Fantasy studs and duds: Romo should thrive vs. Bears
With the fantasy football postseason kicking off in Week 14, it's more important than ever to recognize dangerous matchups and promising replacements.
STUDS
QB Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: As we saw on Thanksgiving, top-notch pass rushes have made Romo uncomfortable. Chicago's isn't a huge threat, which has contributed to the Bears allowing the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this year. Expect Romo to live up to lofty expectations with a full week of rest before this Thursday game.
WR T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts: Scared of cornerback Joe Haden? Don't be. Because of their zone coverage, Haden and the Browns have been decimated lately by speedy big-play wideouts. Hilton (5-9, 178 pounds) fits that mold. He'll continue his path toward a career year.
WR Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers: In point-per-reception (PPR) formats, the Saints have allowed the fourth most points per game to wideouts. Benjamin caught just two of 10 targets vs. the Saints in Week 9, but his conversion rate should be better this time, especially if QB Cam Newton has to go into garbage-time mode.
TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers: Cornerback Darrelle Revis could cover Gates, but New England probably will stick him on WR Keenan Allen to neutralize his quicker skill set. Gates' seven catches last week tied his season high. The Pats have allowed 100 receiving yards and/or a touchdown to tight ends in six of their last seven games.
RB Denard Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars: The Texans have been a much weaker wall against tailbacks than their stats show; they've been lucky to face the tepid Tennessee Titans twice in the last five weeks. The speedy Robinson, coming off his own dud, will torment Houston's front.
DUDS
RB Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins: Miller has averaged 5.0 yards per carry in the last three weeks. Unfortunately, he's this week's sacrificial worm for the Ravens, who still haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher this season. Miller could still fly as a flex (he overcame a tough Jets matchup to find the end zone), but it's hard to trust Miami's ground game this week.
QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons travel to a hostile environment in Lambeau Field, where the Pack held Tom Brady in check last weekend. Ryan is one of the few true home-split risks in fantasy football.
WR Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers: Allen has had a masterful two-week stretch, including a 11-catch, 121-yard, 2-TD line in Week 13, but against the New England Patriots, he'll most likely land on Darrelle Revis Island. What's worse is that he's exactly the type of wideout Revis can snuff out. QB Philip Rivers adjusts his reads well, so he won't mind going away from Allen in such cases. Consider him a WR3, max.
QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: Alhough Big Ben finished with great numbers last week, you have to wonder how his right wrist will respond after it hit a defender's helmet. Also, the Bengals have been tough against quarterbacks since facing Andrew Luck in Week 7, and Roethlisberger has been far less productive on the road.
SLEEPERS
QB Eli Manning, New York Giants: The Tennessee Titans have given up more than one passing touchdown just three times this year. But each time they have, they've allowed at least three. Houston's Ryan Fitzpatrick exposed them for six TDs last weekend. The Giants may focus on the run (Tennessee's defense is terrible there), but New York's receiving personnel can replicate Houston's success.
WR Andrew Hawkins, Cleveland Browns: With WR Miles Austin out and TE Jordan Cameron (concussion) still a question mark, Hawkins should see an uptick in looks, which have slightly decreased since Josh Gordon returned. The Indianapolis Colts will force Cleveland into plenty of passing situations, meaning Hawkins could return to the 8-plus targets he saw from Weeks 7 through 11.
QB Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers: Though quarterbacks haven't had to chuck it often against them, the Raiders have folded against enemy ground games — just the type of opportunity the mobile Kaepernick could seize. He could take off and run more than usual, and at least his threat of running could open things up through the air.
RB Roy Helu, Washington Redskins: The Rams have not been a favorable matchup for running backs for most of the year, but they've been forgiving to receivers out of the backfield. They've allowed an average of 8.25 RB receptions per game in the last four weeks. Helu ranks among the top 10 running backs with 38 receptions and should remain a safety valve for QB Colt McCoy. He's one of the position's best daily fantasy PPR sleepers.
TE Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills: The Denver Broncos allowed five touchdowns to tight ends in Weeks 6 through 10, and have been lucky to face weak options since. Though his involvement fluctuates, Chandler is often used heavily when a matchup flaw exists — the type of bargain that stands out. He's a convenient backup plan if Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (ankle) winds up inactive again.