Updted: 12/16/24
The marathon that is the fantasy football regular season is nearing its conclusion. Week 14 marks the final stretch for the regular season in standard leagues (those that wisely avoid crowning champions in Week 18). It’s the last opportunity for managers to secure a playoff spot or improve their seeding for the postseason.
However, fantasy football enthusiasts face a tough challenge in Week 14 as the NFL has orchestrated another “bye-pocalypse,” with six teams taking the week off. So, which players can guide you through the chaos of Week 14, and which ones are traps? Dive into this week’s edition of the Fantasy Football Fool’s Gold Report to discover who to trust and who to avoid.
Jordan Mason, RB, San Francisco 49ers (Trust)
The headline injury from Week 13 struck a major blow to fantasy football managers, as Christian McCaffrey went down during a snowy loss in Buffalo with a non-contact knee injury. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that McCaffrey likely sustained a PCL injury, potentially ending his season—a crushing setback for one of the top fantasy picks.
While McCaffrey’s injury is tough to swallow, it creates a rare opportunity to snag a starting-caliber running back off the waiver wire. Enter Jordan Mason, who proved earlier this season he can deliver RB1-level production in McCaffrey’s absence. On Sunday, Mason took over after McCaffrey’s departure, logging 13 carries for 78 yards, while Isaac Guerendo added four carries for 19 yards and the 49ers’ lone touchdown.
Guerendo’s speed may earn him a role, but San Francisco is likely to lean on Mason moving forward. For fantasy managers scrambling in Week 14, Mason is a top pickup and the most dependable option—a move as smart as keeping an eye on Florida State Seminoles Odds for consistent success.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, Tennessee Titans (Trust)
We’ve highlighted Westbrook-Ikhine in this space before, recommending him as a reliable Week 11 option during the bye-week crunch. While some dismissed that advice, chalking up his touchdown streak to luck, his consistent results deserve a second look from fantasy managers.
Westbrook-Ikhine’s streak—scoring touchdowns in seven of his last eight games—defies typical NFL logic, but it’s clear he’s become a key piece of Tennessee’s passing attack. His chemistry with Will Levis only solidifies his value.
Though regression seems inevitable, an eight-game sample size is compelling enough to justify riding the hot hand. With six teams on bye in Week 14, Westbrook-Ikhine should find his way into your fantasy lineup.
Aidan O’Connell, QB, Las Vegas Raiders (Trust)
The quarterback shuffle in Las Vegas continued in Week 14, with Aidan O’Connell stepping in earlier than expected after Gardner Minshew II was placed on IR. O’Connell performed admirably against a tough Kansas City defense on Black Friday, completing 23-of-35 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns in the Raiders’ close 19-17 loss.
Though head coach Antonio Pierce likely wasn’t thrilled with O’Connell’s costly fumble that sealed the game, the Raiders appear committed to giving the second-year QB a chance to establish himself as their starter. O’Connell has solid support, including veteran slot receiver Jakobi Meyers and rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who has been one of the league’s most productive this season.
Looking ahead, O’Connell has a favorable schedule, facing three pass defenses that rank among the league’s weakest: Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Jacksonville. With these matchups and the potential for garbage-time opportunities, O’Connell is a strong streaming option for the next few weeks—especially as the fantasy playoffs approach.
Parker Washington, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (Bust)
Another intriguing AFC South receiver is Parker Washington, who has emerged as a key target in Jacksonville’s offence. While it’s understandable to be wary of the Jaguars’ passing game, especially with Trevor Lawrence battling injuries, Washington delivered a breakout performance in Week 12 against Houston.
Targeted a career-high 12 times, Washington hauled in six catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. His outlook improves further with Gabe Davis joining Christian Kirk on injured reserve, elevating Washington to the Jaguars’ No. 2 receiver behind rookie standout Brian Thomas Jr.
The downside? Lawrence is still in concussion protocol, which means Mac Jones will be under center—a considerable downgrade for the passing game. Jacksonville’s upcoming schedule features four teams vying for the top draft pick (Tennessee twice, the Jets, and Las Vegas), reducing the chances of garbage-time production. Although Washington’s breakout performance in Week 12 was impressive, it could turn out to be an outlier given these circumstances.
Alexander Mattison, RB, Las Vegas Raiders (Bust)
Staying in Las Vegas, the Raiders’ backfield remains as unpredictable as a spin of the roulette wheel for fantasy managers. In Week 13, those banking on Ameer Abdullah were blindsided when the team elevated practice squad back Sincere McCormick and handed him the lead role in the running back committee.
Week 14 could see another shakeup with Alexander Mattison potentially returning from an ankle injury. While the short turnaround from Sunday to Friday kept Mattison out against the Chiefs, he practised last week, suggesting he could suit up against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Although Mattison has been the Raiders’ most productive back this season, the backfield looks destined for a full-blown committee, rendering all its members risky fantasy options. Mattison might be worth a gamble as the possible lead back for desperate managers, but this is a situation best avoided unless you have no other choice.
Final Words
Week 14 presents one of the toughest challenges of the fantasy football season, with the “bye-pocalypse” forcing managers to dig deep into their rosters and waiver wires for solutions. While some players, like Jordan Mason, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Aidan O’Connell, offer trustworthy production, others, like Parker Washington and Alexander Mattison, come with significant risk and uncertainty.
