real-life quarterback, and he won’t play well against this strong Seahawks defense, who allowed just seven points to Drew Brees Monday night.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
There’s no doubt that Newton is a big part of what the Panthers are doing right now, winning eight games in a row. But his fantasy production hasn’t been very impressive, and it shouldn’t get much better this week against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are allowing the sixth fewest points to opposing quarterbacks (just under 13 per game) and Newton’s passing numbers haven’t been much to write home about during the win streak. During the streak, Newton has only broken 220 yards four times, falling below 200 yards twice. Newton has retained fantasy value by scoring rushing touchdowns in back-to-back games, scoring five in eight games. But the Saints have allowed only one rushing touchdown by a quarterback this year. Yes, Wilson cut up the Saints on Monday Night football, but the Saints know they need this game if they want to win the division, and the defense will step up in Week 14.