With the season winding down here in week 14 we have a chance to see some quality match ups. I like this week of matchups a lot more than the last couple weeks because the top five isn’t overpowered by quarterback matchups. I like a lot of position battles this week and there are a lot of games that will be very entertaining.
5. Philip Rivers vs. Eli Manning
Manning and Rivers and their offenses will benefit from playing against defenses that haven’t been very good this year. The Chargers defense is allowing over 400 yards a game in 2013 and the Giants aren’t much better. Both quarterbacks also have enough weapons to help them really rack up the yards and that means racking up fantasy points. I’ll be the first to admit that my faith in Manning has a lot to do with the matchup against a bad defense. But he also has a tendency to play well at the end of the season and the playoffs. I’m ready to see some Manning magic this weekend. Rivers has been pretty good this season so I have confidence that he’ll get it done against a weak New York defense.
4. Brandon Marshall vs. Dez Bryant
Marshall and Bryant two of the top receivers in the NFL will square off this weekend in a game with playoff implications written all over it. The Bears and the Cowboys have both struggled at times on defense this year, and with the season winding down and these two teams chasing the playoffs, we’ll see the best out of the offenses. This matchup would be a lot higher on the list if Jay Cutler was playing this weekend. Marshall is one of the best receivers in the league so he will have no problem getting his. Bryant is another explosive player that will have no problem getting some nice numbers against a struggling Chicago defense.
3. Keenan Allen vs. Victor Cruz
These two will greatly benefit from being the favorite targets of Rivers and Manning. Allen is one of the best young receivers in the league and the top target on the Chargers roster. He seems to always be open and even when he’s not he’s athletic enough to go up and get the ball over defensive backs. Rivers will target him early and often, he will have a nice fantasy point total this weekend. Cruz is the best receiver on the Giants roster and he’ll have no problem finding open space against a bad Chargers defense.
2. Calvin Johnson vs. DeSean Jackson
The best receiver in the league meets one of the most explosive players in the history of the NFL. Johnson is the only receiver in the league that is really uncheckable. It doesn’t matter who the Lions are playing or how many defensive backs they have on him. He goes up over single, double, and triple coverage every single week. He will go off against a weak Philadelphia secondary and earn plenty fantasy points for his owners yet again. Jackson will benefit from his Eagles high flying offense and the current hot streak Nick Foles is on. Jackson is also a player that can score from any point on the field and in Chip Kelly’s college style scheme, expect Jackson to be worked in even if it isn’t in the passing game.
1. Colin Kaepernick vs. Russell Wilson
These two aren’t playing against bad defenses and it won’t be easy for them, but in a rivalry game like this with playoff spots on the line these two will play harder than ever. Wilson and the Seahawks got the best of the 49er’s last time and are the NFC Super Bowl favorites. Wilson is the best dual threat quarterback when it comes to taking advantage of his arm and athleticism. He’s so composed in the pocket and its nearly impossible to bring him down for a sack. Kaepernick is also a really good dual threat quarterback and with Michael Crabtree back from injury he’ll be more comfortable. This will be the most exciting game to watch this week and I look forward to seeing these two dual it out.